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When the universe knocks you down.
When the universe knocks you down.

While I've learned plenty from Rose Grant about overcoming setbacks with grace and sense of purpose, I'm now doing my best to take a page from Erin Huck's latest comeback book on just accepting whatever the universe has in store. (It worked well for her since she just defended her Short Track national championship title)! 

While I'm not juggling, flipping plates on an indo board, or blowing any minds with my form, this is something I've been working hard on for a couple of years--improving my strength, balance, and mobility on my left leg. And this pistol squat seemed impossible a year ago. So this feels big. Huge thanks to the team at @endurancerehab for the guidance. We figured out what was causing my strength imbalances, what they were, and then I learned some simple corrective exercises to start addressing the issue. It's also taken adjusting my bike fit (crank arm length), following a strength program, and the occasional visit to a chiropractor. Experience has taught me there's no simple, easy fix. It's just takes a lot of questions, a good team, plenty of mistakes, and figuring out a way to do the work. And the work will never be done! #endurancerehab #progressnotperfection #pistolsquat
And the @stanspivot team is sticking together for 2019! Huge thanks to @pivot_cyclesusa @stansnotubes and @maxxistires for believing in us and giving us each the opportunity to pursue our dreams. Thank you @keegels99 @sofithevilla and @rosekgrant for making it worth it (and putting up with me). Let's go 2019! 🥂🎉 #stanspivot #pivotcycles #onlystans #maxxistires
"May your trails be dim, lonesome, stony, narrow, winding and only slightly uphill" - Edward Abbey Went and played among the rocks in the Granite Dells today and it was magical. Saw a coyote, a vulture, a deer leg, and stopped and looked at the view about a dozen times.
Before 'gravel' was a race discipline, there was just riding whatever bike you had off-road. It's about finding a place to pedal without stress and exploring more out-of-the-way places. So I'm still trying to not roll my eyes when people ask me if I'm racing "gravel." 😝 #sorrynotsorry #graveltherapy #peavinetrail #arizonagravel
Training rarely unfolds perfectly. When you're pushing your body to the limit, progress can seem a little messy and take some unexpected turns. Yesterday I had a minor crash on the mountain bike, and felt some unfamiliar pain in my hip afterwards. (Honestly it scared the crap out of me at first.) As recently as a couple years ago, I wouldn't have known what to do. But I've learned a lot these past couple of years and have a good crew around me. So here's what I did: 1️⃣ Told my ride buddy @notubesmaster what was up and took it easy, cutting my ride short. 2️⃣ Told my coach @gotenac, who assured me I've done a solid block of training and it's a good time to rest. 3️⃣ Reached out to @endurancerehab and got an appointment with one of their excellent PT's for the very next day. 4️⃣ Got a good night's sleep. It looks like my hip will be fine, and it's just a cranky glute muscle. So after some soft tissue work, dry needling, and a light spin, my hip actually feels close to normal. I'm healthy, resting, and just happy that it wasn't anything more. My career has been peppered with experiences like this one, with some serious injuries, others requiring a change of plans, and some that are nothing more than a little temporary pain in the ass. (Ha!) But it's all a part of the process and I'm getting better at handling these hiccups. #endurancerehab #recoverharder #dryneedling
Here's a throwback to a year ago when I rode the Picketpost-Kelvin corridor of the Arizona Trail with @kait.boyle. It's one of the most spectacular sections of trail and some of the hardest 30 miles anywhere. Kaitlyn car-camped in Kelvin, pedaled the shuttle before dawn, and met me at the Picketpost Trailhead, all before the grueling 4 hr ride. It was great day with a great person. And I want to ride it again with Kaitlyn someday. (So let's do it K.B!) If you don't know Kaitlyn, she was recently in a serious car crash and needs some help getting through her long recovery ahead. There's a link to a Go Fund Me in my profile. Any small donation helps. She's a fellow bike racer, a friend, and calls Prescott home when she's not out adventuring. Heal up KB! 💕 #arizonatrail #sidepony #picketpost
This year was all about change, acceptance, and just keeping the wheels turning. I've weathered some ups and downs, along with the people closest to me. I'm thankful that I can keep pedaling bikes, playing on rocks, watching sunsets, and chasing some big dreams. Thank you and I wish you all a Happy New Year! 🎉
I worked hard for this view today. My efforts were short, but full gas. 💯 How many of you have pedaled up Tunnel Rd in the East Bay hills? #grizzleypeak #mylegshurt
Today I'm preparing to suffer tomorrow. It's not a race, but some pre-season testing. But I prepare in a similar way: settle the mind, rest my body, and yes, make sure my @rideshimano DI2 is topped off. I'm nervous and ready. Excited to see what I can do, but not sure how willing I am to suffer just yet. 📷: @polphe #isitraceseasonyet #rideshimano #stanspivot
The Granite Dells inspire a childish sense of adventure and is truly a magical place. There is a growing network of trails around these rocks, but also a growing threat of development at its heart. It's time to @savethedells, because some places are irreplaceable. Thank you @thewiscodisco @kurt.refsnider and @mtbshu for some company among the rocks (and the great 📷's!). #savethedells #granitedells #stormranch #bikeprescott