2017 Miles – 1,146.9

Before I dig into the 2018 cycling season, I wanted to recap my 2017. At 1,146.9 miles, 2017 marked the most miles I’ve ridden since 2001 (1,253.0.) Yes, I missed my best total since 1989 by 106 miles. Still, that was my best total in 16 years – so not too shabby.

I am shooting for the 1989 total (1,641.3) this year. To do so, I will have to ride almost 137 miles a month. I am nowhere near that total for January so far but I intend to make it up.

So my cycling season aside… what about the pros? Well things kick off with the one day classic that is a prelude to the Santos Tour Down Under in Australia. That is the People’s Choice Classic. Once again my current fav, Peter Sagan took the win ahead of three-time winner, Andre Greipel and two-time winner, Caleb Ewan.

The best part about the whole thing had to be listening to Phil Liggett and my friend, Paul Sherwen call the action. There is something about that team that makes any cycling event seem all that much bigger and better. We have a long way to go before the 2018 Tour de France but these early races and tours will do a great job of building the drama leading up to the Grand Tours.

by Chris Doelle