Season Recap: The Events I Did, Why I Loved Them, and Tips to Getting the Most out of them10/18/2022   Mid South Gravel Location: Stillwater, OK Distance: 100 miles Why I loved it: Mid South was my first race of the season and my first gravel race ever! As nervous as I was to toe the line, the atmosphere was great, the course was beautiful, and it was the perfect intro to gravel. Bobby Wintle, the promoter, has more energy than anyone I have ever met, and every racer takes a bit of this energy with them on race day. Tips:
 The Bear XC MTB Location: Lakewood, CO Distance: 28 miles Why I loved it: It is no secret that XC racing is not my favorite discipline. I like longer events. There is less stress about the start, and more time exploring cool new areas. That being said, a good local XC is hard to beat. With racers of all ages and experience levels hanging out throughout the day, The Bear was the perfect break from campus and a hard effort for training! Tips:
 La Grind Gravel Location: Emporia, KS Distance: 100 miles Why I loved it: La Grind hit the sweet spot of a good atmosphere and enough competition. I got to spend the day with former WorldTour pro Kiel Reijnen (the first 1:30 of which was spent hanging on for dear life). It helped set everyone as equals. It felt like a local race, yet with people from further afield. It was the perfect warmup for Unbound. Tips:
 Gravel Locos Location: Hico, TX Distance: 155.8 miles Why I loved it: With it being the longest race I had done to this point and with the temperatures at over 100 degrees, I was pretty nervous. With names such as Ted King, Thomas Dekker, Ivar Slik, Ian Boswell, Matt Beers, and more, this race was no joke. However, the scenery reminded me of photos of Tuscany: white dirt, shrub-like trees, and rolling hills. The result also ended up being one of my best yet, as I finished 15th in a group with Ted, Dylan Johnson, Thomas Dekker and several others names who I was mostly terrified of. Tips:
 Unbound XL Gravel Location: Emporia, KS Distance: 350 miles Why I loved it: Love is maybe a strong word for this one. It was one of the most impactful races I have ever done. It reminded me of how incredible the human body is and how one’s mind can unlock that amazing potential. I will never, ever forget the feeling I racing through the night. While the race psuhed me to my limit and left me with tendonitis, I truly do believe it was a life experience well worth having. If it taught me one thing, it was never to give up. I got dropped at almost every gas station because I am slow at refilling my CamelBak ;(, but I kept chasing back on. Even in my darkest moments at 1AM, I kept fighting. I still cannot believe I finished that race. While the overall race atmosphere was stressful in the days leading up to it with the media, number of racers, and the expo, it would cool to connect with people from around the world! Tips: Pack more water than you think you will need. This will help avoid stops. I brought 2 25-oz bottles and 1 50oz pack and would have brought 2 more botles if I could go back in time. Also, bring ALL the Neversecond C30 and C30+ gels. At some point in the middle of the night, I could not handle solid food from gas station stops any more and all that kept me rolling were the gels. Also, wear some photochromic lens (I wore the Julbo Rush with 0-3 Reactiv lenses). This is crucial to being able to protect your eyes while still seeing at night. Also, don't stop for too long. Keep moving so your motivation stays up!  Ned Gravel Location: Nederland, CO Distance: 107 miles Why I loved it: Ned Gravel was the first “hilly” gravel race I did and boy did it not dissapoint. While the 5 AM start was a shock, the scenery was stunning. As it turns out, descending on your gravel bike is SO MUCH fun!! The race felt short because of the scneery and varied terrain. It was just technical enough to make it difficult, but still rideable. The after party was welcoming and laid back. This is what I want every gravel race to be like. Tips: Tire inserts. I would recommend the Vittoria Terreno Dry 38c tire with the AirLiner in the for the chunky Little Switzerland descent. Oh, and watch for moose.  Butte 100 MTB Location: Butte, MT Distance: 105 miles Why I loved it: Butte 100 kicked me in the err… Butt(e). With almost 2/3 of the elevation gain and most of the singletrack in the last 50 miles, it was one of the hardest races I have done. However, it was so rewarding. The atmosphere was relaxed, the scenery was great, and the people at the race were incredbliy friendly. Butte is also a cool, unique town that is worth visiting. Tips: Pace yourself. With most of the climbing coming in the back half and most of the singletrack there as well, it will take you at least 1 hour longer than the first half and is much more mentally and phsyically draining.  Pierre’s Hole 100k MTB Location: Alta, WY Distance: 57 Miles Why I loved it: I froze. This race would have had the best singletrack of any race ahd it been dry (it was all singletrack). However, it was under 50 degrees and raining. While this does not sound bad, it led to inches deep mud and hypothermia so bad that 80% of the field DNFed. That being said, it reminded me of how tough my mind is - maybe to a fault. I can’t wait to get back here on a dry, sunny day, to race on that pristine, flowing singletrack! Tips: Hope for dry weather. That is all.  Breck Epic MTB Stage Race Location: Breckenridge, CO Distance: 25-40 miles per day over 6 days Why I loved it: My not-so-secret racemcrush. It is hard, fun, miserable, funny, stupid, and crazy all at the same time. The stages feature amazing trails, views, and competition, but the vibe is relaxed and cordial. Even when Lachlan wants to kick your teeth in, he also wants to talk at the end to share battle stories. Their aid stations and recovery stations are the best in the business! Tips: USE THE AID BAGS!! They are fast and having food in there is key. Staying fueled well in each stage is key to success in the rest of the race. Also, carry an Endurance Threads Packie Jacket in your pack as it likes to thunder every afternoon ;).  UCI Marathon MTB World Championships Location: Haderslev, Denmark Distance: 75 miles Why I loved it: Life changing. That is all. A new culture, level of competition, and atmosphere made this race inredibly unique. Representing my country was a true “pinch-me” moment I will never forget. Also, Denmark is incredible. I did not want to leave. Tips: Well, I wish this race was open to the public but my tip would be to go to Denmark anyway because the riding and people there are AMAZING!  The Rad Dirt Fest
Location: Trinidad, CO Distance: 165 miles Why I loved it: This race was the perfect way to close out the season. After a cancelled race the week before due to weather, this 165-mile epic left me exhausted yet elated. It combined feelings of Unbound with feelings of Ned Gravel between flat and mountainous sections. The after party was great, and the camaraderie in the pack was as well. While it may be run by a large organization, it felt like a local event. Tips: Watch for sendy deer who hurl themselves into barbed-wire fences (this did happen). Also, make sure to stock up before the big cimb as the next aid station is 45 miles and a lot of climbing from where you last are able to stop! Bring a Packie Jacket for the long descent in the middle. |
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