It will be warm, the days will be long, and the road will be filled with people who share the same wild love for the open ride.

This year, I made a change:

I’m not riding single-speed.

I’ve swapped simplicity for strategy aiming to increase our speed so we can slow down in the right places. More time for pie. More time for people. More time to take in the magic of small-town Iowa.

It’s a new approach, but it has the same goal:

Keep moving forward — and make the most of the moments.

What small change can you make that opens the door to more joy, connection, or purpose?

Thank you for your time, and have a Fantastic Friday.

Let me take you back to two years ago.

A great co-worker roped me into RAGBRAI, a legendary bike ride across Iowa with over 30,000 riders. It is a rolling festival of endurance, sweat, and camaraderie. It’s a blast… and a grind.

But I didn’t just ride it; I rode it on a single-speed mountain bike.

One Gear.

Hundreds of miles.

No shortcuts.

Just long, hot days on two wheels with one choice: keep going.

I chose the challenge because I knew I could do it. And because there’s something powerful about committing to a goal that demands your full effort.

This summer, I’m heading back. But I’m facing a new decision.

Road Bike… or Single-Speed Again?

This time, I have options. I could ride a road bike with more gears, a smoother ride, and easier climbs, a wise choice.

But part of me wonders:

Would it still feel as fulfilling?

But I’m torn.

Do I take the smoother ride? Or rebuild my single-speed and test my resilience again?

I know I’ve got the mindset to finish.

I don’t know which route will help me grow the most.

A Question for You

Have you ever chosen the more challenging path not because you had to but because it made you better?

Would you go for a more leisurely ride?

Or chase the challenge, knowing it could change you?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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Thank you for your time, and have a Fantastic Friday.