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Excited to have been interviewed on Secrets from the Saddle podcast with Sylvie  D’Aoust.

Fun interview and always great to talk about cycling!!

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Title: Embracing Wild Ideas and Gravel Roads: Insights from Donna Price and Sylvia Dowell

Subheader: Discover the journey of Donna Price and Sylvia Dowell as they discuss cycling adventures, book writing, and the growth of women’s gravel events in the latest episode of “Secrets From the Saddle.”

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Introduction to Bike Enthusiasm

In episode 317 of “Secrets From the Saddle,” host Sylvia Dowell (she/her) engages with Donna Price (she/her), the founder of “Bike Woman Bike,” an author, and a business coach. Their conversation delves into Donna’s intriguing cycling journey, the inspiration behind her ventures, and the future of women’s gravel events. Buckle up for a ride through wild ideas, cycling challenges, and the blossoming community of gravel enthusiasts.

Crafting and Expanding Wild Ideas

Donna Price never intended to write a book; it happened almost serendipitously while scripting a teleseminar out of sheer nervousness. Her 50-page script eventually evolved into a robust 200-page book titled “Launching Your Dreams: Make Wild Ideas Happen.” Published with the assistance of a book publishing coach, the book is now available on Amazon and directly through her websites, compassroseconsulting.com and bikewomenbike.com. Sylvia Dowell suggests handling book orders independently to sidestep Amazon’s fees, which might be a viable option for budding authors.

Price’s book is a blend of insightful business advice and a bike trip log, demonstrating how the process of a bike journey can aid significantly in business creation and project execution. Donna shares that her book is continually updated and improved, which shows her commitment to providing valuable content to her readers.

The Growth of Gravel Events

The shift from traditional road biking to gravel biking is palpable in the cycling community. Donna Price and Sylvia Dowell explore this phenomenon through their experiences. Sylvia shares her intent to organize a women’s gravel event in Wakefield, Quebec, on July 15th, 2023. Uninspired by the monotonous road time trials, she envisions a festival-like gathering, akin to the Barry Roubaix, where camaraderie and community building take center stage.

Sylvia acknowledges the logistical hurdles in organizing gravel events, having encountered uncooperative farmers removing event signage during her previous endeavors. She stresses the necessity for participants to have digital maps. The potential for these gravel gatherings to morph into larger festivals is enormous, and both Donna and Sylvia are optimistic about the future.

Donna herself is no stranger to gravel races, having participated in a New Jersey gravel grinder event and the Rooted Vermont event. Her experience at the Girls Gone Gravel event in Bentonville, Arkansas, included workshops, vendor interactions, and invaluable networking, highlighting the community’s supportive and educational aspects. Her drive from New Jersey, aided by a travel companion found through a Facebook group, underscores the lengths enthusiasts will go to engage with their passion.

Cycling Through the Ages

Donna recounts her cycling origins, beginning with a banana seat bike in her teenage years in New York State. Her early adventures molded her stamina, leading her to undertake a 50-mile round trip to malls and friends’ houses without a second thought. Despite a hiatus in college, she returned to cycling with fervor, participating in a New Jersey bike tour and joining cycling clubs in Buffalo.

The pinnacle of her cycling journey came when she organized a cross-country bike tour from Maine to Oregon. Collaborating with Hostelling International, she mapped the route meticulously using paper maps and faced challenges like long stretches in Ontario with no amenities. These experiences taught her the importance of preparation, a lesson she now shares with aspiring adventurers.

Spreading the Cycling Spirit

Post-COVID, Donna steered her focus toward gravel biking and founded a women’s biking group in Northern New Jersey near the Delaware Water Gap. The group’s mission is to encourage women, many of whom are hesitant to return to biking, to embrace cycling for social riding and wellness. This community is growing, thanks to the events and updates shared through Instagram and Facebook.

Despite occasional interactions with inconsiderate drivers on rural roads, Donna finds the local cycling conditions favorable, with low traffic and scenic gravel paths. Her passion for biking is also evident in her involvement in a “peace tour” focusing on service projects with peace and environmental organizations across the U.S.

Conclusion: Making Ideas Come to Life

The episode concludes with Sylvia thanking Donna for sharing her inspiring journey and inviting listeners to engage with the podcast further. For those keen on cycling, leadership, and community building, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a curious beginner, let Donna Price and Sylvia Dowell’s stories propel you to pursue your wildest ideas and embrace the open road. Make sure to share the episode, leave reviews, and check out the “Secrets From the Saddle” podcast on YouTube for the full version.