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  Part 3: Game On Recap: Adapting to Chaos at Actif Epica Days before the Actif Epica 50km winter bike race, I still didn’t have a fat bike, but I had ambition—and an unseasonably warm winter on my side. The forecast promised mild temperatures, which meant the frozen roads I’d hoped for might turn into a muddy mess. Mud, as any cyclist knows, is a relentless foe, clinging to tires and drivetrains, sapping momentum with every turn. Fat bikes, while ideal for snow, are mud magnets, so I made the call: I’d race on my gravel bike instead, armed with narrower tires and a trusty “mud stick” to scrape away the inevitable buildup.   The race itself was a comedy of errors. My GPS failed moments after the start, and I promptly led the pack off course, setting the tone for a day of unintended detours and retraced steps. The prairie wind, our so-called “mountains,” was relentless, but teamwork became my salvation. Drafting with fellow riders wasn’t just a tactic—it was a necessity, a ...

Have you ever had a plan set in stone, only to watch it crumble and reshape itself? Today was one of those days for me.  Lately, work, life, and training have each thrown their own curveballs my way. It’s a scenario many of us know all too well—and if you’re juggling small children, it’s doubly familiar. I’d been stretching myself thin, and exhaustion had crept in like an uninvited guest. The thought of another paddle session didn’t exactly fill me with excitement. But I’d come to accept that some training sessions, no matter how unappealing in the moment, are non-negotiable. This is what I call the *grind*.  When I talk about the grind, I’m not referring to hustle culture’s glorification of overwork, burnout, or the relentless pursuit of wealth and status. No, the grind I’m speaking of runs deeper—it’s the quiet, consistent effort you put in day after day, even when the fire within feels like it’s flickering. It’s about persistence and unwavering dedication, especially wh...

  Part 2: Getting Skinny Recap: From Pandemic Sloth to Midlife Reinvention: Chasing Adventure and Overcoming Self-Doubt Through Bikepacking and Winter Bike Racing. As the pandemic disrupted routines and supply chains alike, I found myself reflecting on life and the adventures I’d been putting off. Like many, I’d gained weight and lost fitness during lockdown, but as the world reopened, I felt a growing urgency to reclaim my health and chase new challenges—especially as I approached my 60s. This wasn’t about a midlife crisis; it was about reinvention. Inspired by the Tour Divide, a grueling 2,700-mile bikepacking race, and Actif Epica, a winter endurance event, I decided to push my limits. With encouragement from a ride buddy, I signed up for Actif Epica, despite my self-doubt, and began preparing for 50 kilometers of icy, snowy terrain. The journey wasn’t easy—ordering a fat bike during a global supply chain crisis tested my patience, and my wheelset was delayed in transit. Thi...