When Plans Get Twisted (Like My Ankle)

Hey friends,

I had big plans for this newsletter—really, I did. I wanted to take you deeper into our recent bikepacking adventure, share the stories, and show you the photos that capture the essence of those days on the road. But, as with all good things, these stories need time to unfold. The photos are still in the works, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that rushing a good story never does it justice. So, I’m asking for a little more patience—I promise the wait will be worth it.

But while you wait, here’s a sneak peek—five shots from the trip to give you a taste of the adventure we’ve been on.

In the meantime, life threw me a bit of a curveball. Last Sunday, Jana and I set out for a ride—nothing too intense, just a chance to be outside, feel the wind in our faces, and snap some photos for our partner, Hammerhead. Everything was going great until, in classic “Björn fashion,” I managed to twist my ankle pretty badly. And by "twist," I mean it ballooned up to twice its normal size and has been a pain—literally—ever since.

If only I had a DeLorean right now—I'd zip back to that moment before my ankle decided to pull a Marty McFly and take a dive. But since I’m fresh out of flux capacitors, I guess I’ll have to rely on good old-fashioned rest and recovery.

Reflections on Summer

This injury has really thrown me off my game. Mentally, it’s been tough. I had big plans to use this summer to ramp up my riding, especially after giving myself a week off post-bikepacking. Summer has always been my season of exploration—long days, warm light, and the freedom to lose myself on the bike for hours. There’s something about summer that invites adventure, whether it’s discovering a new trail or capturing the perfect sunset shot. Even though this summer hasn’t gone exactly to plan, it’s still my favorite time to be out there.

But now, with this ankle, who knows? It’s frustrating, to say the least. I’m already starting to worry about falling back into old habits—the kind where I’m not moving enough, and before I know it, I’m stuck in a rut again. It’s a slippery slope, and the last thing I want is to lose the momentum I’ve worked so hard to build. Especially because I know September and early October are going to be pretty busy with work. That’s why I was hoping to get the most riding in now while the summer vibes are still strong.

But like Rocky said, "It's not about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." So, I’m trying to channel that energy and stay focused on the road ahead—even if I’m off the bike for now.

A Bit of Punk Philosophy

But maybe there’s a lesson here. Frustration sneaks up on you when things don’t go as planned, and it’s easy to let it pull you down. But the truth is, setbacks are part of the journey. They force us to slow down, to reevaluate, and maybe even to find new paths forward that we hadn’t considered before. As I’ve been sidelined, I’ve had time to reflect on what the punk ethos means to me in the context of cycling and life. It’s about pushing through, doing things your way, and finding strength in adversity. Right now, I’m reminding myself that even when things don’t go as planned, it’s all part of the ride—and sometimes, the best stories come from the detours.

Or, as Ferris Bueller so wisely put it, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Maybe this forced downtime is just my chance to stop, look around, and appreciate the little things—like not having to pedal up a hill with a bum ankle!

Upcoming Plans or Events

That said, I’m not just sitting here feeling sorry for myself. Once I’m back on two feet (and two wheels), I’ve got some exciting plans in the works. There’s a new route I’ve been mapping out that promises some epic gravel, and I’m also brainstorming ideas for another community ride—stay tuned for details! And while I’ll be tied up with work in the coming months, I’m determined to make the most of every opportunity to ride, even if it means squeezing in those golden-hour sessions whenever I can.

In the meantime, I’ll be keeping my spirits up by binge-watching Stranger Things—because if the kids from Hawkins can survive the Upside Down, I can handle a twisted ankle. And as Yoda might say, “Patience you must have, my young padawan,” because I’ll be back out there soon enough, ready to tackle whatever comes next.

I hope you don’t mind all my pop culture references this time. It felt good in my mind… and while I’m sitting here resting my foot, do you know how many videos there are on the Back to the Future trilogy on YouTube? It’s a rabbit hole, and I’ve definitely fallen in. Let’s just say, I’ve learned more about time travel paradoxes than I ever thought possible.

I’d love to hear how you deal with frustration or setbacks, whether it’s an injury, a missed opportunity, or just a rough day. What keeps you going when things don’t go as planned? Send me your thoughts, tips, or even just a story that might make me laugh—I could use a good laugh right about now.

So, that’s where I’m at. A bit bruised, a bit frustrated, but still here, still moving forward (even if it’s just in spirit for now). As soon as this ankle is back to normal, I’ll be back out there, ready to ride—with better luck next time, I hope.

Thanks for sticking with me through the ups and downs. I’ll keep you posted on the ankle situation and, of course, on those bikepacking stories once they’re ready to be shared.

Take care, and talk soon,

Björn