This year’s Wildcat was by almost all measures a smashing success based on preliminary feedback. Even with Cody breaking his foot skanking on carpet Friday night, attendees and organizers were frequently remarking how smoothly everything went and how much of a boon it was to have a venue not change at the last moment–shocking, I know.
I had some learnings to integrate and will be reflecting on them to carry them with me throughout the coming months but it reinforced a pattern I’ve noticed that I need to be careful with in guarding my energy and stress.
Just got back from an overnight bikepacking trip — me, Mabel, and the trailer. One night out, nothing ambitious. I’d been meaning to do a little solo trip like this for a while and finally just went. Loaded the dog up, packed the bags, and pointed the bike out of town.
I don’t really do resolutions, but I think there’s something useful about writing down what you actually want before the season gets away from you. Summer in Minneapolis is short enough that if you don’t show up for it, it’s October before you’ve noticed.
Last summer I had a broken nose and nasal strips and a lot of time sitting still that I didn’t ask for. This summer I’m coming in with both nostrils working and a decent amount of motivation to make up for it, which feels like a good starting position.
As I come up on one year since the accident that broke my nose, I’ve been reflecting on what’s changed. I think it’s important to take stock sometimes — to give yourself a yardstick for what you’ve done well or not so well, even if I’m not always great at actually doing it. One saying that’s been stuck in my head lately: “life happens to you, or you happen to life.”
The Accident
I honestly haven’t been into biking that long. A former housemate got me into it — I’d always been vaguely interested but never bothered to invest in something quality, something that was actually a joy to ride. I’m deeply grateful to him for selling me his old bike and “bike-pilling” me, as he liked to say.