The Reformed Runner
Running was my thing. Since my teens, it’s how I stayed fit, focused, and free. But years of pounding pavement took their toll. After multiple injuries and finally surgery on my Achilles, I had to admit my body was done with running. That’s when I got back on the bike, and everything changed. At first it was just to stay active, but I found something I didn’t know I was missing: adventure, flow, freedom. I gravitated toward gravel, joined a local club, and now ride all kinds of terrain. The best part? I’ve watched myself get better every year. I used to call myself a runner who cycles. Now, I’m proud to say I’m a cyclist too.
The Crash Survivor
I used to take riding for granted, until it was taken from me. In 2020, I was hit by a car and spent months off the bike. Recovery was long and slow, but the hardest part wasn’t physical, it was mental. Losing the freedom to ride felt like losing part of myself. But I made a promise: if I could come back, I’d never ride just for the numbers again. Now, every time I clip in, it means something. It’s not about pace or power. It’s about presence. The feel of wind on skin. The silence between pedal strokes. The reminder that I’m still here, still moving forward.
The Diabetic Rider
Living with Type 1 diabetes means every day is a balancing act, and cycling is the thing that helps me stay upright. It’s my way of taking control. Of proving that my condition doesn’t define me. Managing blood sugar while riding isn’t easy, but I’ve learned how to listen to my body in ways I never did before. I ride to stay healthy, but also to show others what’s possible. Every climb is a reminder that I’m stronger than I thought, not just as a cyclist, but as a person.