Human powered sports, travel, and adventure.
Neal
Cancer taught me something I didn’t expect. Not about mortality or gratitude or any of the lessons people write about when facing their own death. Those came too, sure. But the lesson that actually blindsided me was simpler and more uncomfortable: I’ve been lying to myself about relationships for most of my life. I thought …
It’s Thanksgiving and the end of week six of seven cancer treatments. I’m thankful for: My wife Rita, who has been steadfast through all of my challenges. Resolute. She’s my everything. That my side effects haven’t been as severe as I was warned they might be, and still could be. I’m thankful for all the …
I’ve been remiss in writing updates. Not that I didn’t want to, but because of a lack of energy. The double-whammy of chemo and radiation has had a far bigger impact on my energy levels. Doing all the daily tasks I need to do to stay on top of my treatment, trying to help Rita …
Week One: Learning the Routine One week down. Six to go. I won’t lie—this first week was harder than I expected. Not unbearable, but harder. And it’s the simple things that catch you off guard. Tasks that used to happen without thinking now require planning and effort. Here’s what week one actually looked like. The …
After a few seasons of gravel adventures—including some punishing Northern Michigan two-tracks that feel more like mountain bike trails—I decided to try the Redshift ShockStop PRO Suspension Stem on my Otso Waheela C. I wanted something that could soften the impact on my hands and add a bit more control. 1,500 Miles of Real-World Testing …
Treatment starts tomorrow. I’ve known this was coming since the diagnosis in late August. I’ve had time to prepare—physically, mentally, logistically. I’ve assembled my nutrition strategy, stocked the supplies, organized support, written articles, and reached out for help. But here’s what nobody tells you about the waiting period between diagnosis and treatment: it’s excruciating. The …
Sometimes you’re reminded that the word “client” doesn’t fully capture what develops over years of working together. Yesterday, a package arrived at my door from DS Inpharmatics (DSI), a company I’ve had the privilege of working with for years through my SEO and digital marketing business, West Bay Web. Inside was a gift box from …
A few weeks ago, I did something I’ve never done before in my decades of cycling and writing about outdoor sports: I asked for help. I reached out to several nutrition companies and explained my situation. I’m facing seven weeks of chemo-radiation treatment for throat cancer. The radiation will make eating solid food difficult or …
The oncologist’s office doesn’t look anything like a start line. Still, I recognized the feeling immediately: that pre-race mixture of adrenaline, uncertainty, and the knowledge that everything is about to change.”Squamous Cell Carcinoma” the doctor said, pointing to images I couldn’t fully process. A tumor. Lymph nodes involved. Seven weeks of chemo-radiation treatment, followed by …
Introduction: A Season of Rediscovery At 64, I’m learning that comebacks don’t follow neat trajectories—at least mine hasn’t. After nearly three decades away from competitive cycling, 2025 marked my second full season back, with three major races that would test whether last year’s return was beginner’s luck or sustainable progress. The plan seemed straightforward: use …
Time Alpe d’Huez Review: When French Engineering Meets Racing Reality Time bicycles occupy a unique space in the cycling world. While brands like Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale chase market share with mass production, Time has quietly continued doing what they’ve always done best: hand-weaving carbon fiber frames in their own factory in Slovakia using aerospace-grade …
Introduction: A Racing Veteran’s New Adventure At 64, I’ve come full circle—though whether that’s progress or just stubbornness remains to be seen. My competitive cycling began at 16, reaching Category 2 and specializing in criteriums. Those early years delivered solid results: winning the Maumee Valley Wheelmen’s time trial championship at 17, and earning an invitation …
Standing on the bathroom scale on December 31st, 2023, staring at 203 pounds, I set four specific goals for 2024. As someone who’s been making the same promises to himself for a few years running, I figured it was time to either get serious or admit I was just another guy who talks about what …
Ten years ago, I hiked from Endovalley to Chasm Falls twice during winter visits to Rocky Mountain National Park. Both times, as I trudged through snow and gazed up at the serpentine road carved into the mountainside, I thought the same thing: “Someday I’m going to ride my bike up this thing.” On July 22, …
George was the guy that all my cycling friends wanted to be when they grew up. George was a phenomenal athlete. Besides cycling, George was a national caliber runner and world class Nordic skier. He was an alternate member of the US Olympic ski team. George was the first person to encourage me when I …