The Road to Growth on Two Wheels

There’s something exciting about the first official ride of the season—the anticipation, the challenge, and the journey ahead, including the road to growth on two wheels. The Spring Opener marked the official start of my local cycling club’s riding season. With route options ranging from 20 to 46 miles, we chose the longest distance to build endurance and prepare for an upcoming century ride.

Having reviewed the route in advance, I felt mentally prepared for what I was getting myself into. Riding alongside my husband and our friend John, we tackled the hilly (to me) terrain which featured 2,558 feet of elevation gain according to my Ride with GPS. With the right gear, the colder weather and gusty winds didn’t hold me back—it was a good riding day.

Embracing the Hills

I have never been a fan of hills, but this time, I welcomed the challenge. Rather than resisting or giving in to dread, I embraced the discomfort of the ride—climbs and all.

The hills tested my physical and mental endurance, but I stayed positive and was confident that I would finish the route.

I even practiced attacking the hills—pedaling faster to gain momentum and increasing my effort to go up the hills as fast as I could. I would sing whatever song popped into my head to distract myself during the tougher stretches.

Throughout the ride, I felt strong and resilient, and by the end, I was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

While the Spring Opener strengthened my endurance, my first gravel ride challenged my confidence and mindset.

My First Gravel Ride

My attitude was optimistic for the Spring Opener. Gravel riding, however, was another story.

The ride at Scioto Trail State Park started off with small hiccups, like forgetting to put on my sunglasses (they were at the car) and my chain coming off as I shifted gears approaching a small hill on a paved road. My husband fixed the stuck chain when I couldn’t get it myself. After retrieving my sunglasses from the car, we decided to reverse our route.

New to gravel riding, I lacked confidence. The technical terrain and rolling resistance kept my pace slow. Early in the ride, not even halfway up a climb, I got off my bike and walked. Eventually, I got back on my bike, but the incline caused me to lose balance and fall over. At that moment, doubt crept in and frustration started to overshadow the experience. Called to mind were the countless times I had fallen last year while learning to ride with cleats (read My Cycling Growing Pains). Between scraping my leg and bending the derailleur of my new gravel bike, it was far more challenging to maintain a positive mindset.

My husband inspected my bike and did his best to straighten the derailleur. I stayed in the same low gear for the rest of the ride to avoid the chain skipping.

Aware of my negative outlook, I wanted to move past it—and in doing so, I saw an opportunity for growth. Exploring the trails felt a little intimidating at first. But once I let go of the overthinking, the ride became an adventure. Despite the setbacks, I still found joy in the journey.

Lessons Learned

Both the Spring Opener and the gravel ride reminded me of my capabilities and grit. The gravel ride taught me to adapt and remember the value of falling and getting back up. It served as a reminder to give myself grace, reframe my thoughts, and be mindful of my inner monologue.

While it’s a confidence booster and a personal win anytime I make it up a hill on two wheels, it’s okay to walk. It is also important not to dwell on a few hurdles or obstacles. By not letting setbacks define the rest of the ride—I can enjoy the journey. The road to growth undoubtedly comes with challenges, and whether on two wheels or in life—it’s worth it.