Forget resolutions. I usually break mine within a week, anyway. Instead, I’m going to recap 2009 through my biker’s eyes, and look ahead to 2010.
2009 stats:
- Total miles: 3,053
- Avg. speed:14.9
- Highest avg. speed on a single ride: 17.2 mph
- Highest maximum speed on a single ride: 39.2 mph
- Longest single ride: 77 miles
- Avg. ride distance: 21.6
2009 Recap:
The highlight of the year is total distance ridden. I topped 3,000 miles for the year, 375 miles more than last year. That would be like adding a 13th month of riding to my 2008 totals, so I’m pleased that I got more saddle time in. I didn’t do a century in 2009. As you’ll recall, the first day of the MS 150 was cancelled, and the second day was 77 miles. That was the longest ride distance I had all year. Many of the stats are down a fraction from last year. Average speed fell from 15.1 to 14.9, highest avg. speed fell from 17.65 to 17.2. But my avg. ride distance is up, from 20.6 to 21.6 miles per ride. If I step back and put it all into perspective, 2009 was nothing to crow about. But if I look a little deeper, I know that my stamina is up, my hill climbing has improved, and I feel better about my ability on the bike. I’m more at home in the saddle.
2010 Goals:
I don’t have a lot, which is probably wise. The ones I do have will challenge me both on and off the bike:
- Ride the MS 150 Houston-to-Austin, this time completing both days.
- Ride the Hotter ‘n Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls, Texas, next August.
- Learn bike maintenance, and diligently maintain my bikes.
- Expand my riding horizons by riding new routes in new areas.
- Get my weight below 200 pounds.
I’m embarrassed about that last goal. Last year at this time, I indicated that I would work on dropping 30 pounds. But I finished the year at almost exactly the same weight as I finished last year with, so I obviously didn’t take the goal seriously. But the other day, I tried on a pair of trousers I got as a Christmas gift, and was stunned to find they didn’t fit in the waist. Two months ago, they would have.
The third and fourth goals are not specific or measurable, but they’re personal goals, and I’ll know if I’ve met them to my satisfaction.
Now, we’ll see how life cooperates, and whether it throws any roadblocks in my way. I’ll be helping my wife start a new business, and I have some things coming up in my own work that will make 2010 challenging. But I suppose all of us face challenges with each coming year. Here’s hoping you are able to surmount yours.