End of my first year!

[CopperCyclist]

Visiting my parents as of tomorrow, so today was my last cycling day of 2011.

I started at the end of March, after deciding to borrow my father in laws Orange E3 mountain bike and give commuting a go. At the end of the year, I can now report:

Total of 2330 miles ridden
2 new bikes bought (Boardman CX Team, Trek 6500)
1 car sold
2 stones lost
1 promise of never driving into work again!

I also wanted to make sure my last ride of the year was the longest I've done, so I went out and completed a 40 mile ride today. I know it's not a huge ride for some of you, but I was very pleased! Add this to my fastest average speed ever coming home from work on my last night of 19mph, and I'm happy I'm finishing the year with a bang!

I've already made my plans for next year, which are quite simple - 1. Buy a road bike to add to the stable and 2. Work up to the point of making a cycle trip to my parents, which is 80 miles.

My only regret is that I didn't 'discover cycling' earlier...

 

[Hacienda71]

It is kind of addictive isn't it.......

 

[mark c]

Bravo I hope to start commuting when the mornings get lighter.

 

[G-Zero]

CC,

Excellent effort

I'm not too far behind you on the mileage and weight loss; and like you, I'm hoping to keep it going in to next year.

Here's to 2012

 

[Bman]

Bravo I hope to start commuting when the mornings get lighter.

You could just get some lights

 

[Blue]

to you.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

That 80 mile journey is not far off if you've just done 40 miles. You'll feel great when you've done it, even if it takes you all day with multiple coffee and cake stops en route.

Don't regret that you didn't start riding earlier - you've got many future discoveries in front of you!

Happy New Year.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Chapeau!

 

[CopperCyclist]

Chapeau!

I guess noes the time to ask... what does that mean? I've seen it on the site before, I get the general gist (well done, bravo etc) but have no idea where it came from?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

From Wikipedia: "Chapeau! is often used as a generic expression of approval and appreciation in France and other parts of Europe : as a sign of admiration or respect, one shall indeed remove his hat."

I must admit that before I looked it up, I assumed it was cycling specific rather than being in wider use.

All that time I spent watching the TDF has paid off then...

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Great first year - hope mine (2012) is half as good!

 

[briantrumpet]

My only regret is that I didn't 'discover cycling' earlier...

Me too - wish I'd tried getting serious about it when I was at university, but getting serious at 47 has only made the goal-setting rather more focused, as I reckon I need to hit targets by the time I'm 50.

Good luck with your next set of goals - isn't it nice when feeding an addiction can have such positive outcomes?

 

[swampyseifer]

well done dude...onwards and upwards!

 

[johnr]

to you.

+1

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Excellent stuff, well done.