Lessons learned: My first bikepacking race on the Grand Loop
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- In May of 2024 I attempted my first ever bikepacking race: The Grand Loop. I've been wanting to ride the Grand Loop ever since I rode through the heart of it with Traci in 2022 on the San Juan Gravel Grinder Hut to Hut Tour.
I researched and prepared for the race for months, but things didn't quite go as planned. Still, I gained some valuable information for when I come back to make another attempt.
This year's Grand Loop Race saw 43 riders start, but only 24 of them finished. The brutal heat was most likely the main culprit.
See more about the 2024 race on Bikepacking.com: bikepacking.com/?s=grand+loop...
Find the route here: bikepackingroots.org/gallery/...
See information about the race here: www.thewestendgravelrush.com/
Find my bike setup here: bikepacking.com/bikes/rigs-of...
Group photos and drone footage courtesy of Dani Reyes-Acosta. Find her on Instagram: @NotLostJustDiscovering
Thank you to Bex Howard and Charlotte Backus for providing personal photos.
Thank you to Tim Tait for organizing the event. Massive congratulations to Men's winner (and single speeder) Andrew Strempke and Women's winner (and single speeder) Alexandera Houchin. Andrew set the new singlespeed record. Alexandera set the new women's record.
Alexandera and Katie Strempke were only the 3rd and 4th women to complete the loop competitively. Amazing! - กีฬา
Katrina, you are SUCH a badass! The fact that you decided to scratch doesn't diminish that fact in any way. Thanks, once again, for posting a great inspirational video.
Thank you, Curtis! I was pretty bummed at first but sharing the experience has helped me see all I learned from it.
Fantastic video Katrina and it was great running in to you again. That course is brutal, especially if you aren't used to the heat like all of us. - Joey
Great to hear from you, Joey! I enjoyed seeing you and Bex again…there were some great moments in my short time on the loop. I’m glad I went!
Great video! Keep it up! You’re a true inspiration.
I appreciate that, thanks for watching!
Admiration for both recognizing the mental task ahead was not within you this year but then to fully realize just go over the state line and ride something equally beautiful and allow yourself the gift of grace and freedom for the love of the bike. Great response!
Thanks…I’m so glad I did! I absolutely love Colorado and it would have been a shame not to explore it while I was there!
A very genuine and honest account. Bravo for making the right decision. Often, it can be much harder to scratch from a race than to continue. And thank you for a lovely video!
Thanks for that. I appreciate you watching.
Katrina, I reckon as soon as you swap ‘ride’ for ‘race’ your mindset switches and you find yourself pushing a little harder. e.g Zone 2 becomes Zone 3 etc. You made a smart decision. The race will be waiting for a stronger Katrina next year. 😊
I think you’re exactly right. I had planned to ride the route two weeks earlier before I learned there was a race. Might have been a cooler start had stuck with my plans!
Heck yeah Katrina! You got the mindset to crush!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dave!
Wow this must of been insanely hard because YOU killed it on the GDMBR. Double the miles per day of most riders. So I know what shape you’re in. So glad you made the smart decision and not end up on an IV in the hospital
Thanks, Ray. It was humbling, for sure!
@@katrinahase ya, I bet. But it’s all part of this type 2 (2.5?). I like what they told you, such sound words of wisdom. I made notes of your ride on GDMBR, and thanks again for sending me the short alt route gpx. Will leave Banff next Sunday.
Very smart decision. I'm looking fwd to seeing more of the loop's grandness in next year's vid. :-)
Me too 😃
Good to know when to say "this just isn't my day" Many more days of adventure to come right!
Exactly!
1 step back, 2 steps forward.
Keep on riding! :)
Yes! Thank you!
great content,thanks
Thank you, Mark!
very interesting route
Yes, I’d really like to see it all!
Nice video!
Thanks, I’m excited for the two Gunnison videos coming up!
No shame in that, sounds like you made the right decision
I think so too, as disappointing as it was to not see the route this time around!
So proud of you!
Thank you…not every adventure goes to plan, but I still learned a lot!
If you learned something about yourself and your capabilities -- even though you "scratched", you will be much further ahead in the long term. Glad you listened to your body and turned around. Being former search and rescue, I have had to go in and pull people out who didn't listen to their bodies and made bad decisions which just compounded worst as they kept spiraling downward. Anytime you can get out under your own power and can ride another day = win.
Thank you for that important perspective! I heard a podcast by Moose Mutlow, a search and rescue volunteer, and it really stuck with me the trauma they experience when a rescue becomes a recovery. Best not to get into that situation for all involved!
Still at it huh? 😮
Absolutely!