Every campsite needs a gnome mascot.

Competing in a 24 hour mountain bike race has always been on my to do list, so when a friend suggested putting together an all women’s 5-person team, it didn’t take more than 30 seconds to say I was in.

I rode as much as possible during April and May, but it wasn’t enough time for the brutality that is riding at race pace for 15 miles every 5 hours or so. It takes more determination and training than I would ever have to do any less than a 5-person team!

Thoughts on lap 1 (3:15pm):
This is pretty.
Remember that stump when it gets dark – it’s not a bear.
This turn is super fast, take it wider next time.
What, what is this hill? Another one? I thought there was limited climbing on this course.

Thoughts on lap 2 (8:30pm):
Was there even a rock there? Where did all these bruises come from?

Thoughts on lap 3 (3:30am):
Just focus on where you’re going…
Wait, am I awake?
Sunrise? This is really cool.

Thoughts on lap 4 (9:40am):
Last one, give it your all.
Catch the team in front of us!
Best. Cheering. Squad. Ever.

Just the 10 of us.

What a fun experience camping and riding with 9 other ladies (2 teams of 5 – yes, there were 10 of us crazy enough to do it, and at least 3 other teams from Whitefish not with our camp). Token husbands ran support and bike repair. And we had a Gnome (and of course Lucy) cheering us on the whole time.

And recovery has only taken 4 days of a fever to start feeling back to normal…

Not every gal is lucky enough to have a husband to run support as an anniversary present…