2008 Highlights & 2009 Goals

WARNING: This is going to be the obligatory, gratuitous, and narcissistic annual "Highlights & Resolutions" post.  I actually like reading these - it's interesting to see what others have been up to (12 months distilled into one post) and what their goals are.

So, without further adoo, here we go:

Highlights in 2008

As you'll see, "Highlights" here can be good or bad - but they're all notable for one reason or another.

• Memorial Day Weekend

On Saturday, I had my first non-training race, the Stafford Springs Crit.  I came in 4th due in large part to a great leadout by friend Guido.  And I hit #1 among all Cat 4 racers in Connecticut.

The next day, while racing the Hartford Crit - and with only 6 laps to go - a group of us went down in the corner.  Hard.  And I thus joined the Collarbone Club. 

• Bike Fitting

After recuperating from my broken collarbone, I raced the Naugatuck Crit - probably the toughest race mentally I've ever done (very afraid of crashing) - and did pretty well, coming in 5th place.  But friend SDC thought I could do even better with a better fit. It's definitely a "highlight" since he was right, as you'll see...

• First Podium Appearance

I raced the Fall River Crit for the first time ever - and it was also my first race since the radical re-fit.  It was a tough race, but I came in 3rd - just beating out one of the other racers at the line (thankfully, I'd been practicing my bike throw)!

• Rentschler Field Crits

My first race ever was a training race held at the 'Rent' in May 2006 and I've always enjoyed racing there.  It's always well run and a fun time.  2008 was extra special though since I won the last four "B" races of the season in a row and was even able to hold my own in the "A" race.  Since my first podium appearance was earlier the same month, August was the highlight month of the year.

Goals for 2009

• Upgrade to Cat 3

This is Priority Two for 2009, but - fortunately - I already know it's imminently do-able!

Given my results in 2008 (I did well in the spring races and, ironically, did even better AFTER I broke my collarbone.  Go figure), USACycling has already expressed a willingness to upgrade me.  But it won't be official until I renew my license for 2009.  And I don't want to renew my license until I know what team I'm going to be on.

Which leads me to Priority One . . .

• Join a new racing team

Ever since moving in July 2007, I haven't been able to do much with my current team.  I'm just nowhere near the rest of the team anymore and can't participate in rides and events with them as much as I'd like (and should).  So, I need to find a team that's closer so I can participate more and have teammates to train with.

• Do more road races

I've done only one road race in my life and it barely qualified as such - it was more like a long crit, or circuit race.  I love the Jamestown race, probably because I think of it as a crit racer's dream road race - no huge climbs, only 40 miles long.  I tend to race crits since I do well in them, and they don't take the whole day (especially good for Mrs. Suitcase).  But they are pretty dangerous.

But when I think of traditional bicycle racing, I think of road races.  The strategies, the alliances, the climbs, the countryside, the feed zones.  All contribute to the overall look and feel of what I recognize as bike racing.  I'll probably totally stink at them, but hey - if I get shelled, it's still a nice ride in the country, right?

• Learn more about bike maintenance and repair

I've learned how to change my own chain and cassette, but rebuilding - or even replacing - my brake levers/shifters is still pretty intimidating.  I've never replaced my own bar tape or cables.  And - shame of all shames - try as I might, I can't even dial in my rear derailleur the way I'd like.  That usually has to be done by a shop.  Of course, I've never opened my bottom bracket or hubs.

I have a repair stand and (most of) the tools I need.  I even have a manual.  I usually learn stuff by reading about it, but that hasn't worked well for me in the bike repair arena.  I think I really need someone to walk me through it once.

Maybe I'll volunteer at a bike shop and see what I can absorb through osmosis.

• Post to my blog more regularly

During my SPAM wars the first half of December, I seriously considered shutting down this blog.  Those of you who have blogs know they can be a lot of work.  I enjoy writing, but my perfectionist/OCD tendencies sometimes make it pretty difficult to produce posts.  Too often I make the perfect the enemy of the good and end up posting nothing.  And too seldom do I feel confident that my posts are helpful/inspiring/resonating to anyone but me.

But the number of comments I've received over the past week have been really encouraging.  And through some of them, I've discovered other cycling blogs that I didn't know existed and have made some new friends too.

While this blog is as much a personal journal as it is the sharing of a personal journey, the many new friends I've made through it - and the motivation I've gotten from them and the rest of my readers - has heightened my resolve to post more in the New Year.

----------

While the door's shut on 2008, I'm sure my goals for 2009 will evolve.  I hope you'll enjoy coming along for the ride and if you learn something, or anything I say causes you to think or try something new, it's already worth it.

So here's to a Happy New Year and a Safe and Satisfying Cycling Season in 2009!

Comments

[Joel]

Nice post. I'm a few years behind you in my development. But, I'm planning on doing three races (or more) in '09 for the first time. Your site is very informative and encouraging. Looking forward to more good reading. Here's to a Good Year Mr. Suitcase!

[Matty]

One of the things that excites me most about '09 is having a team. Actually a club, but who's counting? It's a bunch of nice people all wearing the same clothes, and among their ranks are a handful of friends who are where I am on the bike. We plan to race a bunch together and are all getting really excited about it.

I like knowing that I'll be part of something bigger than my own finishing performance in a race. If I'm not feeling like I've got the juice in me for a sprint, at least I can try to do something big before I blow to help out my buddies.

Glad you're not shutting down the blog - I look forward to reading more.

[Velosopher]

SoC, I'm pretty much with the two comments above. This is a good blog, and I'd love to see where it's going to go as you grow in your riding and relationship with the bike. As you know, I, too, am jumping in to racing this year, so I'm looking forward to perusing your blog in depth for knowledge and inspiration. (Also, you might like to know that I've seen posts on BF referring people to your blog to learn about starting to race. That's a strong endorsement!)

Keep the faith. Maybe writing is supposed to be its own reward, but readers make it click. You've got readers.

[Giles]

I use Google Analytics to monitor blog traffic, it's pretty good for telling exactly how people are using your site.

[ChrisB.]

While my racing schedule will compare in comparison to yours (I "officially" did only two races last year), I'm in the same boat with regard to a club. I love my friends back in New Haven, but I'm a solid 45 minutes away from them now. More than anything I'm just looking for a good Sunday group ride.

With regard to road races, I'm looking at doing either Monson on 4/25 or Quabbin on 4/26. But either one will require that I do some real group riding before then.

Anyway . . .

-Chris (Cat5/Pro)