Florida Trail RIders - May 2026

floridatrailriders.com APRIL

May 2026

DYLAN VARN PHOTO BY GARREN WRIGHT

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FEATURES WHO TO CONTACT

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PREZ SEZ

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CHAPLAIN’s CORNER

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OCEAN 2 OCEAN

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BUILT BY THE RIDE

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MotoPT

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TECH TIP

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VINTAGE EXCERPTS

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EVENT SCHEDULE

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EDITOR: KURT LUCAS ftreditor@floridatrailriders.org All content herein is copyrighted © by Florida Trail Riders, Inc. with all rights reserved, and may not be reproduced without permission. “FTR” and “Florida Trail Riders” are trademarks of Florida Trail Riders, Inc. Unauthorized use of these registered trademarks is prohibited by law.

Florida Trail Riders, Inc. P.O. Box 198 Keystone Heights, FL

(352) 538-6291

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River Stichter | Photo by Garren Wright

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Area Directors & Club Info AREA #1 - Out-of-State, Panhandle VACANT AREA #2 - Hamilton, Suwannee, Columbia, Baker, Union, Bradford, Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. Johns James Benton (904) 589-0093 bentonracing116@yahoo. com AREA #3 - Gilchrist, Alachua, Levy, Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Lake Brandon Underhill (352) 339-1169 brandsonsunderhill@gmail. com (AREA #4 - Flagler, Volusia Corey Pierce (386) 453-9056 corey23pierce@gmail.com AREA #5 - Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas Tyler Miller (813) 210-1710 yamahatyler@yahoo.com AREA #6 - Hillsborough, Polk Shawn Clark (812) 617-0272 sclark@mosaicfingroup.com

AREA #7 - Seminola, Osceola, Orange Will Busick (317) 507-6636 willb763@gmail.com AREA #8 - Brevard, Indian River John Happel (321) 759-1474 ftrforester@gmail.com AREA #9 - Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands Brian Dugre (941) 893-7898 brian@mycentec.com AREA #10 - Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin Ken Harris (772) 370-4434 khei9862@gmail.com AREA #11 - Charlotte, Lee, Glades, Hendry, Collier Chuck Schomann (717) 324-9606 schomanninc@yahoo.com AREA #12 - Palm Beach Todd Hallman (561) 346-6663 bushwagon@aol.com AREA #13 - Borward, Dade, Monroe Max Rash (954) 609-1812 maxr@rivaracing.com

Big Scrub Trail Riders Curtis Bell (386) 679-8201 curtbell@rocketmail. com Central Florida Trail Riders AJ Stagg ajstagg@gmail.com (407) 929-2114 Daytona Dirt Riders Ronnie Hames (386) 547-2397 ronnie@hbdmotografx. com Greenville Enduro Riders Chris Poole (864) 617-4342 info@greenvilleenduroriders.com Nature Coast Trail Blazers Rob Swann (813) 731-5552 naturecoasttrailriders@ gmail.com Old School Dirt Riders Ben Kelly (941) 650-1473 ftr90racer@yahoo.com Palm Beach Track & Trail Randy Rash (954) 931-5709 motodadfla19@aol.com

Perry Mountain M/C Brad Belcher (205) 340-4298 perrymountainmotorcycleclub@gmail.com River City Dirt Riders James Benton (904) 589-0093 bentonracing116@yahoo.com Sarasota Area Dirt Riders Randy Faul (863) 244-3709 randt817@gmail.com Suncoast Trail Blazers Mark Scalzi (352) 601-6917 suncoastbiz1@gmail. com Sunrunners Dirt Riders West Anderson (863) 604-1868 jetster220@gmail.com Treasure Coast Trail Riders Ken Harris (772) 370-4434 khei9862@gmail.com

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RIDER REPS AA/A ENDURO Mark Mannschreck (813) 310-2067 hondamm61@aol.com B/C ENDURO Sam Boydstun (407) 467-3951 woodsracercfl@rr.com SPECIALTY A/B ENDURO Ronnie Hames (386) 547-2397 ronnie@hbdmotografx.com SPECIALTY C/WOMEN ENDURO Elesa Berard (407) 376-7115 AA/A HARE SCRAMBLE Troy Gardner (561) 329-7866 troyracing41@gmail.com B/C HARE SCRAMBLE Manny Fellouzis (727) 204-7378 elf_288@hotmail.com SPECIALTY A/B HARE SCRAMBLE Paul Lucas (305) 244-7531 happytimesamuse@msn.com SPECIALTY C/WOMEN HARE SCRAMBLE Holly Langford (954) 504-2659 hollylangford10@gmail.com SATURDAY CLASSES HARE SCRAMBLE Derek Tremain (863) 634-8183 derektremain@gmail.com QUADS Pete Rose (941) 270-1189 pwrracingktm@gmail.com

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OFFICERS PRESIDENT Randy Faul (863) 244-3709 president@floridatrailriders.org VICE PRESIDENT Landon Lynn (772) 494-3305 vicepresident@floridatrailriders.org SECRETARY Bill Toreki (352) 372-1135 secretary@floridatrailriders.org TREASURER Brandon Bloomquist (503) 707-1744 treasurer@foridatrailriders.org HARE SCRAMBLE CHAIRMAN Randy Rash (954) 931-5709 hschair@floridatrailriders.org ENDURO CHAIRMAN George Tolson (863) 698-3837 gjtolson63@gotmail.com HARE SCRAMBLE REFEREE George Pollard (772) 349-6534 hsref@floridatrailriders.org ENDURO REFEREE Peter Magee (352) 262-4974 cr250m@bellsouth.net BUSINESS MANAGER Darlene Riggs (352) 538-6291 businessmanager@floridatrailriders.org

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PRES SEZ. X WORDS: RANDY FAUL Keeping in Check As we wrap up the first half of our extended season, we finally received some much-needed rain, which made conditions ideal for the last hare scramble before the summertime blues set in. In fact, we may have gotten a little too much rain at the wrong time. The creek rose quickly, and OSDR had to remove the water crossing after it went from about six inches deep to several feet deep overnight. A small reroute was put in place, and only a minimal amount of trail was lost.

There were plenty of viewing areas and extra activities for the kids, which made for a great weekend overall. When I reached out to the club after the event, members were still on the property working and running skid steers to rehab the grounds as I write this on Tuesday, April 14. That is what it takes to put on these events. The amount of time and effort that goes into them is truly off the charts.

I would also like to commend the membership on their conduct throughout the weekend. There were

very few issues, and the atmosphere was centered around having fun and enjoying the event together.

I also have some opportunities coming up to help promote FTR through the possibility of obtaining new properties. Thank you to those of you who have provided leads or contacts through someone who knows someone. We continue working with potential landowners to bring new locations to our series. It takes time to showcase our organization, answer questions, address concerns, and cover all the “what ifs” that come with hosting an event.

As we all gather to spend time with our families and enjoy some racing, always remember that there could be a potential landowner among us, watching what we do and forming an opinion about whether they want to invite us onto their property in the future.

Thanks for listening, Randy Faul

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CHAPLAIN’s CORNER

X WORDS: RODNEY BOYETTE

Hey FTR family!

I cannot believe we are already on break. It feels like we just started racing.

During this break, let’s remember to make time. Make time for what? A lot of things. Make time to rest, catch up around the house, and even clean and service the bikes so they are ready for FUEL Camp.

But most importantly, make time to grow in your walk with Jesus.

Here’s the thing, though, it always seems tough. I know I make excuses all the time. If I try to read in the morning, all I can think about is everything I need to get done that day. If I try to read at night, I tell myself I’m too exhausted to focus or stay awake. There will always be a reason not to spend time in God’s Word, just like there will always be a reason not to do the things that matter.

Not to train.

Not to clean the bikes.

Not to spend time with family.

Not to watch that movie with your kids.

Not to take your wife on that date.

We are only given a certain amount of

¡Hola, familia de FTR! No puedo creer que ya estemos en el descanso de temporada.

Parece que apenas comenzamos a competir. Durante este tiempo de pausa, recordemos sacar tiempo. ¿Tiempo para qué? Para muchas cosas. Saquen tiempo para descansar, ponerse al día con las tareas del hogar e incluso limpiar y darle mantenimiento a las motos para que estén listas para el campamento FUEL. Pero, sobre todo, saquen tiempo para crecer en su caminar con Jesús.

La realidad es que siempre parece difícil. Yo mismo pongo excusas muchas veces. Cuando intento leer por la mañana, solo pienso en todo lo que tengo que hacer durante el día. Si intento leer por la noche, estoy agotado y me digo a mí mismo que no

time, and that is all we get. We can either make the most of it or sit idle while opportunities pass us by.

We are called to step outside of our comfort and ease. You do not gain muscle by staring at the weight set. You will never get faster by looking at the bike sitting on the stand. The same applies to our walk through life and our relationship with Jesus.

Here is the best news of all: God already saw this day. He knows exactly how we are going to act and react. Even better, He will use where you are right now to grow you and teach others through your journey.

So do not be discouraged during those difficult seasons. Instead, train yourself to recognize what is going on around you so you can surrender it to God and turn away from the excuses that so easily entangle us.

I recently wrote about race arrows and how they relate to the path we are called to walk. This is all part of the trail, probably somewhere around mile five at Melon Bash, haha. But the good news is mile six is on the horizon. We just have

podré concentrarme ni mantenerme despierto. Siempre habrá una razón para no pasar tiempo en la Palabra de Dios, así como siempre habrá una razón para no hacer las cosas importantes.

No entrenar.

No limpiar las motos.

No salir con la familia.

No ver esa película con tus hijos.

No llevar a tu esposa a esa cita.

Solo tenemos una cantidad limitada de tiempo, y eso es todo lo que recibimos. Podemos aprovecharlo al máximo o quedarnos quietos viendo cómo las oportunidades pasan frente a nosotros.

Estamos llamados a salir de nuestra comodidad y de esa vida fácil. No ganas músculo mirando las pesas. Nunca serás más rápido mirando la moto sobre el caballete. Lo mismo sucede con

to keep our eyes up, stay focused forward, and keep looking for those orange and green arrows.

Victory is coming soon in Jesus’ name.

During this summer break, take a look around and make time for your relationship with Jesus. You will discover that you become the best version of yourself for your wife, husband, kids, friends, and every person you encounter.

I challenge you to try it, and I promise you will see the difference.

God bless y’all. I sure love my FTR family, and I cannot wait to see everyone in September!

nuestra vida espiritual y nuestra relación con Jesús.

Y aquí viene la mejor noticia de todas: Dios ya vio este día. Él sabe exactamente cómo vamos a actuar y reaccionar. Pero aún mejor, Él usará el lugar donde estás ahora mismo para ayudarte a crecer y también para enseñar a otros a través de tu proceso.

Así que no te desanimes durante esas temporadas difíciles. Más bien, entrénate para reconocer lo que sucede a tu alrededor, para que puedas rendirlo a Dios y apartarte de las excusas que tan fácilmente nos enredan.

Hace poco escribí una reflexión comparando las flechas de nuestras carreras con el camino que estamos llamados a recorrer.

Todo esto es parte del sendero, probablemente como estar en la milla cinco del Melon Bash,

¡jajaja! Pero la buena noticia es que la milla seis ya se ve en el horizonte. Solo tenemos que mantener la mirada hacia arriba y hacia adelante, buscando esas flechas naranjas y verdes, y pronto tendremos victoria sobre todo esto en el nombre de Jesús.

Durante estas vacaciones de verano, mira a tu alrededor y haz tiempo para tu relación con Jesús. Descubrirás que te conviertes en la mejor versión de ti mismo para tu esposa, esposo, hijos, amigos y para cada persona que encuentres en el camino.

Los desafío a intentarlo, y les prometo que verán la diferencia. ¡Que Dios los bendiga! Amo mucho a mi familia de FTR y no puedo esperar para verlos a todos en septiembre.

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OCEAN 2 OCEAN Words: Ron Lawson

Photos: Panama Motorcycle Adventures

Question: How much suffering is the right amount? Dirt bike riders, for some reason, need it, maybe even crave it in small, well-planned doses. But when you’re up to your axles in thick red clay, the sun has just gone down and you are more than 100 kilometers from your bed, the proper amount of suffering is hard to gauge.

“We only have to go through about three more kilometers of this,” said Jerry Curtis. “Then it gets better.” Those who had the energy laughed. Our group of 10 had already been pushing, pulling and towing our bikes through the jungle for almost 11 hours, and we hadn’t yet reached our lunch break. It was day one of the Ocean 2 Ocean Challenge, and we were working together in short bursts broken up by long gaps of breathing and sweating, but no measurable forward progress. All of us were experienced riders, but most were eligible for the

senior discount menu at Denny’s.

We were hungry, exhausted and, worst of all, out of water. The situation would look dire to any outsider, but it was exactly what we signed up for.

A CONTINENT COMPRESSED INTO 50 MILES Panama isn’t a very wide country.

It’s only about 50 miles from the Pacific side to the Atlantic side.

Fun fact: Panama doesn’t have an east coast or a west coast. The two shorelines face north and south; look at a map. In between the two coasts there’s a gigantic man-made lake, a rugged mountain range and lots of dense jungle. The concept of going overland through it all at the country’s widest point was the brain child of Jerry Curtis, Michelle Curtis and Abdiel Morales.

Jerry and his wife run a business in Florida, but both grew up in the Canal Zone of Panama, so

they have dual citizenship and intimate knowledge of Panama.

Ten years ago they came up with the concept of running a coastto-coast rally, all by road-book navigation. The problem was that it was almost impossible. That first year attracted some of the best riders in the region, but only one rider finished, Chris Birch.

There were refinements to the route and a move to the driest time of the year (our winter), and the event has now become a yearly Central American happening, attracting hard enduro riders, adventure bikes and 4WD nuts. It is designed to be a three-day trek that starts near the port of Colón and finishes at Playa Venao on the Azuero Peninsula. Some years have been harder than others, but none have been easy.

Here’s another fun fact: if you sign up and expect a spoon-fed adventure, you will disappear into the jungle and never be seen again. Most of your body will be

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carried away by ants, and monkeys will eat the rest. It’s an adventure that can only be attempted if you have a great deal of local knowledge and support.

My core group consisted of rookies Pete Murray, Lendon Smith and myself, but our extended team had Jerry as well as Michael Izondro, who was the course designer. We also had “Captain” Kirk Russell, Jason Ennis, Bryan Faby, Randy Rash, Jason Smith and a handful of other Ocean 2 Ocean veterans. Jerry had figured out where to get gas, where we would stay, who would carry our bags and everything. Our fate was in his hands.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER It turns out that the 2026 edition of Ocean 2 Ocean will go down in the books as the most difficult ever. Go figure. The rainy season lasted longer than usual, and the main route from the Atlantic to the centrally located village of El Copé was waterlogged. To make matters worse, the rain stopped.

That’s when the mud gets sticky and slick at the same time.

“Watch out for the white clay,” said Jerry.

“I thought red was the slickest color,” I said.

“Not here. Gray is more slippery, and white is the worst color of all.”

Good advice. We kept moving forward in short spurts, often laying in the mud to rest. More good advice: “Use stream water for the radiators. The water in your hydration pack is for drinking,” said Jerry. Too late. I had nothing left for either.

At one point we had a surprising

addition to our group, Michael’s brother Michele arrived in a Kawasaki Teryx, truly a feat of extraordinary 4x4manship. He had an ice chest with a little water and a lot of beer.

By 9 p.m. we worked our way to what was supposed to be our lunch stop, where we got food, gas and, most thankfully, water.

From that point on, the original course was impossible; we could not arrive at El Copé before the start time for day two.

This is where Jerry really showed his resourcefulness. He devised a plan where we would go back towards the Atlantic side on pave-

ment. There he had a truck and a bus waiting to collect us and make the 150-kilometer trek to our hotel. We arrived at 5 a.m., got three hours of sleep and made the start of day two. If not for Jerry we would be monkey food.

IVAN AND THE KIDS No one rode the entire course that day, but some came close. Jesse Ansley, Cade Smith and Dylan Rash were all pro-level riders who started on the Hard Enduro course, which had some alternate sections that were even more grueling. They made it well past the lunch break in daylight before they resorted to creative alter-

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nates. Jesse is almost a native.

He’s ridden in Panama with Jerry and the gang enough to know what he’s doing. Cade is a tour leader in his own right. He runs Captain Baja Tours, a business near Cabo San Lucas that he inherited from Kirk Russell.

There were several other celebrity entries on the Hard Enduro section. Felipe Prohens is a top20 Dakar Rally finisher from the Atacama desert of Chile. It would be his first time in Panama.

Then there was four-time World Enduro GP champion Ivan Cervantes. He showed up to ride the Hard Enduro sections on a Triumph Tiger 900. Clearly an impossible goal, but he gave it a

shot. At one point he had no less than eight Panamanian locals pulling him at the end of a tow rope. He made it almost 30 kilometers before his clutch gave up. But you don’t become a world champion if you’re a quitter. He got to a road crossing, called for help and somehow conjured a more suitable motorcycle, not a Triumph 900, but you can’t be choosy in the jungle. He eventually caught up with our group and was there at our 9 p.m. lunch break.

A CHANGE OF SCENERY Day two started late. After three hours of restless sleep, we regrouped to do it again. “You’re going to like today’s ride,” said

Jerry. At that point, I had no fight left. If I was to become monkey food, so be it.

Jerry was right. Day two was nothing like day one. It started on gravel roads that were somewhat dusty. Who knew I would ever be so happy to see dust? Then we ascended into the mountains to reveal grand vistas and striking views. Imagine Oahu or Maui without people. I don’t think that California riders can even picture all the different shades of green.

The central areas of Panama are painted in deep, vibrant hues that Sherwin-Williams doesn’t even know how to mix. That day was the perfect recovery ride. We had easy trails and long sections of twisty, fresh blacktop. The muscle

floridatrailriders.com cramps and dehydration of the day before faded into a vague dream and humanity returned.

The Continental Divide isn’t just a North American thing. It runs from the top of the world to the bottom, with peaks in Panama that are as high as 11,000 feet.

We didn’t go that high, but there were points where you could see one ocean then the other, just not simultaneously. The riding wasn’t hard, the scenery was grand, and we had Ivan in our group for entertainment. He was back on the repaired 900 Tiger and happy to be a member of our group. If it got boring, he would provide wheelies, drifts and various feats that made the 900 look like a petite motocross bike.

There were only a few deep river crossings that brought back brief flashbacks of day-one stress, but all were manageable for our sleep-deprived expedition. We arrived at the finish well after dark, but in much better spirits than our previous evening.

Day three was another change-up.

The terrain was more challenging, and we were re-energized enough to misbehave as riders normally do. The pace picked up, and there were random pranks, crashes and occasional attempts at splashing each other in creeks and puddles.

All good, healthy fun for immature old men far from home.

That day we were mixed with the 4WD drivers. It turns out there are more of those than motorcycles.

Most don’t even attempt day one.

They know better.

Just about everyone arrived safely in the surfing mecca of Playa Venao before dark. There were about 160 riders and 200 drivers who participated. One 4x4 driver

17 was injured on day one when his winch cable broke, but the event was mostly free of serious mishap. That’s amazing for an event that started with such impossible struggles.

I still have to stand by my advice not to attempt the Ocean 2 Ocean Challenge without massive support. There is, however, a much more rational alternative. Jerry and Abdiel have started Panama Motorcycle Adventures to offer custom tours in Panama. They can tailor a ride to suit your time

frame and appetite for adventure. I doubt they will offer a full cross-continental trek, but you can take that up with them at PanamaMotorcycleTours.com or [concierge@panamamotorcycletours. com](mailto:concierge@panamamotorcycletours.com).

And that brings us back to the original question: How much suffering is enough? It turns out that any amount of suffering is acceptable as long as it’s in the past. Pain is temporary. Legend is forever.

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John Dossitt - Built by the Ride Words: Kyle McAfee

In the world of hare scrambles, you learn a lot about a person without ever saying a word.

But something felt off.

You see it in how they line up. You see it in how they handle a bad start, a stalled bike, or a brutal section of trail that just will not let up.

And if you ever watched John Dossitt ride, you saw it clearly.

He had heart.

John was not just someone who showed up to race. He was part of what makes the Florida Trail Riders community what it is. He was one of those guys who loved being there just as much as he loved competing.

The early mornings, the smell of fuel, the sound of bikes echoing through the woods, the bench racing afterward, it all meant something to him.

Originally from Minnesota, John brought that passion with him when he made his way to Florida. It did not take long for him to find his place in the racing community, building friendships that would last a lifetime.

Like so many of us, racing was not just something he did. It became part of who he was.

Those who rode with him will tell you he was never afraid to push hard, but he also never lost sight of why we all do this in the first place. It was about the ride, the challenge, and the people around you.

The weekend before everything changed, John was exactly where you would expect him to be, at the races. Lined up and banging bars at the Okeechobee round hosted by Palm Beach Track and Trail.

A ride that did not feel right. A day that did not make sense at the time.

The next morning, John suffered a stroke that changed his life in an instant.

What followed was a fight no rider ever prepares for. Surgeries, setbacks, and a road that looks nothing like the trails he once knew. The kind of challenge that cannot be overcome with throttle and determination alone.

But if racing teaches you anything, it is how to dig deep when things get tough.

And that is exactly what John is doing.

Today, his race looks different.

The finish line is not a checkered flag. It is progress. It is movement. It is recovery. It is the small victories most people would never think

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twice about, but that mean everything right now.

The same grit that carried him through miles of Florida woods is still there. The same determination.

The same refusal to quit.

Anyone who has spent time in this sport knows riders do not give up easily. That mindset does not disappear when the helmet comes off.

John may not be lining up for the next hare scramble, but make no mistake, he is still in a fight.

And he is approaching it the same way he approached every race, one section at a time, one obstacle at a time, and with everything he has got.

The FTR community has always been about more than racing. It is about the people who make it what it is, the friendships, the support, and the understanding that we are all part of something bigger.

John Dossitt is part of that. He always will be.

John, the entire Florida Trail Riders community is cheering for you.

You’ve got this.

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Peptides in Racing: What BPC-157 and TB500 Actually Are, What the Research Says, and Why the Rules Just Changed

MOTO

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IMPROVE

YOUR MOVE WORDS: DR. MATT DAUGHERTY Orthopedic Physical Therapist and Racer

Part 2: Hype, Hope, or the Real Deal Welcome back, FTR Family.

In Part 1, we covered what BPC-157 and TB-500 are, how they work, and why riders are paying attention to them.

Now let’s talk about the other side of the conversation: the risks, the regulations, and the reality of where this all stands today.

The Research Gap Is Real The biggest issue with both BPC-157 and TB-500 is simple: We still do not have strong human data.

Most of the research on BPC-157 comes from a single laboratory in Croatia. That does not automatically make the science invalid, but it does mean the findings have not yet been independently replicated on a large scale.

TB-500 faces a similar situation. There is extensive animal research, but almost no completed human clinical trials.

That matters.

These compounds appear to promote angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and accelerated cell growth. In healing tissue, that may be exactly what you want. But without long-term human studies, we do not fully understand the potential risks. The same pathways that help healing could theoretically create problems in unhealthy tissue or undetected disease processes.

Right now, there simply is not enough long-term evidence to say otherwise with certainty.

The Product Quality Problem This is where things get serious. Most people currently using peptides are purchasing them online as “research chemicals.” That means there is essentially no oversight on what is actually inside the vial.

FDA testing on gray-market peptide products has shown: Incorrect dosages Unlisted ingredients Contamination Entirely different compounds than what the label claimed

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Some products have even been found to contain bacterial endotoxins.

is compelling. Serious orthopedic and sports medicine researchers are paying attention.

In plain English: you may not actually be injecting what you think you are.

But that does not mean the science is settled.

That risk is not theoretical. It is documented.

The human evidence is still extremely limited, and the risks associated with unregulated products are very real.

Why the Sports World Is Paying Attention

The Bottom Line for Riders

Even without strong human clinical data, the sports world is taking these compounds seriously.

If this is something you are genuinely interested in, the safest path forward is:

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has investigated TB-500 specifically to develop testing methods for doping control. Both compounds are prohibited in sanctioned competition.

Work with a physician who understands regenerative medicine Avoid gray-market online products Wait for legitimate pharmacy-compounded options Use peptides alongside proper rehab, not instead of it

That tells you something important: people at the highest levels of athletics believe these compounds may have meaningful performance or recovery effects.

The Regulatory Landscape Just Changed Over the last few years, the peptide world has shifted rapidly.

In late 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moved 19 commonly used peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, onto its Category 2 bulk substance list. That effectively prevented licensed compounding pharmacies from producing them.

The intent was safety.

The result was something else entirely.

Demand simply moved underground, with athletes and patients purchasing products online from unregulated sources. Gray-market peptide sales exploded, while physician oversight and quality control disappeared.

Then, in February 2026, **Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that many of those peptides may be moved back to Category 1 status, allowing licensed compounding pharmacies to once again prepare them with a physician prescription.

At the time of writing, formal FDA publication was still pending, but the direction appears clear.

So… Are They Legit?

Here is the honest answer: BPC-157 and TB-500 are not snake oil.

The biological mechanisms are real. The animal data

Peptides are not magic.

They do not replace strength work, mobility, proper mechanics, or addressing the underlying issues that caused the injury in the first place.

Think of it like new suspension technology. The early data may look promising, but you would not bolt it onto your bike the night before a race without proper setup, testing, and evaluation.

The same mindset applies here.

Before acting on any information in this article, I recommend that you consult a physical therapist or physician for a general health and physical activity readiness screening. If you are experiencing pain while riding, it is always beneficial to have a complete evaluation by a qualified physical therapist or physician. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at contact@motopt.com or call/text 904-395-5379. Let’s IMPROVE YOUR MOVE so you can ride pain-free with MotoPT. Dr. Matthew Daugherty PT, DPT, OTR/L, MOT, DBA Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Orthopedics Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Manual Therapy Certified Intramuscular Dry Needling Certified If you need any high-quality, made-in-America hard parts from Fastway (like ankle-saver footpegs or handguards) use the code motopt15 (all lowercase) at www.promotobillet.com and save 15%.

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For over 50 years, TF Racing has been elevating the off-road riding and racing experience for countless enthusiast while building champions on and off the track.

Contact us today for a custom quote

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THE ARCHIVES Excerpts from the May 1990 issue of the Florida Trail Riders Magazine.

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813-502-1228 sclark@mosaicfingroup.com mosaicfingroup.com Summer break is here, and when it comes to racing, you really have two choices.

You can park the bike in the back of the garage, forget about it until September, then pull it out the night before the first race, clean the air filter, and hope it still runs.

Or… You can use this time to prepare.

Set goals. Get back into shape. Service the suspension. Stay consistent on the bike. That way, when September rolls around, you are ready to race instead of scrambling at the last minute.

The same idea applies to retirement planning.

You can wait until the day you retire to start

thinking about it, but by then, your options become much more limited. The best retirement plans are built years in advance through consistent preparation and smart decisions over time.

Successful racers do not win by showing up to the starting line unprepared. Successful retirees don’t either.

If you want to use this summer wisely and begin planning for the future, give us a call. We would be happy to help you get started.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Continuum Advisory, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, located at 873 E. State Street, Eagle, ID 83616. Mosaic Financial Group is not an affiliate of Continuum Advisory, LLC, but is a DBA (doing business as) of Continuum Advisory. For more information on Continuum Advisory, visit SEC Adviser Info – Continuum Advisory Photo by Gabriela Gamperl

MAY RIDERS: BRANDON FRAZIER PHOTO: TYLER MILLER

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MAY Strong Roots Fitness Built for Riders.

Back by Results

@strong_roots_fitness_llc trainwithstrongroots@gmail.com

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2025 -2026 FTR Competition Schedule *dates and locations subject to change

FTR’s BOD has voted to transition to a Calendar-Year (January to December) Season. So, for the 2025-2026 season, we will have a ONE-TIME 18-month schedule. After that, we will run from January through December. This was done to comply with AMA promotion rules. The approved preliminary schedule of 15 Hare Scrambles and 13 Enduros.

August 31, 2025 Enduro #1 Litlle Brown Jug Clinton, SC September 28, 2025 Enduro #2 Orange State Croom, FL October 10-11, 2025 HS #1 CFTR Bartow, FL October 25-26, 2025 HS #2 SADRA Bartow, FL November 2, 2025 Enduro #3 Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL November 8-9, 2025 HS #3 Sunrunners Bartow, FL December, 6-7, 2025 HS #4 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL January 3-4, 2026 HS #5 SCTB Brooksville, FL January 17-18, 2026 HS #6 PBTTR Okeechobee, FL Jan/Feb 31-1 2026 HS #7 TCTR Indiantown, FL February 8, 2026 Enduro #4 Sumter National Wedgefield, SC February 14-15, 2026 HS #8 BSTR Lake Butler, FL February 22, 2026 Enduro #5 St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL March 8, 2026 Enduro #6 Straight Arrow Richloam, FL March 14-15, 2026 HS #9 NCTB Dade City, FL April 11-12, 2026 HS #10 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL April 19, 2026 Enduro #7 Armadillo Lake Butler, FL May 24, 2026 Enduro #8 Cherokee Greensboro, GA September 6, 2026 Enduro #9 Little Brown Jug Clinton, SC September 12-13, 2026 HS #11 DDR Palatka, FL September 20, 2026 Enduro #10 GCSB Robertsdale, AL September 27, 2026 Enduro #11 Orange State Croom, FL October 10-11, 2026 HS #12 CFTR Bartow, FL October 24-15, 2026 HS #13 SADRA Bartow, FL November 1, 2026 Enduro #12 Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL November 7-8, 2026 HS #14 Sunrunners Bartow, FL November 15, 2026 Enduro #13 St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL November 21-22, 2026 HS #15 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL

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