Looking ahead 2009

It feels like the cycling year is over now. So time to look ahead to 2009 and see what it may bring.

Some initial thoughts on challenges:

• LEL 2009: 26th-31st July: a real biggy. 1400km in around 93 or so hours.
• Etape Gold: Depending on where/when I would like to have a go at getting an etape gold.
• Marmotte quicker: I move up an age category and should get a preferential start position so it would be nice to beat my time this year. Sub 7 hours will be a real stretch target.
• 12 hour further: I would like to beat my distance for this year, target will be more than 255 miles which would be all time club record.
• BBAR: If I'm doing a 12 it would be fun to do a 50 and 100 mile TT as well as this means I get a BBAR http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/bbar_whatis.asp Apparently you get a certificate if you average over 22mph so this seems like a reasonable goal.
• TTs: I will treat myself to a "proper" TT bike to help with above and so I can explore another aspect of the cycling world.
• Racing: I really enjoyed the 3 races I did at Thruxton this year and will aim to do more next. Challenge will be to score a few points...
• Sportives: Apart from Etape/Marmotte I will put less emphasis on these in terms of timing/standard and rather aim to ride for enjoyment. Tours of Ireland/Wessex will be on agenda again.

Bit of a long list but then I will have some more time next year so hopefully will be doable. Time will tell...