You'll gather that rather than going month by month as in previous year's reviews, I'm going to focus in on these three themes:
- Great Rides .. My 2017 new year resolution was to have a sportive free year, focussing instead on epic rides with pals. The year did not kick off well as I was immediately struck down with a double bout of man flu which knocked me for six for the best part of the first 3 months. It was not really until April that I surfaced for a decent ride which took me out to support a couple of club mates in a local cycle race. Following this theme, in the same month we ran a club coaching event on Torbay Velopark, perhaps one of the best cycling experiences I've had. In May, combining my love of cycling fashion and epic rides, I took a few pals on a 100 miler to Shepton Mallet and the Rapha store! With no summer holiday this year I had no scorching foreign adventures but was not, however, that disappointed as we a bit of local sun under which to enjoy the Seaton Cyclefest, the oddity of Running Like Froome, a coast to coast 100 miler and Dartmoor at 25 degrees! Finally, in October, as the temps cool and days shorten I returned to Shepton and Rapha to fo a Cheddar Gorge 100 miler and of course a little retail therapy! The year was a cycling success with what has become my annual 3k mile target reached and not one sportive entered!
- Great Purchases .. In these modern(ist) times, I believe it's OK for guys to obsess over great clothing, and Rapha creates the finest cycling clothing and accessories in the world .. or so it says here https://pages.rapha.cc/about-rapha .. and I concur! My collection grew exponentially this year with me branching out from just their lycra range into the city and accessories. Until I'm paid commission, which based on my regular purchases and marketing resulting in my fellow cycling buddies being equally led astray, I'm saying no more ..!
- Running a Cycling Club .. basically, the lesson learned is don't get tempted or persuaded to do this! You'd be surprised by the number of crazy folk set on upsetting the natural equilibrium for reasons that can only be known to themselves or those qualified in psychiatric care! Unfortunately, although they may be in the minority, the adage of 'it only takes one rotten apple ..' rings oh, so true. I guess this is probably something most folk who get involved in running or participating in local clubs and committees experience from time to time. I'll leave the you to imagine the bazar events which waisted so many hours of my life during the early and latter weeks of the year; it's enough just to say I regret that I won't get these back. Clubs offer so much benefit to so many. I would probably not have got so into cycling had I not have discovered my club all those years ago. It's just sad that those who have no interest in supporting the running of them, feel so obliged to disrespect those who do. Enough said .. it's been an education.
Thus 2017 has been a great year of new rides, satisfying retail therapy and an interesting experiment in human psychology.
So what of 2018? I have 3 key new year resolutions:
- Cut down the consumption of valueless calories: drink less and eat better. At my age, I only need to look at a beer or plate of chips and I've an extra kilo to pedal up a hill!
- Hit the turbo for 30 minutes a day (less recovery days). In 2016 I used the turbo on and off during the winter season and saw amazing benefit come summer. In 2017 I did nothing and felt it!
- Focus on cycling with mates, with an occasional sportive thrown into the mix, should the occasion arise. In 2014 I cycled my first Dartmoor Classic, my first sportive. I was proud to get a bronze medal for my time, but was equally disappointed to miss the silver by 3 minutes. In 2016, I returned and secured that silver, only to miss gold by almost the same number of minutes. So in 2018, yep you've guessed it, I have to go for gold!
I'll keep you posted with how things go.
