Lifestyle

Cycle into 2017: TWC Readers Share their Resolutions

We love to see what our readers are up to - here are some of your goals...

At TWC one of our biggest goals is to inspire and encourage our readers. So at the dawn of 2017, we created an index of advice articles to help you to reach whichever cycling heights you’re aiming for this year: from getting started to racing competitively.

To add a little motivational twist, we’re also running weekly giveaways throughout December. We just want you to tell us what you’re doing to help get you closer to your cycling goals this January, with a picture to prove you’re doing it.

Pictures can be sent via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and need to be tagged with #TWC2017Goals. We’ve picked one winner today and will choose two more on the 17th and 24th- so keep your pictures and messages coming!

So – without further ado – we’d like to announce the first winner….

Katherine Moore

We’ve been following Katherine on Instagram, Twitter and via her blog and she’s been doing some amazing things. This year, she’s tackling plenty: a new job, life in a motor home to facilitate it, and she’s aiming to become a ‘Super Randonneur’ – that means she want’s to achieve Audax UK’s traditional award for the top 10 per cent of hardened night-riders. She’ll need to ride a series of 200, 300, 400 and 600km all in one season.

How to Prepare for your First Audax

Good luck Katherine! We’ll be sending a copy of ‘Ultimate Etapes: Ride Europe’s Greatest Cycling Stages‘ by Peter Cossins to inspire your future adventures.

2017 here we come! #twc2017goals https://t.co/n3MGVBNmjH

— Katherine Moore (@katherinebikes) January 8, 2017

Though we did, of course, have to pick one winner it doesn’t mean there weren’t loads of you who made us feel excited and inspired for the year to come. Here are just a few more of the lovely New Year’s Resolutions we received….

2017 cycling goals – join a cycle club, go out in more group rides and to eat right and holidays @TtlWomenCycling #TWC2017Goals

— PurpleSpokes (@PurpleSpokes) January 8, 2017

What a great Resolution! Hear our advice on finding a group to ride with here.

This is the year I will NOT be a fair weather cyclist #TWC2017Goals @TtlWomenCycling going well so far 🙂 pic.twitter.com/oHvvnYbXpT

— Tara Wilson (@typoppet) January 9, 2017

Amen to that! Advice on riding through winter conditions here.

@TtlWomenCycling have been bikepacking over winter as training for @transconrace many more self supported trips to come #TWC2017goals pic.twitter.com/3mdNB4fWNL

— Eleanor Ceindeg (@Eleanor_Ceindeg) January 3, 2017

Wow – exciting adventures! Feel inspired by Emily Chappell’s story of her Transcon adventures.

Beginner #TWC2017Goals is a spring sportive! Doing @BritishCycling improver plan (it was FTT day!) @TtlWomenCycling pic.twitter.com/BaYXYRScO5

— Rhianedd Hurley (@MrsRHurley) January 6, 2017

Good luck with the plan! More tips on planning training here.

@TtlWomenCycling resolution to drop 2 dress sizes. Starting on the turbo. #TWC2017Goals pic.twitter.com/d9XlHzTCy5

— Christine Constable (@chrisfc99) January 10, 2017

Great to see that the healthy activity has already started! Here’s how to lose weight cycling – make sure it stays fun for the best chance of sticking with it.

@TtlWomenCycling My #TWC2017Goals Sprint Tri (signed up – April) Cycle up my hill without walking/falling off bike (got halfway yesterday – getting better) pic.twitter.com/duoo5cyMSt

— Joanna James (@JoannaBach) January 9, 2017

Well done on signing up! We’ve got a selection of triathlon advice and articles – check them out here.

@TtlWomenCycling new bike, new cleaning brushes and a new motivation to increase my weekly miles every time I clean it #TWC2017Goals pic.twitter.com/EWcopLOZ6v

— Kirsty James (@kirjames8) January 9, 2017

Keeping your bike clean and in good running order is a great way to ensure you’ll get your miles in – here’s our video guide.

@TtlWomenCycling #TWC2017Goals join a cycle club (proof photo) train in the winter, be better at hills, 5 sportives and Sept Caen to Nice ???? pic.twitter.com/yN92qmgKpc

— Janet Herring (@JanetAlabare) January 8, 2017

There’s some great goals right there, and what we love is that they all feed into one another – joining a club, riding through winter and working on your climbing will help with the sportives. And for sure they’ll prepare you for Caen to Nice! More advice on goal setting and achieving here.

@TtlWomenCycling I’m hoping to cycle to work more in winter, so firstly I need to invest in better lights and brighter gear! #TWC2017Goals pic.twitter.com/JU9XHscAeA

— Ali (@BarlowAlison) January 8, 2017

Great goal! And all of those things will absolutely help. For days when it’s tough, see our tips for winter commuting for inspiration and any advice you need.

@TtlWomenCycling #TWC2017Goals to go cycling more as a family and get my 5 year old off the stabilisers! pic.twitter.com/ZaWbQIomDP

— Lisa Evans (@lisadavies73) January 7, 2017

It’s great to include your family – we’ve got plenty of articles for kids (well, their parents) here.

@TtlWomenCycling #TWC2017Goals my goal is to start cycling…my kids love it so I’ve gotta join them! pic.twitter.com/Nn3s5T5oly

— Tammy Westrup (@Tkw2014) January 7, 2017

It’s so great to hear there’s one more awesome female cyclist in the world! One of these will probably be up your street: Beginner Road Cyclist 101, Beginner Mountain Biker 101 or Beginner Commute Cyclist 101: All you need to know.

@TtlWomenCycling #TWC2017Goals trying to maintain fitness after knee operation pic.twitter.com/Xk0lEJU3Ls

— Anne Thompson (@AnneThompson10) January 6, 2017

Sorry to hear that you’ve had knee problems – but it’s great to hear you’re getting back to cycling – well done!

@TtlWomenCycling #TWC2017Goals Progressing from non-cyclist to completing Velothon Wales in July! Turbo trainer at the ready! pic.twitter.com/UQRc1YZKcV

— Amy C (@SnowToSea) January 6, 2017

Turbo training can be seriously tough, but it’s excellent preparation. See ’12 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on the Turbo Trainer’ if it’s all new to you.

Goal = Double last years distance & complete Yorkshire Lass 60 mile sportive.
Doing it with #Breeze #TWC2017Goals @TtlWomenCycling pic.twitter.com/bELydtlOIz

— DutchSnappy (@DutchSnappy1) January 3, 2017

You can do it! Up your distance gradually, and take on rides with friends to make the miles fly by.

Yes got out finally #twc2017goals #ttlwomenscycling #tunnelhill #metallegs

A photo posted by Gayle Hammond Wells (@squeakyknee) on Jan 9, 2017 at 6:11am PST

Sometimes getting out the door is the hardest bit!

#TWC2017Goals eat well, ride 2000 miles, firm up, get as fit as possible and flatten hills in my mind ????????????

A photo posted by Clare Froggatt (@pauseclare) on Jan 4, 2017 at 11:23am PST

All great plans! Hills feel easier when you don’t build them up in your head too much – more on that here.

2017 cycling goals- are well under way, started MTB riding to keep up the training, joined a cycling group @rapha_rcc and went out for my first group cycle! Yay and when I’m not wanting to brave the elements and icy roads – the turbo has become a fixed item in the kitchen ????. Start the year as you mean to go on and not just for January. If you put your mind to it, set yourself realistic goals and make time for yourself you can do it. You will have bad days, days you’re just tired but remember you also need a break, rest days and just good old sofa days. Happy 2017 and good luck with your goals for 2017???? #twc2017goals #2017 #cycling #queenofthemountain #cyclechic #cyclelikeagirl @ttlwomenscycling #epping #coffee #turbo #training #happydays

A photo posted by PurpleSpokes (@purple_spokes) on Jan 8, 2017 at 9:52am PST

Tons of goals, and some great advice in there too.

Braving the cold last night for race taster sessions at Tameside in preparation for my #twc2017goals of racing.

A photo posted by Francescatodde (@cescatodde) on Jan 5, 2017 at 2:38am PST

Great to hear we have a new racer in the ranks! Check out this article for tips for anyone thinking of crit or road races this year.

We’re going to Gotland and I’m this excited! ???? . . . . . #jerseyci #islandgames2017 #gotland #womenscycling #xcracing #teamjersey

A photo posted by Lisa Mansell (@lisamansell) on Dec 16, 2016 at 12:43am PST

Entry ready, kit ready, team ready: you’re on the way!

Superb beading! Dry and warm in new #Rapha #raphawomen Shadow jersey. Rain won’t stop play for me in 2017. #BTTE #braverthantheelements #rain #twc2017goals

A photo posted by Joanna Farmer (@dampjumper) on Jan 8, 2017 at 11:23am PST

Great kit makes all the difference sometimes, doesn’t it? See our winter kit reviews here.

Oh FTP testing, how I have not missed you ???????????? For 2017, I don’t only want to build on my numbers, but also just learn how to ride stronger and smarter! #swimbikerun #cycling #womencycling #tritraining #triathlontraining #triathlon #triathlete #bikes #livbeyond #bikechi #rideyobike #paincave #twc #fromwhereiride #shero #stongher #twcweride #twc2017goals #trainertime #winterwatts #moarwatts #shutuplegs

A photo posted by jasmin (@tri.heart) on Jan 7, 2017 at 10:42am PST

Yep, know all about that – and it hurts! More information about training with power and using that FTP test to set your zones here.

Thanks for all of your lovely submissions! We’ll pick another winner on January 17, so keep them coming!