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So how did 2013 work out?

  • 23-12-2013 02:01PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 523 ✭✭✭


    Did ye set yourselves a goal 12 months ago?
    And did you achieve it?
    Also what was your cycling highlight of the year?
    Personal and published.

    For me I set myself a goal of getting off the couch and comfortably being able to cycle a 30km loop near here. I started off doing it in around 1hr 20mins, I met and surpassed that target by a long shot (last time I did it in 55mins) as the cycling bug well and truly took hold. Most of the Sunday spins since around the end of May have been in the order of 100km and up.
    My own personal highlight of the year was crossing the line of the Sean Kelly tour 160k in under 5½ hours which I was surprised by to say the least, the power of the group carrying me along was fantastic.


    The published cycling highlight was Dan Martin's stage victory in the Tour.

    Notable mention has to go to being proven right to my doubting acquaintances about him who was on Oprah's show :):)

    2014 will bring an all new challenge for me as I attempt to hang on to the A4's , should be interesting to say the least, only time will tell.

    Season's greetings to all here.


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 872 ✭✭✭smurphy29


    Great post Mugser, and great decision to take it to the next level and try racing - you will really enjoy it. By the sounds of it you are coming on quickly and I'm sure you'll do fine in A4.

    Personal highlight for me was the Laragh Classic race on a brilliant circuit. I missed the places in the sprint from the selection due to a combination of exhaustion and a busted bottom bracket, but hammering up the climb on the first couple of laps to whittle the group down to 15 or so riders in classics conditions was a great feeling, and my parents came out to support me and see what the heck the cycling lark was all about, which was fantastic. Well done to St Tiernan's for organising a great race.

    There were plenty of frustrations along the way too in what was my first year racing; lots of near-misses in bunch finishes and a big learning curve - so many races where I couldn't help myself wasting energy doing something daft.

    Roll on 2014...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 852 ✭✭✭GlennaMaddy


    I upgraded to A2 when the amnesty was announced at the beginning of the season, the goal was to get points as an A2. I usually start the season in May but it was looking like I wasn't going to make that goal going into August. It took a while but I bagged a win in August, since then I've not really taken training seriously, resulting in below par results in the cyclocross A races, the goal had been to finish in the top 20 in at least one:rolleyes:

    Highlight of the year (aside from the win) were the Mondello races, really enjoyed these. The Stephen Roche GP was another highlight, a race I had wanted to do for a few years.

    It was a great year for the Pro's, not just Dan and Nico, but loads of others who I'd been following and hoping they'd pull off a result. Sam Bennet's ToB performance was the highlight for me.


  • Posts: 17,735 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Knee injury in January and work distance increased to 50km each way meant I didn't do anywhere near as much as I'd have liked. Not sure how 2014 will be, possibly more of the same. Pity, I do miss the bike in the morning.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,527 ✭✭✭✭Darkglasses


    EDIT: Excuse the essay! :o

    Goals were to complete the WW100 and Tour of Wexford sportives, comfortably finish a club spin, a solo 100km, and cycle into another county from my house in Wexford.

    Year started quite well, I put up good miles up til May commuting every day to work and getting 1 or 2 60km rides in on my day off (1 week I did very well and did a solo 89km ride after a week of commuting). I knew I was leaving work in May and I felt like I went into it in decent shape (~10 stone). Had trained relatively hard all during winter 2012 with my training buddy, he's more of a triathlete but was aiming to do all the sportives with me.

    Completed my first solo century the week after leaving work. Looking back that was quite a good achievement, even though I commuted every day I was definitely not used to being on the bike for that long and it showed, barring that fluke 89km ride.

    Following a fairly healthy week away in Achill, I completed the Wicklow Way 100 plus a bit extra, cycling down from my buddy's house in the city centre. 138km just over 6 hours, was never interested in doing it quickly, my first ever sportive so just wanted to complete it without having to get off and walk. Again, pretty pleased with that.

    Two weeks later, on the recommendation of my buddy, I did my first TT with Wexford Tri club. Had a blast, was excellent training and met a great bunch of people. Next year there will hopefully be more of those. Also that week I decided to try going back to the Wexford Wheelers. Had been out with them twice before, had to make an SOS call the first time (on a hybrid and unprepared) and second time I took a shortcut home. This time I was in great shape, easily completed with the best of them. Still don't think club riding is for me though, so probably won't do it again.

    Quite enjoyed my first sportive so me and my buddy decided to do St. Luke's 60km, but also cycling there and back so 136km total including 1 climb of Mt. Leinster up the easier side. Probably my best achievement and also the most fun sportive I did. Great to meet a good few Boardsies there too, definitely will do it again next year. I'd been working hard on my climbing and also reducing my weight (just below 10 stone then), and was pleased to see I set a good time going up Mt. Leinster. Tough work cycling home, but harder on my friend (vegetarian so didn't eat anything at the bbq). Also managed to get the other county achievement here, sneaking into Carlow on the way over Mt. Leinster.

    Into August, my weight fell to where it still is now (9.5 stone) and also my mileage started to drop off, with only 1 hard event to go, the Tour of Wexford. Despite being easily the flattest sportive of the lot, it was a very tough 121km ride at just under 5 hours. Heavy rain at the start, and me and my friend struggled to latch onto any group for long. I think the rain kept away the more casual riders like us. All achievements completed :) my mileage really fell off a cliff here.

    Later in August, managed to get something done that had been in the back of mind since that first club spin on my hybrid. It had been a tough route including a climb of Sliabh Coillte, which I had stop half way up and quit. Managed to cycle out there and get my revenge, which was a nice personal victory. Didn't struggle much this time, and greatly enjoyed the observation point at the top of the arboretum.

    One last event in September, a friend asked me to help look after people (giving out drinks and food and calling the broomwagon for people in trouble) on the road on a family cycling event, the Swings and Roundabouts. Hung around the back of the sportive the whole time with two non-cyclist friends, 65km with a delightfully slow 18kph avg speed. Lovely way to end the season, very friendly and so not serious compared to my other ones.

    Last big ride of the year in October, I ventured out to try to take on Mt. Leinster on the harder, 9 stones side. Although still quite light I was well off my best, managed get up to the top (very difficult, never thought I'd make it). Had to pack it in on my way home after horrendous rain and bonking twice. 99km, just short of another century.

    Moved to Belfast for work and college, weekly total barely reaches 70km these days.

    All in all, I'm delighted to have managed to get all the achievements done, but wish I could have kept up the mileage moreso towards the end. I'll give myself a 7.5/10

    Next year - Do a 200km sportive, do 150+ solo, do 3 time trials, do a 2 day tour.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,308 ✭✭✭quozl


    2013 was definitely my best ever cycling year.

    I learnt to ride a bike in May. Built a road-bike in August. Did a 100km sportive in September. Joined Orwell in October and have just signed up for the club league for next year.

    Next years goals are to ride a 200km sportive and to keep getting faster in general. I'm signed up for the WW200 (come on, everyone might as well do it once) but hope to do one of the early Audax 200s.

    My personal cycling highlight was that lesson from Rothar.ie where poor Anne ran along behind me holding my seat post ;) Doing 75kph down-hill on a bike that I built myself is a close second :)

    Published highlight has to be Dan Martin's stage win. I also loved Chris Horner v Nibali in the mist on the Anglirú. That was epic.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,874 ✭✭✭Zyzz


    Hey Darkglasses when is your book signing?? :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,527 ✭✭✭✭Darkglasses


    Zyzz wrote: »
    Hey Darkglasses when is your book signing?? :pac:

    That can be my 2015 goal :o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,630 ✭✭✭pelevin


    Afraid health issues mean my cycling achievements & goals were well & truly smashed so rather than go into those dull & murky waters, on the pro-front - & this was my first year back looking at pro-cycling after losing all interest due to doping - my single ecstatic highlight was Dan Martin in Liege, but overall what gave me most pleasure was probably the Giro. Just loved it, off-the-cuff hard racing from the beginning, riding thru the snow-covered mountains just looked absolutely epic & in Nibali a fantastic winner who seems to carry himself brilliantly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭VR46


    Had been doing 50-100k per week for years just commuting and whatnot. Then at the end of the summer, much to the detriment of my bank balance, I decided I wanted to be a proper cyclist.
    Been doing 200-300k per week since then and seeing some nice improvements. Can't wait to start racing next year. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,122 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    Goals for 2013:

    To cycle at least 13,000 kms - (16,725 kms done and counting) :)
    To climb 50,000 metres - (102,500 metres done and counting) :)
    To do a solo 200 km ride - (did several 200+ rides including one of 221 kms) :)
    To avoid doing the 'walk of shame' -(failed twice during 2013) :o

    I'm pretty happy with 2013. :pac:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,780 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    27 mins 24 sec for 10 mile TT 2 and half mins off 2012 cant complain

    still need to lose loads of weight though

    My weather

    https://www.ecowitt.net/home/share?authorize=96CT1F



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭couerdelion


    Good points:

    Joined a cycle club and participated in the club league, enjoyed it and didn't get dropped in every race.

    Did my first open races and didn't get dropped in all of the races.

    Did a sub 30 min 20km TT in the triathlon club summer series.



    Bad points:

    Still not thin or anywhere close :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 24,639 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    goal was to run a half marathon, and subsequently a full one which I did in June. Next goal is festive 500 and 1000km in December.
    I also crashed recently and landed on my head so hard I went out and bought a mountain bike - I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing yet...
    Not that much went on this year, next year is a different story.

    Turn 30 in August and have vowed to do 333,333 before 30

    Lose 3kg / enter at least 3 organised events
    30 half marathons
    300km cycle
    3,000km of cycling
    30,000m of climbing
    300,000 recorded calories burnt - just for the laugh


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 926 ✭✭✭G rock


    Nowhere near my goal of 12k for the year, but delighted that I did my first 300k back in march, and plenty of solo 200's.

    I was well on track for the year with 8k on the clock by the middle of august, but then a lazy spell landed followed by the birth of our first child, so since then I've only done another 500k!

    Still, most definitely a year to remember!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭ford2600


    quozl wrote: »
    2013 was definitely my best ever cycling year.

    I learnt to ride a bike in May. Built a road-bike in August. Did a 100km sportive in September. Joined Orwell in October and have just signed up for the club league for next year.

    Next years goals are to ride a 200km sportive and to keep getting faster in general. I'm signed up for the WW200 (come on, everyone might as well do it once) but hope to do one of the early Audax 200s.

    My personal cycling highlight was that lesson from Rothar.ie where poor Anne ran along behind me holding my seat post ;) Doing 75kph down-hill on a bike that I built myself is a close second :)

    Published highlight has to be Dan Martin's stage win. I also loved Chris Horner v Nibali in the mist on the Anglirú. That was epic.

    Well done, some going.

    Since your ramping up consider Kingdom alliance sportive, a 3day event in Kerry on Bank Holiday. Iveragh 200 is special event also.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,182 ✭✭✭buffalo


    Won a cup, smashed my face, won a race, won a jersey, won a trophy, smashed my collarbone. Pros outweigh the cons I reckon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭lizzylad84


    from what i remember these are the goals i set last year
    1. tour of Louth (my local sportive.)
    2.tour of Meath

    completed TOL in 3.58. (silver medal).happy with that and a nice marker for 2014
    also delighted to beat my mate across the finish line in TOM...and came home before the rain....always a bonus.
    also completed Cycle for St. Catherine's in Wicklow, my first sportive over 100km, total distance was 120kms, first 80 were soaking wet, but nice to cross the finish line. myself and one other club member done this event.
    also done lap the lough.

    Published highlights have to be Dan Martins tour stage win, Froomies performance on Ventoux
    Cancellara's performance in Paris Roubaix

    as for 2014
    compete in club league,
    160km tour of Meath
    160km tour of Waterford
    Sean Kelly tour of the Midlands
    (possibly) tour de Conamara
    aim for platinum medal time in Tour of Louth
    was hoping to do the ww200 but its me mam's 60th the night before


    oh yeah and I'm getting married next year too


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 16,018 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    Cycling took a bit of a back seat due to work this year so no great progress. Had planned on a 300k spin which never happened, and to cycle 7.5k (only got about 6k on the road and another 1.5k on the turbo). Also put on another stone over the year which is most unwelcome. Highlights were cycling in Kerry on the hols, a number of climbs up Mt Leinster, and a circuitous 240k solo run down the coast to Dunmore East. Also enjoyed the new WW200 route, though really felt carrying the bit of extra lard on the hills.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 954 ✭✭✭monkeyslayer


    two operations early in the year and six weeks walking across the himalayas later in the year played havoc with my cycling and training aspirations, with only one sportif and pretty much no major big spin other than the usual 100km jaunts around wicklow... grand year tho, around 5000km on the 'good' bike, probably the same again on the 'not so good' bike, and more than a few memorable spins in great weather and bad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,129 ✭✭✭daragh_


    My plan was to do some racing in A4 and the Inter-Club League and build up to Charleville. Didn't really do any planned training so my performance was all over the place, but I had a blast anyway.

    Low points. Crashing at Charleville and sitting around feeling sorry for myself afterwards.

    Highlights.
    Being part of an awesome club, nearly every League Race, waving a flag at the Laragh Classic.

    Meeting Le Petit Braquet. Privilege and an honour.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭Seaswimmer


    Goals were to do more "functional cycling" and also keep bike commuting.

    Managed both and got in about 8,500km commuting only.

    Real bonus was a quickly organised 10 day self supported cycling tour from Oporto in Portugal to Biarritz France using our own road bikes and travelling light. It has given me a real desire to do something similar again next year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭shaka


    Goals were to of all the An Post cycles and maybe Wicklow . All that changed when I got results of MRI at start of year, a number severely damaged discs hitting nerve meant 3 months off work and no cycling. Got back on near end of year and even got a 80 km sportive done but pretty disappointing year.

    2014 goals will be to get every week and see how strong I can get again


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,255 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    What I posted at the start of the year.
    I'm looking to triple the distance I did in 2012 (2167km) so looking at about 6500km and do 100km running (857km in 2012, 1160km in 2011)

    This will be done with a bit of everything; commuting, touring, club runs, spins with mates and solo ones, sportif's but not racing (this may change) and whatever else comes my way.

    I hope to do an average of 150km per week with at least 3 commutes and 1 club spin so I believe my 6500km is well within reason.

    One positive side effect is getting really fit and healthy. I've a goal of getting the weight down to 90kg by year so thats 15.3kg to lose as off today.

    Started with a nice 27.8km spin this morning at 6am. It was a lovely morning for a spin!

    I hope to post once a week with updates



    Smashed my distance goal. Now standing on 10,100km for the year. Very happy with that.

    Biggest ride was 218km. Hoping to do a 300km spin next year.

    Didnt do any sportives but did do a lot of 100km plus solo spins.

    Planning to cycle to from Dublin to Belgium via London and Amsterdam for charity. The Dublin part is still in question as its not included as part of the official tour but I hope to do it anyway.

    Wicklow 200 is on the card depending on college

    Weight went up and down. Got down to 95kg and averaged around 97. Still hope to get it down to 90kg.

    Still a member of orwell (for a few more days!) and will see if I rejoin them. I enjoyed the summer spins but I also enjoyed the individual spin.

    Most enjoyable spin was probably a 80km spin in Budapest on an old 1980's pugeot that was originally bought in Joe Daly's!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 964 ✭✭✭detones


    So 2013 was my first full year cycling. Started cycling around May last year. Despite doing what feels like a lot if cycling in 2013 I have only managed just shy of 6000k.

    Biggest Achievement:

    Getting a platinum Medal in the tour of Louth with an Average of 33kph + for the 100k

    Highlights:

    Ring of Kerry
    Boards Spin Against Cancer
    Tour of Sligo
    St. Luke's Sportive
    Meath Heritage

    Lowlights:

    Falling over while stationary and clipped in at tea stop on Meath Heritage. Maybe 50 people looking at my pathetic bike handling.

    Goals 2014:

    Be Awesome

    Complete 8000k for the year

    Wicklow 200

    Sean Kelly TOW ( had to cancel st last minute this year)

    Best one of Beastys KOM's ;-) especially one near my doorstep.

    Get my winter hat of @BCMF while its still cold out and generally continue to wind him up ;-)


    Give the club league a try....This is a biggie as I have always said I would not race. To be honest safety is my main concern (and getting dropped like a hot snot) and has put me off racing. I am fairly fearless on bike on my own, have descended at near 100kph and i enjoy cornering at speed etc, its not having control over a situation which puts me off racing. The club league should be a relatively safe introduction.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,122 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    detones wrote: »
    ...Getting a platinum Medal in the tour of Louth with an Average of 33kph + for the 100k..
    Kudos - that's pretty impressive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 460 ✭✭mahoo


    after consulting my strava i can confirm that 2013 was indeed pants. 22 rides total :(

    highlight - the summer weather
    lowlight - my hips

    Actually, i didnt set any goals for 2013 so i guess in that case it was success. hurrah!

    2014 goals - try A4 racing / double hip replacement


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 214 ✭✭dermo1990


    Started out 2013 with the ambition of upgrading to A3 in my first season of racing after only starting cycling in July 2012 with pretty horrendous fitness....that didn't happen, but got annoyingly close to an upgrade on my last race of the season.
    Could've got points in a few other races, but due to nervous bunch sprinting or silly tactical decisions (like leading for the majority of my first race), that didn't exactly happen....have had a few crashes during that time too, none race related thankfully :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,386 ✭✭✭lennymc


    goals for 2013 - get to a3 from a4. try not to hurt myself in the inevitable crash (or several as it turned out) and enjoy my cycling
    I achieved the upgrade, and crashed a bit. Enjoyed most of my cycling. Highlight was getting a second place in my 'home' race (circuit passes 500 metres from my house). I was pipped at the post by a swords rider. Ah well. I will just have to win it next year!!

    Also did a weeks training camp which inclded some pretty savage climbs, such as the valley of the tears in Gran canaria. Possibly the most epic cycle I have ever done. 10 km or so, climbing over 1000 metres (which includes a 1.5km descent). it was savage.

    I have 240 km to go to hit 10k for the year - that will be me happy distance wise.

    all in all 2013 was mainly a good year and I'm looking forward to next year. for 2014 I want A3 points and hopefully an upgrade to a2 for some silly reason!! Bring it on!!

    Happy christmas to all and have a safe and wonderful 2014!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭Amprodude


    Started out 2013 joining my local cycling club as i had aimed to do.

    However, my highlight of the year was to be able to get back cycling again after a serious road traffic accident at the start of year where i almost lost my life. I was out of action for almost 4 months. I managed to do a few sportives tours and club spins few months after the recovery and gradually got myself back cycling and wanted to get back to where i was before. I am cycling now more than ever. Eventhough 2013 stopped some of ambitions, it encouraged me to come back stronger and im doing more spins as a result.

    I am going racing in 2014 so im looking forward to new challenge. Plenty to learn along the way but thats what i want to do.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,173 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Not great. Turns out that young children and cycling are a tough one to mix.

    Plan was to get in about as much cycling as I did the previous year (no chance), lose 5kg (lost 0.5kg :D) and go racing. Went racing, didn't completely suck. Which is something I suppose. Plan then was to build the base miles in the winter for next year's racing. The club spins started back in October and I've gotten out for a grand total of one. All down to bad timing, tiredness and sicknesses really.

    Plan now is to get out as much as I can in the lead up to the 2014 club races, and try get a podium place in an L/SL race (legitimately, not by default :D). There's still 3 months of winter ahead to get myself back to the condition I was at in September 2012, which is what I consider my most recent peak. I'm pretty sure I'd be dead doing a 100km ride now. Back then that would have been a typical 3.5 hour Sunday spin. The fitness is still there from cycling into work, just the conditioning for longer distances is degraded. I really just need to start going to bed early on Saturdays...

    I do a good bit of running too, and the same story there; sporadic training, 3 good weeks followed by six bad ones. Though I did set my 10km PB back in November, so I'm not that far behind in my training. Plateaued more than lost fitness I think.


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