I keep thinking I'll make it up, I'll make it up, I have plenty of time. Turns out, I won't and no, I don't.
I wanted to hit 8k this year, 8000 miles for the year. I won't. It'll be close but not close enough.
I've ridden further. This year I've been able to Work From Home more frequently, more often than not, twice a week. This does really hit your mileage. I used to be really reluctant to WFH. Losing the days mileage was just too much to stomach. Now, I positively Love It. Mostly.
I've slightly upped my commute distance to allow for the additional WFH day. 25 miles each way. It does get a little tiresome. At the end of the day when it bleak outside, dark and pissing down, I don't really want to cycle 25 miles. 15 would be perfect. 25 can be a little much.
So if I ride 3 days on the bounce and get in 150 miles, by the time Thursday rolls around, WFH and staying in bed for 2 hours longer is BLISS, it really is.
Then, Along came Boy.
My social riding has been non existent. I can count on 2 fingers the amount of weekend cycling rides I've gotten in this year.
So, early December I'm chasing the miles, hoping to make up the deficit. June I rode 393 miles in a month. That's at least 300 miles less than I'd have hoped in a normal month. So this is where I missed out on the 8000 for the year but my 2nd Son was born, So I missed out on nothing. I just enjoyed my beautiful boy and his first few weeks.
I then thought 'whats the point' in trying to make up the miles in crap weather. I know exactly where I lost the miles and exactly how to make them up next year. So there it is. Yeah I could make them up, If I wanted too. In dark, foggy conditions. I won't though.
Or I just start again 01/01/2017. Well it won't be, It'll be 03/01/2017. Got Sherlock to sit through first. obvs.
I'd like to be committed enough to take part in the Rapha festive 500 but I'm not and I won't. Christmas isn't about miles. It should be done by then. Christmas is about family, friends, food and fun.
I haven't finished just yet. About 125 to add to my total of 7740 before I sign off for the year. A Close call.
Still a bloody good effort which ever way you look at it. How many miles a year do the vast majority of people cycle every year?
ReplyDeleteAfter I got hit by a car in April I've cut my road mileage right back. Had a massive confidence fail and don't enjoy being on the road at all. Every journey now is a relief to arrive safely.
I was looking at getting a new bike before the accident, Di2 and everything. Instead I used the money and got a Tacx Neo direct drive smart trainer. Game changer for me. I can do a short 10-15 mile commute ( I even use cycle paths now, never used to) and then spend as much time as I like on the trainer, in safety, at home. Zwift, Traineroad and Tacxs own software all really good.
I used to take the piss out of people who used it, not proper cycling and all that, now I wouldn't be without it.
Congrats on the new additions this year, boy and bike :-)
Always enjoy reading your blog. Cycle safe chap.
Martin
Thanks for the Congrats bud, appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI do remember your accident. Shame it's hit your confidence in that way, bound too though. I'm glad you've found something that works for you, a lot of guys here use turbo's, seems like a sensible option. I'm getting more wary as the days pass, not sure if its the new boy or increased traffic or a combination. Everywhere I go there are new builds popping up, not just houses but blocks of flats, It's only going to get worse.
Time for an MTB and a re-think of my route....
Hope you have a good Christmas