Last year, going into the year, I was sort of like, well, I've had a lot of fun racing my mountain bike,

and I think it's time to, like, maybe check out new things.

I was just craving some different adventures, like whether that was just switching full-on to adventure mode,

like having fun in the mountains, going backpacking all the time, riding my dirt bike more.

But each sort of gravel race I did, I just had more and more fun doing it.

It's just like we're on a five to nine-hour group ride, which is pretty fun.

I totally like having the most fun I've ever had racing my bike right now, which is really cool.

It's showtime, everybody. Showtime!

You've been living in a dream world, Neil.

This is the world as it exists today.

Life moves pretty fast.

You don't stop and look around once in a while.

You could miss it.

Listen, we talk about practice.

Repeat on the dude's room.

Donnie, you're out of your element.

I see, you think this has nothing to do with you.

Don't ever trash talk black Jesus.

This is the Adventure Stash with Payson McAlvin.

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the show. I'm really excited to bring you today's conversation with Russell Finsterwald, a guy that I go way back with, way back to the junior mountain bike racing days.

It's funny how much our lives have changed since then. And kind of on that note, it occurred to me that a lot of the folks that are following the Grand Prix these days, following gravel racing, they may not necessarily know where these top mountain bikers are coming from.

And it's been kind of funny to see both competitors and the media and the fans. A lot of them just kind of be like,

...