New Year Resolutions for Cyclists
New Year – time for making fresh starts and turning new leaves.
Almost half of us make resolutions at New Year, and the goals most of us set are to do with getting in better shape.
The bad news: only a handful of determined souls keep their resolutions – most are already dropped and forgotten by mid-February*.
Well, since we’re all about getting more women on bikes, and enjoying it more, how about some resolutions that will propel us toward our goals, and might be easier and more fun to keep?
In the spirit of promoting more enjoyment of more cycling, we’re leading the way with a few suggestions:
We asked Terry team members what cycling goals they are setting for themselves this year: more rides, more miles, new bike, new destination? It turns out our cycling ambitions are quite varied.
Quite a few of us just want to:
Ride more! (Ride into work… weather permitting) – I acquired a Cite X Gel saddle this year, to use on my 20+ year old Bianchi Bike. I now no longer have the excuse of an uncomfortable old saddle shortening my rides.
Emily, marketing
New bike and more commuting 🙂
Nik, operations
To consistently ride two times per week, instead of one. I love spinning. I finally put a Butterfly Galactic saddle on my spin bike, and the Holster Capri is my favorite bike bottom – highly recommended.
Alysia, designer
I will be Zwifting (all over the world) this winter with my husband, Georgena and friends! My goal is to ride 3 times per week.
Lisa, customer care
This year it’s all about keeping fit with limited time. I plan to get a trainer that works with Zwift, to give me an incentive to ride indoors a few times a week through the winter. Once the ice and snow is gone, my goal is 3 short, hard rides a week for the year, up here in the Champlain Islands.
Colin, marketing
Some of us just want to get going earlier:
My first ride on the season in 2021 was Apr. 3rd. Hoping to get out earlier this year!
Shanin, accounting & Q.A.
Or – an excellent approach – have more fun:
Not too much of a resolution, but my cycling resolution is to take my parrot on more weekly rides – I have a Margaritaville bicycle (parrot, horn and basket included).
Danielle, accounting
While a few of us are setting our sights on big new adventures:
My cycling resolutions for 2022 are many, but at the top – bike trip to Italy. It’s been cancelled twice (thank you Covid) but a go for September…so far. It’s been postponed so many times I doubt it will happen. A girl can dream, though.
Paula, marketing
My goal with my partner, Annie, is to ride and explore more of the backroads of Vermont on our gravel bikes. We will be planning trips or tours throughout New England to explore the dirt roads in Upstate New York, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Dave, sales
While attending a family wedding in Cape Cod, I’m looking forward to an extra couple days riding with family to beaches and hopefully make it as far as Provincetown.
Annie, customer care
And a couple of the team have bike projects in mind:
This year, my resolution won’t be based on how many miles I wish to achieve, or destinations I long to ride. This year will be about resolving to restore a vintage bicycle – and with the hopes I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew.
Found at a recent estate sale hanging from the rafters in the back of a worn out barn was this lovely Peugeot bicycle, and I knew it was coming home. With any luck, maybe it will be complete by the time le Tour rolls around.
Kelly, merchandising
My goal is to get the perfect gravel e-bike; top of the line performance design, carbon, drop bars with slimmish 30mm tires, distance assist only battery, hydraulic brakes, Di-2, so I can practice aging off the main road and gracefully.
Liz, CEO
But this resolution takes the cake – wedding cake that is!
I am going to kick-off the new year by riding 300 miles throughout the month of January. My Fiancé and I will also be mapping a bike route through the Champlain Islands (a cyclist’s dreamscape!) to ride into our wedding in September.
Cam, customer care
How to Keep Your New Year Cycling Resolutions
Let’s Resolve to Ride More Often
What will it take to add one more ride a week for you?
- Can you shuffle your schedule, or drop something that you don’t really need to do? With a health and energy boost from more bike rides, you can get more done than you could by just grinding away without them – certainly you will enjoy life more with more time riding.
Or ride to work more days out of the month?
- Build bike commuting into your routine by planning ahead and setting up a few key pieces of equipment. Stow a few key items in the office – a change of layers and shoes, towel and toiletries – and prepare for changing weather with fenders and rain gear. More tips here. Find bike-to-work clothing that goes the distance between commute and happy hour here.
Are there ways you can jump on your bike to run errands instead of jumping in the car?
- It’s great for your health and wellbeing, and for the environment. Research shows half of all car trips in the US are under three miles, compounding problems with pollution and sedentary lifestyles. Increasing the number of trips made with human power can do more than just about anything else to reduce our collective carbon footprint, and increase our health. See how bike errands can change the world here.
Let’s Resolve to Ride Safer
- Follow the A-B-C guidelines for greater visibility on the road: kit yourself out with always-on lights, add reflective bio-motion accents and high-vis clothing.
- Join in or support your local bike advocacy group; take a course to brush up on safe cycling practices.
- Use and teach the life-saving Dutch Reach – more here.
Let’s Resolve to Ride More Comfortably
Consider a new saddle, new bike bottoms, or a new top.
- An upgrade can pay off if it delivers greater comfort: warm, silky, moisture-managing fabrics, and supportive, “just-right” cushioning can help you ride further and more often, simply by making your time on the bike more enjoyable. Get some help choosing a new saddle, cycling bottoms, cycling tops.
Try a bike fitting session at your local bike shop
- Some simple adjustments may help you get more smiles from your miles. Our bodies change as we age of course, so a set up from a few years ago may need a tweak or two for optimum comfort this year.
Notice something here? Most of these suggestions make your resolutions easier to keep by making one change up front – new wardrobe item, new saddle, new routine, new training – then it’s just a matter of using it through the year. No need for a year’s supply of extra willpower. Sweet success!
What cycling resolutions are you making for 2022? Let us know in the comments.
However you move into the bright shiny New Year, enjoy the ride!
*New Year Resolution facts backed up by actual internet research.
I resolve to ride for more than utility/commuting and go farther in the new year!