One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.
Henry Ford
Good morning!
My brakes squealed as my bike skidded to a stop at the base of the mountain—or what we in Buffalo like to call a mountain. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, making me feel like I could conquer anything. I was ready to sprint up the tallest peak and race back down on my mountain bike.
Mountain biking is one of those things I’ve always wanted to try but kept putting off, thinking it was just out of reach. Last week, I finally jumped at the chance. We were geared up with electric mountain bikes—complete with dropper seats and turbo mode—and I felt ready to tackle something just beyond my comfort zone.
While I’d never tried mountain biking, I live and breathe bikes. There’s nothing better than adventuring from the saddle—whether it’s racing down the Andes outside Cusco, Peru, or cycling across Virginia or New York with my mom. A bike makes you slow down enough to appreciate where you are while still moving fast enough to feel the thrill of progress. It’s freedom in motion.
I also have a deep love for mountains—the fresh air, the stillness that washes over you as you stand in the valley, and the surge of power you feel when you reach the summit after conquering its slopes. That combination of being on a bike in the mountains? It sounds like magic.
But let’s be real—it also sounds terrifying.
Mountains are unforgiving, and bikes can be dangerous. Racing downhill on a mountain bike? That’s a special kind of scary, especially when you’re aware that one wrong move could send you flying over the handlebars.
So when I found myself racing around Holiday Valley on an e-mountain bike, I had that mix of nervous excitement that comes with doing something you’re not quite sure you can pull off. I was worried about crashing, about getting hurt—or worse. But guess what? I crushed it.
The adrenaline rush wasn’t just from racing downhill; it was from stepping outside my comfort zone, staring down my fear, and coming out on top.
These little wins—the ones that stretch you just beyond what you think you can do—are where real confidence comes from. Every time you push that boundary, your comfort zone expands a little more.
I’m still not totally comfortable on a mountain bike, but I know I’m on the right track. There’s a certain wisdom in trusting your gut, in letting your heart guide you toward what feels right. So, listen to your intuition and chase your fears. That’s where the magic happens.
For now, peace, love, and bikes. Find your mountain bike—whatever that may be for you.
Catch you later,
Becca
P.S. Before you knock e-bikes, they’re an absolute blast. I felt like a kid again, zipping around those hills.
Here’s a pro tip: stick close to the expert or the best in the group. Let their confidence pull you along, and don’t let the fear of others hold you back from tackling your own.
Pro tip two: Surround yourself with people who challenge you, and always, always try to go first. The longer you wait, the bigger that fear gets.
Where I Find Inspiration:
Collection of random stuff that might inspire you too:
- [Book] Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down by Corey Keyes – Discover how to flourish with insights from Emory University sociologist Corey Keyes.
- [Course Platform] CreativeLive – A fantastic platform for creative courses, offering lessons in everything from business to photography, film, podcasting, and beyond. I’m currently working my way through Post-Processing for Outdoor and Travel Photographers with Ben Willmore.
- Mountain biking, try it, it’s awesome! 😆
Disclaimer: these are not affiliate links, just some cool stuff that inspires me and might inspire you too.
Question for you:
What’s one small step you can take today to push your comfort zone? Take it, and feel the confidence boost that comes from your “little win.”
