The year ahead

Whether I like it or not, the summer of 2008 is well and truly over. The days are rapidly getting shorter, cooler and if it is possible wetter. The completion of the season also marks the end of my first year on a bike.
I purchased my first bike, a Specialized Sirrus Elite, at the end of August 2007 with a view of starting to ride to work. Riding to work never eventuated, instead I rode for fun and fitness. In the year I have riden over 3500km, and that excludes the virtual miles I have done on my turbo trainer. I have riden in all conditions possible - hot and cold, sunshine, rain, hail, sleet, and even snow.
I didn't set myself any goals when I purchased my first bike. I had vague of objectives of improved fitness but nothing that would comply with the SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) method. So I thought it would be appropriate define some proper goals for my second year:

• Complete one of the big three sportives - Maratona dles Dolomites, La Marmotte, E'Tape du Tour;
• Complete a UCI Golden Bike sportive;
  
• Climb three "legend" Tour de France mountains - one must be Col du Tourmalet;
• Complete Lac Leman in under 5 hours;
• Attain a Silver standard time;
• Cycle 5000km in the next 12 months.

Ok, they are not in the same league as those on My Cycling Challenge but I think they will be challenging enough. I will be using this blog to plot my progress.