Looking Forward To 2025

 The end-of-year posts are over and done with. Now it is time to take stock of what there is to look forward to in 2025. Maybe it is a fool's errand to even try to prognosticate what the New Year will bring, (See 2020), but that hasn't stopped me from trying for 20 years here. 

Over the past four years there have been radical changes in my life, both personally and professionally, that have had an impact here on the blog. If you read any of the "Rear View 2024" posts, you already know about some of those things which have affected me this past year. 

So, going forward I do not expect there to be much of an impact from any major change. Of course, that doesn't mean it cannot happen, but I am not expecting anything in the near future. My job is stable, life in general seems okay, and I have a lot less going on with external-to-the-blog duties. 

Speaking of which, last year was my first year in a long, long time that I was not writing for another site. Notice I did not say these gigs were 'paying gigs', although, out of all the external internet things I have done, "Riding Gravel" actually did pay me something for my efforts. Not enough to make a living on, to be sure, but at least it was more than nothing. 

However; when I left the reviewing gig last year, I thought, well, that's going to dry up. Boy! was I ever wrong about that! At least for 2024. But I think this coming year will see the decline in that area. That's my gut feeling now. 

I'll probably ride this bike more in 2025.

I also do not see myself getting a vehicle anytime soon. Cost to buy even a used vehicle is astronomical compared to my income and I won't even get into car insurance. So, local rides are what I likely will be doing the most of in 2025. 

Maybe the following could be considered an "announcement", but I will caution you all that what I am about to share is still very much in flux and is meant to be a small gathering. AND - I am not in charge of this ride, so any questions about this would not be answerable by myself, most likely. 

Anyway, in Spring - sometime - I am going to make an appearance in Kansas for a special ride. I only share this because it will be something to look forward to here on the blog, as I plan on reporting on the event. A very few of you readers know what I am referring to, so please do not spoil this in the comments. 

That ride will be influenced by a possibility that I would be in Emporia, Kansas again for the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame gig. I am not planning on going unless they need me to, or unless someone in particular gets nominated that I happen to know is on the electors ballot this year. So....we'll see. But IF that were to occur, then this 'ride' deal and the GCHoF deal would likely be linked. Sorry about my 'Cagey McCagerson' vaguery here, but this is all truly not pinned down, but all could happen, and has a degree of happening. 

Woo! And as far as rides go, I think we might have to do something around here too. (Paging Mr. N.Y. Roll) Not a race! Oh no! Just a ride. We've done a few since the pandemic and these are fun get-togethers that I think we can pull off at least one of a year. 

I see no reason not to hold some sort of fun ride locally in 2025

Blog stuff will include much of what you've seen in 2024. I will be pursuing a series of talks with early gravel riding folk in 2025. Some of that content could be in the form of written word here on the blog, but would definitely be a podcast thing, and maybe even YouTubed if we can figure that out. 

While formal reviewing requests probably will fall off, I will still be doing reviews on things I purchase. So, there will be at least some of that going on in 2025. 

I am considering a basic "how-to" mechanical series for the blog. This will depend on how other stuff goes, because this would be very time-consuming and would require a level of imagery taking I have not been equipped to handle yet. If I can get the proper lighting and all, I would do this, possibly.... No guarantees, but it is a thought I've had for a bit. 

Let's see.... Oh! And I have really struggled with the idea of putting out a book about Trans Iowa for a few years now. I just didn't see how I would do something worthwhile to anyone else that they would be willing to pay for a book, or whatever. Recently I was watching a Facebook live with the man that owns Sully Guitars, the company I have bought two guitars from. Jon Sullivan is a funny guy and I enjoy his ramblings, but that aside, he mentioned that he loves doing picture books. (Light bulb!)

I have tons of Trans Iowa related images. I have often thought about how I am sitting on all of this stuff and no one gets to see it. Well, unless they delve into the Trans Iowa Stories here on the site, and even then I only ever used a fraction of what I have. So, what if I came up with a picture book, added a few words here and there, and made that a thing? Would anyone buy it? 

Now, don't get too excited! There would need to be a LOT of signing off from several folks. It isn't all up to me, since there are literally at least a dozen or more image takers that would have to be consulted with regarding any publication of the images I have. Then there are the images I have from Wally Kilburg, who we lost earlier this year, and I would need to see about how I could use his stuff I have as well. Lots of hurdles to clear, but maybe?

Bikes to be restored in the basement of the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective

So, there is that idea sitting there. But keep in mind that a LOT of my ramblings at the end of the year don't happen. 

So, back to bicycle riding. I hope that I can make time for longer rides. I still am trying to work that bit out. Hopefully I can work out a few longer rides around my work schedule. Which, by the way, may expand and further cut into my riding times. But that is all very much up in the air at present.

Besides the Kansas thing there is a strong possibility that I may go to Chicago again and see Ari in August, I think. Summertime anyway, and there is that to possibly look forward to. I would also love to get over to Nebraska and ride with folks there. Plus there is a tree in the road to ride around going out that way that N.Y. Roll and I have had discussions about.

Other than all of that vagueness.... Ha! I just want to ride my bicycles a lot and tell stories. I hope that you all have had a great 2024 and that 2025 will be a wonderful year full of blessings for you all.

Happy New Year!

Tomorrow: Happy New Year! Then on January 2nd - The State of the Gravel Scene 2025.