A Year in Review
2022 was the first year since 2020 when the UK was not experiencing some form of Covid lockdown or travel restrictions. Thus, my primary goal was to simply get back out into the countryside and explore wonderful Wales again.
 |
| View from Llangattock Escarpment overlooking Usk Valley, 12 May 2022 |
A New Blog...
My most obvious achievement for 2022 is what you're looking at right now. Because we had so much time on our hands, I set about re-designing my blog during the pandemic in 2020. It was very tedious and took an enormous amount of time, but I'm proud to have launched the new site in February of this year. You can read about all the gory details in; Redesign - A Brief Tour.
Overall, I published six issues in 2022 which included 16 new ride reports from adventures made during both 2021 and 2022. I also created three new Routes to Ride, as well as updated five older reports to fit within the new design. In case you missed something along the way, they can all be easily found now in my Back Issues - 2022.
Overall, I published six issues in 2022 which included 16 new ride reports from adventures made during both 2021 and 2022. I also created three new Routes to Ride, as well as updated five older reports to fit within the new design. In case you missed something along the way, they can all be easily found now in my Back Issues - 2022.
Devising Goals...
As I mentioned, I wished to further develop my Routes to Ride section. It had been long unattended and with the re-design I have suitable space to expand it. With that said, I've developed three entrely new routes and updated another three previous ones; so that I now have a total of eight complete cycle routes, including turn-by-turn guided maps, route photographs, significant waypoints, train station details, and more. You can see them here; Routes to Ride.
As if I didn't have enough on my plate, I set myself a couple of modest cycling goals for the year; 1. to cycle at least 400 miles each month, and 2. to cycle a minimum of eight days each month. This would create a total of 4,800 miles and 96 days for the year. Unfortunately, I didn't quite achieve these numbers, but I came pretty close. It was a good year. You can see a quick summary in; 2022 - By the Numbers or get your hands dirty with all the tables and charts in; 2022 - Yearly Totals.
Then there was a nagging feeling in the back of my head. It had been there for a few years, but with the Covid restrictions lifted, I felt that it was high time I addressed it — camping! My last multi-day trip was nearly four years ago and it felt terribly out of character for me. You can read about my latest cycling adventure with sleeping in a tent in; Llangattack Escarpment Campout.
As if I didn't have enough on my plate, I set myself a couple of modest cycling goals for the year; 1. to cycle at least 400 miles each month, and 2. to cycle a minimum of eight days each month. This would create a total of 4,800 miles and 96 days for the year. Unfortunately, I didn't quite achieve these numbers, but I came pretty close. It was a good year. You can see a quick summary in; 2022 - By the Numbers or get your hands dirty with all the tables and charts in; 2022 - Yearly Totals.
Then there was a nagging feeling in the back of my head. It had been there for a few years, but with the Covid restrictions lifted, I felt that it was high time I addressed it — camping! My last multi-day trip was nearly four years ago and it felt terribly out of character for me. You can read about my latest cycling adventure with sleeping in a tent in; Llangattack Escarpment Campout.
Writing About Writing...
But my cycling is not just about cycling for it's own sake. Writing about and photographing Wales is the primary reason for this blog. And the fact that I can do all of this and see all of this — on my bicycle, is what I wish to showcase, because Wales is extrordinary.
I believe there is no other place in the world that offers the amount of safe cycling, whether on quiet country lanes or traffic-free cycles paths, as you can find today in Wales. Then add in the fascinating history, the stunning scenery, and the wonderful and welcoming people; it all adds up to the best place in the world for cycle touring. If you're unsure or doubt my grand pontification, take a look at a gallery of images from: A Little Book of Wales. I am a lucky boy, indeed.
I believe there is no other place in the world that offers the amount of safe cycling, whether on quiet country lanes or traffic-free cycles paths, as you can find today in Wales. Then add in the fascinating history, the stunning scenery, and the wonderful and welcoming people; it all adds up to the best place in the world for cycle touring. If you're unsure or doubt my grand pontification, take a look at a gallery of images from: A Little Book of Wales. I am a lucky boy, indeed.
Overall, it was a good year for my blog AND my cycling. I didn't achieve all of my goals, but I'm pleased with my successes. I had some wonderful adventures and that's the most important thing.
As always, thanks for stopping by and I'll see ya next year! Cheers - muse kidd
As always, thanks for stopping by and I'll see ya next year! Cheers - muse kidd
