In February of last year, I published an article titled “February: Time to check in on your 2025 goals.” It was a reminder to keep tabs on your targets for the year and ensure that you’re on the right track. Shortly after I published that, my motivation and love for the bike dropped like a stone…

The following six or so months saw some of my lowest mileage in a decade. We’re over half-way through February 2026 now and I am hoping to have a far better year on the bike than last year. Currently my motivation is high and my fitness (while not amazing) is trending in the right direction. I’d like to keep it on that trajectory!

RELATED: A change is as good as a rest

In that original post I mulled over the idea that I would “need some aim or goal to keep me on track” during the year. I didn’t have a single event or goal to aim for. Perhaps not having that target was part of the problem, or perhaps I simply needed the break from cycling in order to rediscover other areas of my life. Either way, I’m back!

This year, I think I might try and lock in some targets. I’m not going to set any distance goals as I feel that a distance goal can be detrimental to expanding your rides. For me at least, it steers me to ride flatter, less interesting roads just to be able to rack up more distance at a higher speed. Unfortunately most of the events on the Australian calendar are early in the year so it’s getting a little late to enter (and be in good form for them). There are a couple of interstate rides that have piqued my interest so far.

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The BVRT is a 160km (100 mile) gravel trail for cyclists and walkers. There are stops and small country towns dotted roughly every 50km along the journey. Eventually I’d like to challenge myself to ride the entire trail (maybe even out and back) but this year I will definitely make it a goal to ride a couple of the sections as a tester before completing a longer ride at some stage. Gravel, it’s still so hot right now, am I right?

Around the Bay. This one might be a lofty goal, not only from a distance/endurance standpoint but it would also take some forward planning with accommodation and other logistics.

Starting and finishing in Melbounre, Around The Bay is a very popular annual event that sees thousands of cyclists take on the challenge of riding a 220km loop around entire Port Phillip Bay coastline, returning along the famous Beach Road. It’s relatively flat overall, but still a long way to ride! There are shorter options, but none of those are a full loop.

Have you set yourself goals for 2026 or locked in any big events?