yourguitarhero wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 6:53 pm Got my first surfing lesson on Monday...

At Lost Shore, by any chance? https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.thegua ... urf-resort

yourguitarhero wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 6:53 pm May visit the Black Forest on the way down...

Plenty of knobbly-tyred action at the Unimog museum. Another item on the "to do" list...
https://www.unimog-museum.com/

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 9:12 pm
Against my better judgement I was persuaded by a friend to go to the 'Adventure Bike' festival in June which is near to Stratford upon Avon. I'm hoping it will follow the standard bike rally format of sitting in a field drinking beer and telling lies but some of the stuff that is on, and the speakers, seem a bit suspect.

I went to that in the Lakes a few years ago. Seem to remember one of the speakers in particular was very suspect indeed.

In Reverse wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 8:43 pm

slarge wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 1:53 pm To start: biking plans for this year involve a fair bit more mountain biking than the last few years.

You decided against the big event in E Europe Steve? Too much faff?

Kind of, I'm thinking of using this year to get my head back together, and the whole logistics of a no fly event doubles the time away from home.

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2025 9:12 pm More mtb, less gravel bike
In for the Highland Trail and also hope to do the NYM 300 and BB300. I'm going to have another go at getting down to the WRT by train and also use the train more for some of my trips as it worked well last year.
SSUK doon sooth, hopefully joining forces with Lazarus

Against my better judgement I was persuaded by a friend to go to the 'Adventure Bike' festival in June which is near to Stratford upon Avon. I'm hoping it will follow the standard bike rally format of sitting in a field drinking beer and telling lies but some of the stuff that is on, and the speakers, seem a bit suspect. I'm right in the middle of the attendee demographic though!

I'm 'buying' 2 weeks additional leave which should enable the above whilst still being able to spend lots of time with Mum and Dad.

I got all excited then thinking it was adventure pushbikes, but the realised it's those noisy bikes. Just up the road from me....

Glad to read that I won't be alone in making plans (again) that then turn out to be moved on to the next year, year after etc...
Liking the "failure is all part of it, but hey it's better to make plans anyway" attitude, which is very much my thinking too...

For me, this year I'm hoping to do some of what didn't happen last year...

BAM again, and audaxing, both as I enjoy it, and as training for what I have set myself as "the big one" for this year, Borderlands in September. Chose Borderlands as the timing works for me, it is local so like others have said here means less time spent travelling to and from, and as I've heard first hand that it may not be especially long, it is furkin hard climbing wise, unless they soften the route a bit this year...

Will aim for an audax each month, including Brevet Cymru and I'll do the Bryan Chapman as the 300 plus 300 with a bit of sleep option, which seems to have been received well by people who did it last year.

In July, I have booked a ferry to Bilbao, with a view to riding across the Pyrenees, with a few days stop in the middle at Luchon, timed so I'll be there when the Tour de France has its Superbageneres finish there, which is a huge event for the town, and I'm sure will be quite special to experience. Then ride on to Perpignan and train and ferry back.

But first, one of the hardest things I'm sure will be to get out of the door for the January BAM...

No set plans here but a year to look forward to, yes. After the health sucker punches that the second half of 2024 brought and my 2023 'Ride to the Alps from home' trip being disrupted by an achilles issue I've never had before I've realised I can't keep riding like I did in my mid thirties to mid forties, not without more groundwork. So currently it's all bit by bit, building back up, taking general / core fitness a bit more seriously and adding miles as I feel good to go. Looking on the bright side - I love the feeling of improvement so being knocked back guarantees I'll get some of that this year.

A good goal would be a 5-6 day tour of Wales in late May or early June, some tracks and lanes and general ATB stuff. Riding home from that feeling good would be a real boost.
I'd like to do some audaxes or audax style rides again too. I decided not to enter the TINAT 600 this June as I know it'd be an incentive for training efforts that might be a bit premature, I know how hard that ride is and I'd be aiming at a similar feeling of managing it as last time.
If Wales goes well and I get a few 200s or a 300 in before late summer I'm getting the ferry to France again in late August or early Sept and I'll see where I get to.
Unwillingly had to ditch single-speeding for now and I'm really enjoying the full go-anywhere ability of my bike with 1x on it, so more local MTB overnighters are likely as road/gravel trips need to be longer to really get me interested.

Verena wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 8:45 am
In July, I have booked a ferry to Bilbao, with a view to riding across the Pyrenees, with a few days stop in the middle at Luchon, timed so I'll be there when the Tour de France has its Superbageneres finish there, which is a huge event for the town, and I'm sure will be quite special to experience. Then ride on to Perpignan and train and ferry back.

I have a similar plan but heading to Argeles then riding home via Cherbourg

Thanks Steve, good thread as always good to write plans down is it not.. For me it's just a few things starting from hardest/outrageously unrealistic to easiest (maybe).

1. Big Bear 520.
2. BAM of which I don't really want to do, but utilise it as a tool to get used to the other stuff and toughen up a little.
3. Ride to Scarborough on a 180 mile return every month. Obviously that's for pizza at Mama Mias. I think I'm looking forward to this.
4. Bearbones200. If/when I get the invite. It's not at the bottom of the list cos it's easiest. But everything has to have a place and riding/seeing other enroute - who are as daft as yourself - seems to calm the nerves alot.

None bike related stuff, erm I guess to make sure I've got my little boy his big boys bike all built n ready (still need an xs frameset). Make sure I'm not constantly short on cash, so started off an ISA instead of borrowing of the wife all the time I can just borrow from myself.

Last but not least, understand Arabic and the Quran a bit more than what I did last year. Probably my most exciting project TBH.

NB. Oh, any of them rides. If anyone wishes to join me then just say. Sorry to say this and I don't mean it in any malicious way, but boys only (your way of life might vary).

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:17 pm

Verena wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 8:45 am
In July, I have booked a ferry to Bilbao, with a view to riding across the Pyrenees, with a few days stop in the middle at Luchon, timed so I'll be there when the Tour de France has its Superbageneres finish there, which is a huge event for the town, and I'm sure will be quite special to experience. Then ride on to Perpignan and train and ferry back.

I have a similar plan but heading to Argeles then riding home via Cherbourg

I'm bound to bump into you then somewhere, right?

Nice to read folks' plans, and aspirations on and off the bike for 2025

I made a list in my diary last year of 'poss trips', thinking I would manage a few overnighters, in Cos. Donegal, Clare and Wicklow, through the year but sadly they did not materialise, so I shall carry them over to this year's!

I also jotted down a bike/train jaunt to my relations in Wiltshire, over on the Belfast-Birkenhead ferry with the bike and then mixing up canals, old railways and other bits of off road to the Marlborough Downs, again, carried over to 2025

Ah well, none of this is likely unless I get my legs sorted, so cue lots of daily walks, aiming for 6000 steps a day, and building up core strength and muscle tone, and only then working up the bike mileage, that's my hope. Depends a bit on what the latest MRI shows up...

Finding time for any trips and being away from home will be a tad tricky during the year so I am trying not to get too carried away with planning stuff.

cheers,

Keith

I haven’t spoken up on here much so one plan is to visit more often to find out what rides might be in my capability.

On the bike:
Last year I enjoyed the BBWRT, thanks to Karl and Kat for the guiding on the lhc. This year i am going to plan a route myself, I’ll solo it unless I find some travel friends
I also managed to get round (most) of the summer Jenn ride last year, which was ace! and am hoping I can do that again.
I am planning to add the wye divide if dates work out, I hope to do it a second time as a bike-b&bing ride with an old cycling buddy too.
Generally getting out on the bike more For over nighters, I have let other things get in the way of getting out too much this year.

Off the bike:
More creative activities, film making, illustration, art and writing.
Keeping a consistent level of activity and exercise. Felt my fitness drop from lack of movement too much this year.

Hoping we get more sun this year than 2024!

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:59 pm Make sure I'm not constantly short on cash, so started off an ISA instead of borrowing of the wife all the time I can just borrow from myself.

I’m definitely no financial advisor …. And I patently know nothing about your financial situation….But as you’re allowed £1000 of INTEREST a year tax free anyway, with sub 5% interest rates now, unless you have over £20,000 in savings already, you’ll likely do better with a different savings account than an ISA, especially if you want to make withdrawals too

godivatrailrider wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 4:24 pm

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:59 pm Make sure I'm not constantly short on cash, so started off an ISA instead of borrowing of the wife all the time I can just borrow from myself.

I’m definitely no financial advisor …. And I patently know nothing about your financial situation….But as you’re allowed £1000 of INTEREST a year tax free anyway, with sub 5% interest rates now, unless you have over £20,000 in savings already, you’ll likely do better with a different savings account than an ISA, especially if you want to make withdrawals too

Nah. It's complicated, but appreciate the info Godivtrailrider. It's just a way to stop me always spending my money on random things and from a religious POV I wouldn't want to make money off money (ie. interest). So it's kinda an Islamic compliant savings account. Even on my regular debit/instant account I've gone for the non-interest versions

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 4:31 pm

godivatrailrider wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 4:24 pm

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:59 pm Make sure I'm not constantly short on cash, so started off an ISA instead of borrowing of the wife all the time I can just borrow from myself.

I’m definitely no financial advisor …. And I patently know nothing about your financial situation….But as you’re allowed £1000 of INTEREST a year tax free anyway, with sub 5% interest rates now, unless you have over £20,000 in savings already, you’ll likely do better with a different savings account than an ISA, especially if you want to make withdrawals too

Nah. It's complicated, but appreciate the info Godivtrailrider. It's just a way to stop me always spending my money on random things and from a religious POV I wouldn't want to make money off money (ie. interest). So it's kinda an Islamic compliant savings account. Even on my regular debit/instant account I've gone for the non-interest versions

On the Bike:

- Continue the BAM series.
- The Pictish Trail (although I may miss out the northernmost section and just ride south from Inverness to Edinburgh) or might ride south to north.
- Staying with friends in Girona for 7 - 10 days at the beginning of May and they're going to show me round their favourite gravel trails.
- Frontier 300 two-day coast to coast event at the beginning of June.
- Another trip to France in late June. Like last year, will take the train from Edinburgh to the South coast, a ferry and then a mostly off-road ride down to my sister’s place in Carcassonne (different route to last year's trip, though). The Tour de France arrives there on 15th July and I aim to be there.
- Dunoon Dirt Dash at the end of September.

Off the Bike:

- Continue my daily French language studies. Didn't miss a day last year and it keeps the brain ticking over.
- Yesterday marked a full year without drinking alcohol. I'm feeling much better for it in so many ways and intend to stick to this lifestyle.
- Get myself back into weight training and core work because I let that slip last year. Those heavily-laden bikes ain’t gonna lift themselves over gates and stiles!
- Doom scroll less and read more books… I hope!

Ride more than last year - won't take much!!
Getting my daughter balance biking with confidence.
The odd bivi bike, some MTBO.
But most importantly making SSUK2025 happen!

A rarely make plans for the upcoming year except for holidays with the family, so I’ll keep that theme running through 2025

However, I’m hoping to read a lot more this year. Last year was kicked off with audiobooks but I need to spend more time reading the books. Thankfully I’ve built up quite the collection

Evening,
My plans for 2025:
Bikepack a long distance trail
Turn more of my BAMs into epic events
Do a BAM on a folding bike.
Do a BAM on Pevensey Marsh
Do a local BAM with Raggedstone
To Alpkit on my Member Rewards, will invoke this;
'You can also add to your balance by leaving product reviews. You gain £5 for every product review with a photo and £3 without. We issue these dividends to your account weekly.' Got shed loads of their kit. Kerfackingching!!
Get back to purchasing, setting up and passing on bikes for Ukranian residents in Malvern area in collaboration with MHDC
Enjoy another family ride in Forest of Dean with Laura, John and grandkids Toby and Lauren who are both capable cyclists.

Non biking:
Get the last runt of a heavy tax return off my back
Cut down work to barest minimum
Catch more pb fish!!

After near bankrupting myself with all my events last year I'm looking forward to a much quieter one this year!

Only really have plans for three bikepacking related things in 2025. Would like to try doing a BAM at some point, but I don't think it's realistic this year due to work madness.

May: Welsh Ride Thing
May / June: Trans Balkans Race (Trying it again after pulling out due to injury last year... I'm really not very smart.)
October: BB200... at a chilled pace for the first time ever.

After Trans Balkans is done I want to see if I can face doing trail / DH riding again. Will be a massive demon to banish (mentally).

Richard G wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2025 5:38 pm at a chilled pace for the first time ever.

"Don't beleeeeeevvvee yoooooooouuuuu!"

NeilA wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2025 11:53 pm You gain £5 for every product review with a photo and £3 without. We issue these dividends to your account weekly.' Got shed loads of their kit. Kerfackingching!!

Churn one out every day and you'll have enough vouchers to buy a whole new bike by next December

He could then donate it to shaf

RIP wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2025 6:58 pm "Don't beleeeeeevvvee yoooooooouuuuu!"

Genuinely. I should comfortably get around under 24 hours, so I'll likely make some enjoyable stops. Maybe a decent meal, quick pint somewhere etc.

BitTube wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 3:58 pm I haven’t spoken up on here much so one plan is to visit more often to find out what rides might be in my capability.

On the bike:
Last year I enjoyed the BBWRT, thanks to Karl and Kat for the guiding on the lhc. This year i am going to plan a route myself, I’ll solo it unless I find some travel friends
I also managed to get round (most) of the summer Jenn ride last year, which was ace! and am hoping I can do that again.
I am planning to add the wye divide if dates work out, I hope to do it a second time as a bike-b&bing ride with an old cycling buddy too.
Generally getting out on the bike more For over nighters, I have let other things get in the way of getting out too much this year.

Off the bike:
More creative activities, film making, illustration, art and writing.
Keeping a consistent level of activity and exercise. Felt my fitness drop from lack of movement too much this year.

Hoping we get more sun this year than 2024!

Well these plans went sideways pretty sharply, date clashes aplenty mean no WRT in May and no Jenn ride if it’s in the same last week of June as last year. . I am going to book in the wye divide and look to self route something, maybe in wales, maybe around Exmoor/quantocks/mendips and base it on the challenge events triple thing I did a few years back.

If anyone else can recommend any event that fit in the 50-70km a day range I’d love to hear about them.

In the mean time I did post a film I have been editing together, what’s the etiquette for sharing YouTube’s if people are interested?

BitTube wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2025 10:01 pm In the mean time I did post a film I have been editing together, what’s the etiquette for sharing YouTube’s if people are interested?

Post them in the 'Your Trips and Adventures' section, either linked or embedded.