Permission to gloat please?

[ClichéGuevara]

I pedal for a number of reasons each basically amount to different ways of giving me pleasure. I'm no racer, at 18st and 5'11" I never will be, and plenty on here will scalp me, but I think most of us have our own little targets and milestones, just for our own bit of interest.

There's a ride I do on occasions, just a couple or three times a year that's flat, with few obstructions, has a roundabout at exactly half way and is exactly 10 miles long. The simple target is eyeballs out, arse up, half an hour there and back = 10miles at 20mph. Now over time I've been nudging it and now achieve it more than not (but only just). On Friday night, i went running with my teenage daughter and probably pushed it further than I should have. Saturday, tried the 10 miles and just did it, fair enough, but so what?.

This morning, I set off just to explore, no pressure, no pace. Headed off towards the roundabout, after 5 miles I'm averaging over 20. Five miles later, I still am. Pressed on and did my 1st 20 miles in an hour ride. Chuffed to little buttons. Came back a slightly different route and this time forced myself not to push, and still clocked 18mph for the 19 miles back, so it wasn't the wind or hills.

I guess the lesson for me is, less is more. Learn to relax instead of trying to stomp through.

Hope you don't mind me sharing, my mates tend to be non-cyclists and while they're supportive, it doesn't mean the same to them.

 

[craven2354]

Congrats I hope to one day do 10 miles in less that 30 minutes now you have to set another goal

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Cheers Craven. My goal for this year is 100 miles in a day. As daft as it not only sounds, but is, I've done 93 this year, but cut it short because the target's a joint one with a mate and it didn't seem right for just me to do it.

 

[steve52]

would you like to sell your legs?

 

[MacB]

That's what it's all about, hitting whatever targets give you pleasure...every target hit, whether it's speed, distance, being car free, shopping, watching the world go by...whatever, gives you a buzz...without a buzz it's just a chore.

On that note, bloody well done, awesome and give yourself some well deserved plaudits

 

[ClichéGuevara]

would you like to sell your legs?

It's one of the problems with stats, especially for cycling. The biggest "hill" on the ride was a small flyover, so while I'm chuffed with it, I reckon when others do it they've humps and hills to make up for.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

That's what it's all about, hitting whatever targets give you pleasure...every target hit, whether it's speed, distance, being car free, shopping, watching the world go by...whatever, gives you a buzz...without a buzz it's just a chore.

On that note, bloody well done, awesome and give yourself some well deserved plaudits

It's exactly that, and anyone achieving their own target has the same feeling and the same right to that feeling. Whether it's the guy on here who's done the 10 miles in 14 and a bit minutes or someone doing their first 4miles non-stop.

 

[Big boy]

Well done mate thats shifting in my book.

 

[Davehateshills]

That's a cracking pace. I had the same feeling last week following a couple of rides, it spurs you on to your next target and makes this cycling lark so addictive.

 

[Nebulous]

Well done.
20 mph is a magic figure for me, it featured in a lot of my targets.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Looks like your personal Time Trials are working out well, way to go! Keep up the good work.

 

[Hitchington]

I guess the lesson for me is, less is more. Learn to relax instead of trying to stomp through.

And find a good tearoom for a bacon sarnie or cake halfway through (or at the end if you're serious about targets)

 

[Primal Scream]

Hitch, you do seem to have a thing about CAKE mate

Che, very well done

 

[Hitchington]

Yes, yes I do