Day 1, Ride #1 2026 GCC

Man, it's been a long, difficult summer........

Those in the know may say that that statement is an understatement.I wont get into the nitty gritty about my road this season short of saying that this chapter was incredibly challenging and left me mentally and physically taxed beyond any other time in my life. So much so that I got in zero training and was strongly considering not participating in what would be my 11th Great Cycle Challenge. There was a point I was prepared to called it off and delete the Great Cycle Challenge app for this year, focus on righting myself and start training for next year.

I mean, after that past five months, who could blame me for wanting to press pause and get myself all healed up and in a better place, right?

Except for that stupid, little voice. The little voice that kept saying, that this ride, this Challenge, this necessity wasn't about me....

Hell, it wasn't for me....

or my ego.....

It was for them...

All of them....

Not just for the Hearts on my helmet, but for all of them. The little ones that don't get to take a day off...

....or quit fighting for even the smallest of moments.....

So, I wrapped my head and heart around the need to get my body on board for this adventure called the Great Cycle Challenge!

I will do everything I can to rise to the occasion and raise my bar to make this season everything it needs to be....

Not for me....

.....but for them.....

.....all of them........