Over these past few days I have started to get back into a cycling routine following the recent holiday break....22 weeks from now we will be setting off on our 10 Countries in 10 Days ride so I have 22 weeks to prepare for it...22 weeks to train and that is what I have now started doing this week.
I also plan on doing some sportives again this year and just before Christmas a few of us signed up for the Jurassic Beast Sportive which is ridden in May.
In actual fact the Beast takes place just four weeks before we all head off on the 10in10 so it should be a good checkout on how well our training has worked out.
This is a bit of a special year in a couple of ways...
First of all I will officially be an Old Age Pensioner in 15 days time...I hit that magic age of 65 years on the 19th of this month and will be starting what must be something like my 60th year on a bike of some kind....
Another major birthday coming up in May is the 5th birthday of this blog which must make it almost an OAP in blogging terms.
When I started this blog back in May 2008 I had intended that it would just be a blog of my lightweight backpacking activities, but blogs seem to take on their own momentum and direction and before I knew it I found that most of my blog posts were concerning cycling.......
I suppose that it makes sense really....I mean cycling is what I spend most of my time involved in, so that's what I am most likely to write about....
When I retired in 2009 I thought that I would be spending a lot more of my time backpacking, but cycling is the activity that I enjoy the most and that in turn is what I want to share with others via this blog......
I am not a cycling advocate... I am no longer a cycling commuter....I am not a racer...I am just someone who loves cycling and sharing the experience with others. Along the way I have also written about other things connected with my cycling, such as camping and other outdoors activities as well as travelling in general...... but mostly it's cycling.....
I have always tried to avoid telling others 'how to do it'!
There are so many ways to achieve anything in life, so I have just shared my own experiences and left it up to you the reader to either use it or dismiss it...
This brings me on to my final point....I really value the comments made on my blog and one thing I always try to do wherever possible is to answer or at least acknowledge each comment made. After all if someone has taken time out to read this stuff and has felt prompted to leave a comment then the least I can do is to acknowledge their communication.
It would be arrogant of me to expect people to visit and read my blog without reading others experiences of cycling etc so I try and follow as many blogs out there that I possibly can and I like to feel that over the years of this blog I have made some valuable 'internet friends'.
Over this coming year I look forward to reading all your blogs and comments and I hope that you will all continue to come along for the ride with me here at the 'Purpletraveller'.
I also plan on doing some sportives again this year and just before Christmas a few of us signed up for the Jurassic Beast Sportive which is ridden in May.
In actual fact the Beast takes place just four weeks before we all head off on the 10in10 so it should be a good checkout on how well our training has worked out.
This is a bit of a special year in a couple of ways...
First of all I will officially be an Old Age Pensioner in 15 days time...I hit that magic age of 65 years on the 19th of this month and will be starting what must be something like my 60th year on a bike of some kind....
Another major birthday coming up in May is the 5th birthday of this blog which must make it almost an OAP in blogging terms.
When I started this blog back in May 2008 I had intended that it would just be a blog of my lightweight backpacking activities, but blogs seem to take on their own momentum and direction and before I knew it I found that most of my blog posts were concerning cycling.......
I suppose that it makes sense really....I mean cycling is what I spend most of my time involved in, so that's what I am most likely to write about....
When I retired in 2009 I thought that I would be spending a lot more of my time backpacking, but cycling is the activity that I enjoy the most and that in turn is what I want to share with others via this blog......
I am not a cycling advocate... I am no longer a cycling commuter....I am not a racer...I am just someone who loves cycling and sharing the experience with others. Along the way I have also written about other things connected with my cycling, such as camping and other outdoors activities as well as travelling in general...... but mostly it's cycling.....
I have always tried to avoid telling others 'how to do it'!
There are so many ways to achieve anything in life, so I have just shared my own experiences and left it up to you the reader to either use it or dismiss it...
This brings me on to my final point....I really value the comments made on my blog and one thing I always try to do wherever possible is to answer or at least acknowledge each comment made. After all if someone has taken time out to read this stuff and has felt prompted to leave a comment then the least I can do is to acknowledge their communication.
It would be arrogant of me to expect people to visit and read my blog without reading others experiences of cycling etc so I try and follow as many blogs out there that I possibly can and I like to feel that over the years of this blog I have made some valuable 'internet friends'.
Over this coming year I look forward to reading all your blogs and comments and I hope that you will all continue to come along for the ride with me here at the 'Purpletraveller'.
26 comments:
Count me in Trevor as one of your fans. Though it's 22 weeks away, I can feel your mounting excitement. I have a bike trip in the works for later this year, but the particulars and attendees won't be worked out for a while. I'll share my plans later in the spring. For now, everyone will have to read my Provence travels from last September.
Good luck with the training!
I am starting to build my miles up too - planning for hopefully a 300 mile tour (w2w and home) and a 400 mile tour (Glens & Lochs) later in the year. Got afew cycling weekends away to look forward to as well. Working full time certainly gets in the way, so I envy that retirement age ;-)
Very best wishes for 2013
your rides sound awesome, look forward to see your recaps and fotos along this year.
thank you for your nice words throughout last year and comments, they mean a lot :)
happy new year, to great purple travels +best of everything for you +loved ones trevor
xxomeli
Trevor, I count you among my "internet friends". I enjoy your blog and getting to take a peak at your adventures. And I love it when I have something good enough to write about that my friends leave comments on my blog. Happy New Year and in 15 days, Happy Birthday!
*anniebikes*
I love cycling in France Annie and enjoy your tales of your trip in Provence...I will be following your future trips too....
*Georgie Ormrod*
It is good when you have cycling trips ahead that you are starting to build up the miles for Georgie. I must admit that work can get in the way...I'm pleased that I no longer have to play that work/leisure balancing act.
*meligrosa*
Thanks for your kind words too...I hope that 2013 is a really good year for you. I will be dropping by and checking out your blog throughout the year.....
*jeff*
Thanks for your comments Jeff and also for following along here at the purpletraveller.
I will also be following your own riding throughout the year and wish you well whatever you get up to...
You've got a great attitude, which infects (perhaps not a good word choice) your writing. Interesting that you retired in 2009 but are only now turning 65.
*Steve A*
Thanks for that kind comment Steve..as always much appreciated.
Regarding the 'early retirement'... I was offered a redundancy package which allowed me to retire a few years earlier than the norm...A good job really as it wasn't long afterwards that I had my 'big C' diagnosis so my working life would have been curtailed anyway....
Hi Trevor, thanks for your kind comments on my blog, can't wait to see the pics from your big ride
I am hoping to get some good shots on the trip...we should have a few extra days at the end of the ride and looking to get some photos for my B&W photo blog 'Aura of Past Shadows'.
Back at it again! New year, new stories. I look forward to your 10 in 10 posts.
Looking forward to hearing more of the 10in10. I' hope to finish the Way of the Roses route as we bailed out in horrendous weather in 2012. We were riding through floods. Hoping this year is better as I'm looking forward to some cycle tours. I just turned 62 and have the bus pass to prove it but I've only used it 4 times. I am hoping to take the Dahon out on the bus for a trip . Daft ehh!
Having to comment anonymously. Don't know why blogger is like this on the phone.
Brenda in the Boro
Cyclinginthesixthdecade.Wordpress.com
I really look forward to reading your posts, Trevor. Your plans for 2013 are tip top. What better way to enjoy retirement than cycling your way though it!
*Jason Castillo*
Thanks Jason...I just can't seem to help myself :-)
*Brenda in the Boro*
The weather certainly wasn't good for UK cycle touring was it Brenda....lets hope this year the weather will be kinder to us all... I am hoping to do a couple of cycle tours myself this year too..
*Marsha*
Thanks Marsha...I can think of no better way to spend my retirement than cycling camping and everything outdoors...dream't about it for years :-)
Ride with you?
I wouldn't be able to keep up.
No really.
I too am pleased to consider myself an internet friend. I look forward to following along this next coming year.
Thanks for posting!!
RL
*limom*
...and I've been led to believe that you have legs like steam pistons and were supersonic :-)
*rlove2bike*
Thanks a lot...I will be following you pretty closely too.
I have been reading your blog for some time. I rediscovered cycling following a knee problem (now solved). the knee led to a lay off from hill walking but now back doing that.
I bought a hybrid and gradually extending my daily trips but not sure I can match your endeavours albeit I become an OAP in April.
Just wish Bikes had been on my horizon much earlier.
*Bob Andrews*
Nice to read that you have been a visitor for some time Bob...pleased also that you took the time to leave a comment which is always welcome.
Glad that your knee problem is now sorted and you can be back out in the hills... I have backpacked the Pembokeshire Coast path - Offas Dyke and Glyndwrs Way as well as numerous other excursions into the hills of Wales often with other members of the Backpackers Club.However cycling has always been my first love..
This coming year I am hoping to complete Lon Las Cymru as a touring ride so keeping fingers crossed for some drier weather than last year.
Pleased that we have made contact via the blog and thanks again for your comments...
Trevor, I have to say, that you're blog is my favorite. Not just you're cycling, but also you're writing skills.Very well done.
Very kind words Paul..thanks a lot!
I enjoy writing the blog 'almost' as much as the cycling itself...nearly!!
The great thing is that I learn so much from everyone else's blogs and comments...Thanks again.
Hi
Really enjoy reading your blog and very much looking forward to your 10 in 10. I love the idea of it but sadly never enough time to do all the adventures I want to do :-(
Neil
Thanks Neil...retirement has some benefits and time is one of them...it's the only reason I was able to reach last years mileage target...I remember only too well whilst I was working trying to divide my time up trying to achieve as much as possible...
Best of luck with your LEJOG training and preparations...I will be following your progress with great interest...
Congrats on your birthday and on your blog's birthday. I've enjoyed reading it through the years.
Good luck on your training, although you work at cycling enough that I'm sure you will be amply ready for your 10in10.
Happy New Year!
Bill
Thanks for the birthday wishes Bill...I hope that you are right concerning the training :)
I trust that this year is a good one for you....
Firstly, belated congratulations on your 2012 target, sorry I've been absent from blogland for a while.
Secondly, even though your blog is about cycling, I find the variety of posts whether in photos, travels, equipment or general rants ;-) ... quite entertaining, keep it up as there is a lot of tepid stuff out there !
*J_on_tour*
Thanks J...It was great to read your own post earlier today....I hope that 2013 is a better year for you....
Post a Comment