Looking Forward 2026

 A Cautionary Look Ahead:

A new year is coming and hope springs eternal, right? Well........hold on there Cowboy! The years bring experience and with this, hopefully, wisdom. You may plan, certainly, but your plans are not certain to be. 

If there was one lesson learned from 2025 it was you never know.  You never know how things will turn out. You never know even if you will wake up in the morning. For real......

So, it is with these thoughts in mind and with all due caution and wisdom with which I am about to put forth my outlook for 2026. 

First of all, just to keep things simple, I want to keep writing and riding bicycles. If those two things are going to come true, it would be more than enough for me. Within these two hopes I would like to see some better stories told, images shared, and maybe more. I would like to see long rides, some with friends, some without, and report on those. One thing I can say in specific is I hope to be able to attend and ride in the L.O.G. Ride in April. This would be a pretty big deal for myself, and a few other folks as well. 

I would love to have some folks up here in Iowa join me in a ride around the country also. You know, the course we used for the Victory Ride, or a similar one in the area, would be nice. I like that area well enough. Maybe we should look Eastward, toward an area N.Y. Roll has been in, or Jackson County. (Big Hills!) Maybe.... 

There will be a Ride For Jacob this coming year. I may even ask folks to join me in this one again. We will see. But the ride will happen. 

And the fixed gear gravel bike, well..... I'm excited to try this out. It will be a challenge, and I have a route to use it on which should allow me to get acquainted with riding gravel fixed fairly easily. But I need to get the bike done first! One step at a time!

Overall, the blog had a banner year again. I'm not 100% sure, but I would guess the numbers were up, despite the late Summer trolling of the posts here by AI bots. Things settled down and by Winter it felt like my numbers were back to reasonable levels. But yeah, overall, better than last year. The post count was exactly the same, which was a record last year, so the record has been tied for posts in a year at 392. 

Thank you, dear reader, for being here to read what I have written!

Next year I have no plans to change anything major. But again, you never know what might come up.  

Anyway, I suspect the year will start out with the writing, some riding here and there, and we'll see how it all falls into place from there on. Meanwhile, I pray you all have a Happy, Healthy New Year with lots of miles of smiles.  

Thank You for reading Guitar Ted Productions! 

Looking Forward: 2024

 Well, the Rear View is in the rear view and 2023 is over. Time to take a quick look at what might be happening in the year to come. Of course, I don't really know anything, but that never stopped me before! 

So, take the following with a huge grain of salt. Except for this one thing: I have been, I am now, and forever will be indebted to you, my dear readers, for making this blog a joy to write every day, 365 days a year. 

Thank you!

Now, on with the view to next year, which will be a different year for me in at least one way for certain. That is that, as I previously mentioned, I won't be writing for any other sites for the first time since 2006. All I have on my plate now is this here blog, and that's it! At least for the foreseeable future. Honestly, I do not see that changing.

 Then there are rides. You know, I wasn't happy with 2022 as I look back on last year's "looking forward" post. I didn't get any long rides in at all. But as I looked further back, that was not an outlier for me. Most years lately I have been missing out on riding a century. Then it dawned on me that the last one I rode was in 2021 at Gravel Worlds, and before that? Sheesh! Maybe something back in 2017, or 2018's GTDRI. 

And yes- that bothers me yet. Just like it did last year. But as I said last year, I wanted to get at least one long ride in, and I did. So, I set the bar low and I made the goal. Maybe this year I can ask and hope for a true century. Let's go! 

 I'll be back in Emporia, Kansas for the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame induction ceremony again in 2024.

And until my job status changes, riding in organized events is out of the question. I have some very personal and professional reasons for that which are tied to what is going on with my job at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective which I cannot divulge here. Good things, by the way, and if I could talk about that here, I know most of you would be supportive. So, no negative issues tied to that. But it means I just cannot be taking time off for riding in an event. 

I will only be taking time away to go do something for the next Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame induction and the Gents Race, (it looks like our team is back!). What that GCHoF thing is, well.....you'll see! Those are the only times I am taking time off my job that I know of for 2024. 

I do plan on a Guitar Ted Death Ride sometime in the Summer. I'm going to try for earlier in the year rather than later. This year I waited until August and it almost did not happen. 

And that two-day tour is still hanging out there and I've been scheming for almost two years to get out there and do that. Gotta get that out of my system. 

Other rides will happen as they can happen. Gravel travel, of course, and maybe a dirt ribbon or two thrown in for good measure. Local more so than not. We'll see..... 

From a blogging perspective I have been blown away by what happened this year. The numbers were often times doubled from 2022. Crazy numbers! I wrote about the same amount of posts without really trying as I did in 2022. So, I suspect that - barring any major life-changing things happening to me - that 2024 will look much like 2023. At least here on this page.  

The GTDRI Stories are wrapping up. I may start another series for Sunday, or I may give it a rest and just post whatever strikes my fancy. But I do not have anything solid planned in terms of a series. Review work will be posted here, but again, I don't know how that will look or if it is a sustainable thing here due to the perception of this being a "blog". So, again - we will see.... I will do reviews as long as people want that from me. 

In May of next year this blog will start its 20th year in existence. That's a pretty big deal! I have a few things cooking to mark the occasion with. Stay tuned.....

The podcast will also continue. N.Y. Roll has been gracious enough to be my partner in that and he provides the Topo Chico and the venue, so look for more episodes to drop in the year to come. We've both heard good things from many of you who listen to the "Guitar Ted Podcast", and we are encouraged and it will propel us forward.

Myself and N.Y. Roll recording a podcast. Image by Morgan Osgood.

So, yeah.... I guess that about covers everything. Nothing "earth-shattering", but staying the course, for the most part. Listen, I am just fine with that, as the last four years have been tumultuous and there were a lot of changes going on in my life throughout that time period. 

A little stability, for now, is a welcomed thing. Maybe something will happen in 2024 that will alter the course of things here, and you know, that is entirely possible. I'll roll with the punches and do whatever I feel is necessary if something like that happens. But for now I think about those of you reading this blog every morning. maybe with a cup of coffee, and firing up that computer or device, waiting to see what I've written for you to read. That motivates me. It keeps me poking at this keyboard every day for you.

And the funny thing is, I don't know how to type! I really don't. I use two fingers, I make mistakes on every sentence which slows me down even more, and I write most of my stuff in a stream of consciousness. So, making things make sense is tougher, and I re-write several sections every day. This is a difficult thing for me to do. I say these things not to make you sympathetic towards me. I write that because I want you to know that your motivation elevates my desire to write so that I overcome my hindrances to writing. So when I say "thank you for reading", I mean it from my heart, because if I didn't feel your energy and read your encouraging words from time to time, this blog wouldn't be happening. 

Happy New Year! 

Peace and Love!

Guitar Ted

Looking Forward: 2023

Now that all the "Rear View" stuff has been posted and now that 2022 is over, it is time to look forward to a new year. 2023 is coming and what will this time bring to me? As ever, one cannot really say for certain.

But before I delve into my thoughts for the coming year, I want to make sure that you understand that I am very thankful for each and every one of you that stop by to read this blog. Many of you tell me it is your first read of the day, and that is truly humbling to know. Many of you tell me that you read the blog and appreciate the work and information I provide. This means the world to me. So- Thank You! Without your reading here, and without your encouraging comments, I have to wonder if I'd have stopped doing this long ago now. I think the answer to that is "yes"- I would have stopped. So I appreciate all of you, even if you've never commented before. 

Okay, now what about this coming year? Well, I am not going to push for much new stuff on my plate because I didn't get around to doing a lot of what I wanted to in 2022. For instance, I didn't get a metric century, or a century ride in at all. That's really disappointing to me. However; I had family duties to take care of, a new job that is immensely rewarding, but one that really imposed on my times to ride, and overall, circumstances prevailed against my getting those long rides in. 

So, for 2023, as far as riding goes, my main goals are to make that long ride happen. At least once! And taking a step toward that first, perhaps I can then build upon that. I can tell you that one major event has occurred that will free up some time and that is that my son can drive now. So, there is hope for 2023. 

One of those rides I want to do is a two-day tour which I would do from my home, stay overnight in another location, and then ride back the following day. It's about a 150 mile round trip, as I have it mapped out. Stay tuned on that one...

I missed doing a Death Ride altogether in 2022. That hasn't happened in many a year! So, I'd like to pick back up on that again in 2023. But as far as events go, I am afraid that monetarily and time-wise those sorts of things are off my plate. I just cannot afford to be gone on Saturdays too much and travel expenses are not in my budget anymore, and probably won't be for the foreseeable future. So, I'll be riding pretty much "hyper-local" for the near term. 

The Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame is having the inaugural class of inductees be part of the selection process for the next class of inductees. I guess that means me! I have already been told about how the process will work and that this should be all over with soon, at least as far as my part in that goes. I think how this process looks as far as how inductees are chosen is moving forward is interesting and should help keep the future of the GCHoF relevant for years to come. There could be a trip to Emporia connected to this. We'll see.....

Looking ahead with optimism on starting my 18th year of blogging.

As for the blog, well, this year I finished the "Trans Iowa Series" and I still have not yet begun to know, or have any concept for what to do with that material. So far I have had no real inspiration for where to go with all of that stuff. Any suggestions would be appreciated, because as of now, I cannot see a resolution to my quandary there. 

Obviously the "GTDRI Stories", the tales of the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational, have taken the place of those Trans Iowa stories, and so far I am up to the fifth one out of the 14 total GTDRI's. So, it may be that this series lasts all throughout 2023. I may make it to the end before the end of the year, but I bet I won't. 

In terms of posts this was another "top-five" year in terms of numbers of posts written. Look at the side bar of this blog and you can see for yourself. Again- I cannot promise you daily scribes, but I probably will do that, as long as I can. Another 'top-five' effort? Ah.....well, you never know!

In other blog news, back in November of this year, a certain email I received kind of made me think. The person who sent the email was "amazed you haven't monetized this blog after 18 years". Ha ha! Well, for starters, they cannot count, because it has not been 18 years- yet! But this raises an important point for me to bring up concerning this blog and your enjoyment of it. 

This blog will never be monetized. You will never see sponsored posts, advertisements, or spam here. 

I promise you that, and for anyone wondering why I wouldn't grab whatever cash I could for all this work, well, you see, that was never my intention when I started this blog. So, 'nuff said. I just wanted to get that off my mind. 

Paul Jacobson standing on a road from the T.I.v5 course.

So, what exactly does keep you going all these years? That's easy- I have a need to write and share things. That's number one, most likely.

But when I receive messages, like the one from this past February from Paul Jacobson, letting me know that Trans Iowa v5 was one of his biggest lifetime achievements, and that being a thing he felt so strongly about that he actually stopped on a trip to take an image on the old course back on a cold February day? Well, that's the kind of thing I get motivated by. 

When I receive unasked for and completely unexpected monetary gifts, I get motivated to keep on keepin' on. And that sort of thing has happened in a very significant way. 

Now, I want to add that I don't expect this to make anyone feel that they have to do anything on my behalf. That's not the point here. The point is that I wanted to illustrate why I keep writing this blog for no worldly reward that one might expect me to pursue, at least some people like that e-mailer from November. But that person doesn't understand me. 

No, I don't write all this stuff for reasons of making money. I do it because I want to do it, it is fun for me, and I get encouragement to keep doing it that has deeper meaning than receiving a small amount of money because someone clicked through an ad on my blog. Not that this ever happened, or ever will, it's simply a statement for illustration. 

All that to say that you can pretty much expect 2023 on here to look a whole lot like years previous. So, no big changes are in store that I can foresee. (Note: The "State of the Gravel Scene" will be posted tomorrow and the next day as well.)

Happy New Year! 

Peace and Love!

Guitar Ted

Looking Forward: 2023

Now that all the "Rear View" stuff has been posted and now that 2022 is over, it is time to look forward to a new year. 2023 is coming and what will this time bring to me? As ever, one cannot really say for certain.

But before I delve into my thoughts for the coming year, I want to make sure that you understand that I am very thankful for each and every one of you that stop by to read this blog. Many of you tell me it is your first read of the day, and that is truly humbling to know. Many of you tell me that you read the blog and appreciate the work and information I provide. This means the world to me. So- Thank You! Without your reading here, and without your encouraging comments, I have to wonder if I'd have stopped doing this long ago now. I think the answer to that is "yes"- I would have stopped. So I appreciate all of you, even if you've never commented before. 

Okay, now what about this coming year? Well, I am not going to push for much new stuff on my plate because I didn't get around to doing a lot of what I wanted to in 2022. For instance, I didn't get a metric century, or a century ride in at all. That's really disappointing to me. However; I had family duties to take care of, a new job that is immensely rewarding, but one that really imposed on my times to ride, and overall, circumstances prevailed against my getting those long rides in. 

So, for 2023, as far as riding goes, my main goals are to make that long ride happen. At least once! And taking a step toward that first, perhaps I can then build upon that. I can tell you that one major event has occurred that will free up some time and that is that my son can drive now. So, there is hope for 2023. 

One of those rides I want to do is a two-day tour which I would do from my home, stay overnight in another location, and then ride back the following day. It's about a 150 mile round trip, as I have it mapped out. Stay tuned on that one...

I missed doing a Death Ride altogether in 2022. That hasn't happened in many a year! So, I'd like to pick back up on that again in 2023. But as far as events go, I am afraid that monetarily and time-wise those sorts of things are off my plate. I just cannot afford to be gone on Saturdays too much and travel expenses are not in my budget anymore, and probably won't be for the foreseeable future. So, I'll be riding pretty much "hyper-local" for the near term. 

The Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame is having the inaugural class of inductees be part of the selection process for the next class of inductees. I guess that means me! I have already been told about how the process will work and that this should be all over with soon, at least as far as my part in that goes. I think how this process looks as far as how inductees are chosen is moving forward is interesting and should help keep the future of the GCHoF relevant for years to come. There could be a trip to Emporia connected to this. We'll see.....

Looking ahead with optimism on starting my 18th year of blogging.

As for the blog, well, this year I finished the "Trans Iowa Series" and I still have not yet begun to know, or have any concept for what to do with that material. So far I have had no real inspiration for where to go with all of that stuff. Any suggestions would be appreciated, because as of now, I cannot see a resolution to my quandary there. 

Obviously the "GTDRI Stories", the tales of the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational, have taken the place of those Trans Iowa stories, and so far I am up to the fifth one out of the 14 total GTDRI's. So, it may be that this series lasts all throughout 2023. I may make it to the end before the end of the year, but I bet I won't. 

In terms of posts this was another "top-five" year in terms of numbers of posts written. Look at the side bar of this blog and you can see for yourself. Again- I cannot promise you daily scribes, but I probably will do that, as long as I can. Another 'top-five' effort? Ah.....well, you never know!

In other blog news, back in November of this year, a certain email I received kind of made me think. The person who sent the email was "amazed you haven't monetized this blog after 18 years". Ha ha! Well, for starters, they cannot count, because it has not been 18 years- yet! But this raises an important point for me to bring up concerning this blog and your enjoyment of it. 

This blog will never be monetized. You will never see sponsored posts, advertisements, or spam here. 

I promise you that, and for anyone wondering why I wouldn't grab whatever cash I could for all this work, well, you see, that was never my intention when I started this blog. So, 'nuff said. I just wanted to get that off my mind. 

Paul Jacobson standing on a road from the T.I.v5 course.

So, what exactly does keep you going all these years? That's easy- I have a need to write and share things. That's number one, most likely.

But when I receive messages, like the one from this past February from Paul Jacobson, letting me know that Trans Iowa v5 was one of his biggest lifetime achievements, and that being a thing he felt so strongly about that he actually stopped on a trip to take an image on the old course back on a cold February day? Well, that's the kind of thing I get motivated by. 

When I receive unasked for and completely unexpected monetary gifts, I get motivated to keep on keepin' on. And that sort of thing has happened in a very significant way. 

Now, I want to add that I don't expect this to make anyone feel that they have to do anything on my behalf. That's not the point here. The point is that I wanted to illustrate why I keep writing this blog for no worldly reward that one might expect me to pursue, at least some people like that e-mailer from November. But that person doesn't understand me. 

No, I don't write all this stuff for reasons of making money. I do it because I want to do it, it is fun for me, and I get encouragement to keep doing it that has deeper meaning than receiving a small amount of money because someone clicked through an ad on my blog. Not that this ever happened, or ever will, it's simply a statement for illustration. 

All that to say that you can pretty much expect 2023 on here to look a whole lot like years previous. So, no big changes are in store that I can foresee. (Note: The "State of the Gravel Scene" will be posted tomorrow and the next day as well.)

Happy New Year! 

Peace and Love!

Guitar Ted