Thursday 5 January 2012

2012 Plan

I was to do 100s and write some ride reports for Arrivee.

The trouble with doing things like PBP is that you get introduced to other long rides.  I picked up the leaflet for VOL (Vologda - Onega - Ladoga) in Russia.  Then there was a post on YACF about the very first Southern Kiwi Hunt in New Zealand.  John Spooner mentioned the wonderfully organised rides by Jan Geerts and someone else pointed out the Borders of Belgium 1000.

Borders Of Belgium - BRM 1000 km
From RandoCycloBelgium

All the time you put thoughts of these intriguing rides towards the back of your mind ....

So it's beginning to look like this:
07 Jan - The Poor Student 200 - DONE
21 Jan - The Willy Warmer 200 - DONE
25 Feb - The Kiwi Hunt 1200 - DONE!!
24 Mar - The Dean 300 - DONE
01 Apr - The Dorset Coast 200 - DONE
06 Apr - The Easter Arrow 400 - DONE
28 Apr - The 3D 300 - DONE
12 May - The Porkers 400 -  DONE
26 May - The Hellfire 600 -  DONE!!!
06 Jul - Vologda - Onega - Ladoga (VOL) 1200 - DONE
19 Jul - FNRttC Newhaven - Dieppe and home - DONE
31 Aug - FNRttC Felpham - NOT DONE - went to Paralympics
07 Sep - FNRttC  Southwold  - NOT DONE - did Park Tools course
28 Sep - FNRttC Brighton - probably not doing - NOT DONE
05 Oct - FNRttC Whitstable - NOT DONE - knees say no
23 Nov - FNRttC Brighton - probably not doing - NOT DONE

Rationale is this:

  • The Southern Kiwi Hunt 1200: first time being run, and having a pied-a-terre in Christchurch.

From KiwiRandonneurs

  • The Borders of Belgium 1000: not doing in the hope it is a yearly event.
  • The FNRttC Tour: not doing if the Wessex series goes to plan, and VOL is coming up quickly also.
  • The Vologda - Onega - Ladoga 1200: what an opportunity, I can't wait!
  • Now for the Wessex series which are the ones marked as PENCILLED IN.  I'm just scared, that's all.  I vowed never to do The Bryan Chapman 600 again, and then I think it is OK to pencil in The Hellfire 600.  I just wonder though, if I should go against convention and do the 600 first, then the 300, then the 400.  But that would mean doing them completely on my own.  There is a group of riders forming doing the rides as DIYs on the Pencilled In dates.  I wouldn't see any of them during the ride, but still, it provides for moral support before and after. EDIT: I might put these in the back of my mind ... make it a target for another year.

From Vol1200

12 comments:

JS said...

It looks as if our paths won't cross this year. Have a nice 2012 and see you in 2013.

Swarm_Catcher said...

JS, that is a shame, because I wanted to talk to you about something for 2013. What with your signature being Джон Спунър.

JS said...

I've only got one commitment for 2013 so far ...

Martin Brice said...

no fridays tour? you'll regret issing that, it'll be an absolute hoot!

Swarm_Catcher said...

You might be right there, Martin Brice!

Anonymous said...

Ja Bengske... Wat moeten we daarop zeggen!
Als je het fysisch aankunt, waarom niet!
Je krijgt alvast onze "ouderlijke zegen". Ha!ha
Meim en Peip xxx xxx

Hummers said...

Just to let you know, myself and Andy H have changed the date of the Hellfire to the 26th/27th May to allow for a lesser 200 on the 9th/10th and the Mille Alba two weeks later. All the other dates are as you have them.

Swarm_Catcher said...

Thanks Hummers, that could mean a bit of reshuffling.

Kris said...

It seems that long distance cycling is no sport but a addiction: can' t live without a bike and cyclingmates for more dan 3 weeks!!You have made good plans to stay comfortly addicted.I
hope the curcomstances will be superb so you'll enjoy every meter of it!

George Swain said...

Awesome list of rides, Swarm Catcher! Can't wait to follow along as you complete them. A 1200 in February!?! Amazing. I need to get cracking on writing down my goals as well. Off for a 200K tomorrow. Unseasonably warm and dry here in New York so a pal and I are hitting a hilly route we normally reserve for spring/summer/fall. It's usually covered in snow at this point. All the best to you in 2012!

Swarm_Catcher said...

Thank you George, nice to hear from you. Have a great 2012 yourself - looking forward to reading your list!

Hummers said...

I think the lesser 200 will be the "Valley of the Rocks" 200k on the 9th.