FLASHBACK FRIDAY: RISHI GREWAL TAKES US BACK TO 1993

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” says Rishi Grewal. “Looking at this picture from 1993 rattles memories long forgotten in the midst of dust, bumps and life. Thinking back to 1984, I was a 16-year-old kid, and my first mountain bike race was in heavy rain in Montana. I ended up third and almost won by hammering wet, fast downhills at nearly 50 mph. A handful of years later, I found myself battling for the National Championships and the World Cup title series. I ended up losing both titles in the last race of the series, while in the lead, to none other than Ned Overend and John Tomac.“

“But, I beat Ned and John again here and there,” Rishi adds, “winning the $15,000 prize and the ‘ABC Wide World of Sports Ride for Your Life’ premiere, the first made-for-TV event. My last win of over 100 pro events was a 30-minute, 3000-foot-descent enduro in 2014, which was a lot more fun than riding 300 miles solo to win the 24 Hours of Moab three times. Twenty-plus years following the fastest was a pleasure. Looking back, I was fortunate to be able to live and breathe this great sport,” says Rishi.