If you are setting goals for next year here is one challenge you might want to consider:

from RoadBikeRider.com Newsletter
Issue No. 423 – 12/17/09
The Year-Rounder Challenge & Larry Schwartz Award

These are annual programs that begin in January. They’re offered by the UltraMarathon Cycling Association to reward consistency in riding centuries, double centuries, brevets and other long rides.

Cyclists anywhere in the world can participate. You can ride qualifying miles in events or on your own. Standings are published so you can see how you stack up with the other riders, and medals are awarded based on individual achievement.

The programs are fully explained on the UMCA website, but basically here’s how they work.

—Year-Rounder Challenge:  This is a mileage competition. There are 4 distance categories that go into the Combined division for the overall standings. The shortest ride that can be counted is 90 miles (144.9 km). At year end, the Gold award recognizes riders who have reached 3,000 miles (4,830 km) and the Platinum award goes to those who’ve tallied at least 5,000 miles (8,050 km).

—Larry Schwartz Award:  This is named for the late endurance rider from Texas. To earn a medal you need to do at least one Year-Rounder ride (90 miles or more) each month during the calendar year. There can be 2 make-up rides. So if your winter is so nasty that you can’t do the distance in January and February, for example, you can start in March and make up for the 2 missed months later in the year.

To do qualifying rides on your own, you simply gather store receipts at refueling stops or ask witnesses to sign a paper for you. These things verify distance and time. Or you can use printouts of GPS-generated maps and ride data. Then you mail the documentation to the UMCA.

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