February 2010 cycling progress

About a month ago I talked about my goals for 2010 but didn't say much about how I was going to do it. Broadly the goals are simple - cycle about 10% faster and 50% further by the end of 2010.

So far things have been going pretty well. I haven't been training as such, but the weather has been good and I've been able to get out on the bike a lot, perhaps 3-4 times a week, rides between 20 and 30 miles each time.

I could do more but I haven't mastered the 'cold feet' problem yet! With winter socks I get away with about an hour of cycling before the cold hits my toes. Two pairs of socks and I lose the blood supply to my feet. Guess next year I'll sort out some proper over shoes or winter cycling shoes. Actually today was pretty cold (about freezing) and the cold went through my (cheap) gloves quite quickly, so that's something else to change.

I think the cold has a second effect as well - even when I'm dressed up nice and warm, I never seem to have that extra 'oomph' during the winter that i do in the summer. I'll get the job done, have a good time, but won't really kill myself trying. Is that me being lazy or is that normal for cold weather cyclists I wonder?

But never mind all that, because at least I will be going into the spring with legs that have at least been turning during the winter, which should give me a good start to the season. Roll on the springtime!