With the last batch of Safety Donuts now sold out for the year, I've had a chance to reflect on this adventure.
What started out as a small craft project for myself over three years ago has turned into something much greater than I could ever have imagined.
The prototyping process brought me much joy — embracing challenges and fine-tuning these scrumptious bicycle reflectors to a point that they were ready for sale. I opened up my online shop in July — an exciting and nerve-racking milestone.
The Safety Donut would not be where it is today without the support and encouragement of many.
Much appreciation goes to:
- @thesecretbg , my forever ambassador, who psyched me up on making these for others from the start
- @milesarbour and @emheron_ for encouraging me to get distribution going
- @pathlesspedaled for featuring these whimsical treats on their YouTube channel
- @sarahslowly , @murukku , and @thiefbikepacking for bestowing me with their business-savviness
- @dougiefl and Chris for being my 3D printing champions
- @racheldwson for being the most enthusiastic product model in town
- @thedriveside , @basecampgravel , and @thelanternrouge for their continued support in this tight-knit community
Thank you to everyone who has purchased a Safety Donut! I have endless gratitude for those who proudly sported early prototypes and those who have shared their stoke with others.
We've raised over $1,000 for the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program (@iymbp ) this year, and this makes me very happy.
Looking forward to making more small batches for y'all in the new year. Much love and sprinkles.
A pearl tucked in amongst rugged brows.
Its gentle waves, holding eloquent vows.
A ballad between the snow and ethereal light.
Its tenderness, expanding all that is finite.
Doom Redux - 4D 1H 31M.
608km and 12,500 m in elevation in the Ozarks. This was by far my hardest solo adventure! Very grateful I got to come back to Arkansas and hash this out. Many stories to come about this beautifully diabolical route!
📷: @jacobloos_
#BikepackHER #TheLanternRouge #Doom #OzarkGravelDoom #OzarkGravelCyclists
Nozone, no more.
Proud of this one.
During early winter, I attempted this line, only to get spooked where the 'heart' tightens into an overhang.
Despite the calm support of my ski partner, I was too scared to make a turn after fixating on mini snowballs forming off the sticky slope, ping ponging into the abyss.
We both knew I was capable of this line, but that day wasn't the day. We traversed over to Middle Ridge to catch some mellow turns (hurrah for bailout options!).
All season I had my heart set on tackling this line on Ozone again.
At first, I planned to re-try the line on a powder day, when conditions would be more forgiving. Between avalanche risk and crowds of people chasing powder turns, that day never came though.
Fast forward to the spring, and the timing was right, depsite the conditions not being favourable—low visibility and no fresh snow. I could still do it though, I knew it.
We hiked up to the ridge, transitioned, and settled into some turns. The overhang came quickly. I had a moment where I thought about those snowballs again, but this time, decided to make a few more turns before letting those thoughts take over. Then a few more. The overhang wasn't so scary once we were in it.
I'm proud of this line. Proud for going back and reframing my mindset in a way that would give me more confidence in myself.
I'm also grateful for those that continually show patience and support when my confidence is lacking. You mean the world to me.
Winter Vol. II - Coastal Vibes
AND SKIING MY FIRST COULOIR
Conditions lined up for some back-to-back slackcountry days via the Sea to Sky Gondola :)
We spent the first day poking around, getting familiar with the snowpack and enjoying the gorgeous views.
For the second day, we slowly skinned towards the Cleavage Couloir, as did a train of others. Fortunately, my dilly-dallying got us to the ridgetop just as most had wrapped up—Doug and I could slowly approach the objective, a short and wide couloir.
We had just come up a steep and crusty slope (perhaps the most nerve-wracking part of the day) and I needed a minute to shake loose by staring out at the vista. Soon after, we skied toward the overhang and chatted through comfort levels—I was ready to rock (between the rocks)!
Stoked to check this milestone off the list! Slowly but surely progressing :)
Much thanks to Doug for the supportive day out and capturing this first on camera.
(P.s. the last video is Doug getting after it, not this one.)
Teach Your Giraffe to Ski.
It’s wild that this is my fifth season skiing. It’s maybe even wilder that this is permanent artwork on my body…
During my first season of learning to pizza and french fry, I stumbled upon the cutest children’s book: Teach Your Giraffe to Ski. Even as a 30-something year old, I related to the book so much. I giggled at the giraffe’s familiar mishaps—entangling herself in her own skis and making sloppy s-turns. I also loved reading about her racing up the big scary slope with a grin on her face. There are so many of these slopes at Kicking Horse.
I now have this tattoo to remind me it’s never too late to put in the work and find joy and courage in the hard things. I’m looking forward to more days on snow sticks with friends and learning what other beautiful teachings these mountains have to share.
- - -
Book: Teach Your Giraffe to Ski (Viviane Elbee, Danni Gowdy)
Tattoo design: @kategeorgepnw
Ink: @lauren__tattoo
Winter Vol. I — Steep Surreality
A lot of snow fell in December, transforming the mountains into a stunning white playground.
The season started with me eagerly, yet timidly, approaching ridgelines at Kicking Horse with pals, glancing down at the chutes they’d chosen for me.
It took some slip-sliding, sandwiching between others, and much encouragement to get down those initial double blacks, but now I have more confidence in approaching smooth steeps. It feels dreamy to reach this inflection point with so much terrain opening up.
Much gratitude to my dream team who are continuously pushing me, teaching me, and comforting me on the slopes 💜
Cascading reflections.
Time — elapsed between the sunrises;
Of then and now.
Such happenstance to be here.
To be woven among the ridges,
Of love and loss.
Graced with this prose,
Before I knew your crowned light.
Bend again tomorrow.
-Cascade Mountain
Shoulder Season Dreamin' - Part I
As snow creeps into the forecast, I can't help but get excited for the ski season ahead—new comfort zones, adventures with friends, and majestic vistas.
(Photo of me by @lauraszanto from a ski photography workshop last winter!)
