Couch to 50 mile Gran Fondo in 6 weeks

A single speed journey to the Sea Otter Classic

In case you don’t feel like reading the whole post, here is all you really need to know:

The only thing keeping you from riding fifty miles is deciding to do it.

My own story and challenges aside, I saw every kind of person in the Gran Fondo I rode in — every age, body type and (apparent) physical capacity, every level and quality of bicycle — what we shared was a desire to ride.

The Backstory

Six months ago, I rode a bike for the first time in three years, after believing I would never be able to ride again. I wrote about the experience, which was tipped off by hearing Jane McGonigal talk about Superbetter (a book, web site and app for supporting recovery after trauma or other challenges). The impact was life-altering and sent me on a three month challenge to get ready for ostomy reversal surgery. A far less read (and admittedly more grim) follow-up post chronicles the failed results of that challenge, but ended with a hopeful view that I would find the way forward.

I began to recognize that for three years my goals have been focused on (real) survival and working towards things that despite my ability to influence, were…