With 2017 drawing to a close.....

YAY!

I'm pleased to say that I managed to ride 7285KM during the course of the year. I had to revise my 2017 target in November. I'm not quite sure how or why it happened, but when I stepped off my bike in Barcelona I then didn't get back into the saddle for a couple of months which buggered up both my original 7800KM goal for the year, as well as meaning I lost a lot of the physique and stamina that I'd built up in the proceeding nine months. 

General hint folks - Use it or lose it.

At least though, when I did manage to get back on my bike I managed to ride 175KM or more a week, consistently. I mean my original goal had been to ride 150KM per week, a target that I was well ahead of achieving by the end of September so I am glad that I was able to salvage some dignity... 7280 ÷ 52 = 140 KM per week, so not too far off target. 

I am contemplating the idea of setting a goal of 10,000KM for 2018, something that I can or will only "commit to" around the end of March 2018, having seen how much I can or do ride during the course of a Southern Hemisphere Summer. 

Now talking numbers & statistics, having taken note of my car's odometer at the beginning of the year, it would appear I have ridden a bicycle further during 2017, than I have driven my car, with the totals respectively being:

Car - 5545 Kilometres

Bicycle - 7285 Kilometres

So a quick note to all those whinging motorists... who give me grief at dinner parties, etc.

• During the time I was on my bike, I wasn't blocking your path by being another car on the road and seriously if you can't safely get around me as a cyclist, then maybe you shouldn't be driving. 

• Furthermore, I was still paying for the same "right" to use the roads via car registration as you were, my car was just parked in the garage. As a result I was doing less damage to the roads (or the environment) by being on a bicycle than in my car, so don't see why I should pay a rego fee, twice. Even if you were to give me a rebate on my car rego, for the distance I rode on my bike instead! 

I mean, please, give me a break with your profanity / negativity towards cyclists it's complete B.S! 

Oh, and if you think I'm wrong and that cyclists should pay a registration fee to ride, here's an interesting article with 18 reasons why registering bicycles is a bad idea.

Genetic Legacy

Given the significance that genetics seems to have on our susceptibility to certain medical issues being passed down the family line. IE: Breast Cancer in some families, heart health in others (such as mine), I cannot also help but wonder...

Are other personality traits or otherwise also passed on.... and I know that this is getting into the whole nature or nurture debate but the thing that got me thinking is that:

• My father would have died somewhat alone as an alcoholic had it not been for some very unusual circumstances.

• My father's, father died an alcoholic having lived alone in the UK for years whilst the rest of his family was here in Australia.

I know that this is something that haunted my father many, many years down the track and that he also was worried that it would happen to him and I now find myself in a very similar predicament, wondering whether this is to be my destiny also....

All I know is that right now - I've got to continue cycling. It keeps me physically active, does immeasurably good for me mentally and ensures that I eat sensibly and stay away from alcohol somewhat.