A Little Slower, A Little Better - Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf
Jack London was one of those larger-than-life figures who didn’t just write about adventure, he lived it. Most people know him from The Call of the Wild, but his real story was just as wild as his books. He sailed, explored, pushed limits, and packed more into his 40 years than most people do in a lifetime. So when he says, “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist,” he’s speaking from experience, and it’s a good reminder for all of us who thrive on doing hard things.
The Warm Up
Comparison drains you fast. It steals joy, steals confidence, and makes you forget why you started in the first place. Most people are too busy fighting their own battles to judge yours anyway.
Don’t worry about people not liking you. Most people don’t even like themselves.
You do not need applause to move. You do not need approval to grow. Put your head down, put in the work, and let consistency speak for you. Confidence comes from knowing you showed up, remained honest, and kept stepping forward when it would have been easier to try and impress everyone else.
Be the person who runs hard because it matters, not because someone might be watching. Be real. Be steady. Build quietly. Your life, your training, your growth… they are yours. Own them.
Go do the work. Let the results talk later.
Show up! Put in the work! Regroup! Put in the work! Don't quit! Believe in yourself! Develop your skills! Process > outcome! Be okay with uncomfortable! Compete!
The Journey
As we move into the holiday season, most online retailers are gearing up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. For Reãl, it’s a little different. Cycling and triathlon are easing into the off-season, and most athletes are taking a breather. While I’d love to be so busy packing orders I couldn’t keep up, this quieter stretch gives me time to plan for what’s next, and there’s plenty in motion.
Some existing products will get updates, and a few new ones are on the way: a men’s swimsuit, cycling jacket, puffer vest, a second level of bibs and jerseys, winter running shirts, and yes… a Shacket. It’s also time to start shaping the marketing plan for 2026. The past two years have been about dialing in product quality and delivery consistency. Now it’s time to get back out there, meeting athletes face to face again. What that looks like, I’m not sure yet. Could be a card table and a coat hanger on a hat rack, or maybe an Airstream turned into a rolling Reãl shop. We’ll see.
Oh, and thanks to K. Sharpe for letting me know his wife made last week's recipe.
Meal Time
I’m not a huge fan of donuts. I typically prefer a pastry like a croissant or cheese danish. But there are a few exceptions. A glazed donut with frosting and coconut? I’m in. And Apple Cider Donuts, those are a hit. For the last 18 years, we’ve gotten our Christmas tree from the Kinsey Family Farm, and they always have Apple Cider Donuts. My wife loves them… and if I’m being honest, I’m a bit of a fan too. So when I came across this recipe, I figured it’d be a good way to score a few brownie points with the missus. Turns out, this one’s a keeper, super easy, really tasty, and when I added a drizzle of glaze on top, it sent it right over the edge.
Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Crust:
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp melted butter
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Dry IngredientsIn a medium bowl, whisk together:
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
Add the apple cider and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
4. Combine Everything
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Tip: Be careful not to overmix; this keeps the loaf soft and tender.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Tip: Be careful not to overmix; this keeps the loaf soft and tender.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The smell when this is in the oven is incredible!
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The smell when this is in the oven is incredible!
6. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Crust
While the loaf is baking, mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Once the loaf is baked and slightly cooled, brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over it.
While the loaf is baking, mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Once the loaf is baked and slightly cooled, brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over it.
Optional Glaze (highly recommended)
I used ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon whole milk, ½ tablespoon apple cider, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. The trick is to make sure the loaf has completely cooled before adding the glaze, and make the glaze just thick enough so it drizzles slowly. It’s the perfect finishing touch.
I used ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon whole milk, ½ tablespoon apple cider, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. The trick is to make sure the loaf has completely cooled before adding the glaze, and make the glaze just thick enough so it drizzles slowly. It’s the perfect finishing touch.
This is What I Heard
When I walked into the first day of my senior year, there was a guy in my class I hadn’t seen in more than twelve years. Kindergarten was the last time we’d crossed paths, and yet there he was — same school, same year, even on the cross country team. After high school, we went our separate ways, bumping into each other at random places over the years, never more than a casual conversation.
Then about five years ago, I came across some of his posts on Facebook, and they stopped me in my tracks. His name is Eric Gee, and he had started getting into photography. By trade, he’s a forester, which explains his natural connection to the outdoors. His early shots were good, but over time, they became something else entirely, breathtaking portraits of wildlife and landscapes that looked like they’d been pulled straight from the pages of National Geographic.
I grew up with a father who was a photographer, so I learned my way around a camera early on. I even had a small photography business in college. But what Eric captures isn’t just technical skill, it’s patience, presence, and a quiet reverence for the world around him.
His photos remind me how easy it is to move too fast, to miss the beauty in the small, still moments. Sometimes you have to slow down, step off the road, and really see what’s in front of you. Because when you do, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
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