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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)! 

This photo is also an @icemantcmi winner! Gotta say @sofithevilla impresses all around: podium class, dance moves, and also with her savvy racing. 💃🍾💯 📷: @notubesmaster #stanspivot #onlystans #pivotcycles #icemantcmi
Well we did it again at @icemantcmi! 🏆 (A win for me, and a 1-2 for @stanspivot thanks to @sofithevilla!) . . It was a beautiful fall day in Traverse City and the conditions were perfect. Have to say this is an an amazing way to wrap up a big season. Huge thanks to the fans cheering through the finishing circuit, all of our sponsors, @notubesmaster for dialing in the bikes and snapping pics, and to our Traverse City family (@mhaase24, Tom, and Deb) for cooking dinners, doing late-night airport pick-ups, and making us feel at home. . . This race means a lot to me. And it clearly means a lot to the 4,000+ people that show up each year in Kalkaska to brave the conditions and do their best. So well done everyone, keep showing up and I will do the same. #icemantcmi #stanspivot #onlystans #pivotcycles #maxxistires #ndmedjooldates #rideshimano #stansnotubes
Once every few years we catch the fall colors for @icemantcmi, and this is one of those years. It's still cold, but trail conditions are fast and I'm excited to race on the @pivot_cyclesusa LES this weekend. #icemantcmi #pivotcycles #onlystans #maxxistires
One race to go! Excited for @icemantcmi this weekend with @sofithevilla. This race is always a favorite, no matter what the weather brings. Spending last weekend with @rosekgrant was the best kind of prep for me (but I am going to miss her this year). #stanspivot #onlystans #pivotcycles #icemantcmi
Made it home from Greece with some new memories and experiences to cherish. I loved visiting a new place, meeting new racers, and learning a thing or two about the country. Erin and I went for the purpose of chasing some UCI points for @usacycling, which helps us earn starting positions for Tokyo 2020. Since I didn't start the World Championships because of my concussion, I left a lot of points on the table which was one of the hardest parts about that ordeal. But at the time, both @eehuck and @leaeatsalot made sure to let me know that we could look for another race opportunity in the fall. So that helped me get through a tough situation, and kept me motivated. So that's how this trip to Greece came about. And it wouldn't have happened with support from USAC and @julbike. While we were there to race, we got in some great rides, enjoyed cooking, commuting by bike to all of our various race starts, feeding our resident Airbnb cats, and much more. Another part of our experience was seeing first hand the devastation caused by fires near the community of Rafina this past summer. The fires burned thousands of homes and a hundred people lost their lives. The burned areas were chilling, and a stark reminder of how delicate life can be. But life is still going on in the area and we still had the privilege of racing bikes. Thanks for following along!
And that's a wrap on the first weekend of racing for @usacycling here in Greece 🇬🇷 ! I finished third overall, behind a savvy @eehuck and strong @mtbanne. We are here to earn some UCI points after we both missed out on some key UCI point earning opportunities this summer. But we also liked the idea of racing someplace new. This week I'll be turning pedals, sampling yogurts, and enjoying some much needed down town. #atticastagerace #TeamUSA #assosofswitzerland #familyphoto
We made it to Greece! 🇬🇷 And good thing our flights were (mostly) on time as we begin racing today with a point -to-point time trial. The event is a 3-day UCI S2 race promoted by @alterbiketours and we're here with @julbike racing for @usacycling. Then we're doing the same thing next weekend. I'm excited to race somewhere new and look forward to exploring the area around Marathonas. (And yes, this is where the marathon gets it's name from). #atticastagerace #marathonas #assosofswitzerland
The Sierra Prieta Overlook inspires me to ride. It's hard work to pedal to the spot, but the views and trails back to Prescott make it well worth the work. Thanks for letting me tag along that day @mtbshu! @guenergylabs #placesweplay #GUforit #GUgives #sierraprieta ✨GU Energy is actually running giveaways this week to celebrate public lands (and they've already given $60,000 to the cause). To enter, just post your own photo of a place that inspires you. Use the hashtag #placesweplay. Tag @guenergylabs. Tag a friend. That's all. ✨
The investment in trails, bike paths, bike facilities, public spaces, and greenways in Bentonville is simply incredible. There are so many fun, safe, and inspiring places to introduce kids to the wonders of riding bikes. And these girls love to ride, have so many great questions, and really inspire US. So awesome to meet some @littlebellasmtb and their mentors this past weekend. Thanks for organizing @kelseymiller2059! ♀️🚴🏼‍♀️❤️ #moregirlsonbikes #visitbentonville #littlebellasmtb #bikebentonville #littlebellasambassador
Racing bikes is ridiculous, fun, heartbreaking at times and full of surprises. I experienced the full spectrum yesterday at the #oztrailsoffroad. I DNF'd the race, my first "not a finisher" badge in awhile. But honestly I haven't given myself a hard time about it because life has just been crazy lately. After two hours of racing, I suffered from an inch-long sidewall tear to my front tire in what seemed to be a smooth section of singletrack (turns out there were small sharp rocks hiding among the leaves). At the time, I was racing in the chase group of four behind @eehuck. Then I wasn't. I couldn't remove the nut on my tubeless valve stem and so I got back on my bike, with a front flat, and rolled about 10 feet down the hill and there's Erin! We spent a very quick moment evaluating the situation (like both of us were going to be there for awhile). It always sucks to flat out of contention. And I wasn't in the right headspace to even believe I had a shot at that point. So I gave Erin my rear wheel, she gave me hers and her tube and I was like, "go get it!" And she did. Sometimes luck is on our side. Sometimes it isn't. And sometimes there's a karmic reshuffling of the stars and two inch-long sidewall tears turn into something pretty cool. So my wheel not only finished, but won. I DNF'd but @keegels99 took home the big win for @stanspivot, and @sofithevilla finished 4th! It was also very special to have @rosekgrant at the race as well. Thank you @epicrides and @visitbentonville and our wonderful host family. 📷: @notubesmaster #stanspivot #oztrailsoffroad
Well the Fat Tire Crit hurt, thanks to a charging @eehuck and @katkanash! I really like racing these short, tactical races in front of some spectators and the new @maxxisbike Velocita's added to the fun. 📷: @notubesmaster #oztrailsoffroad #bentonville #stanspivot
I've been enjoying a bit of down time today here in Bentonville. So I spent the morning cruising bike paths, checking out the Crystal Bridges Museum gardens, and sipping fancy coffees with @evelynd11. There's a lot to see and do in this little town, and doing it all on two wheels seems to be the way to go. 📷: @evelynd11 #stanspivot #oztrailsoffroad #bentonville