In a purely literal sense, one day is no different from another. Which makes the idea of celebrating the New Year both arbitrary and hopelessly romantic. Despite logical reservations to the idea though, there’s something essentially human about putting a stick in the sand to say that was then, this is now.

I’ve read all sorts of stuff in the blogosphere (I know, naff term) about people saying ‘I’m not making resolutions because I always break them’; ‘you should live your life the way you want regardless of year’ and so on. Complete nonsense in my mind. There’s something vitally appealing to the idea of being able to start afresh. It’s an act of both hope and imagination.

So, here’s my bike–related resolutions for 2009; not that I claim I will succeed at them, but that I want to suceed at them is all that matters.

1. Focus on the important things; clothing, bling components and how people perceive me.
2. Ride with an easy nonchalance, signified by a knowing smirk and an expressive shrug when people mention how I seem at one with the bike.
3. Be at one with the bike. Not as easy as it sounds.
4. Develop a signature tuneless whistle to let riders know I’m behind them on climbs.
5. Toy with the idea of wearing tweed Rapha Plus fours, knee high socks and a monocle. Stop at Tyrells Wood golf course and offer advice to players.
6. Come up with an ending to the line ‘Riding a bike is like making love to a beautiful woman…’ which doesn’t involve sweating profusely and falling off after 30 seconds.
7. Start a sweep on what bike Dave buys this year; plus run a league table for ‘most disappointing product’, ‘most expensive product’ and so on.

Actually, although I’m not going to distance myself too much from that list (number 5 really appeals), here’s what I’m realistically hoping for:

1. Stay injury free. I’ve had enough of injury and self preservation is now top of my list. Not entirely in my hands but top of my list all the same.
2. Observe the Equinoxes and Solstices as perfect riding occassions and use as an excuse for a big ride. This includes seeing the sun come up on Holmbury on the Summer Solstice (no, I’m not a druid!).
3. Ride Lee’s Dorset route on a summer day; I like rain.
4. Ride Swinley Forest. With a guide.
5. Ride a Welsh trail centre. Not Cwm Carn black route but will consider suggestions.
6. Ride some, if not all of the South Downs Way. If Jez says the effort ‘made him go wibbly’ it must be worth doing.
7. Enter the Marin Dusk til Dawn. I don’t know why but the word ‘challenge’ would be in any reason I give.
8. Meet up with riders from other parts of the country for a ride. Kind of we’ll show you ours if you’ll show us yours sort of thing, although who hasn’t ridden Leith, Holmbury and Pitch?
9. Improve riding skills. I suggest getting together in a field some distance from eye witnesses and practising wheelies for an afternoon as a starter.

Not a bad list really now I come to think of it is it? Anyone else have any plans?

About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.