Congrats all, I always wonder though why targets are necessary, presumably it aids motivation in some way? Is it not enough to just enjoy riding then take a look at the end of the week / month / year to see what distance you ended up with? If we do a ride that shows on the speedo as 98 miles when we get home, there is no desire to go out and complete 100. Over the years I have discussed this with many cyclists and it seems to be the newer you are, the more you are likely to set targets [obviously there are exceptions like Steve Abrahams or racing a 12 hour]. I often wonder why, particularly after reading these type of threads. No criticism implied, just genuinely interested.
A good question. I read a book called "Just Ride it!" recently, and agreed with much of the similar content. Among other questions the author wondered whether you would ride your bike at all if you never told anyone about it. If not. then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.
For me, the reason I set targets is that I am fundamentally a lazy person. If I could convince myself that I had done enough then I would call it a day as soon as it started to get tough. Which is fine if all you want to do is tootle about on the flat. If what really gets your pulse going is the thought of cycling in the hills and high mountains, and being able to go absolutely anywhere on a bike when you are on your hols, that just doesn't cut it.
I always used to cheat on my school cross country runs, and as a result always got the stitch just running for a bus. In PE lessons I perfected the art of waiting for the teacher to start turning towards me and then looking like I had just completed tackling one of the pieces of apparatus. When I took up cycling several decades later, I was determined not to cheat myself out of making the progress I wanted to make, so I set myself targets. This years targets were...
(1) Complete the Cyclechat Metric Century a Month Challenge (still in, one ride to go)
(2) Cycle further this year than ever before (job done)
(3) Go cycling in the Alps again (got up a good 'un that is going to feature in next year's TDF) and
(4) Do my first 100 mile ride.
Still working on number 4. With the shorter days and the worsening weather, I doubt whether I will find the right day to get that done this year now, so that's a definite for next year. I guess my point is that, being 6 foot 5 and 20 stone, without setting myself those targets, I wouldn't have had the slightest chance of riding around in the Peak District, the Cotswolds or the Mendips, let alone getting up any Alps this year. Targets can be a really positive thing.
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