2013: The #LuckyYear

31
Dec
2012

At the beginning of 2012 I declared it to be the Year of the Rockstar.  I told you all to be bold, put a swagger in your step, and make it the year where you make big things happen…..Rockstar Style.

Well, it’s one year later and before going out there to ring in another new year tonight, I want to hear all about the #Rockstar things you’ve been up to in 2012.

This isn’t the time to be humble and hold things back….give me all the goods.  Brag about yourself, celebrate your accomplishments, and tell us all how you lived life to the fullest…..both on and off the bike this year.

I tend to be quite reserved, but to help bring out your proud and boastful attitude, let me go over some of the Rockstar things that went on for me in 2012:

Kickoff in Hawaii – My Family and I were lucky enough to watch New Years 2012 Fireworks in Hawaii with my Parents and Sister’s Family.  There’s just something about Hawaii that has Rockstar written all over it.

Met other Rockstars – I was lucky enough to meet several super cool cyclists in 2012, but meeting up with Artcrank (Charles) and Dex Tooke were major highlights.  Both of these guys are seriously rocking the cycling scene….just in totally different ways.

Destination Riding – Riding a bike is Austin is pretty darn amazing, but getting the chance to ride in other parts of the world is downright Rockstar.  In 2012 my bike and I rode the streets of Saskatoon (SK), Las Vegas (NV), Bonaire (Dutch West Indies), Chandler (AZ), and Grenada (West Indies).

Interbike in Las Vegas – If you’re into cycling, Interbike has got to be the biggest Rockstar event of the year.  Up until now I’d never taken part in this massive bike event, but I was there this September and had the most excellent time.  It really is one of the coolest cycling events you’ll ever experience.

Big Numbers and Increasing Traffic – Loving the Bike and Cycling 360 had impressive numbers in 2012, and traffic continued to increase all year through.  Being a blogger (and podcast co-host), there is nothing more gratifying then having people dig what you’re doing.  A huge thank you goes out to all our loyal followers…..you make me feel like a total Rockstar.

Bike Expert on bing.com – One of the biggest highlights of 2012 has got to be when bing.com hired me as their riding expert for their summer promotion.  It still blows my mind that they would choose me for something like this, and when I saw what kind of people they were bringing in as experts for other weeks….I was feeling very unworthy.  If there was one thing that happened in 2012 that made my Year of the Rockstar prediction come true….this was definitely it.

Moved to Grenada – Moving my Family from Canada to Austin, Texas was one of the best things I’ve ever done….but we knew it was only going to be a stepping stone to something equally adventurous.  In true Rockstar style, our Family packed up our life (and bikes) and in November we moved to the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada.

The true Rockstar part of this move is still to come.  It’s my mission to make this place a more bike friendly island, and to enable more people to get around by bike.  I’m working on it.

Yeah, I’d say it was a pretty Rockstar’ish year….so what about 2013?  Well I’m going bold again and calling it #LuckyYear.  The 13th has always been a lucky number for our Family so that’s part of it, but I also just have this feeling that the year’s going to bring some prosperous and advantageous things.

There’s no time like the present to get out there and live each and every day to the fullest.  I hope you don’t simply do what matters…..but focus your attention this year on what matters MOST.  Continue to live life to the fullest both on and off the bike, and as always….Enjoy Your Ride.

Still looking for something to drink or eat tonight?  Try these “lucky” recipes recommended by Kelli for New Year’s Eve.

Happy 2013….#LuckyYear

Enjoy Your Ride

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18 Responses to “ 2013: The #LuckyYear ”

  1. Eric Hutchins on January 3, 2013 at 12:14 am

    Quite a year my friend Quite a YEAR!

  2. Facebook.com/kimstrongrides on January 1, 2013 at 2:12 am

    My goal for 2012 was 2012 miles to include 50 one was commuting trips, ended up with 78 or 80 one way commuting trips and a total of 3000 miles! Not sure what my 2013 goal is (at least 2013 miles and 82 one way commuting trips)? Getting stronger one pedal stroke at a time. Thanks for all your inspiration and motivation!

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on January 7, 2013 at 6:56 am

      Thanks Kim. You really rocked it in 2012 and I know more of the same is ahead for you in 2013.

  3. h4x354x0r on December 31, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    My goal for 2012 was to ride 2,400Km. I ended up doing 3,125Km. Setting new goal of 3,000Km for 2013. Plus, hoping to get a new bike for my 50th birthday this year!

    I am a lifelong “business class” bicycle commuter; since grade school days, I’ve almost always ridden my bike for transportation (very unusual for US resident). I’ve displaced about 250,000Km car miles in my life so far, not emitted about 20 tons of CO2, and I’m still pedaling strong.

    At this point, I consider my lifelong commitment to riding a bicycle one of the most important accomplishments in my life. I love riding a bike, and hope more people join me in 2013!

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on December 31, 2012 at 3:54 pm

      I love hearing stuff like this. Thanks for sharing your goals and highlights with us. I really like the sound of a “Lifelong Commitment to Riding a Bicycle”. Sounds like the topic for a new blog post to me.

      • h4x354x0r on January 1, 2013 at 1:17 am

        Thanks! I could definitely give you a blog post full on the subject. 😉

  4. Jack on December 31, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    I hope you’re right. My highlights for 2012 include over 5000 miles of road riding, and spending a week riding my bike in France. I sort of felt like a rockstar when I was riding my bike on some of the roads that the tour de france riders have been on.

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on December 31, 2012 at 3:54 pm

      Thanks Jack. Great riding and nice to hear that you were able to ride in France this year. Happy New Year.

  5. Anne on December 31, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    I became a road cyclist in 2012 so maybe I already had my lucky year. I would like to thank loving the bike for all your help and support this past year. You have provided very many helpful posts with cycling advice and nutrition. I come here every day. Happy 2013 to you all.

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on December 31, 2012 at 3:55 pm

      Awe, thanks for that comment Anne. It feels great knowing that we’re making a difference and helping more people to get out there Loving the Bike. Happy New Year.

  6. Mark Beaconsfield on December 31, 2012 at 10:07 am

    At the start of 2012, I set myself a goal. To ride a bike everyday. Through wind, rain, storms, hail, shine, heat, illness and having my bike stolen, I still managed to acheive my goal of riding all 366 days of the year. I have no plans of stopping and will continue to count the days on the bike.
    For those wondering, I rode close to 6,000km and climbed over 20,000 meters. My longest ride was 160km (100 miles). For all those who cheered my on (via twitter, @Lycra_Loony), Thank you for your support.
    Happy 2013 and Ride safe.

    • Greg Heil on December 31, 2012 at 11:03 am

      Wow, that’s incredible! Congrats man!

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on December 31, 2012 at 11:53 am

      What an incredible goal to set and achieve. It’s been so nice to have you in my community of friends and I sure do hope we get to meet up and ride together soon. You definitely had a Rockstar year.

    • h4x354x0r on January 1, 2013 at 1:18 am

      Sweet! You’ve got a new Twitter follower, too.

  7. Greg Heil on December 31, 2012 at 9:17 am

    Yeah man, sounds like you had an EXCELLENT year!

    I really enjoy these times getting to reflect upon all of the great blessings that God has showered on us over the past year. Here are just a few of mine:

    -Rode 2,400 miles (over 2,000 on dirt) — the most I’ve ever done in one year.

    -Climbed well over 225,000 feet (not quite sure how much more).

    -Traveled the country with my wife for 7 weeks, riding dozens of trails in Colorado, Utah, California, and Arizona.

    -Made multiple shorter trips in the southeast, including: two to Virginia (Richmond and Roanoke) and a few to North Carolina.

    -I also got to attend Interbike this year–and meet up with Darryl there!

    -Got my first road bike for my birthday.

    -Completed an internship with Dirt Rag Magazine and saw my first articles hit the shelves of book stores around the nation.

    -Got involved with an awesome group of people in my church small group.

    -Made new friends, caught up with old ones, and continued to build relationships with the ones currently in my life.

    …and many many more. God has been very good this year!

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on December 31, 2012 at 9:23 am

      Awesome, man. Yes, you definitely had a Rockstar year Greg. Thanks for sharing it with us and I know that you’re in for a bunch of great stuff in 2013. I hope we get to meet up again next year.

      Happy New Year,

      Darryl

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