Greetings from Missoula, Montana, where I’m diving back into routine after a fantastic weekend filled with all my favorite activities: camping, campfires, racing, and road trips. Coming off an injury from a bike race accident in Great Falls, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it all turned out great.

The camping trip was incredible, with my friend Alden and Garland, who secured our spot. Our adventure began with a visit to a Brew Pub in Salmon, followed by setting up camp in the snow. Despite the chilly start, the campfire warmed us up, setting the stage for a memorable evening.

Waking up with a sudden sore throat, likely from allergies, I felt out of place as my friends prepared breakfast and I stuck to my usual pre-race meal, sipping coffee to ease my throat. That day marked my first pro race since moving up a category.

The race felt different this year, initially leaving me disappointed. However, once it began, the fast pace challenged me, especially since my heart rate was lower than usual, indicating my health wasn’t 100%. Despite this, I managed to stay with the lead group.

As the race progressed, it became clear I couldn’t catch the leading Trek rider. I struggled on the descents, losing ground but managed to maintain third place, constantly checking for competitors behind me.

Entering the second lap, I focused on defending my third-place position, but surprisingly, I closed the gap on the climb. Although I was passed again on the descent, I kept up, learning to navigate technical sections faster.

By the third climb, I had overtaken Dave and gained a significant lead. My climbing form was excellent, and newfound confidence on descents helped me secure second place.

Determined to close the gap to the leader in the final lap, I climbed well and descended quickly, finishing just over a minute behind the first-place rider—a result I was thrilled with.

My friends also had a successful day, with Larry, Alden, and Joe each taking first in their categories, and Garland finishing strong. It was a weekend of overcoming challenges, learning, and sharing victories, complete with matching medals for Todd and me.