Mike's 2013 Bike Goals

What to do, what to do?  Last year was my first year actually writing out bike goals.  Previously, my goals had been stored up in my head and had, not surprisingly, been ill-defined.

Looking back, my 2012 goals were quite number-centric.  Log this many miles, do this long of a ride, do this type of ride this many times, etc.

Even though I need to carry over some of my goals from last year, I think I will switch things up a little.  Here we go:

1. Log 2500 total miles (indoor & outdoor) with running miles included.
2. Ride at least one 200k (or longer) ride.
3. Participate in the 100 Grand, Colorburst and le Tour de Donut.
4. Do one ride of at least 30 miles on a rainy day while staying reasonably dry (please see this post for my inspiration).
5. Ride with Michelle at least 20 times (Love Ya Hon!)
6. Ride with my brother-in-law, Jeff, at least 12 times (trips to Founder's count).
7. Continue to demonstrate to my children why I love riding so much.

That seems doable, don't ya think?

There are a few rides that I have in mind that I won't make as goals but would be fun to try.

• Grand Rapids to Ludington - This ride could nicely coincide with my annual Pig's Dinner at the House of Flavors (there would certainly be less calorie-guilt if I had just finished a nearly 100 mile bike ride).
• Grand Rapids to Midland - Instead of taking the same route I took last year, I would like to try going up the White Pine Trail to Reed City and then east on the Pere Marquette Trail.  Google Maps says this would be about 134 miles.  If I could average 16 MPH, the on-bike time would be more than 8 hours.  If you add in some off-bike time, you are then looking at up to 10 hours of total time.  In my mind, I think this falls solidly in the Challenging but Doable category.

I feel like goal #7 needs some explanation.  As a review, riding provides me with some things that I enjoy and, truthfully, need.  I enjoy the challenge, the speed, the fresh air, the ability to physically exert myself.  I enjoy pushing my limits to see what I can do.

What I need is this...when I ride I feel like the "bad" part of me gets left out on the road.  In my mind, it is a shadow that tries desperately to hold onto me but eventually tears loose and slowly floats to the ground.  I think riding helps me to be a better person, a better husband and a better father.

My hope is that my children will be able to see this.  My hope is that someday each of them will be able to find something physical to pour themselves into.  I pray they will find something that strips them down to their raw self and re-forms them into something better.

This is a hard concept to put into words.  I could probably ask 1000 mothers about child birth and still have no idea what it is really like.  What does it feel like to not quit, despite 99% of your mind screaming "STOP!!!"?  How do you explain that?  To suffer is to learn.