Dr. Will Speed Completed 50-Mile Race After January Crash

A Bend family doctor finished a grueling mountain bike course months after sustaining traumatic brain injuries.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Cycling

Expressive painting of a mountain biker riding on a rugged volcanic trail with pine trees and mountain peaks in the background. — Dr. Will Speed, a Bend physician, successfully completed a 50-mile mountain bike race months after surviving a traumatic collision in January. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Dr. Will Speed, a family physician and volunteer for Oregon Adaptive Sports, successfully completed a 50-mile mountain bike race in Bend. The accomplishment comes just months after he suffered significant brain trauma in a January collision involving a driver who allegedly ran a red light.

Why it matters

The race finish marks a major personal milestone in a recovery process supported by significant public contributions. Speed had registered for the event before the collision on Powers Road forced a long hospitalization.

Dr. Speed completed the 50-mile mountain bike course in 7 hours. The fundraising campaign has secured $85,000 from donors to cover ongoing recovery expenses.

The players

Dr. Will Speed

He is a family doctor and a volunteer for Oregon Adaptive Sports who successfully returned to competitive cycling.

The details

Speed participated in the long-distance mountain bike course, which winds through areas near Broken Top and includes segments along Tumalo Creek. His participation was a goal set before the crash that left him in an intensive care unit.

The collision occurred on Powers Road in January 2026.
Speed completed the 50-mile bike race in September 2026.

Season Trajectory

This story follows a pattern set by the 2026 Oregon Adaptive Sports community recovery initiatives in how it utilizes athletic competition to highlight medical rehabilitation. The successful completion of the course serves as a focal point for the local cycling community's support of athlete wellness and recovery.

Speed completed the 50-mile course in 7 hours, a benchmark for his physical recovery following his time in an intensive care unit. The $85,000 raised provides the necessary financial buffer for his continued medical oversight.

The takeaway

Maintaining long-term recovery goals, such as training for a specific race, can provide essential motivation during traumatic rehabilitation. Speed demonstrates how personal grit combined with community financial support creates a viable path forward after catastrophic injury.