2008 Recap

Recapping the past year seems to be a common theme among bloggers this time of year. Goals met and missed. Stats for the year. Ride amounts. Monthly highlights. How 2008's mileage stats compare to '07's totals. How 2009 will differ.

I think the last time I kept a running total was in 2000. Over the years, I've found my cycling life gradually expanding and more difficult to track.

Everyone knows mountain biking totals can't be combined with road riding totals...miles over pine needles, leaves and stumps just don't add-up in the same way.

Do grocery-getting miles translate? My position on the beater is less efficient, thus creating more drag. The headset is pitted, so the bicycle really tries to use the shortest distance to get from Point A to Point B. And, there are resistance, weight and balance issues when hauling full Arkel packs home from Cub Foods and let's face it, any miles done with a baguette sticking out are plain stupid and should be thrown out.

My commuting miles start off as bleary-eyed, caffeine-starved wobbles over limestone-covered railbeds on their way to a day of patiently waiting, only to do the same damned thing whilst going the other direction later on. How do miles zig-zagging down the road with a bulging daypack stack up? Depending on the time of year, I'm either on thin knobbies or studded tires that weigh a ton.

And, touring miles...leisurely-coasting, beer-drinking, burger-sopping, sun-drenched, napping-next-to-the-beach miles put in while yakking-up new acquaintances on a week-long escape....it seems one of these miles should count half of what a regular mile would, yet I come back from one of these trips in phenomenal shape...maybe each of these miles counts for two?

-OB it's all so confusing