Going Public

I set a goal this year.  And since the year is just about half-way complete, I feel it's time to share.  Especially since I am about 1/2 way to my goal.

I am trying to ride 3,000 miles this year.  On my bike, not in my car.  I can ride 3,000 miles in my car with my eyes closed.  Well, not really.  I doubt I could ride in my car (or on my bike for that matter) more than a few hundred feet with my eyes closed.  And to be clear, that's NOT how I wrecked my bike last month.  It was a wet bridge, and a sad dog.  Or a wet dog and a sad bridge.  But I digress.

I'm at a little over 1,400 miles since January so far.  I am riding 10, 20, 30 miles at a time (with a few 40's and 50's).  I figured out how many miles I thought I could ride in a week, upped it a bit, and then set my goal for the year.  Three thousand sounded like a nice, round number.  And since I'm a numbers guy, I've been tracking my distance and pace.  I'm constantly amazed at how happy a good Excel spreadsheet can make me.  (gift suggestion for my birthday!)

I don't think I realized how large a distance 3,000 miles is till I checked out MapQuest today.  From Austin, 3,000 miles will get you to Newfoundland, the southern tip of Alaska, or Panama.  So far, I've ridden enough to get to Idaho, North Dakota, Detroit, or Miami.  Not all, just one.  All would be more like, well, a lot more miles.

Wish me luck!  I'm just a one-way trip to Guatemala away from my goal.  (Maybe wish me !bueno suerte!).