This is a slightly different episode as it's just me, Kurt Hoffmann, with an update on Burning Matches cycling podcast as of February 27, 2026.
\"Cycling Has Been My Salvation Always\" is my favorite line from the episode. I cannot tell you all the times I have been so low or lost, but somehow getting on the bike changes everything every time.
I remember one time in particular during the past couple years I was so utterly depressed. It was a depression unlike anything I had ever experienced. It just would not stop for an entire year. One day laying on the couch I just said to my self: GET ON YOUR BIKE. You have to get on your bike.
And I did. I put no expectations on myself except to pedal. Maybe ride to the end of the block, maybe a mile. As I kept going, through Montgomery Village, a tiny momentum found it's way and then I was in the Montgomery neighborhoods, that great tree in the middle of the road, kept going into Howarth, onto Channel. I was barely there just spinning around 12 mph, but it helped to just keep pedaling.
I was making my way through Oakmont when I saw two riders coming the other direction. As they got closer I recognized them. It was Mike and Natalie from Red Peloton! I was so grateful to be riding with them.
Just being with two teammates had me feeling better in minutes. Mike asked me if I was up for a sprint to light pole in the distance. Man, that felt so GOOD!!!
There was a similar afternoon recently where I found myself dead again on the couch from the weight of it all. I had posted how down I was online and saw there were messages from my teammate Clint and Mark Tucker. From those encouraging words I returned to my own mantra: JUST GET ON YOUR GODDAMN BIKE! I was processing it all when a call came through from another Red Peloton team mate Brett. He was checking in on me as he had heard about my post.
For some reason that broke me and I was in tears. We had a long talk and one of the things he said was, \"You are resilient! You'll get through this!\"
That phrase stayed with me in the days and weeks following. I was so happy to get out on a ride with Brett, Clint and Brian that Saturday. We all needed it.
To so many people on the road, whether we had a great talk, or just spent some time quietly riding by each other, you have no idea the difference you made.
I hope you enjoy this episode.
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