This year there must be something to aim for, just to make things easier so here we go with the big “policy decisions” for me and my bikes:
- Get my weight down to 70kg – the heavier I am the harder work the hills are.
- Improve my flexibility and core strength – I’ve got an exercise ball and I’m trying to make plenty of use of it. Being about as flexible as teak and with the core strength of balsa wood this is a bit of a priority.
- Ride the Tour of Flanders sportif– I’m planning the 140km but Justin is trying to persuade me of the full distance. 260km in the Belgian spring? Dream on.
- Ride Mont Ventoux – there’s a club trip to Beaume De Venise’s sportif event (170km) and as it’s 40 years on from the death of Tom Simpson, it seems a fitting year to make the pilgrimage.
- Ride the UK Etape – it seems to be pencilled in to the British Cycling events calendar for 1st July 2007 with everything else about it TBA. I’m still contemplating trying to get a place on the Etape Du Tour itself. If you can get me a cost entry, then I’m interested.
- Score a point – obviously this involves actually finishing a race, something I singularly failed to do last year. I’ve got to remember to get my race licence and upgrade to British Cycling’s Silver membership too.
Tomorrow I’m seeing a man about a dog, or rather a bike shop about a frame. In this case a lovely Eddy Merckx one in the Cyclefit sale. Potentially it might be a bit long in the top tube for me, so I have crossed my fingers and started hoping. In my mind I’ve already decided how I am going to build the bike up so I’m trying to avoid disappointment at this stage.