Chasing Growth on Two Wheels: My 2025 Gran Fondo National Series Journey

Chasing Growth on Two Wheels: My 2025 Gran Fondo National Series Journey

For 2025, I wanted my road cycling season to be different. My goals were clear: expand my versatility, increase my power, build consistency, and qualify for a high-caliber race. To pursue this, I committed to traveling the country as part of the Suarez Gran Fondo National Series.

A Unique Racing Format

Unlike traditional road races, Suarez Gran Fondo National Series events feature four to five timed segments rather than a continuous start-to-finish format. Overall placement is determined by cumulative time in these segments, while the in-between sections offer opportunities for recovery, socializing, and enjoying the scenery. It’s a structure that balances the intensity of racing with the camaraderie of community.

My series began with the Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo in April and concluded at the National Championship in September. Qualification requires either a podium finish (top 3 overall) or a place within the top 25% of your age group.

Early Lessons in Georgia

My season began in Helen, Georgia, on the storied roads once used for the professional Tour de Georgia. It was my first experience racing in the Appalachian Mountains, and the elevation was a shock compared to the flat terrain of central Indiana. I learned a valuable lesson in what it would take to compete at a higher level.

Setback at Home

In June, I planned to ride Pedal Putnam in Greencastle, Indiana—a personal highlight of each summer as an alumnus of DePauw University. Unfortunately, a crash during a course recon the week before forced me to withdraw. Recovery required patience, but the time off only deepened my hunger to compete.

Breakthrough in Boone

By July, I was fully back in training, preparing for the Boone Gran Fondo in North Carolina in early August. Despite heavy rain and sub seasonal temperatures on race day, I delivered one of my strongest performances of the season. On the fourth timed segment, I launched a decisive attack, broke into the breakaway, and finished third in my age group. The result secured my qualification for the National Championship in Frederick, Maryland.

Building for Frederick

With momentum on my side, I dedicated August to training for the Frederick, Maryland course, which featured nearly 10,000 feet of climbing. Every training session was aimed at sharpening my ability to sustain high power across long efforts.

The National Championship

The Championship lived up to its reputation. The field was stacked with the best amateur cyclists from across the country, all chasing the same prize. I pushed myself to new limits, setting multiple personal records—from 3-minute power to 45-minute efforts—in one of the hardest races of my career. I placed 36th overall, a result that reflected both the depth of the competition and the progress I had made over the cyclist season.

Reflecting on 2025

This season was about more than results. It was about resilience after setbacks, adaptation to new challenges, and the discipline required to improve. From the climbs of Georgia to the rain in Boone and the relentless elevation of Frederick, every race demanded growth.

While I didn’t bring home a national title, I achieved what I set out to do: raise my fitness level, qualify for the National Championship, and prove to myself that I could compete among the best cyclists in America.

I am excited to move forward into the next season of cycling, guided my coach, Matt Tanner, and supported by my Rollfast teammates. Looking ahead to 2026, I know this is only the beginning of what’s possible.