Having completed a handful of ~40-mile rides this year over the same roads as the Rist Canyon Hill Climb, it is time to graduate.  I've signed up for the citizens' ride for this Saturday, 6/5/2010.  The personal milestones will be:

• First organized community ride - I'm ready to come out in public with my closet hobby.
• First time to cross the 8000 ft. peak of Rist Canyon - in front of hundreds of fans and supporters.
• First time using an aid station.  I've volunteered at aid stations but never been a user.

Reviewing the 2009 times, my personal goal is to beat at least one Cat 1 Pro.  That may sound like an impossible feat, but I get a 2 hr 20 minute head start.  Add 1:20 to a 9:50 start, and the first Cat 1 Pro will be arriving at 11:10 which gives me 3 hrs 40 minutes after my 7:30am start.  Slow and Steady will get us to the top!

Setting a goal, no matter how small, gives us a little push to improve and reach that goal.  A Turtle's first goal may be to make it up a short steep road section without putting a foot down, or to ride three ten-mile rides within a week.  For myself, I don't have a "big picture" goal aside from better health.  Each time I ride I try to be a little better, a little faster, or ride a little further than the previous time - then we'll see where it leads.  Get out and ride and inevitably you'll come across people with a similar goal and fitness level.