At 46, professional off-road cyclist and coach Serena Bishop Gordon has redefined what she thought was possible—physically, mentally, and emotionally. From second place at this year’s Unbound XL (360 miles in 22:19:56 hours) to multiple podiums at Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder, Serena shares how she’s learned to let go of limits, release outcomes, and lean into curiosity. We dive into the mental shift that unlocked her best performances, how underfueling can mimic perimenopause, and all the ways midlife women can get faster and go longer than they ever thought possible. She also breaks down what women can expect during Feisty’s Winter Training for Cyclists 16-week program she’s coaching starting this December. 

Serena Bishop Gordon is a professional off-road cyclist, coach, and community builder with more than a decade of racing at the elite level. She’s delivered standout results at Unbound XL, Oregon Trail Gravel, Cape Epic, Breck Epic, and international UCI cyclocross. Her strengths lie in technical terrain, strategic pacing, and mental toughness—skills honed over thousands of miles and many seasons. Serena founded Special Blend Gravel, a coaching and community-building organization that uplifts women through camps, coaching, and inclusive community, guided by a “person first, athlete second” philosophy that centers joy, balance, and connection. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, Ben, and their dog, Piper—and believes that with strong coffee and a strong community, she can navigate just about any challenge. You can learn more about her and her coaching at www.serenabishopgordon.com

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