For the past 10 years or so, I have structured my riding plans for each year around a key goal or two. Whether it was the 100-mile, 10,000 elevation gain Hillier Than Thou time trial in September, the 12 percent, 8-mile climb of Mt. Washington in August, or a special event like the PA 1200k or the 400-mile hillfest of Quadzilla, my goals were clear and my training focused on them.
Now my life is more fractured and I have responsibilities to my family that don’t allow as much scheduling flexibility. I am scaling down my goals for 2012. I now plan a full brevet series and and a series of other rides, including the Whiteface Mountain race and possible some centuries. I intend to stay in good shape, though I probably won’t have the edge of some previous years.
Frankly, the most important thing is that I’m still on the bike enjoying myself after more than 80,000 lifetime miles in the saddle.
Jud