New Year. New Start

For a blog that is. I enjoyed writing my last blog (rageagainstthelaufmaschine) but I felt that it had served it's purpose for me. In this new year I have a couple of personal targets that I would like to achieve and blogging is a good way for me to keep track of them.

Rather than just being about cycling, I plan to vent a little on this. I imagine that it will be mainly about bikes and the riding of them though. 

OK, to the targets.

I aim to ride the Tour of Flanders Sportive at the end of March

5000 miles for the year.

Hit 12.5 st

I may add more targets as I think of some but they are the main 3.

The sportive target is already in hand I just need Lou to sort out the time off work. I'll hopefully be doing the 134km version rather than the 244km though. Although you never know on the day... If anyone fancies joining me on the ride I'd be grateful!

The mileage target is important to me as it means that I'm consistently riding, staying fit and hopefully, having fun. I did just under 4k in 2011 and would like to improve on that. Hopefully no-one will die this year and depress me.

I was pretty consistently 12st10lbs last year and recently ballooned to 13st 6lbs due to an overwhelming apathy for life and drinking myself stupid most nights. This has now been addressed and I'm now back to 13st 0lbs but would like to shift a little more. There is no stupid diet in effect just excercise. That way I can still eat pretty much what I want.

Anyway. Four rides this week. I'll do a quick summary but will blog properly for the next ride.

The first with Paul and Steve out to Jodrell Bank, taking in Swiss Hill and a pint of coffee in Knutsford. 39.26 miles

Second was on my own. A little urban tour, taking in the sights of, Trafford Park, Salford, City Centre and the southern 'burbs' on my way home. 19.31 miles

Third up was Mountain Biking. Generally more fun that road riding but strangely not as satisfying at the moment. Myself, Mark B and Dave drove over to Macc to do a Macc Forest route that Dave, Mark and Steve have done before. Taking in quite a few gnarly climbs, some excellent views and some truly fantastic descents. It was a great ride despite the hoolie blowing most of the day. 12.03 miles

Last but by no means least was one of my local loops. Usually taking just over an hour but today taking two. Out to Lymm through Carrington and back through Hale and Altrincham. It's only 20.28 miles but today was utterly awful. First my mudguard broke and rubbed for the rest of the ride despite my ham-fisted attempts to fix it. My rear wheel the came loose and locked in the frame. FFS. two hours after leaving home I came back sodden (through expensive waterproof) and thoroughly fucked off. Ah well, there's always tommorow.

90.88 miles for the week.