And just like that, it’s 2025. I like to take some time to have a think about my year, and maybe a few things I’d like to work on. It’s easy to get caught up in the next plan without really taking stock of where I’m at, and theres no better time for reflection than a rainy foggy headed new years day, so here goes.

2024 has passed in the blink of an eye, largely because I spent 6 months of the previous year not working, which does tend to slow things down. Now that I’ve settled into a work routine I’m squeezing the maximum I can out of my free time and the days, weeks, and months are passing incredibly fast.

Even though It’s flown by, sitting and going through the year in my mind I’ve actually done so much. Multiple trips to Scotland hiking and biking, a road trip to Switzerland, some seaside down time with my cousin in Pembrokeshire, Tons of riding events and fun times packed into every weekend. It’s been one heck of a year.

getting back to work has been enoyable and I’m glad to have leant into being a hands on and technical person. Choosing a path is difficult, especially when you’re somewhat of a jack of all trades. I thoroughly enjoy bike mechanics, and have taken a lot of pride in building a reputation for myself in the community our shop serves. I like to think I make a difference to peoples cycling, and that peoples cycling makes a difference to thier lives. This is more evident on the front line in a retail setting than It has been in my previous B2B Tech role, and it’s definitely good for the soul.

I played less music last year, which has been a shame and is something I’m aiming to get back on top of. I still pick the bass up a couple of times a week and noodle around with it, and am getting more confident, but I’d like to get together and jam with some others again soon, especially over the winter. Music is best shared. One highlight of the Christmas period was playing the sax at a friends neighbourhood carol singing event. It might have been one of the most christmassy things I’ve ever done and got me feeling really festive in a way I don’t normally. Proper community spirited stuff of the sort that can perhaps feel like it’s missing from modern life. Over the Chrsitmas break I tried to learn some blues slide guitar, I love that sound so i’l keep giving it some work once my fingers have recovered.

When starting at the shop back in December ’23 I was given a load of kit, a fancy road bike to borrow, and an encouraging nudge to get involved with the race team. I made a tentative return to bike racing with local time trials, a couple of hill climbs and cross country MTB events, and a handful of cyclocross races. I still have a bit of trouble with my back and the cyclocross wasn’t kind to it, but I am hugely thankful just to be on the start line and to be thinking about it. and It’s also helped to level the expectation and be a reaslist. Competition really isn’t always about winning. In the first XC event I rode my back played up and I had a horrible illness, I placed terribly but had so much fun just riding the course and doing my best. It was one of the most fun races I’ve ever ridden, and I’m going to be back for more. Dabbling in a few things last year has reminded me just how much I enjoy it, and motivated me to do more.

This year I’m planning on keeping the focus off road, and getting some more XC races under my belt. I’d been tempted by a bit of bunch racing on the road last year but I’m now set on those days being in the past. Doing the same races in the same places feels a bit repetative, and I’d just rather be off road playing in the woods. So, 2025 is the year of XC. I’m not setting much in the way of goals other than to keep up the strength and conditioning, enter plenty of new events and just keep things fun.

I took on a new challenge last year by jumping on the running band wagon. Getting round the Big Cheese trail run felt like a huge acheievement for me, to tackle something new and emerge alive and happy, even if I did pretty much write off one of my knees for a month. Again if you’d told me a couple of years ago I’d be able to run 15 miles I’d have said you were either having a laugh or i’d have gone mad. I think I’m starting to realise that I might be fitter, stronger, and more capable than I tend to give myself credit for. When you’re surrounded by super athletic people who do amazing things it’s very easy to think you’re in worse shape than you are. I’l try and remember that when thinking about goal setting in future.

I’ve entered ‘The Cheese’ again for 2025 and am hoping to train more and better, and be able to finish in a fresher state. Rather than a speed goal, my aim is to finish sustainably. Last year I wasn’t ready to run this far and it was a bit stubborn and foolish. I want to train more, and run within myself, maybe a little slower, enjoy the day, and not be taking painkillers the day after. Its only a few months from now and should give a nice incentive to get out for some longer more adventurous trail runs.

One of the biggest highlights of 2024 was a huge cross crountry mountainbike trip around the Swiss/Italian border. This was massively challenging, beautiful, and humbling, all at the same time. I’d wanted to take a big road trip down to the alps for some time and loved putting it into practice. It left me with a whole lot of confidence in what is acheivable, but also a dose of realism that not everything planned has to be really REALLY hard. Maybe we’ll step the plans back a little this year and avoid 3 hour hike-a-bike sessions for a bit. That trip isn’t the sort you want every year.

I did much less walking last year than in 2023, when I covered most of the length of Scotland through the West Highland Way and Cape Wrath Trail. The latter was a journey that has shaped me more than I expected it to, I still think about it on a weekly basis and and it is something I will cherish forever. I probabaly spent less than a week under canvas compared to nearly 6 weeks in ’23. I took a couple of little trips out just to remind myself of the feelings, but that was about it. This is fine, and is the normal rhythm of things. Post Cape Wrath going for a couple of days wild camping in the Brecons or Dartmoor just didn’t feel like it needed doing.

Now the thirst for that sort of thing has come back, and I’m planning to walk the Snowdonia Way in ’25. I’ve spent far more time in The Lakes and Scotland than I have in Snowdonia, which seems mad as it’s so much closer to home, and I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in the national park fully and walking its whole length. Walking also does wonders for my body and seems to make me a better cyclist and a better runner, just through strength training. Trudging up a few mountains with a big pack on is hard work. The Snowdonia Way should take about 9 days, and the Mountain Route option contains 9,756m of ascent. It’s going to be quite tough going, but I’m excited for the challenge, and that unbeatable feeling of stuffing the pack with food and supplies, slinging in onto my shoulders and wandering off into the hills for a week.

I slowed up on the writing last year. This post is the first for a little while, and too often i’ve found myself thinking about writing about something only to struggle to carve out the time. I’m aware that writing should feel like something I want to do rather than feel somehow guilty for not doing, But like anything it takes practice, and getting into a routine of putting words onto the page more often again is something I’m keen to do.

A lot of the lack of writing feels like it comes from a lack of subject matter. I’ve simply done less of what I perceive to be share-worthy stuff than in 2023. either that or less free time to write about it afterwards, and that’s fine. I had a good bit of encouragement from friends earlier this year to share the posts I’m less sure are worth sharing, and really appreciated this. I’ve yet to have anybody say ‘you’re full of shit can you stop sharing stories nobody cares about’ so that’s a plus. If you’re thinking it, keep your mouth shut.

Something that crept up on me in ’24 was a drift towards eating less meat. I’m not about to label a diet as that isn’t something I see benefitting me, but I’ve gone off chicken and cook a lot more vegitarian or vegan meals at home. In part this is just due to the fun of experimenting with them, cooking different recipes, or just boshing a squash in the oven instead of some meat. You get the idea.

A big inspiration for this is the number of friends who are simply amazing cooks. you guys know who you are. I’m still no Jamie Oliver, but I feel I’m eating better and healthier than ever, mostly due to the influence of others.

Life is feeling good at the moment. I’m sat looking out the window at a grey, miserable day, but am going into 2025 energised and excited. I’ve not come up with a string of goals this year, but I’d like to buy a place of my own to live in, which is a big deal in itself and may take precidence over any exciting and spendy andventure plans. Maybe this will turn into another one of those DIY Blogs. Who knows.

Otherwise, I’m starting the year with a small and easy goal to get outside and moving for at least an hour every single day. Whether it be a tiny bike ride, a chill run, or a walk. Over the winter its too easy to get home from work and stay indoors. Starting from today I’m going to use a new year to hold myself to that little routine change.

With that in mind, I’m off for a walk. Thanks for reading, and happy new year, let’s make it a good one. ✌️