19/03/2023
Check out Hub Team rider Kristin's recap of her ride at the Mid South! Way to crush a tough day in the saddle!
Posted •
3.11.23 The wasn’t on my radar this season until it was. Five weeks before the starting line was gripping my focus I was entering a drawing by Bone Saw Cycling Collective] and to win an entry to this race. It was not only winning the entry but also the immediate “we are in this together” vibe that happened between Bone Saw Cycling Collective] .racing.collective and that shaped the days ticking off the calendar to get there.
I had made the decision to focus on gravel this season so why not start off with one of the biggest ones in the country.
I chatted with anyone who had experience with this race in the past, the mud stories, the peanut butter gravel, the derailer’s sacrificed on the first climb out of town stuck into my memory with a magnetic force. But most importantly the common theme of a race surrounded with support, and companionship. I didn’t know until I was in that that theme was going to make my entire race.
Fast forward to race day, a new gravel bike and gear set up, big shout out to David I knew this race was going to be one that I’d be traversing solo. All of this support leading up to the starting line was exactly what I needed but I knew for the next 60 miles it was on me to find my mental state that could bring me across the finish line.
Now let’s paint the picture: about 2000 riders lining up, little over half roll out at 8am with Bobby aka stoking every single one of them up. We line up at 8:15, with more jumping enthusiasm from Bobby, promising the best hug of your life once you roll through that finish line, the lead out jeep pulled off the course and the whole thing started. I was nervous but my bike felt great, my mental state was feeling great, I knew my snack game was strong and I was rolling.
Did it all change quickly? I guess so. Climbing some of the first sequences of hills I needed to drop some gears,
(see Kristin's post for the rest of the story!)
