My cycling year in review

The end of the year invites a look in both directions, so here is a review of a year on the bike.

It has been a good cycling year, even if the mileage fell short of what I had expected. Part of the reason was that I grew tired of chasing miles for their own sake, and part of it was that I have been running more in recent months.

The plan had been to ride 1,300 miles. I managed 1,050. In previous years a target like that worked well, because it got me out on the bike when I might otherwise have stayed at home. This time I stayed on course until the final three months, but after a 100 mile ride in September I felt ready for a break — or at least a break from riding purely to rack up distance. What I needed was more rides done simply for the fun of them.

Having something to aim for is still worthwhile, and I will set another mileage target in January. I suspect it will be closer to 1,000 miles: enough to keep me riding more, without turning it into a chore.

Setting the mileage figure aside, the year has been thoroughly enjoyable. There have been some excellent trips, among them a weekend riding the Ridgeway Trail, another visit to a brewery by bike, a day out in Kent, and the 100 mile ride through Surrey and Sussex. Living in Sussex, cycling constantly reminds me of the fine countryside on the doorstep. It remains remarkably easy to leave it all behind.

In September I watched the Tour of Britain pass through Horsham. It may not have matched the excitement of the Tour de France stages held in the UK, but the town centre had a wonderful atmosphere as the riders came through. More events of that kind would be welcome.

One last thought. A few years ago I had no cycling blog or website, and it was easy to lose track of a year and the riding done in it. I am glad I started this one and have kept it going.

All in all, it has been a good year on the bike, and I am looking forward to more cycling in 2015.