Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

Jay

Thanks for those words.  I get it that work can poison the entire notion of 
being organized, and I TOTALLY get how escaping one's work-head-space is 
necessary for some people.  It sounds like you've got something going that 
works great for you.  Saturday was one goal (finish a 300k) and I spent 
essentially zero time thinking about that while I was on my ride.  I had a 
15 hour bike ride to bliss out on everything else.  The fact I had a goal 
didn't get me to the end.  The goal got me to the start.  I very very 
rarely regret going on a ride when it's in progress, and almost never do I 
regret it when it's over, but in a totally unstructured format, devoid of 
any goals, the other demands and gentle requests of life, layered with my 
own intertia/laziness make it harder to begin things.  Cycling is "my 
church".  Goals help get me to church.  

Take my front yard for example.  We had a fair bit of work done, and it 
looks great.  It rained all winter, and now Spring is coming and all the 
weeding and pruning needs to happen, and it's still cold.  It is really 
easy for me to put it off in the moment.  It's pretty clear to me I need a 
structure.  Spend 90 minutes every Sunday out in the yard.  If I want 
Sunday off, do it Saturday.  If I did, I'd make a dent in the new growth.  

The other thing I'm doing here is selfishly using the RBW Group.  By just 
typing the words, "I intend to do activity X by date Y", that hacks my 
brain to make it happen.  Lots of people have these unfettered aspirations 
"I'd like to learn an instrument", "I'd like to run a half-marathon", 
"Someday I'll ride a century".  For some of those people, just picking a 
date and writing it down starts the ball rolling to actually taking the 
action to getting that big thing done.  Some people write it down and put 
it in a safe place.  I type it on RBW Groups.  I forget sometimes how the 
huge majority of participants here are readers and not posters, and I 
apologize if I come off as a self-indulgent show-off.  I do post a lot, but 
I try to post stuff that is helpful, or generally positive and/or adds to 
the balance of content.  One thing I try to NEVER do.  I never (o never 
intend to) tell anybody else what they should do.  Typing my goals here, 
and then responding to those posts makes all of you my accountability 
buddies, and it helps me.  Thanks to the RBWGroup for that.  

I promise that there is absolutely no chance I will actually do my first 
400k on April 13 unless I talk about it, a lot.  :-)

BL in EC

On Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 5:03:49 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote:

> Bill - that is amazing what you've already done in the first two months of 
> the year!  Happy 55th!  My favourite of your goals is summiting Mount 
> Diablo 5x on 5 different bikes.  I watch a lot of YouTube cycling videos, 
> some from California, and it looks amazing (I'm in Ontario, an hour outside 
> Toronto; I love where I live and ride, but often envious of what you have 
> there in California). 
>
> I work for a large company where it's all about goals; I get it, and 
> S.M.A.R.T. is the way to go.  That said, when I ride a bike I'm not just 
> disconnecting from technology, day-to-day problems, work, and anything else 
> that needs disconnecting from, but when I ride it's like I'm a different 
> version of myself.  This is where I get to go with the flow, not have a 
> plan (or I have one, deviate from it, and often!), pause or take a break 
> for any old reason, get really deep at times (in my mind), and at other 
> times just be present with little thoughts other than observing what's 
> around me.  I smile a lot when I ride.  I stress about nothing (99% of the 
> time).  As this feeling (state) started to evolve over years of riding, 
> I've done away with goals, for the most part.  I may have a goal of a 
> multi-day ride to a destination, and I really enjoy planning for such 
> rides; however, that is where my work-mind kicks in and I have lists, 
> plans, a calculated mindset.  I do enjoy the pre-work aspect, though on 
> those rides I let my other self lose control (not take control!).  Like I 
> said, this has evolved over a long time and I didn't realize it was 
> starting to happen until I looked back after a few years and realized it 
> did.  I wonder if when I retire, will I enjoy employing some of that 
> big-corporation thinking into cycling again?
>
> On Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 11:22:02 AM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> At the beginning of the year I listed several S.M.A.R.T. goals:
>>
>> 10,000km ridden. (on-pace, over 500 miles/month in rainy Jan and Feb)
>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes (on pace, 2 done, one 
>> more next Saturday)
>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet (DONE!  I 
>> finished two 200s and the 300k yesterday)
>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet (It's in June)
>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer  (on pace, I 
>> knock out 100 new 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Jay]

Bill - that is amazing what you've already done in the first two months of 
the year!  Happy 55th!  My favourite of your goals is summiting Mount 
Diablo 5x on 5 different bikes.  I watch a lot of YouTube cycling videos, 
some from California, and it looks amazing (I'm in Ontario, an hour outside 
Toronto; I love where I live and ride, but often envious of what you have 
there in California). 

I work for a large company where it's all about goals; I get it, and 
S.M.A.R.T. is the way to go.  That said, when I ride a bike I'm not just 
disconnecting from technology, day-to-day problems, work, and anything else 
that needs disconnecting from, but when I ride it's like I'm a different 
version of myself.  This is where I get to go with the flow, not have a 
plan (or I have one, deviate from it, and often!), pause or take a break 
for any old reason, get really deep at times (in my mind), and at other 
times just be present with little thoughts other than observing what's 
around me.  I smile a lot when I ride.  I stress about nothing (99% of the 
time).  As this feeling (state) started to evolve over years of riding, 
I've done away with goals, for the most part.  I may have a goal of a 
multi-day ride to a destination, and I really enjoy planning for such 
rides; however, that is where my work-mind kicks in and I have lists, 
plans, a calculated mindset.  I do enjoy the pre-work aspect, though on 
those rides I let my other self lose control (not take control!).  Like I 
said, this has evolved over a long time and I didn't realize it was 
starting to happen until I looked back after a few years and realized it 
did.  I wonder if when I retire, will I enjoy employing some of that 
big-corporation thinking into cycling again?

On Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 11:22:02 AM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> At the beginning of the year I listed several S.M.A.R.T. goals:
>
> 10,000km ridden. (on-pace, over 500 miles/month in rainy Jan and Feb)
> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes (on pace, 2 done, one 
> more next Saturday)
> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet (DONE!  I 
> finished two 200s and the 300k yesterday)
> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet (It's in June)
> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer  (on pace, I 
> knock out 100 new miles each month)
> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer.  (I'm picking this up in earnest 
> after Contra Costa is in order, but I snuck in a few wander miles while 
> doing the 300k yesterday)
> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
> birthday as a regular event  (done!)
>
> Hopefully yours are going well also.  
>
> BL in EC
>
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"
>>
>> Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up 
>> the acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
>>  Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
>> great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line up 
>> your goals to meet the realities of your life.  
>>
>> Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something 
>> very clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be healthier" 
>> doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know 
>> whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing
>>
>> Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or not. 
>>  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is a 
>> measurement.  
>>
>> Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do it. 
>>  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, but it 
>> does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely made 
>> 3000 miles, under 5000km.  
>>
>> Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger 
>> objective that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at 
>> extending my life and maximizing my quality of life.  
>>
>> Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 200,000 
>> miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, but it may 
>> be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny smart-goals 
>> almost weekly.  
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>>
>>> The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - 
>>> yard work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and 
>>> maintenance, and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, 
>>> especially in these latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was 
>>> something like 2007, the last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During 
>>> those years I managed to squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking 
>>> season (Spring, Summer, & Fall).  Not any 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

At the beginning of the year I listed several S.M.A.R.T. goals:

10,000km ridden. (on-pace, over 500 miles/month in rainy Jan and Feb)
Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes (on pace, 2 done, one more 
next Saturday)
Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet (DONE!  I 
finished two 200s and the 300k yesterday)
Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet (It's in June)
Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer  (on pace, I 
knock out 100 new miles each month)
Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer.  (I'm picking this up in earnest 
after Contra Costa is in order, but I snuck in a few wander miles while 
doing the 300k yesterday)
Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my birthday 
as a regular event  (done!)

Hopefully yours are going well also.  

BL in EC


On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"
>
> Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up the 
> acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
>  Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
> great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line up 
> your goals to meet the realities of your life.  
>
> Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something very 
> clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be healthier" 
> doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know 
> whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing
>
> Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or not. 
>  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is a 
> measurement.  
>
> Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do it. 
>  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, but it 
> does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely made 
> 3000 miles, under 5000km.  
>
> Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger objective 
> that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at extending my 
> life and maximizing my quality of life.  
>
> Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 200,000 
> miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, but it may 
> be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny smart-goals 
> almost weekly.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>
>> The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - yard 
>> work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and maintenance, 
>> and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, especially in these 
>> latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was something like 2007, the 
>> last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During those years I managed to 
>> squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking season (Spring, Summer, & 
>> Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 500miles a year on both road 
>> bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather to rack up any more 
>> than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used to be - my 75th is 
>> coming up soon.  And, though I hate to bring it up, with the advancing age 
>> comes a plethora of new medical problems whether physical (muscular, joint, 
>> or arthritic) or systemic (cardiac, decreasing lung function, or just plain 
>> fatigue).
>>
>> Good luck with your goals, I hope you make them.  When I was 55 I was far 
>> more able to do similar things than I am now.  BTW, I think you meant 
>> "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?
>>
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:22:56 AM UTC-6 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>> Jock said "but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this 
>>> years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards."
>>>
>>> At what age did you start?  How long did it go?  and when did you decide 
>>> for yourself that you can no longer do it?  I definitely see riding 100 
>>> miles on my 100th birthday would be worthy of national news.  80 miles on 
>>> my 80th also seems a stretch.  70 miles on my 70th I absolutely won't 
>>> concede unless something bad happens to me, health-wise.  There are TONS of 
>>> SFRandonneurs riders well into their 70s doing 200k brevets like nothing 
>>> more than an honest-day's-work.  I want to be like them.  
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:08:36 AM UTC-8 John Dewey wrote:
>>>
 All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
 this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math 
 just 
 doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 

 My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

"Now...about your new roadeo"

I was kind of expecting it to be delivered today, but Rick emailed me about 
my seat tube decal choice, which I think means that clear coats are still 
to be laid on.  Probably next week is when we can start doing damage on the 
RoadeoRosa.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 7:03:47 PM UTC-8 Ryan wrote:

> Happy birthday Bill...great way to spend the day
>
> Now...about your new roadeo
>
> Best...Ryan in winnipeg 
>
> On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 8:41:42 PM UTC-6 DTL wrote:
>
>> Ride with friends more is a goal of mine. Even once a month would be an 
>> increase for me!
>> And a general ride more with no music / podcast playing / phone not on 
>> the quad lock (when appropriate) - to echo John's sentiment of presence.
>> I have such a good memory of a ride I did a few years ago which was a. on 
>> new terrain and b. no headphones. Both things really cemented the ride in 
>> my brain.
>>
>> On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 12:00:28 PM UTC+11 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>> I did my 55 miles on my 55th birthday today, -AND- got my second summit 
>>> of Mount Diablo of 2024 on a second bike.  Last month I rode my Black 
>>> Mountain Cycles road.  Today I rode my 57cm Legolas (in Amethyst Smoke). 
>>>  On Saturday I'll be riding that same Legolas on a 200k brevet with SF 
>>> Randonneurs.  There was still some snow on the sides of the road near the 
>>> summit of Mount Diablo, and the descent was VERY cold, but anything "not 
>>> raining" is a welcome novelty. 
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>> On Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 8:56:07 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>>
 Earlier I said: 

 "My big picture goals for 2024 include:

 10,000km ridden
 Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
 Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
 Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
 Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
 Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
 Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
 birthday as a regular event"

 So far so good.  
 -I'm right on the doorstep of a 1000km January, so that's looking good. 
  
 -I've got my 55 mile ride on my 55th birthday planned out, and it will 
 be my second summit of Mount Diablo on bike #2.  
 -I've got my first 200k under my belt, using the bike that I intend to 
 use for the Marin Mountains 200.  That's also a great stepping stone to 
 being ready for the 400.  
 -On my brevet yesterday I snuck off-route a few times to sneak in a few 
 Marin County Wandrer points. 

 Keep taking those W's when you can.

 Bill Lindsay
 El Cerrito, CA


 On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"
>
> Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up 
> the acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
>  Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
> great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line 
> up 
> your goals to meet the realities of your life.  
>
> Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something 
> very clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be 
> healthier" 
> doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to 
> know 
> whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing
>
> Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or 
> not.  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" 
> is 
> a measurement.  
>
> Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do 
> it.  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, 
> but 
> it does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely 
> made 3000 miles, under 5000km.  
>
> Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger 
> objective that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at 
> extending my life and maximizing my quality of life.  
>
> Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 
> 200,000 miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, 
> but it may be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny 
> smart-goals almost weekly.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>
>> The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - 
>> yard work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and 
>> maintenance, and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, 
>> especially in 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Brady Smith]

Happy Birthday Bill! As a Utahn, I’m a bit jealous of SFR’s frequent winter
brevets. Ours are still a few months off, so I content myself with Nordic
skiing as the weather makes it available, and Zwift races here and there.
Best of luck on the 200k!

On Thu, Feb 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM Bill Lindsay  wrote:

> I did my 55 miles on my 55th birthday today, -AND- got my second summit of
> Mount Diablo of 2024 on a second bike.  Last month I rode my Black Mountain
> Cycles road.  Today I rode my 57cm Legolas (in Amethyst Smoke).  On
> Saturday I'll be riding that same Legolas on a 200k brevet with SF
> Randonneurs.  There was still some snow on the sides of the road near the
> summit of Mount Diablo, and the descent was VERY cold, but anything "not
> raining" is a welcome novelty.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 8:56:07 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> Earlier I said:
>>
>> "My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>
>> 10,000km ridden
>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my
>> birthday as a regular event"
>>
>> So far so good.
>> -I'm right on the doorstep of a 1000km January, so that's looking good.
>> -I've got my 55 mile ride on my 55th birthday planned out, and it will be
>> my second summit of Mount Diablo on bike #2.
>> -I've got my first 200k under my belt, using the bike that I intend to
>> use for the Marin Mountains 200.  That's also a great stepping stone to
>> being ready for the 400.
>> -On my brevet yesterday I snuck off-route a few times to sneak in a few
>> Marin County Wandrer points.
>>
>> Keep taking those W's when you can.
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>> "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"
>>>
>>> Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up
>>> the acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression.
>>> Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The great
>>> thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line up your
>>> goals to meet the realities of your life.
>>>
>>> Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something
>>> very clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be healthier"
>>> doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know
>>> whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing
>>>
>>> Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or
>>> not.  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is
>>> a measurement.
>>>
>>> Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do it.
>>>  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, but it
>>> does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely made
>>> 3000 miles, under 5000km.
>>>
>>> Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger
>>> objective that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at
>>> extending my life and maximizing my quality of life.
>>>
>>> Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride
>>> 200,000 miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely,
>>> but it may be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny
>>> smart-goals almost weekly.
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>>>
 The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking -
 yard work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and
 maintenance, and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable,
 especially in these latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was
 something like 2007, the last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During
 those years I managed to squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking
 season (Spring, Summer, & Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 500miles
 a year on both road bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather
 to rack up any more than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used
 to be - my 75th is coming up soon.  And, though I hate to bring it up, with
 the advancing age comes a plethora of new medical problems whether physical
 (muscular, joint, or arthritic) or systemic (cardiac, decreasing lung
 function, or just plain fatigue).

 Good luck with your goals, I hope you make them.  When I was 55 I was
 far more able to do similar things than I am now.  BTW, I think you meant
 "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?


 On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:22:56 AM UTC-6 Bill 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Ryan]

Happy birthday Bill...great way to spend the day

Now...about your new roadeo

Best...Ryan in winnipeg 

On Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 8:41:42 PM UTC-6 DTL wrote:

> Ride with friends more is a goal of mine. Even once a month would be an 
> increase for me!
> And a general ride more with no music / podcast playing / phone not on the 
> quad lock (when appropriate) - to echo John's sentiment of presence.
> I have such a good memory of a ride I did a few years ago which was a. on 
> new terrain and b. no headphones. Both things really cemented the ride in 
> my brain.
>
> On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 12:00:28 PM UTC+11 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> I did my 55 miles on my 55th birthday today, -AND- got my second summit 
>> of Mount Diablo of 2024 on a second bike.  Last month I rode my Black 
>> Mountain Cycles road.  Today I rode my 57cm Legolas (in Amethyst Smoke). 
>>  On Saturday I'll be riding that same Legolas on a 200k brevet with SF 
>> Randonneurs.  There was still some snow on the sides of the road near the 
>> summit of Mount Diablo, and the descent was VERY cold, but anything "not 
>> raining" is a welcome novelty. 
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 8:56:07 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>> Earlier I said: 
>>>
>>> "My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>>
>>> 10,000km ridden
>>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
>>> birthday as a regular event"
>>>
>>> So far so good.  
>>> -I'm right on the doorstep of a 1000km January, so that's looking good.  
>>> -I've got my 55 mile ride on my 55th birthday planned out, and it will 
>>> be my second summit of Mount Diablo on bike #2.  
>>> -I've got my first 200k under my belt, using the bike that I intend to 
>>> use for the Marin Mountains 200.  That's also a great stepping stone to 
>>> being ready for the 400.  
>>> -On my brevet yesterday I snuck off-route a few times to sneak in a few 
>>> Marin County Wandrer points. 
>>>
>>> Keep taking those W's when you can.
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>>
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>>
 "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"

 Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up 
 the acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
  Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
 great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line 
 up 
 your goals to meet the realities of your life.  

 Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something 
 very clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be 
 healthier" 
 doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know 
 whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing

 Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or 
 not.  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is 
 a measurement.  

 Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do 
 it.  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, 
 but 
 it does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely 
 made 3000 miles, under 5000km.  

 Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger 
 objective that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at 
 extending my life and maximizing my quality of life.  

 Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 
 200,000 miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, 
 but it may be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny 
 smart-goals almost weekly.  

 Bill Lindsay
 El Cerrito, CA
 On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:

> The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - 
> yard work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and 
> maintenance, and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, 
> especially in these latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was 
> something like 2007, the last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During 
> those years I managed to squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking 
> season (Spring, Summer, & Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 
> 500miles 
> a year on both road bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather 
> to rack up any more than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used 
> to be - my 75th is coming up soon. 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[DTL]

Ride with friends more is a goal of mine. Even once a month would be an 
increase for me!
And a general ride more with no music / podcast playing / phone not on the 
quad lock (when appropriate) - to echo John's sentiment of presence.
I have such a good memory of a ride I did a few years ago which was a. on 
new terrain and b. no headphones. Both things really cemented the ride in 
my brain.

On Friday, February 9, 2024 at 12:00:28 PM UTC+11 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> I did my 55 miles on my 55th birthday today, -AND- got my second summit of 
> Mount Diablo of 2024 on a second bike.  Last month I rode my Black Mountain 
> Cycles road.  Today I rode my 57cm Legolas (in Amethyst Smoke).  On 
> Saturday I'll be riding that same Legolas on a 200k brevet with SF 
> Randonneurs.  There was still some snow on the sides of the road near the 
> summit of Mount Diablo, and the descent was VERY cold, but anything "not 
> raining" is a welcome novelty. 
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 8:56:07 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> Earlier I said: 
>>
>> "My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>
>> 10,000km ridden
>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
>> birthday as a regular event"
>>
>> So far so good.  
>> -I'm right on the doorstep of a 1000km January, so that's looking good.  
>> -I've got my 55 mile ride on my 55th birthday planned out, and it will be 
>> my second summit of Mount Diablo on bike #2.  
>> -I've got my first 200k under my belt, using the bike that I intend to 
>> use for the Marin Mountains 200.  That's also a great stepping stone to 
>> being ready for the 400.  
>> -On my brevet yesterday I snuck off-route a few times to sneak in a few 
>> Marin County Wandrer points. 
>>
>> Keep taking those W's when you can.
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>> "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"
>>>
>>> Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up 
>>> the acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
>>>  Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
>>> great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line up 
>>> your goals to meet the realities of your life.  
>>>
>>> Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something 
>>> very clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be healthier" 
>>> doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know 
>>> whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing
>>>
>>> Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or 
>>> not.  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is 
>>> a measurement.  
>>>
>>> Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do it. 
>>>  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, but it 
>>> does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely made 
>>> 3000 miles, under 5000km.  
>>>
>>> Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger 
>>> objective that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at 
>>> extending my life and maximizing my quality of life.  
>>>
>>> Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 
>>> 200,000 miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, 
>>> but it may be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny 
>>> smart-goals almost weekly.  
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>>>
 The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - 
 yard work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and 
 maintenance, and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, 
 especially in these latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was 
 something like 2007, the last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During 
 those years I managed to squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking 
 season (Spring, Summer, & Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 500miles 
 a year on both road bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather 
 to rack up any more than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used 
 to be - my 75th is coming up soon.  And, though I hate to bring it up, 
 with 
 the advancing age comes a plethora of new medical problems whether 
 physical 
 (muscular, joint, or arthritic) or systemic (cardiac, decreasing lung 
 function, or just plain fatigue).

 Good luck with your goals, I hope you 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

I did my 55 miles on my 55th birthday today, -AND- got my second summit of 
Mount Diablo of 2024 on a second bike.  Last month I rode my Black Mountain 
Cycles road.  Today I rode my 57cm Legolas (in Amethyst Smoke).  On 
Saturday I'll be riding that same Legolas on a 200k brevet with SF 
Randonneurs.  There was still some snow on the sides of the road near the 
summit of Mount Diablo, and the descent was VERY cold, but anything "not 
raining" is a welcome novelty. 

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 8:56:07 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> Earlier I said: 
>
> "My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>
> 10,000km ridden
> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
> birthday as a regular event"
>
> So far so good.  
> -I'm right on the doorstep of a 1000km January, so that's looking good.  
> -I've got my 55 mile ride on my 55th birthday planned out, and it will be 
> my second summit of Mount Diablo on bike #2.  
> -I've got my first 200k under my belt, using the bike that I intend to use 
> for the Marin Mountains 200.  That's also a great stepping stone to being 
> ready for the 400.  
> -On my brevet yesterday I snuck off-route a few times to sneak in a few 
> Marin County Wandrer points. 
>
> Keep taking those W's when you can.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"
>>
>> Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up 
>> the acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
>>  Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
>> great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line up 
>> your goals to meet the realities of your life.  
>>
>> Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something 
>> very clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be healthier" 
>> doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know 
>> whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing
>>
>> Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or not. 
>>  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is a 
>> measurement.  
>>
>> Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do it. 
>>  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, but it 
>> does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely made 
>> 3000 miles, under 5000km.  
>>
>> Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger 
>> objective that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at 
>> extending my life and maximizing my quality of life.  
>>
>> Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 200,000 
>> miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, but it may 
>> be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny smart-goals 
>> almost weekly.  
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>>
>>> The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - 
>>> yard work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and 
>>> maintenance, and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, 
>>> especially in these latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was 
>>> something like 2007, the last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During 
>>> those years I managed to squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking 
>>> season (Spring, Summer, & Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 500miles 
>>> a year on both road bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather 
>>> to rack up any more than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used 
>>> to be - my 75th is coming up soon.  And, though I hate to bring it up, with 
>>> the advancing age comes a plethora of new medical problems whether physical 
>>> (muscular, joint, or arthritic) or systemic (cardiac, decreasing lung 
>>> function, or just plain fatigue).
>>>
>>> Good luck with your goals, I hope you make them.  When I was 55 I was 
>>> far more able to do similar things than I am now.  BTW, I think you meant 
>>> "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?
>>>
>>>
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:22:56 AM UTC-6 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>>
 Jock said "but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this 
 years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
 doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards."

 At what age did you start?  How long did it go?  and when did you 
 decide for yourself that you can no longer do 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

Earlier I said: 

"My big picture goals for 2024 include:

10,000km ridden
Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my birthday 
as a regular event"

So far so good.  
-I'm right on the doorstep of a 1000km January, so that's looking good.  
-I've got my 55 mile ride on my 55th birthday planned out, and it will be 
my second summit of Mount Diablo on bike #2.  
-I've got my first 200k under my belt, using the bike that I intend to use 
for the Marin Mountains 200.  That's also a great stepping stone to being 
ready for the 400.  
-On my brevet yesterday I snuck off-route a few times to sneak in a few 
Marin County Wandrer points. 

Keep taking those W's when you can.

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA


On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-8 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> "I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"
>
> Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up the 
> acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
>  Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
> great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line up 
> your goals to meet the realities of your life.  
>
> Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something very 
> clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be healthier" 
> doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know 
> whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing
>
> Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or not. 
>  There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is a 
> measurement.  
>
> Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do it. 
>  10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, but it 
> does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely made 
> 3000 miles, under 5000km.  
>
> Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger objective 
> that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at extending my 
> life and maximizing my quality of life.  
>
> Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 200,000 
> miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, but it may 
> be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny smart-goals 
> almost weekly.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>
>> The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - yard 
>> work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and maintenance, 
>> and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, especially in these 
>> latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was something like 2007, the 
>> last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During those years I managed to 
>> squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking season (Spring, Summer, & 
>> Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 500miles a year on both road 
>> bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather to rack up any more 
>> than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used to be - my 75th is 
>> coming up soon.  And, though I hate to bring it up, with the advancing age 
>> comes a plethora of new medical problems whether physical (muscular, joint, 
>> or arthritic) or systemic (cardiac, decreasing lung function, or just plain 
>> fatigue).
>>
>> Good luck with your goals, I hope you make them.  When I was 55 I was far 
>> more able to do similar things than I am now.  BTW, I think you meant 
>> "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?
>>
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:22:56 AM UTC-6 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>> Jock said "but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this 
>>> years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards."
>>>
>>> At what age did you start?  How long did it go?  and when did you decide 
>>> for yourself that you can no longer do it?  I definitely see riding 100 
>>> miles on my 100th birthday would be worthy of national news.  80 miles on 
>>> my 80th also seems a stretch.  70 miles on my 70th I absolutely won't 
>>> concede unless something bad happens to me, health-wise.  There are TONS of 
>>> SFRandonneurs riders well into their 70s doing 200k brevets like nothing 
>>> more than an honest-day's-work.  I want to be like them.  
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:08:36 AM UTC-8 John Dewey wrote:
>>>
 All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
 this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math 
 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[aeroperf]

At 74, I bike a mile farther than the same month last year.  May in 2022 I 
did 200 miles, May in 2023 I did 201, May this year I’ll do 202, for 
example.  Since the goal depends on the weather, it works out to about 1350 
a year.  This keeps me (slowly) improving without killing myself. 
I mean, bicycling is supposed to be fun, right?

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Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Steven Sweedler]

Only in beds, Cindy and I gave up camping awhile ago, my last big camping
tour was the Great Divide in 2016. I am riding more days and less
miles/day.After tge last month of most rides in the 30’s F, high 50’s are
predicted for the coming weeks.

Steven Sweedler
Plymouth, New Hampshire


On Sat, Jan 6, 2024 at 3:44 PM Bill Lindsay  wrote:

> You're living my best life, Steven.  I hope the weather is agreeable on
> your tour.  Will you be sleeping in beds or on the ground?
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 7:36:11 AM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote:
>
>> In 2021 I made a goal of 7000 m. to coincide with turning 70. I surpassed
>> my goal, riding over 8000 m/ yr for 3 years now. I am tryingvto
>> maintainnthat mikeage for at least another year. Tomorrow I start atour in
>> Portugal that should be a good start.
>>
>> Steven Sweedler
>> Plymouth, New Hampshire
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM Bill Schairer  wrote:
>>
>>> My annual goals for the past for the past 7 years, going into the 8th
>>> have been Simple, Measurable, and Achievable - except I missed it in 2023
>>> by about 70 miles due to filling a cancellation spot for hernia repair
>>> 12/26.  I do have my High goal (6,000 miles) vs my Minimum goal (5,000
>>> miles). 2023 saw me fall short on both.  I guess the Relevance for me is
>>> the belief that the magic drug is exercise.  When my doctor wanted me to
>>> start statins I told her I'll use exercise and diet instead.  Like Bill L,
>>> I want to maintain my quality of life but I view it more as preventing an
>>> untimely end due to unnatural inactivity rather than an extension of life.
>>> There is a local guy I follow on Strava who is just a bit younger than my
>>> 70 years who did something like 15,000 miles in 2023!!  Much of that on
>>> gravel with enormous climbing.  That, for me, would definitely not qualify
>>> for Timely.  Also, I sometimes wonder if there is a tipping point with
>>> respect to Relevance to health where one can get too much exercise?  If so,
>>> I somehow think my body would let me know.
>>>
>>> I also like to get in at least one week of touring each year. I think I
>>> missed 2020 due to COVID, couldn't handle missing again in 2021 due to
>>> COVID so went anyway and got COVID on the tour. Oh well.
>>>
>>> Prior to these past few years I had no specific goals.  I was pretty
>>> strictly a utilitarian cyclist rather than recreational (except for
>>> touring).  It was difficult for me to motivate myself to just go out and
>>> ride for the sake of riding even though I always enjoyed it.  Having the
>>> goal now motivates me to go out, even on most of those days when I really
>>> don't feel like it, and I never regret doing so.
>>>
>>> Off to slow start in 2024, 1 mile around the neighborhood.  Hoping to
>>> get clearance from surgeon on the 9th.  I'm getting antsy...
>>>
>>> Bill S
>>> San Diego
>>>
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:11:39 PM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>>>
 ‘Vee get too soon oldt und too late schmart’  I love it. Sounds exactly
 like some of the things my grandfather used to say.  I may have to make a
 plaque for this myself.

 On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:08:36 AM UTC-6 John Dewey wrote:

> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on
> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math 
> just
> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards.
>
> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle
> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt
> und too late schmart’.
>
> Jock
>
> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
>> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a
>> schism on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: 
>> i.e.
>> "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the
>> specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>>
>> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable,
>> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal 
>> has
>> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. 
>> I'm
>> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive 
>> about *something
>> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a
>> good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny
>> S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking
>> W's.
>>
>> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>
>> 10,000km ridden
>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>> Complete 25% 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

You're living my best life, Steven.  I hope the weather is agreeable on 
your tour.  Will you be sleeping in beds or on the ground?

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 7:36:11 AM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote:

> In 2021 I made a goal of 7000 m. to coincide with turning 70. I surpassed 
> my goal, riding over 8000 m/ yr for 3 years now. I am tryingvto 
> maintainnthat mikeage for at least another year. Tomorrow I start atour in 
> Portugal that should be a good start.
>
> Steven Sweedler
> Plymouth, New Hampshire
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM Bill Schairer  wrote:
>
>> My annual goals for the past for the past 7 years, going into the 8th 
>> have been Simple, Measurable, and Achievable - except I missed it in 2023 
>> by about 70 miles due to filling a cancellation spot for hernia repair 
>> 12/26.  I do have my High goal (6,000 miles) vs my Minimum goal (5,000 
>> miles). 2023 saw me fall short on both.  I guess the Relevance for me is 
>> the belief that the magic drug is exercise.  When my doctor wanted me to 
>> start statins I told her I'll use exercise and diet instead.  Like Bill L, 
>> I want to maintain my quality of life but I view it more as preventing an 
>> untimely end due to unnatural inactivity rather than an extension of life. 
>> There is a local guy I follow on Strava who is just a bit younger than my 
>> 70 years who did something like 15,000 miles in 2023!!  Much of that on 
>> gravel with enormous climbing.  That, for me, would definitely not qualify 
>> for Timely.  Also, I sometimes wonder if there is a tipping point with 
>> respect to Relevance to health where one can get too much exercise?  If so, 
>> I somehow think my body would let me know.
>>
>> I also like to get in at least one week of touring each year. I think I 
>> missed 2020 due to COVID, couldn't handle missing again in 2021 due to 
>> COVID so went anyway and got COVID on the tour. Oh well.
>>
>> Prior to these past few years I had no specific goals.  I was pretty 
>> strictly a utilitarian cyclist rather than recreational (except for 
>> touring).  It was difficult for me to motivate myself to just go out and 
>> ride for the sake of riding even though I always enjoyed it.  Having the 
>> goal now motivates me to go out, even on most of those days when I really 
>> don't feel like it, and I never regret doing so.
>>
>> Off to slow start in 2024, 1 mile around the neighborhood.  Hoping to get 
>> clearance from surgeon on the 9th.  I'm getting antsy...
>>
>> Bill S
>> San Diego
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:11:39 PM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>>
>>> ‘Vee get too soon oldt und too late schmart’  I love it. Sounds exactly 
>>> like some of the things my grandfather used to say.  I may have to make a 
>>> plaque for this myself.
>>>
>>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:08:36 AM UTC-6 John Dewey wrote:
>>>
 All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
 this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math 
 just 
 doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 

 My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
 mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
 und too late schmart’. 

 Jock

 On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:

> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a 
> schism on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: 
> i.e. 
> "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
> specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>
> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal 
> has 
> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. 
> I'm 
> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive 
> about *something 
> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
> good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
> S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking 
> W's.  
>
> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>
> 10,000km ridden
> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
> birthday as a regular event
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
 -- 
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google 
> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send 
> an email 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

Good luck Bill S with your healing and goals for 2024.

Brady, a 600k would be epic.  London-Edinburgh-London 2025!  Amazing.  One 
cool thing about goals is that writing them down is a brain hack that helps 
make you see it through.  Even though we aren't going to bug you about it, 
it's kind of like you've recruited us as accountability buddies.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 6:00:00 AM UTC-8 Bill Schairer wrote:

> My annual goals for the past for the past 7 years, going into the 8th have 
> been Simple, Measurable, and Achievable - except I missed it in 2023 by 
> about 70 miles due to filling a cancellation spot for hernia repair 12/26.  
> I do have my High goal (6,000 miles) vs my Minimum goal (5,000 miles). 2023 
> saw me fall short on both.  I guess the Relevance for me is the belief that 
> the magic drug is exercise.  When my doctor wanted me to start statins I 
> told her I'll use exercise and diet instead.  Like Bill L, I want to 
> maintain my quality of life but I view it more as preventing an untimely 
> end due to unnatural inactivity rather than an extension of life. There is 
> a local guy I follow on Strava who is just a bit younger than my 70 years 
> who did something like 15,000 miles in 2023!!  Much of that on gravel with 
> enormous climbing.  That, for me, would definitely not qualify for Timely.  
> Also, I sometimes wonder if there is a tipping point with respect to 
> Relevance to health where one can get too much exercise?  If so, I somehow 
> think my body would let me know.
>
> I also like to get in at least one week of touring each year. I think I 
> missed 2020 due to COVID, couldn't handle missing again in 2021 due to 
> COVID so went anyway and got COVID on the tour. Oh well.
>
> Prior to these past few years I had no specific goals.  I was pretty 
> strictly a utilitarian cyclist rather than recreational (except for 
> touring).  It was difficult for me to motivate myself to just go out and 
> ride for the sake of riding even though I always enjoyed it.  Having the 
> goal now motivates me to go out, even on most of those days when I really 
> don't feel like it, and I never regret doing so.
>
> Off to slow start in 2024, 1 mile around the neighborhood.  Hoping to get 
> clearance from surgeon on the 9th.  I'm getting antsy...
>
> Bill S
> San Diego
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:11:39 PM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>
>> ‘Vee get too soon oldt und too late schmart’  I love it. Sounds exactly 
>> like some of the things my grandfather used to say.  I may have to make a 
>> plaque for this myself.
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:08:36 AM UTC-6 John Dewey wrote:
>>
>>> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
>>> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 
>>>
>>> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
>>> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
>>> und too late schmart’. 
>>>
>>> Jock
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
 Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism 
 on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. 
 "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
 specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".

 I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
 (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal 
 has 
 improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm 
 a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive 
 about *something 
 , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
 good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
 S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking 
 W's.  

 My big picture goals for 2024 include:

 10,000km ridden
 Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
 Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
 Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
 Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
 Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
 Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
 birthday as a regular event

 Bill Lindsay
 El Cerrito, CA

 -- 
 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google 
 Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
 To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send 
 an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
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Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Steven Sweedler]

In 2021 I made a goal of 7000 m. to coincide with turning 70. I surpassed
my goal, riding over 8000 m/ yr for 3 years now. I am tryingvto
maintainnthat mikeage for at least another year. Tomorrow I start atour in
Portugal that should be a good start.

Steven Sweedler
Plymouth, New Hampshire


On Sat, Jan 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM Bill Schairer  wrote:

> My annual goals for the past for the past 7 years, going into the 8th have
> been Simple, Measurable, and Achievable - except I missed it in 2023 by
> about 70 miles due to filling a cancellation spot for hernia repair 12/26.
> I do have my High goal (6,000 miles) vs my Minimum goal (5,000 miles). 2023
> saw me fall short on both.  I guess the Relevance for me is the belief that
> the magic drug is exercise.  When my doctor wanted me to start statins I
> told her I'll use exercise and diet instead.  Like Bill L, I want to
> maintain my quality of life but I view it more as preventing an untimely
> end due to unnatural inactivity rather than an extension of life. There is
> a local guy I follow on Strava who is just a bit younger than my 70 years
> who did something like 15,000 miles in 2023!!  Much of that on gravel with
> enormous climbing.  That, for me, would definitely not qualify for Timely.
> Also, I sometimes wonder if there is a tipping point with respect to
> Relevance to health where one can get too much exercise?  If so, I somehow
> think my body would let me know.
>
> I also like to get in at least one week of touring each year. I think I
> missed 2020 due to COVID, couldn't handle missing again in 2021 due to
> COVID so went anyway and got COVID on the tour. Oh well.
>
> Prior to these past few years I had no specific goals.  I was pretty
> strictly a utilitarian cyclist rather than recreational (except for
> touring).  It was difficult for me to motivate myself to just go out and
> ride for the sake of riding even though I always enjoyed it.  Having the
> goal now motivates me to go out, even on most of those days when I really
> don't feel like it, and I never regret doing so.
>
> Off to slow start in 2024, 1 mile around the neighborhood.  Hoping to get
> clearance from surgeon on the 9th.  I'm getting antsy...
>
> Bill S
> San Diego
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:11:39 PM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>
>> ‘Vee get too soon oldt und too late schmart’  I love it. Sounds exactly
>> like some of the things my grandfather used to say.  I may have to make a
>> plaque for this myself.
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:08:36 AM UTC-6 John Dewey wrote:
>>
>>> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on
>>> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just
>>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards.
>>>
>>> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle
>>> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt
>>> und too late schmart’.
>>>
>>> Jock
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
 Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism
 on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e.
 "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the
 specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".

 I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable,
 (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal has
 improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm
 a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive 
 about *something
 , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a
 good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny
 S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking
 W's.

 My big picture goals for 2024 include:

 10,000km ridden
 Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
 Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
 Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
 Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
 Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
 Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my
 birthday as a regular event

 Bill Lindsay
 El Cerrito, CA

>>> --
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 Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
 To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
 an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
 To view this discussion on the web visit
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 .

>>> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[George Schick]

[image: Extra Years.jpg]

On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 8:00:00 AM UTC-6 Bill Schairer wrote:

> My annual goals for the past for the past 7 years, going into the 8th have 
> been Simple, Measurable, and Achievable - except I missed it in 2023 by 
> about 70 miles due to filling a cancellation spot for hernia repair 12/26.  
> I do have my High goal (6,000 miles) vs my Minimum goal (5,000 miles). 2023 
> saw me fall short on both.  I guess the Relevance for me is the belief that 
> the magic drug is exercise.  When my doctor wanted me to start statins I 
> told her I'll use exercise and diet instead.  Like Bill L, I want to 
> maintain my quality of life but I view it more as preventing an untimely 
> end due to unnatural inactivity rather than an extension of life. There is 
> a local guy I follow on Strava who is just a bit younger than my 70 years 
> who did something like 15,000 miles in 2023!!  Much of that on gravel with 
> enormous climbing.  That, for me, would definitely not qualify for Timely.  
> Also, I sometimes wonder if there is a tipping point with respect to 
> Relevance to health where one can get too much exercise?  If so, I somehow 
> think my body would let me know.
>
> I also like to get in at least one week of touring each year. I think I 
> missed 2020 due to COVID, couldn't handle missing again in 2021 due to 
> COVID so went anyway and got COVID on the tour. Oh well.
>
> Prior to these past few years I had no specific goals.  I was pretty 
> strictly a utilitarian cyclist rather than recreational (except for 
> touring).  It was difficult for me to motivate myself to just go out and 
> ride for the sake of riding even though I always enjoyed it.  Having the 
> goal now motivates me to go out, even on most of those days when I really 
> don't feel like it, and I never regret doing so.
>
> Off to slow start in 2024, 1 mile around the neighborhood.  Hoping to get 
> clearance from surgeon on the 9th.  I'm getting antsy...
>
> Bill S
> San Diego
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:11:39 PM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:
>
>> ‘Vee get too soon oldt und too late schmart’  I love it. Sounds exactly 
>> like some of the things my grandfather used to say.  I may have to make a 
>> plaque for this myself.
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:08:36 AM UTC-6 John Dewey wrote:
>>
>>> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
>>> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 
>>>
>>> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
>>> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
>>> und too late schmart’. 
>>>
>>> Jock
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
 Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism 
 on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. 
 "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
 specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".

 I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
 (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal 
 has 
 improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm 
 a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive 
 about *something 
 , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
 good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
 S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking 
 W's.  

 My big picture goals for 2024 include:

 10,000km ridden
 Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
 Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
 Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
 Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
 Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
 Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
 birthday as a regular event

 Bill Lindsay
 El Cerrito, CA

 -- 
 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google 
 Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
 To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send 
 an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
 To view this discussion on the web visit 
 https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a7e8cfc-b9fe-4990-876c-20c4211b6c44n%40googlegroups.com
  
 
 .

>>>

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To view 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Schairer]

My annual goals for the past for the past 7 years, going into the 8th have 
been Simple, Measurable, and Achievable - except I missed it in 2023 by 
about 70 miles due to filling a cancellation spot for hernia repair 12/26.  
I do have my High goal (6,000 miles) vs my Minimum goal (5,000 miles). 2023 
saw me fall short on both.  I guess the Relevance for me is the belief that 
the magic drug is exercise.  When my doctor wanted me to start statins I 
told her I'll use exercise and diet instead.  Like Bill L, I want to 
maintain my quality of life but I view it more as preventing an untimely 
end due to unnatural inactivity rather than an extension of life. There is 
a local guy I follow on Strava who is just a bit younger than my 70 years 
who did something like 15,000 miles in 2023!!  Much of that on gravel with 
enormous climbing.  That, for me, would definitely not qualify for Timely.  
Also, I sometimes wonder if there is a tipping point with respect to 
Relevance to health where one can get too much exercise?  If so, I somehow 
think my body would let me know.

I also like to get in at least one week of touring each year. I think I 
missed 2020 due to COVID, couldn't handle missing again in 2021 due to 
COVID so went anyway and got COVID on the tour. Oh well.

Prior to these past few years I had no specific goals.  I was pretty 
strictly a utilitarian cyclist rather than recreational (except for 
touring).  It was difficult for me to motivate myself to just go out and 
ride for the sake of riding even though I always enjoyed it.  Having the 
goal now motivates me to go out, even on most of those days when I really 
don't feel like it, and I never regret doing so.

Off to slow start in 2024, 1 mile around the neighborhood.  Hoping to get 
clearance from surgeon on the 9th.  I'm getting antsy...

Bill S
San Diego

On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:11:39 PM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:

> ‘Vee get too soon oldt und too late schmart’  I love it. Sounds exactly 
> like some of the things my grandfather used to say.  I may have to make a 
> plaque for this myself.
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:08:36 AM UTC-6 John Dewey wrote:
>
>> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
>> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 
>>
>> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
>> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
>> und too late schmart’. 
>>
>> Jock
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>>> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism 
>>> on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. 
>>> "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
>>> specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>>>
>>> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
>>> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal has 
>>> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm 
>>> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive about 
>>> *something 
>>> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
>>> good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
>>> S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking 
>>> W's.  
>>>
>>> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>>
>>> 10,000km ridden
>>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
>>> birthday as a regular event
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google 
>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send 
>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a7e8cfc-b9fe-4990-876c-20c4211b6c44n%40googlegroups.com
>>>  
>>> 
>>> .
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[George Schick]

‘Vee get too soon oldt und too late schmart’  I love it. Sounds exactly 
like some of the things my grandfather used to say.  I may have to make a 
plaque for this myself.

On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:08:36 AM UTC-6 John Dewey wrote:

> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 
>
> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
> und too late schmart’. 
>
> Jock
>
> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
>> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism 
>> on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. 
>> "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
>> specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>>
>> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
>> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal has 
>> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm 
>> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive about 
>> *something 
>> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
>> good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
>> S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking 
>> W's.  
>>
>> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>
>> 10,000km ridden
>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
>> birthday as a regular event
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> -- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
>> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
>> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a7e8cfc-b9fe-4990-876c-20c4211b6c44n%40googlegroups.com
>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[John Dewey]

Yikes, when did I start? In my mid-60s I suppose, thereabouts. Got 75
coming up later this month. I’m ready for it so should be good to go. An
old fart in Athens, whose name I can’t recall, had a good group ride-along
on his 84-miler. I’d be happy with that now.

Trouble with getting older is the years come in hot and then they fly by.
Best to forget about it…pay no attention…oh yea, good luck with that 浪

Jock

On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 9:22 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:

> Jock said "but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this
> years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just
> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backward
> At what age did you start?  How long did it go?  and when did you decide
> for yourself that you can no longer do it?  I definitely see riding 100
> miles on my 100th birthday would be worthy of national news.  80 miles on
> my 80th also seems a stretch.  70 miles on my 70th I absolutely won't
> concede unless something bad happens to me, health-wise.  There are TONS of
> SFRandonneurs riders well into their 70s doing 200k brevets like nothing
> more than an honest-day's-work.  I want to be like them.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:08:36 AM UTC-8 John Dewey wrote:
>
>> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on
>> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just
>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards.
>>
>> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle
>> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt
>> und too late schmart’.
>>
>> Jock
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>>> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism
>>> on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e.
>>> "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the
>>> specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>>>
>>> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable,
>>> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal has
>>> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm
>>> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive about 
>>> *something
>>> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a
>>> good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny
>>> S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking
>>> W's.
>>>
>>> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>>
>>> 10,000km ridden
>>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my
>>> birthday as a regular event
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>> --
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>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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>>> 
>>> .
>>>
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Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

"I think you meant "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?"

Indeed I did.  S.M.A.R.T. goals are a regular thing.  I didn't make up the 
acronym.  It's a common technique to ward off gloom and depression. 
 Therapists, life coaches, etc frequently recommend these things.  The 
great thing about it is that it's kind of self-customized.  You can line up 
your goals to meet the realities of your life.  

Simple (sometimes people use Specific).  It just means it's something very 
clear and not ambiguous.  "Have more fun" doesn't fit.  "Be healthier" 
doesn't fit.  "Go to the gym twice each week" is specific and easy to know 
whether you did it or not.  That kind of thing

Measurable just means it's objectively certain whether you did it or not. 
 There's no judgment in an objective measurement.  "lose 5 pounds" is a 
measurement.  

Achievable means it'll take a little effort but if you try you'll do it. 
 10,000km this year is achievable for me in my current life set-up, but it 
does mean I'm going to have to try.  In comparison, for 2023 I barely made 
3000 miles, under 5000km.  

Relevant means it's something to build towards some other larger objective 
that is important to me.  My fitness goals are all aimed at extending my 
life and maximizing my quality of life.  

Timely means it can happen in a reasonable amount of time.  "Ride 200,000 
miles in my life" is not timely.  "Live to be 90" is not timely, but it may 
be an outcome that is helped along.  I'm knocking out tiny smart-goals 
almost weekly.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA
On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:39:22 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote:

> The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - yard 
> work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and maintenance, 
> and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, especially in these 
> latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was something like 2007, the 
> last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During those years I managed to 
> squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking season (Spring, Summer, & 
> Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 500miles a year on both road 
> bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather to rack up any more 
> than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used to be - my 75th is 
> coming up soon.  And, though I hate to bring it up, with the advancing age 
> comes a plethora of new medical problems whether physical (muscular, joint, 
> or arthritic) or systemic (cardiac, decreasing lung function, or just plain 
> fatigue).
>
> Good luck with your goals, I hope you make them.  When I was 55 I was far 
> more able to do similar things than I am now.  BTW, I think you meant 
> "timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?
>
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:22:56 AM UTC-6 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> Jock said "but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this 
>> years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards."
>>
>> At what age did you start?  How long did it go?  and when did you decide 
>> for yourself that you can no longer do it?  I definitely see riding 100 
>> miles on my 100th birthday would be worthy of national news.  80 miles on 
>> my 80th also seems a stretch.  70 miles on my 70th I absolutely won't 
>> concede unless something bad happens to me, health-wise.  There are TONS of 
>> SFRandonneurs riders well into their 70s doing 200k brevets like nothing 
>> more than an honest-day's-work.  I want to be like them.  
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:08:36 AM UTC-8 John Dewey wrote:
>>
>>> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
>>> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 
>>>
>>> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
>>> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
>>> und too late schmart’. 
>>>
>>> Jock
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
 Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism 
 on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. 
 "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
 specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".

 I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
 (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal 
 has 
 improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm 
 a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive 
 about *something 
 , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
 good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
 S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular 

Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[George Schick]

The trouble is that too many other things interfere with my biking - yard 
work, home repairs and routine maintenance, auto repair and maintenance, 
and of course, the weather which can be unpredictable, especially in these 
latitudes.  IIRC the last 100 miler I rode was something like 2007, the 
last 100K was maybe a year or two later.  During those years I managed to 
squeeze around 1,500 miles out of the biking season (Spring, Summer, & 
Fall).  Not any more.  I'm lucky to get 500miles a year on both road 
bikes.  I just can't seem to get the time and weather to rack up any more 
than that plus I'm just physically slower than I used to be - my 75th is 
coming up soon.  And, though I hate to bring it up, with the advancing age 
comes a plethora of new medical problems whether physical (muscular, joint, 
or arthritic) or systemic (cardiac, decreasing lung function, or just plain 
fatigue).

Good luck with your goals, I hope you make them.  When I was 55 I was far 
more able to do similar things than I am now.  BTW, I think you meant 
"timely" instead of "timply" in your SMART acronym?


On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:22:56 AM UTC-6 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> Jock said "but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this 
> years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards."
>
> At what age did you start?  How long did it go?  and when did you decide 
> for yourself that you can no longer do it?  I definitely see riding 100 
> miles on my 100th birthday would be worthy of national news.  80 miles on 
> my 80th also seems a stretch.  70 miles on my 70th I absolutely won't 
> concede unless something bad happens to me, health-wise.  There are TONS of 
> SFRandonneurs riders well into their 70s doing 200k brevets like nothing 
> more than an honest-day's-work.  I want to be like them.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:08:36 AM UTC-8 John Dewey wrote:
>
>> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
>> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
>> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 
>>
>> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
>> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
>> und too late schmart’. 
>>
>> Jock
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>>> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism 
>>> on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. 
>>> "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
>>> specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>>>
>>> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
>>> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal has 
>>> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm 
>>> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive about 
>>> *something 
>>> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
>>> good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
>>> S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking 
>>> W's.  
>>>
>>> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>>
>>> 10,000km ridden
>>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
>>> birthday as a regular event
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google 
>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send 
>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a7e8cfc-b9fe-4990-876c-20c4211b6c44n%40googlegroups.com
>>>  
>>> 
>>> .
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[Bill Lindsay]

Jock said "but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this years 
ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just doesn’t 
look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards."

At what age did you start?  How long did it go?  and when did you decide 
for yourself that you can no longer do it?  I definitely see riding 100 
miles on my 100th birthday would be worthy of national news.  80 miles on 
my 80th also seems a stretch.  70 miles on my 70th I absolutely won't 
concede unless something bad happens to me, health-wise.  There are TONS of 
SFRandonneurs riders well into their 70s doing 200k brevets like nothing 
more than an honest-day's-work.  I want to be like them.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:08:36 AM UTC-8 John Dewey wrote:

> All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on 
> this years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just 
> doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards. 
>
> My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle 
> mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt 
> und too late schmart’. 
>
> Jock
>
> On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
>> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism 
>> on how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. 
>> "average 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the 
>> specificity: i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>>
>> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable, 
>> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal has 
>> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm 
>> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive about 
>> *something 
>> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a 
>> good thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny 
>> S.M.A.R.T. goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking 
>> W's.  
>>
>> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>>
>> 10,000km ridden
>> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
>> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
>> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
>> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
>> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
>> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my 
>> birthday as a regular event
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> -- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
>> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
>> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a7e8cfc-b9fe-4990-876c-20c4211b6c44n%40googlegroups.com
>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Goals for 2024 (will they be S.M.A.R.T. ?)

[John Dewey]

All worthy goals…but beware the ‘ride your age’ program. I embarked on this
years ago and found we too quickly reach the point where the math just
doesn’t look so good…i.e. it’s all backwards.

My grandfather, who taught me all I ever needed to know about bicycle
mechanics, had a goofy plaque over his workbench: ‘Vee get too soon oldt
und too late schmart’.

Jock

On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 6:48 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:

> Often we do a goals thread, and there seems to me that there's a schism on
> how to approach goals.  Some folks have very specific goals: i.e. "average
> 10 miles a day over the year".  Others enjoy eschewing the specificity:
> i.e. "have more fun on the bike".
>
> I'm a devotee of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are (S)simple, (M)easurable,
> (A)chievable, (R)relevant, (T)imply.  The notion of the S.M.A.R.T. goal has
> improved my life in several ways and maybe in a way has saved my life. I'm
> a compulsive person and I'm a numbers guy. I'm going to be compulsive about 
> *something
> , *so if that something can be achievable and healthy, then that's a good
> thing.  I've gotten into the habit of setting up tons of tiny S.M.A.R.T.
> goals, and it sets me up to have a regular pattern of taking W's.
>
> My big picture goals for 2024 include:
>
> 10,000km ridden
> Summit Mount Diablo 5 times on 5 different bikes
> Put myself in the position to attempt my first 400k brevet
> Complete the Marin Mountains 200k brevet
> Complete 25% of every city in Contra Costa County on Wandrer
> Complete 25% of Marin County on Wandrer
> Ride 55 miles on my 55th birthday and kick off riding my age on my
> birthday as a regular event
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a7e8cfc-b9fe-4990-876c-20c4211b6c44n%40googlegroups.com
> 
> .
>

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