Festive greetings to all

Earlier in the year I posted a list of to-do items, nothing special, but having spotted a post on the forum about 2009 goals it reminded me of it.


Buy a new pair of gloves before next winter.
I did buy some Kona ones which fell to pieces after not too many rides, absolutely useless. Got hold of some 661's which seem to be holding up better, although perhaps I should have got something a bit warmer for the winter.


Buy some new riding shorts before mine completely fall to pieces (it appears my thighs rub off the saddle a hell of a lot!)
The holes got bigger and then even bigger right up to the embarassing level so invested in some 3/4 length Endura's - love 'em.


Make good use of my Swinley annual pass.
Done pretty well on this in the later part of the year and still a few months left. Thanks to the mysterious navigational abilities of Dr Bike!


Arrange a Forum ride in May/June in the Surrey Hills (Holmbury and Pitch).
Yep - Did this (blog entry somewhere about it). Will arrange something else in the New Year but to be honest the trails are pretty trashed around here at the moment and really need to be rested. Way to many articles published recently about riding in the Surrey Hill's recently which appear to have increased traffic at exactly the wrong time of year. It is going to take some effort from the Volunteer's to get things back on track next year.


Try to get to South Wales
Yep a sneaky week day trip to Afan with Chrism last month when we rode The Wall - what can I say but superb! The best riding I have experienced in my short career. Look forward to getting back to Wales next year.


Work harder on my basic skills.
An ever ongoing effort but i'm pretty sure that my riding has improved over the year (well I don't fall off as much!) More prepared to try things now and got a better grip on balance and using my body.


Try some more riding on the South Downs
Superb ride from Butser Hill with Bob and Bhosty earlier in the year, sadly this was pretty much it for the South Downs this year.


Start riding clipless pedals.
Going to hold fire on this for a while, flats are the way to go! I'm sure I can put up with the gibes from my riding buddies for another year!


Think some more about doing the Pass'Portes du Soleil.
A dream at the moment.

OK, so nothing groundbreaking on this (2008) years list but who knows what next year might bring.... Will start thinking about it over the festive break. Need to include: Fitness (I can feel it dropping off already as riding has been more minimal recently), Skills Course, Loads more riding in different places, Wales and an endless selection of biking bits and pieces. I would add new bike to the list but SWMBO might be reading