Every year, I sign up for the Great Cycle Challenge. This year, I decided I can't just ask for donations. I should probably share why this cause matters to me and what getting ready for it has looked like.

Last year, I didn't ride much. I bought a Peloton and mostly rode indoors. This year, I changed tactics and started riding outside consistently around April. To stay motivated, I changed my routine too.

Now, three times a week, I'm up at 5:45 AM and on the bike before work, watching the sun come up. If I can, I also squeeze in a longer ride on Sundays. Some mornings are definitely easier than others 😅, but getting outside and moving has become one of the best parts of my week.

This year, I pledged to ride 300 miles during September. It's a stretch goal for me, but every mile has a purpose.

The bigger reason I'm doing this, though, is my good friend Joss, who passed away from cancer last year.

I met Joss years ago when I was working at La Boulange in San Francisco, my first job after immigrating to the U.S. We stayed friends through all the different chapters of life. He even came to visit me in Brittany. We'd catch up once or twice a year, talk about life, hip hop, family, and mostly laugh. No matter how much time had passed, we'd always pick up right where we left off.

One of our last conversations was last year. Looking back, I think he may have been saying goodbye. Not long after, I learned he was gone.

So this challenge is personal.

I'm doing this for two reasons:

🚴 To stay healthy and keep moving. Cycling has always been my favorite way to do that.

🎗️ To help raise money for childhood cancer research and support programs. We still need better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

If this story resonates with you, I'd be grateful for any support, whether that's a donation, a share, a comment, or simply helping spread the word. Every bit helps.

Thank you, and please take care of yourselves and the people you love.

Cheers