Everybody is offering suggestions for New Year’s Resolutions. You can’t turn on the TV or radio without hearing someone talk about how to make them and how to not break them, as most people do. You can’t open your email or browse the internet without reading the same from some expert.
So I’ll give you some New Year’s Resolutions suggestions, but purely from a cyclist’s perpective. I’m not going to tell you how to change your life. I’m not going to suggest ways to improve your work performance, your interpersonal relationships or how to make more money. Let’s talk about one thing, and one thing only:
Make 2010 your “best” cycling season ever!
The following steps can help you achieve this goal:
1. Define what the word “best” means to you. “Best” is a nebulous term, so first of all, decide on 1 key goal – only 1 – that you simply must accomplish in order for your season to be successful. For example, it may be simply finishing some epic event. Epic for you, that is.
Your key goal might be breaking 1 hour in a 40k time trial. It may be climbing that nasty hill on your favorite route in record time. Your key goal might be to not get dropped on the fast group ride this season. Or it might be improving your power level to a certain wattage.
Clarify the goal and keep it in front of you. Deciding on a crystal clear, well-defined target is the most important factor step you can take.
2. Decide on the short term and intermediate term goals that will keep you on track to achieve your key goal.
3. Determine your ideal body weight, then set the date you want to achieve it……ideally prior to your key event/goal.
4. Lay out the steps and timetable necessary to achieve this bodyweight.
5. Seek assistance and advice from qualified individuals to help. For example, a coach (like me!) can help with goal setting, training planning, unbiased feedback and an accountability partner. The same can be said of a professional nutritionist.
6. Make sure your goal is consistent with the rest of your life. 99.9% of us get our paycheck from something other than riding a bike, so your goal, and the steps and time necessary to achieve it, must fit in with your non-cycling life.
7. Realize that cycling is an escape, a way to stay fit and healthy and a way to enjoy the out-of-doors, and keep cycling in perspective. Don’t get bent out of shape if you get rained out a particular day, if a business trip suddenly comes up or something else comes up which forces you to temporarily adjust your schedule.
8. Enjoy the process. Each day’s training is helping you achieve your ultimate goal. So whether it’s a “hard” day or an easy day, know how it fits into the big picture and enjoy the training.
9. Have Fun! We wouldn’t do this if we didn’t like it. So while you’re training, while you’re focusing on your big goal, have fun riding your bike! Even if that means riding indoors for several months at a time, like most of us in the northern tier do. 
Have a safe and very Happy New Year! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your cycling life. I look forward to working with you in 2010 and beyond. Please feel free to add your comments today or any day, and contact me with questions. Then — GET OUT AND RIDE!
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