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breathing in the wheel
lock in the lowest price for our upcoming retreat before 5pm ET today
Spoiler alert: Prices for Circle and Spoke’s Pedal, Paddle & Pause go up at 5pm ET today. So if you’ve been on the fence, I invite you to sign up NOW!
As she stared at the wheel, she breathed in the words and said, “I’ve internalized it.” I invited her to take the small sheet hanging on our community wheel, but she replied, “My cat needs to be taken to the vet and I really needed this and I want others to see the words too.”
I’m not sure what particular words on Circle and Spoke’s pep talk wheel struck a chord, but it hit a note that the other swag and offerings at Bike to Work Day couldn’t offer.
Sometimes the things we need aren't a week in Bali, a free t-shirt, a private dinner with George Clooney (though I’d totally say yes to that) or a winning lottery ticket.
Those things might be really nice. Some of those things are very sexy. Some of those things would be surprising or free.
But in the reality of your bold and beautiful life that’s full, messy and real, what you need sometimes is a really deep breath and some loving words that only community can offer you that holds you in the depth of whatever you are going through.
Last week, at Bike to Work Day in Franklin Park in Washington, DC, Circle and Spoke was out there, supporting the community, by offering you a space to write and receive a pep talk. They came in many shades from soulful to cheeky & I’m offering you one here to start your Monday.
However your Monday is starting, may you give yourself grace and keep riding! Somewhere out there is a fellow stranger + cyclist who is cheering you on (and so am I).
Like the gal who stopped by Circle and Spoke’s table on Thursday, I know you are holding a lot. The world is befuddling and you are just pedaling constantly to stay in balance.
I believe deeply that self-care alone isn’t going to make these challenges manageable.
What makes these challenges more tolerable and is integral for your health and vitality is to be held in community.

Photo by Tara Pokras
In community, where collectively you can exhale and bond and connect with other kindred, kind humans.
In community, where collectively you can feel safe to ask for your needs and feel grace, authenticity, and inclusion meeting you.
In community, where you can lean into the spicy things of life like adventure and play and feel that mirrored back at you.
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Circle and Spoke invites you to join us July 18-20th for Pedal, Paddle and Pause in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania.
You’ll cycle away from this retreat:
Feeling grounded and recharged through nature, community, whitewater rafting and biking.
Connected to new gal pals that are collectively ready to tap into their adventurous, outdoorsy energy and excited to connect and go out and explore!
Ready to integrate tools to help you slow down and destress in and out of the bike saddle.
In deeper relationship to yourself and others through authentic sharing and reflection, including journaling activities, guided reflection in partners and as a group and much more.
So let the river of life guide you to greater play, connection and rootedness this July by joining us for a whitewater and biking adventure in the heart of beautiful Ohiopyle, just 3 hours north of DC and one hour south of Pittsburgh.
Reasons why you might say NO to Pedal, Paddle and Pause:
❌ I don’t have a car
❌ I don’t have a bike
❌ I haven’t biked in a while
❌ Women like me don’t say yes to things like that
❌ I will have to take off of work on a Friday to make the retreat.
Here’s some reframes to say YES to Pedal, Paddle and Pause:
✅ We currently have women in the DC area, who have space in their car that can carpool and take you!
✅ There are very affordable bike rentals in Ohiopyle!
✅ We are a slow roll crowd and we will bike no more than 15 miles (and will adapt the length to the group’s needs!). And what a great thing to sign up for to encourage you dust off the cobwebs and go riding.
✅ Who said, you aren’t courageous enough to say yes to this? We’ll be there to encourage you and help you stretch yourself!
✅ What an awesome reason to take off of work… you could use your vacation time to actually recharge your batteries and say yes to life… and we’ll handle the logistics and food and gathering a great crowd of humans… what a good use of your time!
Still on the fence??? 👆️ Here from some of the awesome humans that attended our day long first edition of Pedal, Paddle & Pause last year. It’s going to be triple the fun and trés juicy this year!
Last year’s retreat sold out, so get in the boat and sign up today!
In case you missed it, today at 5pm, prices go up, so sign up now.
Questions? Email me at [email protected]
Wheels up,
Ellen