There’s something special about finding a passion that consumes you in the best possible way. For me, that passion has been cycling since 2017. From the moment I took my first ride, it felt like I was reconnecting with a part of myself that I never knew was missing. I started small, but that small act of pedaling soon transformed into something that defined my life. My relationship with cycling grew quickly, becoming both my obsession and my therapy. For years, I spent every possible moment on my bike, discovering new places, pushing my physical limits, and experiencing a sense of freedom that nothing else provided.

But in 2021, everything changed. A hip problem I could no longer ignore started to impact not just my ability to cycle but also my everyday life. Walking became a struggle, let alone trying to get on the bike. Eventually, cycling became impossible, and I faced a tough decision—hip replacement surgery. In February 2023, I took that step, knowing that my road to recovery would be long and difficult. This is the story of my journey back to cycling—a journey that has been full of struggle, pain, but most of all, determination.

The Early Days: Discovering the Obsession

My love for cycling didn’t start with some fancy road bike or professional gear. It began in August 2017 with a cheap mountain bike from Toys R’ Us. At the time, I had no idea what I was getting into. I wasn’t chasing records or setting goals. I just wanted to ride. That first ride was short—2 to 5 miles—but something clicked. That simple act of pedaling sparked a joy in me that I hadn’t felt before. My partner “T” and I were on this journey together, and after just a few days, it became clear that our beginner bikes weren’t cutting it. They weren’t the right size for our bodies, making it painful to ride for long.

So, we upgraded to Giant ATX Mountain Bikes. This was a game changer. Suddenly, rides that were once uncomfortable became smooth and enjoyable. The miles started to add up—10, 15, 20 miles a day. It felt like a new world had opened up to us. Every day became an adventure, and every mile was another small victory. Within a month, I found myself pushing further and further, hitting 50 miles in a single ride, then 100 miles. Seven days a week, I was out on that mountain bike, completely hooked.

But as much as I loved the ATX, something changed when T got me my first road bike—a Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1. That bike was something else. I didn’t just like it—I loved it. My first ride on that bike was a full century—100 miles in one day. I was so hooked that I went back the next day and did it again. On the third day, I’d already pedaled 60 miles before arriving at the local bike shop for a group ride, where I tacked on another 30 miles. I was pushing myself every day, testing my limits, and I couldn’t get enough of it.

It wasn’t long before I was adding an indoor training setup to my routine. We got the Wahoo Kickr Snaps, and I started training on Zwift through the scorching Arizona summers. I was racking up 120 miles a day, four days a week, indoors during the summer heat. When the fall came, I was back outside, pedaling long-distance rides to new cities, exploring, and averaging 120 miles in a single four-hour ride. Cycling had become my life—it was my freedom, my happiness, and my greatest obsession.

The Setback: When Cycling Became Impossible

Everything was going great. I was in the best shape of my life, cycling further than I’d ever imagined, and loving every minute of it. But then, in 2021, things started to go wrong. At first, it was small—just a little discomfort in my hip. I thought it was just from overtraining, so I slowed down, took some rest days, and tried to push through. But the pain didn’t go away. It got worse. Eventually, it wasn’t just cycling that hurt—walking became painful too.

For someone who lives for movement, this was a nightmare. Cycling was my therapy, my escape from stress, and suddenly I couldn’t do it. I tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away, but by 2022, the pain had taken over my life. Cycling had become impossible, and I had to face the fact that something was seriously wrong. After numerous doctor visits, the diagnosis was clear—I needed a full hip replacement.

In February 2023, I had my right hip replaced. This was a tough moment for me. On one hand, I knew I needed the surgery to regain any sense of normalcy, but on the other, I was terrified. Would I ever get back on the bike? Would I ever be able to ride like I used to? These questions weighed heavily on me as I headed into surgery, but I knew I had no other choice.

Recovery: The First Steps Back to Life

The surgery itself went well. Just one hour after the operation, I walked out of the hospital on my own two feet. It was surreal. The pain that had plagued me for years was gone, but now I had to rebuild everything from scratch. The next few weeks were tough. I went from being someone who could pedal 100 miles a day to struggling with basic mobility. But I refused to give up. Within a few days, I was already walking 5ks and 10ks, pushing myself to regain my strength.

Walking became my new obsession. T was right there with me, supporting me every step of the way. We did a lot of walking in those early days, exploring trails and neighborhoods, slowly but surely regaining what I had lost. But all the while, cycling was still on my mind. I missed it terribly.

The hardest moment came when I had to sell my favorite road bike—the Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1. Letting go of that bike felt like letting go of a part of myself, but I knew it had to be done. T, being the incredible person she is, surprised me with a new bike—a 2023 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1. This bike was a dream, but it came with a cost—$8100, a big investment, but one we both believed in.

The Struggle Back to the Bike: Pain and Progress

Getting back on the bike wasn’t easy. I was eager, maybe too eager, and the first few rides were humbling. I started small, with just 5-mile rides, but even those short trips were difficult. My body wasn’t the same, and every pedal stroke reminded me of that. Still, I pushed on, slowly increasing my distance—10 miles, then 15, then 20. Each ride was a victory, but it was also a painful reminder of how far I still had to go.

The longer rides—30 and 40 miles—brought new challenges. The pain wasn’t just in my hip; it spread to other parts of my body that were compensating for the weakness. I had to tweak everything—new pedals, new shoes, adjustments to my bike fit. It felt like I was relearning how to ride. What used to come so naturally now required intense focus and effort.

Recovery from a single ride could take up to a week. I had to listen to my body, something that didn’t come easily to me. I was used to pushing through pain, but this was different. I had to learn patience, to give myself grace, and to celebrate the small wins. Each ride, no matter how short, was progress.

Cycling is Life: The Unstoppable Passion

Despite all the setbacks, despite the pain, cycling remains my greatest passion. It’s more than just a hobby—it’s a necessity, like needing air to breathe. I know that I may never return to the days of pedaling 120 miles in four hours, but that’s okay. What matters is that I’m on the bike, feeling the wind in my face, and pushing myself to be better every day.

Cycling is what brings me joy, and I’m not ready to give it up. No matter how long it takes to get my body back to where it needs to be, I’ll keep pedaling. There’s no finish line, just the journey—and that’s what makes it all worth it.

Gratitude: The People Who Keep Me Going

I couldn’t have made it this far without the support of the amazing people around me. My life partner, T, has been my rock through it all, from the early days of cycling to my hip replacement and now through my recovery. Her belief in me has never wavered, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

I’m also incredibly thankful for the support I’ve received from my community on Patreon. The people who follow our journey on Patreon.com/tnrinthewild and tnrinthewild.com have been a huge source of motivation. Their encouragement has kept me going on the tough days, and I’m excited to continue sharing our adventures with them.

Conclusion: Our Adventures Continue

T and I aren’t slowing down anytime soon. We may be getting older, but that just means we have more experience under our belts. Whether it’s cycling, hiking, running, or taking our Jeep Gladiator off-road, every day is an adventure. We’re dedicated to staying active, eating well, and pushing ourselves to new

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