2023 Goals Update - May Recap

Checking in again for my May recap to my 2023 Goals. I also modify some of my original goals to push myself further and add a June-specific challenge!
Here's my update to my original 2023 goals video:
• 2023 Cycling Goals!
#zwift #tacx #strava #ftpbuilder #ericbarnettcycling
I mention my friend Troy in the video. Check out his channel!: @OhioMTBTrails
Follow me on Instagram: @ericbarnettcycling
Like, share, and subscribe for a lot more useful content!

[@SuperOrcy]

nice set of goals. I didnt realise you had less the 1k subs, the content is way higher quality than I expect for that size channel, great job. I really should set some goals for 2023. at the moment i'm just flying by the seat of my pants trying to get some rides in whenever its not too cold in my shed to ride (southern hemisphere here)

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks! I’m pretty adrift without numbers to chase, but I’m super motivated when I have a goal line set.

[@TheLankyCyclist]

Engaging more with the community is super rewarding. Best of luck with Troy... lol, hopefully, he takes it easy on you.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

We shall see! Thanks man

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

You're doing amazing and your content is an inspiration.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thank you, Benji! It always makes my day when I see you have a new video up. Keep up the good work!

[@cube04]

Go, Eric! Your channel definitely deserves more subscribers! 🎉

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks cube04!

[@ZwiftyZwifter]

I do love these check ins. Although I keep promising to myself that I’ll do the same I’ve realised that I won’t and just watching you to keep me thinking about my own progress will have to do for now. I find borrowing other peoples goals a great shortcut. When I was a D cat I saw someone post that they’d gone from D to winning an A race and I knew I wanted to do the same. I was going to challenge myself (and you) to see who could do the most miles in June, but I’ve a busy month so I don’t want to pressure myself in that respect, but would’ve been fun to do vids comparing mileage. Maybe next time! Good luck with the goals, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a qualitative goal, you’ll know if you’re getting better.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks Rob! (Spoiler alert) I think my July challenge is going to be all about Zwift racing! It would be cool to try and get the Zwifting KZbinrs together for team races, or something of that nature. Maybe try to distribute riders among 2 or 3 teams to even them up and have an event or series. Your race win streak is certainly a future goal for me to inspire to - I just have to start it with one win 😂

[@CaedmonCycling]

Agree with Rob, I really enjoy these recaps! Zwift YT is an awesome community 👍 I’m always up for a collab when the time comes!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@CaedmonCycling I was asking Eric Barfell if you guys ever cross paths IRL. There’s quite a few OH based cycling KZbinrs

[@CaedmonCycling]

Ahh yeah, we haven’t yet but I’m sure we will. He’s invited me to the RATL races that he’s done but I’ve haven’t been able to join yet. I’ve ridden mostly indoors for now, so need to learn some bike handling :)

[@NathanGuerraTV]

Benji keyed me in on our content, well done! Watching back your goals and so much on distance, just wanted to bring a quick little suggestion, please take as just that and I can totally be told to mind your own biz Nathan, I honestly want to help on fitness stuff & qualify the comment first, really not trying to be critical, just my coaches cap has such a hard time leaving this one alone as it is really crucial for consistency on terms and accomplishments. The cycling world general is obsessed with distance and this does make sense because it is relatable up front for how people mostly think about travel and movement. That being said, as a judgement of effort it is the worst metric we have as it is the most relative metric we have to measure cycling effort. I am not saying this at all because of the discrepancies between Zwift and IRL, although that only compounds the issue. When setting up goals any coach worth anything will use Work + Time to measure accomplishments. Goals based on time, & work measured in those time frames, helps keep the metrics actually pertaining to what your body accomplished and not relative to all the other factors, such as group, terrain, wind, virtual etc. which can all vary wildly. If someone wanted to get even more down to it, TSS goals really start to hit actual work accomplished, but can get relative as well per zones . All that being said, I know for general public a large distance metric hits harder & super cool to just roll with it. If just for personal fun, something to shoot for, and more people perhaps can relate or at least think they are relating to something, although any comparison just doesn't mean anything..., then great have at it! But to bring in another perspective and to the keen eye, distance doesn't mean anything other than "hey here's a random number that looks kinda big, cool hey!" :) I hope this doesn't come off as rude. Really just want to help and a pet peeve of mine. The first thing that always comes up in starting a conversation with someone with new goals in cycling is eliminating distance immediately from their workout goals. Always the first hurdle I tend tackle with them to get real data for their gains. Events and group ride goals are a different story, but notice it's always super relative & separated from the work that was actually done when looking at fitness and gains perspectives. Hope this helps and more than happy to relate more coaching journey and personal professional cycling journey directly in this respect which helped me get to new levels.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Hi Nathan! Thanks for your insight - you are absolutely correct. There’s a few things going on with choosing distance for a metric this year. Though I’ve put in some serious miles in the past, I’ve really lacked consistency. Months of progress that falls off a cliff when there’s a setback. This is the first year I’ve truly committed to working toward becoming as good of a cyclist I can be. That being said, I don’t yet know what type of cyclist I want to be, other than knowing I like the idea of endurance riding. I had one 200 mile race in April and plan on another in August, so it’s not like I’ve had a year full of races that I need to build & taper for. Having this KZbin channel has been huge for not letting me give up - I’ve made a commitment. I’m hoping that in this first year of getting serious, I figure out what type of cyclist I’d like to become - then I’ll know what to tailor my training to. I don’t yet have a power meter for outdoor riding, so that’ll be crucial when it’s time to train like I should. Basically, I’m looking at this first year as base miles & saddle time. Also, you hit the nail on the head - a big number makes for good KZbin! 2024’s goals will be totally different, I imagine. 2023 is training me to form the habit of consistency. Again, that’s fantastic insight - thanks so much for giving me some ideas of what to work on in the future!

[@NathanGuerraTV]

@@ericbarnettcycling great approach Eric, and as a side note, I know plenty of insanely fast dudes who still do it all on miles in training. They do tend to be a generation or two older though and bit anti techy XD

[@MichaelSnasdell]

Love the videos Eric. Great to see someone so grounded and humble simply keeping themselves honest. No agenda, no bragging, just straight up hard work and motivation. Really inspires me to try a bit harder too lol. Good luck with the goals. Just don't do what I have done in the past and become consumed with them, it can really take the fun out of cycling.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks, Michael! You’re absolutely right, it has to stay fun. I’m not concerned with an FTP drop because I’m outdoors doing what others would call “garbage miles”. Get faster is cool, but enjoying nature is cooler!

[@MichaelSnasdell]

@@ericbarnettcycling 100%. I have to admit I took a look at the map when you said about meeting up with people for rides lol. I'm in Florida in August. Doable drive 🤣🤣

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@MichaelSnasdell if I didn’t have all my vacation used up I’d come down and do the Florida C2C or the Silver Comet / Chief Ladiga in Georgia! Those are really good rides - better than what Charleston has to offer

[@MichaelSnasdell]

@@ericbarnettcycling oooh now you got me looking at places to ride. Already gonna grab a rental while on Key West to do a lap, for Strava of course. Will have to look at what the rest of FL has. US gravel is so much better than UK.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@MichaelSnasdell I’ve only done about 2/3 of the C2C in FL, but I’ve heard gravel is fantastic there!

[@ImGlossy63]

Good stuff Eric!! Also have a few goals for the year, 10k miles and 500k feet of climbing and finally collect ALL the Zwift badges by the end of the year. Good luck and enjoy the content!!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Wow, that’s a lot of miles and climbing - kudos in advance!

[@ImGlossy63]

Eric, I had back fusion surgery mid December, so I haven’t returned to work so I have all day to ride.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@ImGlossy63 dang, that’s a tough thing to recover from, but glad you’re getting in some serious miles! Recumbent?

[@ImGlossy63]

@@ericbarnettcycling nah, just an older road bike, Cervelo S3 with a Saris H3 smart trainer. Longer rides aren’t much fun, but shorter (90 min) aren’t too bad.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@ImGlossy63 gotcha. Must have that position dialed in - the century I did indoors was no fun. Not having the bike move at all wears me out. I need to build a rocker plate or something

[@rockhardbaby8231]

My goal this year is 8k as well. I ride on a dumb mag trainer that costs 30 bucks on amazon with no speed sensors nor power meters but i feel like i'm getting closer to my goal everyday 😂

[@ericbarnettcycling]

😂

[@ericbarfell]

I’m a KZbinr, collaborate with me!! I’d like to take you on in the 1000+ miles in the ninth of June. I have never ridden that much in one month but have always wanted to. Keep up the good work!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Yeah man, lets go! 1,000 is a lot, but consistency with a few century rides thrown in the mix, it’s achievable!