The Off Season?

I haven’t written a blog since October, and the Solvang fall double. That was my last event of the year. Even though we are in the off season, I am still riding and training; trying to complete my goals for this year, and preparing for next year.

What goals do I have to complete? I participate in the UMCA year-rounder. My goal this year was to log over 5,000 miles in rides of 90 miles or more. Mission accomplished. My other goal is to ride a total of 10,000 miles this year. As of this writing, I am 612 miles shy.

What is up for next year? Where do I want to go with my cycling? 2011 is a big year for those who are randonneurs. 2011 is a Paris-Brest-Paris year. Complete a 200, 300, 400, and 600 kilometer brevet, and you are qualified for the 1200 kilometer randonee that starts in Paris, France goes to the city of Brest on the Atlantic, and returns to Paris. This event is over 100 years old, and is run every four years. I will not be attending. I cannot afford it, and although I would like to do it, can’t justify that kind of money for one event. However, I still want to complete the brevet series. I DNF’d on the 600 kilometer last year.

I also intend on doing five to seven double centuries. Having done 10 in the past two years, I now have some favorites including, Eastern Sierra, and Solvang Spring. Those two are circled on my calendar as must do events.

Those of you who know me or have ridden with me know I am far from fast. But I am competitive, and am looking to satisfy my competitive appetite. That is the big change to my 2011 season. I have joined Tri Club San Diego, and have started to train for triathlons as well. I have already increased my running, took some swim lessons, and have incorporated BRIC’s into my regiment. This leads to my main event for 2011, which will be the Austin half ironman in October. I’ll do some sprint events throughout the year to get comfortable with the different disciplines, learn transitions, and I’ll have 10 more months to build up my swimming so I can do the 1.2 mile swim, which right now is the part I am least confident in.

2011 should be a fun and busy year. 10-12 cycling events over 180 miles, and, another five or six triathlons leading up to my October half-ironman Did I really commit to a half-ironman? GULP!

I hope you have enjoyed my blog throughout the year; I have enjoyed writing it, and will begin again in January with a report on the season opening 200K brevet.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, stay safe, and remember its okay to indulge once or twice this time of year. If you’re feeling like you had too much, visit the Palomar Mountain General Store by bike.

You can follow my cycling and other musings on Twitter. I am @stevecycles200.