Goals keep you motivated and excited about the future which beats the constant feeling of doom in these days of continual aging, often unexpected but always interesting health issues, creeping governmental authoritarianism and the inevitable climate apocalypse.
Here are my cycling goals for the coming year! :
• Unbound Gravel 100 miles in less than 8 hours - That's ride time and not elapsed time and this may be out of my control depending upon the weather so we will see about this. Ultimately finishing this event without destroying a bike or myself will be enough for me.
• 13 century rides - The most I have ever done in one year is 12 and that was in the pandemic year of 2020. Should be possible.
• Bring back Fondo Smithers ride from Minneapolis to Duluth. Need to pick the right day for weather and wind direction, this ride goes nearly 100% north. 175 to 200 miles depending upon the route. I have done this ride 5 times and all but once has been the first week of June. We'll see how the fitness looks in the spring. I rode it alone in 2020 but it would be fun to have company this year.
• Minneapolis to Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. 170 miles or so for 2 consecutive days. That's a loooong way, I don't know. I have wanted to take this on for a few years now. Maybe 2024 will be the year for this. 🤔
Check back this time next year to see how many of these goals were accomplished. Really though, if I have another year in 2024 like I did in 2023 I will be plenty happy with that. 👍
