Friday, January 16, 2009

Everyone else is doing it.

I've broken "Prime Directive 2009".

Not because I'm lazy (I am, kind of) or because it's cold (it is), or because we've already put a thousand miles on our vehicles since new years (we have done no such thing!), but I've just lost track of my miles, completely.

I haven't even bothered trying to figure out how many I've ridden this week. It hasn't been a ton, but I've run a bunch of errands both downtown and near home. I've taken some strange routes, too. I don't have a computer on The Goat. Back in the summer time when The Goat was a purely trail-use machine, I removed it and gave it to a co-worker who was getting into cycling. And you know what? I don't miss it.

Playing the numbers game was one way to keep myself motivated. Maybe I'll give it a shot next year, or maybe when I'm back to the Road Bike full time and actually have an odometer with me, I'll see if I can hold my own against the automobile miles.

For the time being, though, I really like not feeling pressured to fire up the spreadsheet and enter my miles, while on top of it trying to remember where I rode and guess how many miles each trip was.

I'll probably just stick to enjoying the ride.
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9 comments:

  1. JonJanuary 16, 2009 2:10 PM

    I have cyclometers on some bikes, not on others. It's pretty easy to keep up with the commute, regardless, because I am fairly consistent on the ride back and forth. But, I just don't worry about errands, coffee shop, etc. miles.

    I feel a blogpost coming on. Hmmm...

    Thanks for the inspiration, Noah.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2009 3:52 PM

    keep track of the trips, and estimate the distance. like, i only have like 2 or 3 places that i go on my bicycle. and they're the only places i have to go, or need to go.

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  3. JasonJanuary 16, 2009 8:54 PM

    always enjoy the rides!! :)

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  4. wardyJanuary 17, 2009 8:24 AM

    I use AllSport GPS on my cell phone to keep track of stuff. I can't even see it while I'm riding. It's the best of both worlds, and I need to have the phone with me anyway. Plus, I get a nice map when I'm done.

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  5. DariusJanuary 17, 2009 10:08 AM

    If I don't have the GPS with me or a computer on one of the bikes, I go back with Google Maps and map it out.

    I have an admitted dependency on knowing how far I rode and tracking against my goal. I find I look less at my speed and average MPH, but still want to have the miles recorded.

    I always try to enjoy the ride.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2009 10:31 AM

    You know, I'm not much of one for keeping track of miles either. I like to know at the end of the year how many I've ridden, but I don't set weekly or monthly goals.

    With that said, however, I would go nuts riding without a computer. I'm not sure why, but I just like the feedback I get. Mine isn't fancy, it only shows my speed and mileage, but if it goes out, I go nuts until it's working again.

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  7. dvicciJanuary 17, 2009 10:41 AM

    Good for you! There's something liberating about it, that's for sure. Ride it out, and just enjoy the miles you're not keeping track of. :)

    Maybe I'll join you soon... I started keeping track so I'd know how my training for the TPB was going. Then it turned into a bit of an obsession. Now I've backed off again and it's just about making sure I'm on track for training... I think. ;)

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  8. Ron SextonJanuary 17, 2009 12:31 PM

    Noah,
    If you do want to log you miles you could also use Veloroutes [URL: veloroutes.org] or Gmaps Pedometer [URL: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/] they now offer a cycling option.
    take care,
    Ron

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  9. amidnightriderJanuary 18, 2009 8:35 AM

    Mine is pretty easy. 5.2 each way in the winter, 10.9 on the full route. I have ode o meters but very seldom pay attention.

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