PAS NORMAL STUDIOS MIDSUMMER CHALLENGE 2025

Pas Normal was back for their Midsummer Challenge! This was our third year in a row hosting the event, and it’s safe to say that it has become a tradition for Signature. It was wonderful to see familiar faces preparing for the ride, as well as a great turnout of female riders ready to take on the challenge.

In our first year, we made the mistake of riding over the Major Cuomo Bridge into 9W on the New York side, which was very busy with traffic. To avoid that, we decided to stick to last year's route, which offered more shade and less chaos. We knew what lay ahead of us: a 125-mile ride that would be tough. We treated it like a marathon, maintaining a steady pace and avoiding power surges, except on long climbs.

The mood before the ride was always a mix of excitement and nerves. With riders of varying abilities, we noticed some concerned looks, but we eased their worries by providing plenty of breaks along the way. We broke the ride down into segments of 40 miles, with food and drink stops in between. With everyone decked out in PNS kit, I must admit, we looked pretty elite.

It was great to see riders from the tri-state area come out to tackle the Midsummer Challenge, including participants from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and even Florida, who experienced Bear Mountain for the first time. The length of the ride attracted hardcore local riders who wanted to celebrate the challenge together. Riding as a team created strong memories for me; at one point, everyone was lined up in pairs, and I'm sure local hikers mistook us for a pro team. The heat played a significant role in this ride, so it was a relief to see the Destination Everywhere van every 40 miles, waiting to refuel us with food and drinks.

As ride leaders, cycling at the front of the pack and facing the wind for most of the ride was challenging, but we were greatly supported by Ruben from PAS and the van. Some of us had participated in the Hedgefondo event a few days earlier, so our legs were tender, but overall, it was a great experience. Personally, I was exhausted by the end, but I managed to stay with the group and lead them back safely.

It’s always emotional to conclude a big ride with old and new friends. The sense of camaraderie among us was incredible; suffering together for 125 miles certainly creates bonds and connections that last forever. Our priority is always to finish safely, and we were thrilled to bring everyone home safely and celebrate with food and drinks afterward.

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be in Copenhagen at the Pas Normal summit. To say I felt inspired would be an understatement. Not only does PNS design and produce the world’s finest high-end riding kits, but it also fosters a community of hardcore riders who share our passion for the sport. It was rewarding to see so many people embrace the challenge and prove that Pas Normal Studios is right: we ride hard and look good while doing it!

We can’t wait to do it again next year!