Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1540851
Flashback! November 2025 5 The 2025 season has been nothing short of a whirlwind of excitement, and to top it all off, just days before press, our friend and contribu ng editor Rachel Gu sh won the FIM EnduroGP World Championship at the final round in Germany. This is huge news my friends as Rachel and her dedicated team at Rieju and family, is the very first American, male or female, to win an FIM Enduro Championship! We're beyond proud of this girl for all her achievements, and this is certainly a crowning jewel. Huge congratula ons Rachel, you are one remarkable young woman! We'd also like to thank Rachel for her entertaining story leading up to and winning the EnduroGP championship inside this issue! We hope you enjoy. As we begin to close out this season, I'm thinking back on all the fun events we a ended over the last several months. These events were quite diverse, from mild to wild, with some relaxing vintage rides thrown in the mix to spice things up a bit. The one common denominator is how we all seem to interact as one big family, whether we've met or not. Some of these folks I'll only see once a year, and others might be at each and every event I'm at as if we've planned to do the circuit together. Like-minded people seem to gravitate towards each other, and I suppose that's what I real- ly enjoy about this sport, the sense of community. For instance, my crew at the Hancock Quarry Run. These guys, all Wayne County MC members, are a hoot—family men who live life to the fullest whenever they get the opportunity. I'm honored to have been taken under their wing several years back. Being included in their shenanigans, such as their annual kayak trip down the Delaware River, is such a fun way to pre-game, so to speak, before throwing ourselves to the mercy of the Bear Creek Sportsmen mas- ochists for two days of what most would consider hell. As one who enjoys life, people, camping, ea ng well, and yes, taking chances, these guys are "my people". Over the past two seasons, I've made the trek to western New York for their annual "Monkey Bu " dual sport, and man, Wayne County MC hosts one ac on-packed weekend with some- thing for everyone. I hope you enjoy the feature on this fun event deeper in this issue. Less than a week later, we hit the road west once again to a end Ed Abdo's Zoar Moto Park 2025 and see what the hype was all about. Now I'd read all about Zoar and Ed's accomplishments reviving this historic moto track, but to ac- tually see it and walk the property was quite a treat. By Saturday morning, several thousand vintage enthusiasts had arrived with their trucks, campers, and their prized possessions of immaculately restored vintage bikes. Yes, there were many showpieces, but the vast majority of these rides were built to enjoy as intended, on the moto track. As one who grew up with these bikes, of course, I was in my element, but a er the smoke had cleared, what really made Zoar so special was the big happy family that arrived, interacted, and laughed together as if we'd all grown up in the same neighborhood. Again, like-minded. On a more sobering note, as most of you have heard or read, John Penton passed away at 100 years old in Septem- ber. With Mr. Penton being a personal hero of mine, I was honored to have been invited by Jack Penton to a end his father's Celebra on of Life in Ohio, right next to the KTM North America offices. Now, this was a gathering of Mr. Penton's friends and family. Motorcycles would be le home. Those in a endance were nothing less than a who's who of off-road motorcycling legends and heroes. With an invita on from ISDT/E Gold Medalists Kevin Lavoie and Bill Berroth, I shared a room with these fine people in a lakeside home on Lake Erie for a couple of days. Oh yes, the stories told were epic! Those who spoke at Mr. Penton's celebra on painted wonderful pictures of a man all in the room so highly respect- ed. Some sad with tears flowing, others incredibly funny, as John Penton was quite the character, living life on his own terms while obeying his own personal laws. Yes, it's sad that John Penton has le this earth, but he le us with so many wonderful impressions and memories that will not be forgo en. I so greatly appreciated being invited to this gathering of the finest folks you'll ever meet. In closing, I'm thankful my friends. Thankful to have been introduced to this incredible sport at such a young age and grateful for the people who make it what it truly is, one big happy family.