[Closed] What have you done this year?

I am not that sophisticated with the video but highlights have been.

Continued to raise my young family alongside the wonderful mrs gd, which is the main and most important thing.

Me and Mrs gd have had an extension put on the house to make a lovely family space and our asbestos roofed garage is gone and replaced by a nice wooden workshop.

Ridden my bike more than any of the last five years including a couple of new places.

Work is going well at the minute.

A few rubbish things too but I am not going to dwell on them.

I tried some quinoa.

finally stopped biting my nails, it only took me 50 years

Looks like a fun year OP. Hope you have a good 2015!

I'm just sooooo thankful that there isn't a person in my social group that films himself and us with a go pro on a pole.

Been happy. Opted out of a career and embraced long term househusbandom, enjoyed spending loads of time with the wife and two daughters. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Apologies but there is no way i could be arsed watching the video.

I did the Bear Bones 200. Easily the toughest and most memorable thing this year.

Looks like you had fun, OP.

Bike: Raced road, track and mtb, rode a team TT at Silverstone, didn't fall off at Afan (as much). Qualified as a Road and TT BC Coach, commuted in all weather, rode tour of Flanders cobbled climbs with the kids.

Family: Watched the Tireds grow up another year, scaled Etna, enjoyed another birthday with my sister who has a terminal illness.

Work: lots of drug-related stuff, some to do with malaria.

Nice that they allowed you to video the plane landing. the companies I fly with make you put your electrical stuff off. Nice vid though

Some nice stuff there and thanks for sharing...Really want to do the Bearbones but don't think I have the fitness levels atm. Been a great year for me hope you all have a great 2015

falkirk-mark - Member
Nice that they allowed you to video the plane landing. the companies I fly with make you put your electrical stuff off

The CAA rules on this changed a while ago. You can now use phones and tablets during takeoff and landing as long as they are set to airplane mode, although I am not sure if all carriers let you.

Raced. First time I've ever done that and its the best fun I've had on a bike. The Tweedlove EWS was the absolute highlight and I still get a bit emotional thinking about crossing the finish line.

had a very annoying electrical problem fixed....hopefully for good.
oh, and cycled 6000 miles, and toured twice with my good lady, and done a proper mtb ride for the 1st time in 5 years.
life is indeed good............. 8)

Learned to surf which for some reason made me start MTBing again. Perhaps it reminded me how much I like being outdoors instead of in the pub.

Just the usual family/friends/cycling stuff mostly.

There were a few firsts this year though, namely disposing of the bodies of four pet goldfish. Each time the ceremony got less and less formal. First was a full-on funeral with fishy coffin and children's tears. By the time the fourth (and last fish pet eva!) had died, the burial consisted of me bucking the ex-fish over the neighbours fence when no one was looking.

Other firsts include pruning roses and general flowery maintenance and removing (guinea pig) semen from a guinea pigs head. Oh and playing a major part in getting the MD of our firm the boot. **** * that he was 😡

Moved somewhere I can MTB without needing a car 🙂

Survived a fourth year of freelancing.

For the first time, went to the Alps and did a MTB descent so long my ears popped several times on the way down.

Found some decent sized tabletops and pushed myself until I wasn't casing them. Next year I want to progress onto gap jumps without being sh*t scared of them.

Got my first road bike and did some cols.

Tried BMX racing for the first time.

Started racing my MTB, thanks to my wonderful wife and clocked 3 stage races in 2 continents, and some podium time, very happy.

Got married again, very happy

Sired twins but unfortunately they were born too early and died, not very happy

Now she's pregnant again, VERY HAPPY AGAIN

What a year....

Biking wise:

Broke my wrist
VIP ticket to TOB finish on the tumble , then rode down with the team cars.
Milton Keynes world cup..just ace.
Worked for Mayhem & Bespoked
Taught 2 non riders to ride and many other young people to ride safe on the road (part of day job)
Put together my first cx race and got sponsors on board - All revealed on Monday...

I did a few motorcycle races (Croft, Teesside and East Fortune), came second in the NEMCRC 125 championship by dint of just turning up and not falling off, bought myself my first decent mtb, did some awesome trackdays at Cadwell, Croft and Teesside, sold my motorcycle, got through my bf having a pretty bad bout of pneumonia in July (bf now up to 20-odd mile rides with me again 😀 ), got confused by all the new 'standards' in cycling that have been conjured up over the last ten or so years 😆 , got fitter & stronger through MTBing despite my (nearly) 40 years, grew some strawberries & potatoes & other veg, found a little peace, managed to keep a small business going into its fifth year, told an estate agent to get [i]right [/i]to f*ck, met some lovely people and made some lovely new friends 😀

Reading festival and Amsterdam have been the highlights. Its been an awesome year overall. So many good times with my friends. I rode my bikes a bit as well.

Emerged from several years of depression, then got a paid full time job for the first time since 2003.

Went cycle touring for the first time. I'll be doing it more often.
Ridden the most in a year than I've ever done.
Become technically more proficient on my bike.
Done the biggest drop I've ever done on a bike, 8 feet to flat on a 130mm trail bike.
Broken a few frames.

I think the single life suits me.

Started the year injured, badly broke ribs 6 hours before the end of 2013 and that smarted a bit til about February, got back on the bike for the first time a week before the first round of the scottish enduro series... Not really ideal! It's been kind of a year of injuries tbh, ribs 3 times and smashed in my back pretty badly in May, and then my wrist in October. Less of that pish next year please.

Did the full SES, it was brilliant, highlight was Laggan staying in a random scottish mansion with the innerleithen mtb racing crew- great racing, great people, massive dinner from Hels, perfect weekend... Another week with White Room, probably won't be back as that's 3 years on the trot but 3 brilliant (and differently brilliant) weeks, loved every minute. Solo'd my first xc race- my 4th year doing the GT7 but always in a team before. Didn't exactly set the results on fire but I was pleased.

Absolute highlight of the year and of my mtbing life so far was the Enduro World Series. I'm not that good, but I am extremely #enduro and now I can casually say "When I was racing in the world series" and just not mention that I was about 200th. But what a week, if it's not the best thing I ever do on a bike I'll be amazed.

And, tons of "just normal riding" which is really what it's all about. Injuries and car hassles stopped me from doing a bunch of what I wanted to do but it's still been ace

ton - Member

had a very annoying electrical problem fixed...

😆

Cavendish tour 100

Got my hernia fixed.

Said RIP to a promising home bred Labrador and four years of associated training 🙁
RIP "Hazel"
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Shot my first Red Deer. (A cull-hind, I'm not rich or anything 😉 )
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First time in Gibraltar and Spain although no cycling this year.
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Finally filled the empty .223 slot on my firearms certificate with a very accurate Mannlicher rifle
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Got the nipper his first bike
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Although he prefers his pony 🙁
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Cycling wise, did:
Tour de Berkshire
Brecon Beast
Four rounds of xcRampage
Two Gorricks
Four wessex CX rounds
One Brass Monkeys
Wrote a Friel Mtb Bible plan.

Lost 1.5 stone too.

Found out my job is secure for another five years.

Pretty good really 🙂

This year will be remembered mostly for two things

Lost a best friend to cancer, adopted a gorgeous little girl.

Oh, and #enduro.

.

All looks good. Like the video, OP.

I haven't ridden half as much as I normally do this year but I was dwelling on what I have done the other day and felt I've had more smiles than miles.

So stuff I've done....

Learned how to run again. Did quite a few 10k's. Learned my legs don't like running again. Gave up.
Cycled 180 miles in a day fixed.
Cycled 206 miles in a day geared.
Entered a big team race over 70 miles, came 6th out of 14 teams.
Raised over £5k for charity from said race.
Rode 4800 miles so far. As I say, way down on usual but it's all good.
Learned how to oil paint (basically, obviously)
Took my drawing to a new level. (I feel).

2014 has been a great year for me after a very bad 2013.

In April I was given the all clear from Cancer after being in remission for 5 years 🙂 to celebrate me & 13 mates went to north Wales for a MTBing weekend where we rode CYB on the Saturday & then rode Snowdon on Sunday after getting up @ 4am to get an early start before the redsox, a 2.5 hr ride/push/hike-a-bike to the top for a 25min down - Amazing!!

I've done plenty of riding & have stayed injury free, one highlight was riding 'around' Dartmoor from my home a 109 mile ride.

Went to the otherside of the world to celebrate my wife's 50th birthday & cycled on Rottnest Island WA, Manly NSW & then Rotorua in NZ.I met for the first time my best mates 3 x kids he has had since he emigrated to Oz in 2003, climbed Sydney harbour bridge, saw the Opera house, went to Bondi Beach, the blue mountains, stopped at Singapore on the way over & went to Raffles & San Francisco on the way back & saw the Golden Gate Bridge. The holiday of a life time & NZ is truly a beautiful place to visit.

Back home now & getting in plenty of night rides in the mild weather & taking some newbies out to show them how much fun night riding is.

My father spent 4 days in ICU in August & it was touch & go for a while, but he's still here & looking forward to his 85th birthday. On a brighter note my Mum was 80 & has been in good health this year.

My job is still uncertain but hey I'll cross that bridge when it comes along.

I played a very very tiny part in hosting the Tour de France.

I saw the the Tour de france ride the roads of Yorkshire, both days.

Won the Vets Welsh xc series and champs.
Podiumed at the National xc champs.
Got regular top 5's in the NW cx league.
4th at the Shrewsbury GP crit.
Won a Cx race.
Retired from racing 😀
(Had never won a thing before I turned 40!)

Survived a year with a new boss who is the biggest ar5ehole on earth. He got the sack last week 😀

Ran an offroad marathon
Opened my own bike shop
Raced a few crits
raced cx
Gave up triathlon
sponsored a womens pro cycle team

It's been alright. Better for 2015 I hope.

Started racing this year and I'm addicted.
Met some new people who are sound.
Got rid of some people who were nobs.
Went on holiday to a hot place.
Maintained my diet after quitting smoking.
Sorted some really niggly things out in my life.
Made some positive decisions.
All good except now I want a new bike but I don't know what 🙂

Some great stuff and some nice pics and glad u got the all clear Crispy bacon... I am jealous of a few of your 2014 achievements

Bikewise:
* Spa'n'Back ride & bivi, Wales, January
* training and assessment for British Cycling Leadership ticket, and outdoor first aid
* RideLondon (only road ride of the year)
* explored Whiteways of the first time
* Afan weekend
* Forest of Dean bike'n'bivi
* got my daughter zipping about on her Tinybike
* acquired & built a couple of nice 29er HTs
* stripped (by accident) and rebuilt (by obligation) a Hope rear hub
* numerous rides around god's own local riding area (Surrey Hills)
* did an STW forum people ride
* SSUK, Cannock Chase

In 2015 I want to:
* use my Leadership ticket to take some people riding
* do some skills coaching (as coachee)
* get my daughter onto a pedal bike
* do at least one short course race (Gorrick style)
* do an enduro on a HT
* ride abroad somewhere dusty
* spend less money on bikes

Rode London to Paris in a day. That was my main 2014 aim and it was completed.
Lost a stone in training for the above.
Watched Mrs Lunge turn herself from a competitive but ultimately lazy person (her words, not mine) to someone who is now excelling at her job and winning races.
Generally relaxed a bit. I'm quite a worrier and this year I have forced myself to relax, I'm a much better person for it.

First Multi Day Stage Race - 4 days Wildside
10 Days in Rotorua
Pushed out some big road rides
Got dumped by my long term GF
Moved House
2nd and 3rd multi stage races
Entered my first 24hr as a team
Packing for my first return to the UK in 3 years...

Had a good year. My bike related efforts are summarised here-

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/2014-a-good-year-in-mountains

I did an video too.

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Also moved into a lovely new house, got a decent job instead of a shit one, rode my bike loads more than last year and did plenty of new and exciting things.

good stories y'all.

in 2014 I...

Rode my bike(s) more than any previous years, should top out at around 2400 miles.
Cycled from London to Llanberis, then climbed Snowdon. This was in memory of my brother who had been planning to do this but sadly passed away in Oct 2013.
Did some really nice training rides for the above including some nice days in Northern France (around Mont St Michel)

Enjoyed watching my 2 daughters grow another year older (now 4 and 7)

Took up climbing again. Mainly just at the indoor wall, but now own a rope and have made it outside a couple of times. Have also taken the kids climbing on real rock. Given I've been injured most of the year, the only racing I've done was a few orienteering events at the start of the year (I was unfit and rubbish) and I've hardly done any riding this year (didn't even bother taking a bike or a uni on most of our holidays when I normally would), that is by a long way the highlight of the year for me. I've even got a tiny bit of a social life out of it.

Riding wise, it feels like only an OK year. Not sure why.

Lots and lots of Peaks riding. Some wonderful summer evening rides. Didn't manage so many lieu days this year, so less mid-week cheeky epics than last.

Only 1 trip to the Lakes, and the weather was too crap to go up high, but the lower stuff was still fun.

Did the Transprovence tour which was absolutely stonking, including a starring role in this:-

Then went back and worked on the race as timing monkey, which was epic in a very different way.

Then some truly shockingly filthy rides over the last few weeks!

Off bike?
Turned 40 😕
Failed to do much work on the house.
Drove an Aston, a Ferrari and a Lambo
Failed to get up Scafell in a storm, on my own.(got up to Mickledore and couldn't even crouch down without getting blown over)
Did the Gable girdle on a lovely day.
Honister Via Ferrata (extreme, dood!)
Did some more bivvying.
Visited the B29 crash site on Bleaklow. Rather spooky/sinister.

Rode Paris-Roubaix (velodrome to the Arenberg to the velodrome)
Commissaired two London League CX races
Marshalled a Sporting TT
Marshalled a Surrey League RR
Lost a £500m bid
Bought a Bongo
Rode Whinlatter & CyB
Solo'd 12hr at Bontrager 24/12
Missed riding pairs at Brighton Big Dog after having emergency eye surgery to prevent a detached retina the week before
Rode the Prosecco Cycling - it didn't rain this year
Rode mixed pairs at Bristol Oktoberfest
Rode the Banjo XC night race
Discovered the Bongo needed major surgery