Another year, better start to it.

I saw Debbie's post and realized that I've never summarized 2009 or provided goals for 2010.

In 2009, I didn't resume cycling in earnest until June. The total for the year came out to 3,843 km/2384 mi, but I only had 268 km/167 mi on June 1.

This year so far (through March 31), I have 766 km/475 mi, including 501 km in March. That's more like it. The goal this year is an average of 400 km per month minimum, hoping for 500-600, all of it aiming toward a year's total in the 5,000 km vicinity (3,100 mi). I've never done 3,000 miles in a year, although in 2006, approximately 2,700 miles came close. This year, I'll have no Euro biking to fall back on, having been forced to cancel the Denmark trip because there simply isn't time for it. It's just the daily aim of somewhere between 13 and 30 kilometers, with longer rides whenever time permits.

The weight's been creeping back up, so it's time to lighten the load by about 20 pounds. That's the hard part.

Two months to go.

Yesterday I rested, finishing October with 562 kilometers. Today I rode 35 km, bringing the tally to 3,239 km in 2009, and taking me a whisker past 2,000 miles for the year.

Man, that feels good. It's the first 2,000 mile year since 2006, and what's more, I've maintained a weight of 240 lbs for two months solid. Winter will be a challenge, but at this precise moment in time, I'm happy with myself ... and my butt's not really sore at all.

Beer, anyone?

Personal progress in September.

The periodic personal chronicle is ongoing: There was time during September's craziness to notch roughly 661 km, lifting the yearly total to 2,642 km, with 2,374 km coming since June 1.

My weight is at 240 lbs, down from 275 lbs on June 1. This means that I've held at around 240 lbs for something like six weeks, in spite of the eating and drinking debaucheries to which I'll be forever prone.

The plan remains to bike year-round and get out in all reasonable weather, even if it means just riding laps around the block.

Denmark 2010 - here we come.

Satisfaction.

I finished August at 242 lbs, down from around 275 lbs on June 1, and with 653 km of bicycling for the month. The cumulative yearly total is now 1,981 km going into today's ride. Most of it (1,713 km) has come in the past three months, and I hope to sustain the momentum at least through October, although the plan remains to return to year-round riding and get out in all reasonable weather. even if it means going around the block.

It may not be Tour de France material, but I'm pleased with myself for getting the mojo back this summer after two down and lazy years. It has been quite interesting to observe the combination of heightened muscles and lightened load.

Time for an update: Mileage up, pounds down.

My average mileage for June and July was around 530 km, and I'm on track to beat that in August. My approach hasn't changed. I try to ride every day, and ride more when time allows. I'm down almost 30 lbs since June 1, and whereas I gained it back the last time (2007), this time I'm feeling better about my chances to keep it off. Don't worry: I'm still enjoying my beer and the food I like, the latter in smaller doses, and the former with a better view of what choices cost. I'm not unhappy at all about making a few minor sacrifices along the way.

Having the YMCA open for cooler, rainier weather will help. Last evening we both went and were schooled by the trainer as to using the weights. I'll slowly transition toward toning as we draw closer to winter, but I plan to return to the year-round outdoor bicycling even if it's just short distances. My butt's coming back, and I don't want to lose it by giving up saddle time.

The real joy for me was a day like yesterday, because the variable that has changed in the fitness program is the biking itself. In 2007, I shed the weight by dieting and walking, because I couldn't ride owing to my rotator cuff problem and the surgery to repair it. By the time I got back on the bike, I was lighter but regaining the weight.

This time, I'm shedding the weight as I ride, and being 30 lbs lighter is making it demonstrably easier to climb Corydon Pike once a week. Yesterday I didn't do the hill profile, but I felt strong doing a series of urban loops totaling 35 km.

For me, there's nothing like that bike to induce exhilaration. The weight loss dynamic this time around is equally pleasing. By next June, I should be in top shape for Danish beercycling.

A comeback of a month.

Rehab continues. Almost certainly June, 2009 will be my best biking month since September, 2006 (when we were cycling from Prague to Vienna). I should come in at around 500 km for June, after having only 457 km for January-May.

I'm sticking to my usual routine: 10-15 km a day maintenance, 20-30 km a day if time and energy permits, and alternating flat ground and hill profiles. I made it up Corydon Pike for the fourth time yesterday, but the heat sapped me, so today I'll stay on the flood plain and walk a bit, too.

It still doesn't sound like much compared with previous times, but gradually things are returning to focus. Progress is being made. I've lost about 15 lbs since returning from holiday on May 27, and with luck, another 10-15 will go by the time the Great Taste of the Midwest beer festival takes place in Madison WI on August 8.

No biking for that one. Just beer.