As the calendar turns and we pedal our way toward a brand‑new year, I find myself looking back on the miles we’ve covered together—on the road, on Zwift—and in the stories we’ve shared. This past year has been a celebration of friendship, discovery, and the everyday rituals that keep us moving forward. So before we clip out of this year and into the next, settle into your favorite cup of 100% OWL Goodness Signature Coffee, and let’s stroll through the moments that defined 2025 for OWL.BiKe.
The Thread That Binds Us
The year started with a story I’d been holding close for months: The Unbreakable Thread—the story of Team OWL, our Grandmasters racing team. Six women aged 65 to 80 who’d been crushing watts together online for over four years but had never actually met. Until last November, when we gathered at Zwift HQ in Long Beach to race an in-person WTRL Team Time Trial. Writing that piece reminded me why I do this work. The women of Team OWL aren’t just strong—they’re proof that age doesn’t dim us. It changes us, sure. But fading? Never.
Speaking of Racing…
And then there was the article that sparked the most conversation.
In March, I dove into something that had been bothering me for a while: Women’s Racing on Zwift: An Unfinished Journey Towards Equality. That piece brought seven comments—women sharing their own experiences, their frustrations, their hopes. That’s when I know I’ve hit something that matters. We’re not just riding for ourselves; we’re riding for the women coming up behind us, clearing the path, demanding better.
Getting Technical (Without Getting Intimidated!)
That in-person experience at Zwift HQ sparked something else too. After experiencing Zwift Ride trainers firsthand at Zwift HQ, I couldn’t stop thinking about how they could change the game for older women cyclists. So I wrote about it. And then I kept writing about it, diving into shift styles and gear options, because the technical stuff? It matters. Especially when you’re trying to figure out what works for your body at your age.
The Zwift questions kept coming, so I kept answering.
Why is my workout FTP different than my zFTP? Is The Grade actually the best way to estimate your FTP? (Spoiler: maybe not for us 50+ riders—those completion times can be brutal!) Hey, what about all those Drops I’ve been earning—can I actually use them for bike upgrades? And let’s not forget Scotty the Squirrel—Zwift’s cheeky little mascot who became the must-have accessory of the season!
In each article, I try to make sense of the technical mysteries you run into on Zwift and explain them in a way that feels simple and stress‑free. My main goal is to help older women cyclists feel comfortable and confident using the platform.
But technical know‑how is only part of the equation!
Rest, Recovery, and the Gift of Self‑Care
This year also reminded us that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
In March, I tackled sleep—that underrated recovery tool we all need more of as we age. Quality shut‑eye isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential for crushing our cycling goals after 50.
A few months later, I shared something personal—my journey of relearning to climb with a quicker cadence. Because I want to be pedaling strong for many years ahead, and that means listening to what my body needs now. Kicking that pain in the butt goodbye so I can keep showing up ride after ride, year after year.
It’s not about how fast we go—it’s about how long we get to keep riding!
And when December rolled around with its swirl of expectations and endless to-do lists, I reminded us all that the holiday season’s best gift is taking care of YOU. We can’t pour from an empty cup, and we deserve to prioritize our own well-being!
Celebrating Women’s Cycling on the World Stage
July brought the roar of the Tour de France Femmes—both on the real roads of France and meetup rides on Zwift. We celebrated how this race feels like a superhero entrance for women’s cycling, spotlighting empowerment, equality, and the sheer joy of seeing women dominate the sport we love.
Gratitude on the Road
Thanksgiving brought me back to what matters most with I Ride with Gratitude. I shared how gratitude didn’t arrive for me in some grand epiphany at the top of a mountain pass—it snuck in quietly over the years. Every time my 66-year-old legs warm up on Zwift, or when sunlight breaks through the trees on a gravel ride through the bosque, I feel it. That post came straight from my heart, and your responses told me it touched yours too.
What This Year Taught Me
Sixteen stories. Countless miles. One incredible community.
Every post this year came from the same place: a genuine belief that we—women 50+—deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. That our strength matters. That showing up consistently is its own victory. That aging isn’t about fading—it’s about changing, and we get to decide what that looks like.
But really? I wrote love letters to this community.
Every article was a conversation with you—the OWLs who crush ZRL & TTT races, who show up for OWL Grey Zone Trivia rides, who ask questions and share your victories and keep pedaling forward. You’re why these words exist.
Thank you for reading, for riding, for showing up week after week. Thank you for your comments, your questions, and your stories. You inspire me every single day.
So here’s to 2025. A year of showing up, spinning on, and riding with gratitude.
And here’s to 2026—whatever roads (virtual or real) we travel next, we’ll ride them together!
Keep pedaling, keep showing up, keep being OWLsome!
P.S. What was your favorite post from this year? What topics would you like me to cover in 2026? Drop it in the comments below—I’d love to hear what resonated with you!
