In 2017, a mountain biking crash on Moab's Porcupine Rim left Skye Chaney with a spinal cord injury, seven broken ribs, and a fractured sternum. In this episode, Skye takes us from that first ride back on an adaptive mountain bike to the gravel roads of Central Oregon and beyond, tracing a path that's carried him through Whistler, Arizona, Jackson Hole, Whitefish, and his home trails in Bend. We talk about what it actually takes to dial in an adaptive setup for gravel-specific riding, how he made the jump from mountain biking to gravel, and the moment — mid-mechanical, mid-storm, or mid-nowhere — when a ride goes sideways and you have to problem-solve your way home. Skye is candid about cycling being a different way into the same things every rider chases — freedom, challenge, speed, dirt, grit, and a good day outside. For anyone standing at the edge of gravel riding, wondering if it's for them, Skye has a straightforward answer: just try. We close out talking about what's next on his list — new routes, new events, and the trails still calling his name. ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel / The Connection Our Ride Guides / Dirty Freehub Our Ask / Donate
