Just wanted to put it out here as a way to keep myself accountable.

1. Attend group rides regularly. Get comfortable with 18-20+ mph speeds over 20-30 miles. Pull for the group every now and then. Expand my "comfortable base" to 40+ miles.

2. Improve bike control. I don't want to be "that guy" who gets squirrelly within a pack.

3. Finish a century. I don't care how long it takes me to finish it for the first one. Then sign up for a 2nd century and aim for a 6 hour finish. Then aim for a 5 hour finish, however many centuries it takes me to do it.

Due to scheduling and a lot of stuff going on in my life (wedding planning for one), I am not sure I can do a century this year, but definitely can do that next year when things settle down and my schedule opens up. Meanwhile, I'll focus on #1 and #2.

Well, I've wanted to do the same thing, so thanks for getting started. Be sure to post when you accomplish a goal.

1. Ride 2,500 miles in 2011.

2. Train for and complete 3 centuries. Finish before the ride organizers kick me off the course.

3. Ride to Kings Gap (30 mi). Ride up Kings Gap (3.5 mi @ 4%). Ride home.

4. Improve bike control (I am "that guy" I'm afraid). Attend more group rides.

5. Ride to my sister's house without having to walk up any hills.

6. Master maintenance/repair of my entire bike.

7. Get below 200 lb.

If you can't fit a planned century ride into your schedule, how about your own personal century. I often ride a loop around my house or parked car so I'm never too far from support.

One of my riding buddies can burn me up Mt. Baldy. So for the next 4 weeks prior to L'Etape du California, I'm going to ride at least 75% of the course once a week and hopefully say "surprise" on May 7.

Exactly! Helps us keep ourselves accountable and motivated.

Here's my update...

1. Making good progress here. Been going on group rides 2x a week, and it didn't take me very long to get my speed up from 15-16 to the 18-19+ mph range. Drafting helps, but I try to get in some nice pulls to get my legs used to the speed.

2. Still working on control. Getting better staying in a straight line, but I'm trying not to brake in a group or paceline unless I absolutely have to. I'm still awkward with turning tight corners (guess I just have to trust the tires to keep me and the bike upright while cornering).

I'll play!

1) 1st Century! (LIVESTRONG!)
2) Ride all summer long, without letting life get in the way. Much.
3) I hope to finish strong with a 2 day tour in the fall.

My goals for 2011 are increased mileage, more bicycle commuting, get weight to 150.

What was your mileage last year and how much are you planning to increase it?

I track mine on our local bike club's website, but also use the ticker from ticketfactory.com to announce to the world how I'm progressing.

Admire you for commuting. Plan to ride the 21 mi (round trip) a few times, only in nice weather, but nothing more than that.

bbattle, Used to live in Huntsville as a kid (ages 3-6) and my Dad is in Tanner. Loved riding the HUMONGOUS river on his jet ski, but the roads seemed a bit too straight to be fun on a motorcycle. How are they on a bike?

Beware the Krispy Kreme. I'd never loose weight if I lived where I could get them fresh. Even brought a dozen up to my Sister last summer when we visited. (and yes, she did get a full 12 in her dozen)

phil g

One goal accomplished. Rode to sister's to deliver a pack of candy cane cookies (like oreos but with candy cane bits in the cream) and didn't have to walk up any hills. Be a while till another is completed, but it's a good start and much better than I did last year riding to her house.

phil g

The only goal I have is to keep enjoying my rides, and of course ride almost daily. Thats it.

Good goals to have...i want to get in more mileage and climb more mountains

A goal of mine is to go to the Buffalo River National Forest here in Arkansas and tackle some of the mountains up there. Also I want to do a sunrise to sunset ride just see how far I get!

Just crossed 500 miles yesterday. Now have 20% of my mileage goal. I know we're well past 20% of the year, but with the seasonal distribution I'm well on track. Especially since it's getting warm enough to ride before/after work, not just on days off.

phil g in New Cumberland, PA, US

where in Houston do you go on group rides? i just started riding a couple weeks ago and ride at Terry Hershey Park 3-4 days a week, but have yet to go on a group ride (don't feel like i'm quite ready for that yet)