Thank you to Family and Friends

Thank you to friends and family for donating to The Great Cycle Challenge. Our family has been riding this challenge since 2016. We ride in memory of young friends, and neighbors who lost their precious lives to cancer.

Research has shown that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children and adolescents in the United States, and more research is necessary to develop better treatments and cures.

With your support, we are making a real difference in the lives of these kids and giving them a chance to live their lives and thrive. Thank you again for your for your generous donations!

Sourland Mountain Descent

Today's ride was in the Sourland Mountains and I had a few winding descents to maneuver. Now, I was around six years old when I first let it rip down our driveway (it was likely not nearly as steep as the perception of my six-year-old self), I loved the feel of riding downhill. I was enamored with the sensation of being on the edge with the thrill of a high-speed descent. Pure bliss. This, to me, was the ultimate freedom. Now, I fell—a lot. I have many scars to show for it, but these scars are more of a badge of honor than anything else. I rode, I fell, I got back up, I'm still here. See, here's a scar from when... You get it.

Now, over many, many years of steep descents at high speeds with some of those bold descents in the Pro Peloton in Stage Races such as Killington, Tour de 'Toona, and Fitchburg, I have a few tips that I have gathered to share on how to take your next epic descent.

1. Let go of perfectionism: Perfectionism can create unnecessary pressure and fear of failure, hindering your performance when descending a mountain. Instead, focus on embracing the learning process.

2. Focus on performance: Rather than fixating on the outcome or potential dangers of falling, focus on the present moment and the specific actions required for a successful descent. Concentrate on your technique, body positioning, and balance. By focusing on your performance, you can optimize your movements and react effectively to the changing terrain.

3. Stay in a present mindset: It's crucial to stay fully present and engaged in the task when descending a mountain. Avoid dwelling on past experiences or worrying about future outcomes. Instead, focus on the sensations in your body, your breath, and the immediate environment. By cultivating mindfulness, you can enhance your ability to make quick decisions and adapt to the mountain's challenges.

4. Train to trust: Building trust in your abilities is essential for descending a mountain with confidence. Engage in regular training sessions that simulate realistic mountain conditions. Gradually expose yourself to more challenging terrain, allowing yourself to develop trust in your skills and bike.

5. Develop feel and instinct with practice: Practice is key to improving your skills and developing a natural feel for descending a mountain. Regularly expose yourself to various mountain environments and conditions, allowing yourself to become familiar with different terrains, slopes, and obstacles. Over time, your instincts and intuition will improve, enabling you to react quickly and make split-second decisions while maintaining control and finesse.

In a growth mindset, we approach every challenging descent as an opportunity to improve our skills and mental presence. Hopefully, with these mental training tips for descending and consistently practicing your skills, you can cruise down mountains with confidence, skill, and finesse!

Side Note: The photo below is not the Sourlands!

Wheelie-ing Fun with Liam

Find Your Wheelie Balance Point!

Wrapping up a rainy 28-mile ride for the GCC, I found my friend and neighbor Liam also riding in the cold, heavy rain. Such camaraderie as we looked at each other—who else would be out in the rain in our small borough? My biking buddy, Liam!

Now, Liam can wheelie down the road for minutes at a time. Me? Well, Liam is coaching me to sustain a barely three-second wheelie. I’ll stay patient; it hopefully *will* come.

To me, doing a wheelie is like unlocking a secret power in your mental and physical toolbox. So, let's dive into the exhilarating world of wheelies!

Here are five great tips that Liam gave me on how to get one pedal stroke closer to your first wheelie!

1. Choose Your Trusty Bike: Find a bike that's up for the challenge—a rugged mountain bike or a nimble BMX will do the trick. These bikes are built for stunts and will give you the best shot at your first wheelie.

2. Lean Back, Free it up, and Let it Go: Start pedaling at a comfortable speed, shift your weight backward by standing on your pedals and leaning back. Feel the thrill as your front wheel starts to lift off the ground, defying gravity itself! Keep your arms loose and use them to maintain balance.

3. Find Your Zen at the Balance Point: Ahh, the balance point—the sweet spot where the magic happens. As you shift your weight back, you'll discover that magical moment when your front wheel hovers above the Earth. Embrace it! Hold this position for a few seconds before gently lowering the front wheel back down. You're on your way!

4. Brakes and Your Wheelie: Now it's time to take control. Practice making minor adjustments to maintain your wheelie. If the front wheel gets too high, tap that rear brake gently to bring it back down. If it's dropping too low, give it a little extra pedal power to bring it back up. Liam tells me often—so much is in the tapping of the rear brake!

5. Play and Practice: As you gain confidence, it's time to push your limits. Extend the distance and duration of your wheelie adventures. Find friends to wheelie with you. Play, practice, and inspire each other! Feel the rush as you conquer greater distances and ride that wheelie. The outdoors is your playground!

Thank you, Liam, for these super cool tips! Liam keeps on riding those Wheelies on Main Street. Often, I am in our front yard gardening when you Wheelie past me—your wide grin on your face always makes me smile!

A Precious Moment

Yesterday was International Ride Your Bike to Work Day. Couple this day with riding to fundraise to fight kids' cancer, and I had two compelling reasons to ride. That said, I wore my Great Cycle Challenge jersey and rode my bicycle to meet a dear friend of almost twenty years for lunch in Lambertville, NJ.

I sit down with my friend for lunch, and a lovely person comes up to me and says gently, "Thank you." She choked up and said, "I lost my child to cancer." I choke up, too—no words.

This precious moment reminded me why I ride the Great Cycle Challenge. We ride for the kids. The memories of the kids who lost their lives, and the hope that we are doing something for those fighting this nondiscriminatory disease.

Thank you for your support and donations!