On Sunday, April 27th, I had another close call on the mountain bike—one that reminded me why respecting the trail and knowing your limits matter just as much as the thrill of the ride.

After 2.5 hours in the saddle and nearly 2,800 feet of climbing, I was feeling strong. I was chasing flow and feeding off the adrenaline. But coming into a twist around a large Ponderosa pine at about 19 mph, I made a decision I hadn’t made in months—I took an old race line instead of the well-traveled flow trail. The gravel on that corner had loosened over time, and I lost traction on the front tire. I was launched forward into the tree.

Instinctively, I braced the impact with my forearm and took the hit on the side of my helmet. My visor broke, my ear was bloodied, and I had a solid headache that stuck with me for 30 minutes. After a quick two-minute stop to realign my brake lever, shifter, and handlebars—all of which were shoved out of place from the impact—I got back on the bike and finished the ride.

Teamwork

But that wasn’t the end of the day’s challenges. Later in the ride, one of our partners crashed on loose dirt near the edge of the single track and dislocated his shoulder. It was a serious situation, but our crew showed up strong. Over the course of 3.5 hours, more than 15 people pitched in to help, including paramedics. Through teamwork, patience, and grit, we were able to safely get him to an ambulance and on his way to the hospital to reset the joint.

These experiences are powerful reminders. Push your limits—but don’t forget to ride smart. Choose the right line, keep your body position dialed, and most importantly, ride with a crew that’s got your back.

I’ll be hosting Bike Park sessions on select Fridays, often with the Fat Tire Bike crew. Want to get better on the bike? Fill out this FORM to stay in the loop for coaching and ride days.

Chase the flow—not just the speed. See you on the trail.