Re: [RBW] ‘25: My best year yet

[Leah Peterson]

Updated link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQeZ1ATkVIi/?igsh=MTN3eHU1YzZnd2kxZA==

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 31, 2025, at 8:20 AM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

I am close to riding 12,000 miles in my nearly 4 years in Michigan. Since winter knocks out no small amount of time I can ride, I’m really thrilled to have gotten to that number.

‘25 was my best year, though, because not only did I hit 4,000 miles (and counting) but I also had so many new experiences. I learned the wonders of bike touring and bike camping. I got my first road bike (it’s Charlie; he’s a real road bike, don’t you say otherwise). When I looked back at my year, I could not believe how many trips I got to take- starting in JANUARY! I rode in several states. Brought my bike on Amtrak. Tossed my Platy on a ferry. Hugged the necks of RivSisters I’d only ever spoken to online. 

What was the best trip you took, you might wonder. The one where my college boy and I rode the top of the Mitten (that’s Michigan’s lower peninsula for you out-of-staters). We couldn’t have asked for better scenery, and we were mostly on bike trails. (Our first camping trip took us on highways and we were white-knuckling it all the way to Niagara Falls.) I rode along Lake Michigan’s teal waters and white sand beaches with my angel son astride his Clem beside me and wondered how I got this beautiful life. When we ran out of things to talk about we rolled along, each with an audiobook playing in our ears, in companionable silence. We met new friends in Traverse City (hi John and Tracy!) and had the time of our lives!

The people made all the difference. People are so important, The ones you meet on the road and in little coffee shops, the ones you ride with, the friends you meet just because you both love bikes…people enrich your bike trips. The bikes also make the experience. My bikes are utterly capable and comfortable. What can I not do on a Rivendell? I love how they feel, how they look, the sounds they make as they roll over dirt or pavement. I’ll never get enough of this.

I made an instagram video for my year in review, and if you’re curious, you’ll find the details there.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQdbdJ-DaID/?igsh=MXI3bXgxZmwwMW82cA==

Here is the moment I crossed 4k, and my sweet husband did it with me. On an e-bike 🙄 but still.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQakiuPEYtL/?igsh=YmNpaXl1MnVjbmJx

Thanks for reading, and for all the knowledge you shared to get me out there doing the new things this year! I had a ball.

Leah

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/bVGpL78SoJE/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b240892a-cd75-4616-af31-30a4616c5f00n%40googlegroups.com.

[Ryan Fleming]

you certainly had a banner year and that's a great video record...congrats!