Emily Schaldach

With Marnie Dachis Marmet and Stephanie Potter Season 11, Episode 28 | November 4, 2025 Going outside our comfort zones is incredibly uncomfortable for many of us — yet it’s one of the best ways to discover what we’re capable of, both physically and mentally.

It occurred to me as I was scrambling up what seemed like the hundredth incline on Bear Mountain Trail: I wasn’t scared. Rather, I was exhilarated, focused, determined, confident. I was loving the entire experience of that challenging 2,000-plus-foot ascent. Everywhere I looked, there was ­another stunning view of the red rocks surrounding Sedona, Ariz. — the effort was worth it. Twenty years ago on that trail though?

Cannondale bikes are known for their funky dimensions, single-sided forks and stand-out-of-the-crowd sort of designs. Their engineers joke that, despite the commentary, they don’t sit around and pick weird designs just for fun; instead, they are committed to challenging the capabilities of bikes (as well as riders’ expectations) of where they can go. One rip on the new Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty proves the Cannondale team is onto something.