Big Sugar Preparation
reflection, and looking into the future
While the road racing calendar has mostly wrapped up, I still have a couple of events left before officially closing out my 2025 season. Although my main focus this year has been on the road, I also decided to take part in the Life Time Grand Prix, a U.S. off-road cycling series featuring some of the most competitive gravel and mountain bike events in the country.
This coming week, I’ll be heading to Bentonville, Arkansas, to race Big Sugar, one of the final races of the year. I’m really looking forward to the event—it’s always exciting to race somewhere new, and the course looks like a lot of fun. After Big Sugar on October 18, I’ll be joining a USA Cycling fundraiser ride on November 9, before finishing my season at El Tour de Tucson, the largest road race in the country, which attracts over 10,000 athletes each year.
Finding Motivation After Worlds
After a disappointing World Championships, I initially wasn’t excited to keep training—especially with the cold, wet weather we get in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. But after taking time to reflect and make peace with my result, I’ve been more motivated than ever. Over the past month, I’ve had some of the best workouts of my life, setting new all-time power numbers and feeling super good on the bike.
Since Worlds, I haven’t touched my road bike and have done all my training on the gravel bike, which has been a refreshing change. It’s helped me rediscover the fun in training and shift my focus toward Big Sugar and preparation for next season. Breaking my road bike at Worlds was frustrating, but it gave me extra motivation to rebuild—literally and figuratively.
Custom Components & Carbon Creations
Because of my unique left arm, many standard components don’t work perfectly for me, so I’ve learned to adapt and design custom solutions. Over time, I’ve taught myself how to work with carbon fiber and have created several custom parts and have repaired the bike I broke during a durig Unbound earlier this season.
Currently, I’m working on creating a custom set of time trial extensions. While some companies offer custom options, prices can range from around $3,000 to as much as $30,000 for a set, so making my own is not only a creative challenge but also a practical solution. Plus, if a design doesn’t work out, all I lose is time and some material cost, which is far better than a commercial solution for the moment.
Winter Training Plans
Winter training has always been a challenge for me. The past two seasons, I’ve spent most of my time indoors on the trainer using Zwift, which is a great tool—but I believe nothing replaces the real-world feel and training benefits of riding outside.
After getting frostbite during my first winter in Washington, my hands have become more sensitive to cold, so I’ve been testing new gear to make outdoor training possible again. One product that’s made a big difference is Bar Mitts—neoprene covers that block the wind while still allowing you to wear gloves. They might look a bit odd, but they make riding in harsh weather much more comfortable.
Looking Ahead
This winter, I’m also changing my training approach by spending less time in Washington. The cold, wet weather not only makes training harder but also destroys equipment quickly. While I can make a chain last all summer, winter conditions wear through components fast—I usually need a full drivetrain replacement every year, which adds up quickly.
To balance this out, I plan to spend part of the winter training in Colorado, Arizona, and France, where the weather and terrain are much better suited to quality training. While travel can be expensive, it’s a worthwhile investment as I continue to focus on improving and chasing the best results possible heading into 2026.
