I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love moving my body. There is a famous story in my family that when I was six years old I wanted to go running with my dad. He took me along thinking that I would run a few blocks and then quit, I ran five miles with him that day. He promptly signed me up for every sport imaginable after that! I have been an athlete my entire life. As an often shy and awkward kid, I had the utmost confidence whenever I was involved in sports. Sports helped me get out of my shell, engage with the world and gain a sense of self-confidence and self-awareness.
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play Division I soccer at the University of Denver and then unlucky when I herniated two discs in my back in a car accident. This was a life altering event. Sports were my outlet for my emotions, they gave me a social network and they gave me a place to feel confident and competent. I felt worthy when I was being physical. Biking became my new outlet, and I fell in love. The feel of the wind, the burning in my thighs as I climbed mountains, the realized joy of feeling like a kid again.
Eighteen years later, I still love it. I’m an avid road biker and have recently entered the gravel phenomenon. Gravel biking has allowed me to let go of control. To not know the mileage, the conditions, the number of refueling opportunities in front of me, has helped me stay present in the saddle. It has brought back that adventuresome spirit and a sense of curiosity and creativity that can hide itself as we age.
Off the bike, I am a Human Centered Design Coach and Consultant which means, I help people bring the same joy they feel when moving their bodies, into all aspects of their life. For more information, I can be reached at rosebarcklow@gmail.com
Rose’s favorite Gravel Route: When I think of the perfect gravel ride, I need a combination of challenging hills, sweeping views of the mountains and of course the downhills. My favorite ride that has all of those components is the Classic Boulder Gravel Ride.
