Notes Along the Way- Week 4

 

We were hit with a major snowstorm this week—well over a foot. I’ve been reading ultra-distance cyclist and writer Emily Chappell’s Substack, where she’s been reflecting on the particular difficulty of winter: the forced slowing down, the long stretches indoors, and how hard that can be for those of us who rely on endurance and movement for our mental well-being. For people who find healing in being outside, in motion, winter can feel especially heavy.

I’m feeling that weight now. Each day, I do what I can to stay active, knowing it’s my best defense against a mood that tends toward depression if left unattended. Indoor trainer rides. Strength training. Running outside when the conditions allow. I know I won’t fully feel like myself again until spring arrives, but I want to be ready for it, to be durable enough to spend long hours outside once the light and warmth return.

Despite the snow and the confinement, momentum is building for Huracan. I’ve made decisions about how I’ll ride the route. I got my SPOT X working and set up on Trackleaders. My bike now wears its “monster” tires, 50mm, and has a gearing tune-up that makes the whole thing feel more real.

In the next few days, I’ll start practicing packing the bike and gathering my gear more deliberately. Nothing dramatic—just small, practical steps, taken slowly.