I completed the 13th annual Melting Mann this past Saturday, my first gravel race of the year. It was a sunny but cold day, with temps in the low 30s. Heading into the event, I worried about the weather, if I'd packed the right gear, and the difficulty of the hills.
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.
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.
Reflecting on the past year, I would describe 2023 as a “Year of Firsts.” Mostly related to my hobbies, there were things I tried or achieved for the first time. Whether they were bike riding events, traveling to new locations, or just trying new eateries (like a revolving sushi restaurant), I am glad to have experienced these things.
My second year accomplishing the Tour de Donut is in the books! In 2022, my husband and I learned about the unique Troy, Ohio ride at the last minute and signed up two days before the event. Coined as the "sweetest ride in Ohio," the Tour de Donut is a fun challenge with donut stops along routes that range from 9 miles to 58.5 miles. You get five minutes deducted from your ride time for each donut you eat.