Interlude- ĭn′tər-loo͞d″: featuring Brooke Trine

Interlude- ĭn′tər-loo͞d″: featuring Brooke Trine

noun

1. An intervening episode, feature, or period of time.

Heading into 2021, I had big goals as every rider does for their upcoming season. Being new to Freeride and seeing the progression of others, I was eager to get my first downhill bike and start riding bigger features and expand my travels into international events. 

The year started off quite strong. I attended the SR Suntour team trip in Virgin, Utah where I was able to ride with some legendary freeriders like Carson Storch and Chelsea Kimball.  Within a week, I had gone from rolling the warm-up line on the original 2019 Rampage site to hitting the big drop and trick step up with “Sik Mik” Hannah! It was a steep learning curve, but an incredible opportunity. Momentum was on my side.

A few months later, I under-rotated a backflip during a slopestyle competition and suffered a broken wrist, broken collarbone, and concussion. My summer plans came to a screeching halt and caused me to miss critical events like Proving Grounds and a filming project with Transition Bikes. But injury also squandered my opportunity to train and progress during the critical summer months. 

At the time, it seemed like my year was a complete wash-out. But as I began to heal, spinning laps at Highland Mountain Bike Park for the remainder of the fall became a reality. While riding (and recovering), I was able to work with my good friend Bailey, to produce a small film edit showcasing my accomplishments, even if 2021 hadn’t met my initial expectations.  

I’ve spent some time reflecting on this past season. My conclusion is, even though I battled injuries that curbed my goals, projects and competition, the year was still productive and rewarding. I rode new features, landed new tricks, made great memories, and built a great base that I will carry into my 2022 season! 

My advice to you? Injury set-backs, and the intervention they impose, certainly don’t mean you’ve had (or will have) an unsuccessful year. Simply consider them an interlude. If you’re enjoying the process surrounded by those who matter most, any effort offered is always awarded with progress.