Deciding to make yet another trek to Oklahoma, and giving another shot of riding 100 miles in March is an easy step for me. The Mid South 100 (formerly known as Land Run 100) has become a home-coming of sorts. Two and a half years ago, when I first decided to train for Dirty Kanza, this race was my “jumping off point” in terms of gravel riding. It was my first big can-I-get-this-done event, and holds a special place in my gravel-loving heart. Flash forward to June 2019, during the final leg of Dirty Kanza 200: 50 miles left, in the pitch-black night and I connected with a rad woman named Sally. It took us about an hour or so of riding together for me to learn that she was the Sally behind Mid South 100 (Event Manager). We formed an unforgettable bond after finishing a DK200 for the first time and it truly brought my gravel experience full circle. I love the scene and the community that Mid South brings together.
I came home on December 27 after spending Christmas Day with family and friends in South Bend, IN. I got home and thought I was sore from a training ride with my sister-in-law. “No, soreness does not bring on the body chills”. Shoot. I’m sick. From December 27- January 18, I was stuck fighting a virus. I started with fever and chills, vomit, and had a sore throat and cough that lasted 17 days. These 3 weeks put me at a complete halt. I worked from home and made sure to rest during that time. I put off my annual FTP test scheduled for January. At this point, I was going to train for a 100-mile event in less than 8 weeks. January was out the door! I considered transferring my Mid South spot to someone else, but my husband encouraged me to go to Mid South in whatever way, shape, or form that I could manage.
By January 23, I started riding again. I took a few weeks of slow sessions on the trainer and watched movies indoors with my son. With the very wet and icy winter we had, I decided to play it safe and get the most out of my riding outdoors on the pavement. On two occasions, I gauged the weather and rode in the hilly Fox River area starting in Yorkville, IL. The hills are challenging, the wind is ever present, and the pavement lets you keep rolling without worrying about wet or dirty gear. Riding in the winter is risky: you have to have your route planned, family/friends informed, and be dressed accordingly.
Thank you Kim for suffering in the rain with me!
The third training ride which I was able to attend was the Frostbite 40. It is held in Pecatonica, IL – not far from Freeport, IL. This area is the Illinois Driftless. Forty or fifty miles sound minimal, but considering the elevation, wind, slippery and mushy gravel, it can take you longer than you anticipate and makes you work. I was not feeling particularly great that day. I had an issue with my Garmin at the start, and worked to find my friend, Kim. We knew that we had lost the pack, but we decided to pair up and enjoy the day together- without any pressure. We took a minor detour to use the shelter of a Casey’s gas station in Dakota, IL for a bathroom stop and we were on our way to finish. This event is completely free and friendly. We were so lucky to sit down and decompress with the crew of organizers, as well as Kae Takashita – who sat down to join us after her second “lap” (40 miles after doing the 50 mile loop). The gravel community is big and welcoming.
Since the time I became sick and the time I picked up my training for Mid South, I learned that I would be a SRAM Ambassador in grassroots gravel – COOL! I was so honored to accept this role going into Mid South.
The week of Mid South was my usual “chaos”– making plans for my son who was going off with the grandparents, plans for my job, and last of all plans for MY things. I kept an eye on the race day weather and it was inevitable that rain was going to be part of the agenda. Unlike my “old” self, I felt determined to face anything that came my way in terms of wet conditions. I brought 2 kinds of rain jackets, several base layers, long-sleeved jerseys, shorts, and leg warmers. My bike bag was the largest bag, and mostly full of clothes this time.
My travel crew this year was my sister-in-law, Lindsay Knight. With three weeks lead time, she was able to get a spot at the Mid South (thanks, Bobby!!!) and was committed to line up…rain or shine. We have always spent time together in family gatherings, but never did a bike race weekend together. So, no husbands, no parents, no (albeit delightful) 5-year-old, we were both very excited about it. Lindsay showed up to my house Thursday at 6 AM sharp, and we rolled out to make the 11+ hour drive. It sounds nuts to leave so early in the morning, but then there are no regrets getting to Stillwater with enough daylight and time to have a dinner, catch up with the Mid South crew, and prepare food and gear for the next 2 days of riding.
This year, as we rolled in to Stillwater, the Mid South event concurred with a growing pandemic situation in the United States. We assessed and planned our actions as news and event information was made available to us.
Friday morning was the SRAM Coffee Ride (also known as re-con or shakeout ride). I appreciate this ride because my legs are always destroyed after sitting in the car for 11 hours. I felt sluggish during this ride but it was good to ride on the gravel surface and get a feel for my bike and my equipment. Also, it was raining at the start of our shake-out ride, so I had a chance to test the clothing pieces that I would bring for Saturday’s race. I tried a Gore-Tex Shakedry jacket that my brother let me borrow for the weekend. It was a game changer! Knowing that the weather would not be terribly frigid, the thin, lightweight jacket did the job of blocking moisture and wind.
It may sound crazy to arrive to an event 2 days beforehand, but Friday is also part of the fun. You have the Gravel Expo, which is an opportunity to see bike industry vendors and talk to them in person about the equipment. This year, the Gravel Expo took up a major street. It has grown over the years as more companies and sponsors come to the event. The packet pick-up is also on Friday. Lindsay and I finished retrieving our race numbers and swag, and headed to the grocery store for some last minute supplies. We cooked spaghetti, meatballs, and roasted vegetables for a well-rounded dinner. Then, it was time to load up my bike with bags and snacks, charge the electronics, and get some sleep.
The rain started all night, and it kept me up. We were expected to get 1 inch of rain during the night and in the early morning hours. It never stopped. I heard a tornado siren (great, just what we need in the morning) before breakfast time, but it was over quickly. We had waffles, hard boiled eggs, and coffee. I chewed on some of my turkey sticks I usually bring for the ride to get some extra protein.
As soon as we left our Airbnb to get to the race start, it was down pouring. We rode the 1 mile to the start line and our feet were soaked from riding in the flooded streets. This short ride was enough to get my heart pounding and my breathing heavy. I was getting so anxious now.
We got to the SRAM tent so that I could drop off my gear back with the crew. They would be waiting for me at the Perkins (mile 50) checkpoint. I put some extra goodies in there: an extra pair of shoes, socks, base layer, jersey, rain jacket, bandana, 2 full water bottles, a bottle of Coca Cola, and some refill nutrition (otherwise known as snacks).
We learned that there was a 30-minute delay due to a thunderstorm that was passing. (That explains the tornado siren I heard earlier!). Lindsay and I huddled next to a fake bonfire to keep warm. I did everything possible to heat up my feet since they were soaked. We lined up and it was mostly chaotic this year. I could not tell if we were closer to the front, middle or back. We all rolled out and the race got started.
I have never started an event in the pouring rain before. The weather did predict 2 hours of rain, then clear for the rest of the day. Before the rain could stop, we encountered the mud. Everywhere. Rural Oklahoma does not have gravel roads There are some roads with some gravel on top, but for the most part they are dirt roads. They are an absolute blast in dry conditions. When dirt is wet, it is slippery or muddy.
The key was to keep moving. I saw people stopping to rinse their bikes at a farmer’s hose, but I kept moving. Once I could tell that my bike was either not sounding right or not willing to move, I stopped to scrape off mud and rinse out my drive train with my water bottle. I had already lost my mud stick somewhere at the start, so I had to either borrow a mud stick, use a twig, or my hands. So, this became my system or the entire day.
The first 50 miles were different variations of mud. I learned most of it is rideable, mud ruts are to be wrestled with (and sometimes the mud won), and some sections you just have to walk. The mud gets too deep to ride in. I learned to carry my bike on my back instead of shouldering it. That position worked the best for me.
The temperature reached 55 degrees F but I was soaked from the 2 hours of rain. I knew that moving was important to keep my body temperature up. I was feeling good today because my legs responded to every hill I wanted to climb, or straight section with a tailwind or descent. I did not waste an inch of “easy” surface.
For this race, I focused on my nutrition, and took in calories more frequently and more quickly by incorporating Maurten Gels, Justin’s Peanut Butter packs, fig bars, and Untapped Maple Syrup. Every time I needed the energy, I felt I had it. So, this helped me keep my momentum in the chilly and wet environment.
Once I reached Perkins (mile 50 checkpoint), I reached for my bag while the SRAM mechanic, Matty, hosed down my bike. SRAM was offering NRS for the participants, and they had a station with a pressure washer. While Matty rinsed my bike, I ran to the gas station to change my base layer, jersey, and rain jacket. The second rain jacket had more insulation and a hood. I thought it would come in handy if I had to ride in the evening chill. My original pair of clothes were just soaked. This change of clothes and socks brightened my mood. I chewed on a chocolate chip cookie and finished a Mexican bottle of Coca Cola from the SRAM crew. I was off right away.
The rest of the roads were rideable, but sometimes with some deep mud at the bottom of fast descents. This made me more nervous because the race was thinning out and I found myself alone a lot. I walked a long section where the mud nearly pulled my shoes off twice. I crossed the gnarly bridge section- and fortunately some people were at the same spot, so we helped each other hold bikes and cross the “bridge” (it is a plank of wood you walk across, but tricky with a heavy bike caked in mud).
It started to get dark and the mud was becoming like peanut butter. It’s drying. It is getting chunky and thick now. It started to get dark and I could hear packs of coyote’s howling in the distance (great, I’m going to be their snack!) I passed a couple and later they passed me as we rode into the “Oasis” checkpoint (mile 80). It became dark and I turned my lights on. They decided to join me, so we could potentially finish Mid South together in the dark. At the Oasis, the couple was discussing their plans about whether to continue or not. I said that I was going to get going and that they could catch up with me on the course. I rode in the dark on some sand and then on a gravel road. My light in low strength was not so bright and I really needed high strength to see the mud ahead of me, so I could calculate it and handle my bike. I turned my light on high strength then approached a road covered in mud. That was it. I was done. I had enough risky mud by myself and the next 17 miles of mud (alone) were too dangerous for me. I texted Lindsay and my friend Allison that I abandoned the race, and called the “Jeep Rescue” crew to get me. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait so long in the cold and they found me right away. Once I got to Stillwater, Lindsay was waiting for me. The cold set in, and I could not even ride to the Airbnb. Lindsay put it on the truck and we drove to the house for the night. A hot pizza and shower drink never tasted so good!
This event was a loss and a win for me. I lost my first chance at getting the infamous Bobby salute at the end and the finisher patch. However, I won because I showed up, looked at my fear in the eye, kept my body and bike going, and rode as far as I could.
