This weekend I lined up for the Coon Fork 40 gravel race, and it turned out to be one heck of an adventure. Between the beautiful course, the energy of 500-plus riders, and the challenge of the terrain, there was plenty to enjoy. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true gravel race without a little chaos mixed in—I ended up dealing with one mechanical issue and taking not one, but two tumbles off the bike.

Despite the setbacks, I managed to finish 70th out of 114 riders in my age group. Not exactly the result I had pictured going in, but still a finish worth celebrating. At the end of the day, it was less about placement and more about pushing through the struggles, laughing at the mishaps, and enjoying the ride. Gravel racing is unpredictable, and that’s what makes it fun.