As 2025 comes to a close, I do what I usually do: I pause to reflect and take stock of the past year. Across the new things I tried, what I accomplished, and the highs and lows, themes of travel, cycling, work, and resilience stand out. Through it all, I’m grateful for the experiences that shaped 2025.
Many of us have felt the disconnect between what we intend to do and what actually gets done. For me, this showed up in my morning routine.
One of the most important decisions you'll ever make, perhaps the most important, is choosing who you marry. I wish I had understood that when I was younger. Your partner profoundly shapes your life, your well-being, and your ability to navigate challenges. The right relationship can help you thrive while the wrong one can leave you depleted.
This past Saturday, I raced in the Harvest 50 gravel event in Zionsville, Indiana. Riders could choose between a 25-mile or 50-mile course, and I opted for the 25—a mix of 40% paved and 60% unpaved roads. Though I’d ridden the route twice before, I still felt nervous. Familiarity helped, but there's a different vibe to racing.
My first time camping was at a state park the weekend before our four-day bikepacking tour. This partial test run under the stars was an opportunity to get my feet wet and try out the gear we’d invested in: a two-person tent, sleeping pads, quilts, and a cook system.