After becoming a dad, my cycling looked very different — fewer hours, more fatigue, and a new focus on balance. This summer, with some fitness slowly returning and my little one sleeping more reliably, I set out on my annual “epic ride.” A 220 km adventure with 1,700 meters of climbing reminded me that endurance cycling isn’t just about watts or kilometers — it’s about rediscovering joy, testing limits, and finding community on the bike. From solo preparation to group rides that built accountability, and now onto the Zwift Racing League, this season has been about redefining goals and embracing the ride in every form.
In my last article, I shared about my first season of cycling since becoming a dad – a time of learning to give myself grace, accept some inevitable fitness loss, and rediscovering the joy of simply being out on two wheels.
This summer, I felt ready to take the next step. With my little one sleeping a little more reliably (thank goodness!) and some fitness gradually returning, I set my sights on my annual “epic ride”. For me, this tradition is more than just numbers on a screen – it’s about rekindling my drive, testing my limits, and celebrating the joy of endurance.
This year’s edition featured a 220 km ride with nearly 1700m of climbing. It was long, hot, and windy – but somehow it was exactly what I needed.
Strava summary of my 2025 late summer “epic” ride, featuring some of my go-to snacks for boosts of sugar.
The Summer Epic: A Goal to Chase
Preparing for a double metric century meant making time for consistency, even when life felt anything but. I made it my goal to get out once per week for a longer ride, and in the buildup, I managed to log a few imperial century rides with friends. These rides not only boosted my confidence, but gave me the chance to refine my fueling strategy – which, at times, was calculating how many handfuls of South Patch Kids I could handle per hour to keep me moving.
On the big day, the challenge started with a rather unusual SSE wind that gave me hours of headwind to battle. Yet, in between the grind, I enjoyed exploring tens of kilometers of new roads, unfamiliar cafes, & soaking in the adventure. Despite rolling out hours before sunrise, I still ended up finishing the epic ride in the mid-day heat. While in the moment I was relieved to be done, I did finish with a huge sense of satisfaction.
Looking back on it, completing the ride itself was fun, but the real value that ride gave me was in the purpose and structure it gave my training. Even on weeks where my weekday rides was short & scattered, knowing I had an epic ride looming in the future gave me purpose. These goals didn’t need to be perfect or hinge on peak fitness – it was about creating memorable milestones that keep us moving forward.
The Power of Community: Social Rides & Accountability
One of the biggest boosts to my riding this summer came from my local cycling community. Fellow riders invited me out regularly and their encouragement helped me string together consistency that I wasn’t managing on my own.
One of the many fun rides that I was invited out on this summer. These long rides helped me build consistency and fitness for my summer “epic” ride.
As any new parent knows, mornings after a rough night of sleep can make the snooze button seem irresistible. But being committed to a group ride changes things – I knew there were others counting on me. Even on days where I felt so tired rolling out, I never once regretted showing up & and finishing a ride.
Group rides also gave me training stimulus and pushed me in ways I wouldn’t have done solo – contributing steady tempo efforts as part of a speedy paceline, pushing the pace up short, punchy climbs, townsign sprints, etc. And of course all the mid-ride banter that makes those kilometers fly by.
I would strongly encourage you to tap into your local community. Don’t be intimidated if some of the riders are stronger than you… chasing fitter cyclists is one of the best ways to build fitness. More often than not, the stronger riders are happy to lend you a wheel, encourage you to hang on, and help you complete longer, harder rides than you’d do on your own.
That combination of accountability and camaraderie multiplied my motivation in a season when time and energy often felt scarce.
Looking Ahead: Zwift Racing League
As the weather shifts, I’m excited – and a little nervous – to dive into the WTRL’s Zwift Racing League (ZRL) this winter. While I’ve jumped into the occasional Zwift race over the past seven years, this will be my very first time racing as part of a structured team, with real-time communication & strategy.
It’s a new kind of challenge: the contrast of racing indoors, the accountability to teammates, and the thrill of competition without leaving home. Our opening week kicked off with a team time trial, where pacing and coordination mattered every bit as much as raw power.
Xert’s MPA analysis of the ZRL week 1 Team Time Trial.
I’m looking forward to the race season ahead and sharing more lessons from my first foray into virtual team racing. I also plan to dig deeper into the MPA charts from these races in a future article.
Conclusion: A New Phase of Balance
Fatherhood hasn’t stopped me from cycling – it has simply reshaped it. The early months of parenthood for me were about surviving the limited sleep and being flexible with my training. This next chapter has been about rediscovering goals, competition, and community.
Whether it’s a summer epic, a spirited group ride, or an online race, these challenges remind me why I love this sport. They keep me motivated, connected, & excited, for whatever comes next!
So don’t go it alone – tap into your community, whether outdoors or online. Those shared miles and collective goals will push you further than you might expect, and they make the ride all the more rewarding. That’s all for this month.
Stay safe, ride fast, & I’ll see you next time.
The post Rediscovering the Competitive Edge Post-Fatherhood appeared first on PezCycling News.
