My cycling journey for 2011 is just about over. Only a few more hours until the clock strikes midnight and the new year will begin bringing with it a new year of riding opportunities and challenges.
I have put the last entry in my riding calendar for the year and my total mileage for 2011 is 3,124. My personal goal was to get to 3,000 miles (up from 2,400 in 2010) and I like to think that, not only did I ride further than I had expected, I rode better as well.
I give lots of credit to my new cycling friends, John, Neil, Tom, Tony and all the members of PMC Team Access who adopted me as their mascot this year (a better bunch of friends and riders could not be found anywhere). Not to mention the various cyclists that I met on the road and with whom I formed a quick camraderie. When it's you, a loose configuration of metal/carbon fibre, rubber and very little padding rolling along as fast as you can over a somewhat smooth asphalt surface, there tends to be a common purpose that makes it easy to share motivation and experiences with others. Thanks to all these friends for challenging me, laughing with me and helping me be a better rider and a better person.
My ten year old Lemond Nevada City continues to respond whenever I ask it to do something for me. I think that it somehow knows that I am the older and the weaker of the the two of us. To me it is more than an inanimate object, it is a friend that listens to me while I curse on hill climbs, responds when I decide it is time to sprint, eases my bones when we ride over railroad tracks or unavoidable pot-holes and rarely complains. All it asks is to be cleaned after wet ride and tuned regularly, all of which I am more than happy to do.
I like to consider myself a cyclist, although I am regularly reminded of how little I am capable of when on my bike. I hope I will continue to learn and grow into an ever stronger, smarter rider. A large part of my motivation to do so remains the Pan Mass Challenge and what it does to help my friends and family who have been affected by cancer. It is a great cause and whenever I feel tired on a ride, I remember the cause and redouble my efforts.
A few days from now, registration for the 2012 Pan Mass Challenge will open and I am already chomping at the bit to sign up. My plan for the coming year is to consider adding miles to the official 190 mile weekend.
I look forward to many training rides with Tony, Tommy, Neil and John (they always make me remember Velomenati Rule #5) and to all that 2012 will bring to me on the road. If the past year is any indication, it will be a blast!!
A long time ago, my Dad taught me that it is important to challenge yourself. That is how you grow.
I am glad that my cycling journey will continue.
