Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: Looking Back at 2025 and ahead to 2026.

Dec 3, 2025

5 min read

As we wrap up 2025, I’ve been thinking a lot about growth — both in business and as a person. Every year I try to pick one thing that pushes me outside my comfort zone. Sometimes that’s business-related. Sometimes it’s physical. But it’s always something that feels big enough to make me a little uncomfortable… and excited.

This past year brought a lot of those moments. From launching Sodus Bay Bike & Adventure Co. to pitching in front of judges for the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation Pitch Competition, 2025 was full of “well, here goes nothing” decisions.

And for 2026, I’ve picked my next challenge:

I’ve signed up for the Kekua Gravel Classic in June 2026 — a 50-mile gravel race with over 5,000 feet of elevation. For me, that’s a serious step into the deep end.

But before we get there, I want to look back at what we built this year and what I’m hoping to build more of in 2026: community, challenge, and connection.

2025: The Year Sodus Bay Bike & Adventure Co. Came to Life.

One of the biggest highlights of this past season was getting Sodus Bay Bike & Adventure Co. off the ground. What started as an idea — “What if we created a spot right on the bay where people could grab a bike, explore, and make a day of it?” — turned into a real, physical space with real customers, real rides, and real community.

A few things I learned from launching Sodus Bay Bike:

Starting is messy, and that’s okay. Not everything was perfect. Some things we figured out as we went. But if we had waited for perfect, we’d still be waiting.
Location matters, but experience matters more. Being on the bay is awesome, but what made it special was talking with people, helping them plan routes, and being part of their day on the water and trails.
People are looking for a “third place.” Not just a shop. Not just a transaction. A place to hang out, ask questions, meet up for a ride, and feel welcome.

That “third space” mindset is something I want to lean into even harder in 2026.

Pitching the Vision: The Wayne County EDC Pitch Competition

Another big stretch moment this year was competing in the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation’s pitch competition for Sodus Bay Bike & Adventure Co.

I’m more comfortable tuning a derailleur than standing on a stage with a microphone, so this was definitely outside my normal lane.

Here’s what that process taught me:

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it deeply. The pitch forced me to boil the business down: Who are we for? Why here? Why now? What problem are we solving?
Feedback is a shortcut to improvement. Judges and mentors asked hard questions I hadn’t fully thought through yet. That was uncomfortable — and extremely useful.
Nerves are a sign you’re growing. I won’t pretend I wasn’t nervous. But walking away, I felt more confident about the business and clearer on where we’re headed.

That experience was a good reminder that “outside the comfort zone” doesn’t always mean jumping off something or riding farther — sometimes it just means standing up in front of people and saying, “Here’s my idea.”

Why I Choose a “Stretch Challenge” Every Year

Over the last few years, I’ve tried to set at least one goal each year that feels just a bit too big.

The rule is simple:

It has to scare me a little.
It has to require real preparation or change.
And it has to have a clear deadline.

For 2025, that looked like:

Launching a new shop in a new location.
Pitching a business idea in a competition.
Leaning harder into community and events instead of just retail.

The Kekua Gravel Classic

For 2026, the theme stays the same — but the challenge gets more physical.

2026 Challenge: The Kekua Gravel Classic So here it is: In June 2026, I’ll be lining up for the Kekua Gravel Classic — 50 miles and over 5,000 feet of climbing.

For a lot of seasoned riders, that might sound like a fun day out. For me, it’s a big step into a new realm:

It’s long.
It’s steep.
It’s gravel.
And it’s going to require some serious training and preparation.

Why choose this?

Because physical challenges scratch the same itch as business ones:

You have to commit before you’re ready.
You build toward it, one ride at a time.
And on race day, you find out who you are when things get hard.

I’ll be using this race as my anchor for 2026 — shaping training around it, testing gear, learning more about gravel and climbing, and probably having a few humbling rides along the way. Of course, I’ll be bringing that experience back into the work we do through FitGear Spot and the shops — from the products we stock to the rides and events we host.

Building Community at the New Rochester Bicycle + Fitness Location

Another thing I’m really excited about in 2026 is fully settling into the new Rochester Bicycle + Fitness location and turning it into more than “just a shop.”

I want it to feel like:

A meeting point for group rides.
A hub for learning — clinics, workshops, Q&A nights.
A community space where riders of all levels feel comfortable walking in, asking questions, and hanging out.

A huge part of that “coming full circle” is this:

We’ll be adding an additional pickup location for Sodus Bay Bike at the new Rochester Bicycle + Fitness store.

That means:

More convenient options for customers who move between the bay and Rochester.
A tighter connection between the adventure side at Sodus Bay and the everyday/ Bicycle + Fitness side in Rochester.
One more way to make the shops feel like a connected ecosystem instead of separate silos.

Some things I’m looking forward to:

Regular group rides from the new location.
Events focused on new riders, not just seasoned vets.
Maybe even some gravel-focused rides as I train for Kekua — so if you want to suffer up some hills together, you might get your chance.

What’s Your 2026 “Outside the Comfort Zone” Goal?

I’ve shared mine — now I’d love to hear yours.

Are you planning your first group ride?
Training for your first race, fondo, or charity ride?
Starting a new habit like commuting by bike?
Launching a business or project of your own?

Drop your 2026 goal in the comments, send us a message, or stop into the shop and tell us in person. I’d love to cheer you on — and maybe even ride alongside you.

Here’s to a 2026 full of big climbs, new challenges, and a stronger community on and off the bike.