Southern Cross 50-Mile Gravel Race

Southern Cross 50 Miles Gravel Race 50 miles, 6K of climbing, 3:22 hrs. 5th place finish in Open Women Category. Lining up at the start, I saw so many strong riders, most on gravel bikes, as expected for a gravel race. There were lots of teams, collegiate riders, and a record number of young racers, as race director Lisa pointed out, which was amazing. Around 50 women across all classes took on the 50-mile challenge, which is incredible. I knew I wouldn’t be fighting for the win, but I was ready for an amazing effort, a full-gas race, and the push that comes from riding alongside such a strong field. I set my eyes on the top five—last time I did this race two years ago, I placed 7th. You never know who will show up; you can end up on the podium or far from it with the exact same finishing time. This year, my time equaled last year’s winning time, but two years ago, it was only enough for 7th place.

Photo credit: dashingimages.com

The start was intense as a few hundred riders jetted down the swoopy, steep descent and into the painful climb out of the Montaluce Winery. Groups quickly formed on the road stretch. I had no chance of catching the first group; at least a couple of women disappeared with them, probably more. I was stuck between groups for a while until a small second group caught me, then a few more riders joined. I fought hard to stay, but I couldn’t consistently hold the wheel, drifting back and forth. I was the last rider hanging onto this extension of the front pack, with an endless stream of riders behind. Then we hit the first real climb—no more neutral rollout. The race truly began.

Photo credit: dashingimages.com

Finally, I was in my element—on gravel, on my hardtail Zerouno with Gulo wheels rolling so fast and smooth, I love my bikes. Within the first minute of climbing, I caught two collegiate riders. My countdown began. It took another 45 minutes of brutal climbing on Winding Stair Gap before I spotted another female rider. The rolling hills had turned into a relentless ascent. I passed a strong-looking racer from the front row, someone I had expected to be far ahead. That made three. The gravel became loose and dry, the climb steeper as I neared the first feed zone. There, I passed another strong rider—number four. After a quick bottle handoff, I hit a long stretch of rolling hills and a fast descent.

Photo credit: dashingimages.com

At one point, our race came to a near halt as 57 Jeep vehicles crawled up the middle of the gravel road while we were bombing down. I’d never seen that many Jeeps at once! Eventually, we spilled onto a few miles of asphalt descent. To my surprise, the fourth rider I had passed earlier flew by me on her gravel bike. A minute later, I was able to catch up and sit on her wheel briefly before we returned to rolling hills. That’s when the attacks started—repeated surges trying to drop me. I stayed patient, ensuring I didn’t lose too much ground. Soon, I worked my way back to her side. A quick exchange of words confirmed that there were four women ahead, meaning we were battling for 5th place overall. After that, I pushed forward and didn’t look back. This time, she didn’t follow.

Photo credit: dashingimages.com

Climbing my heart out to the second feed zone, I grabbed water and braced for the insane descent ahead. The course was torn up, with loose rocks, steep drops, and a hurricane-like wind making it even crazier. I sent my bike down like there was no tomorrow. The dust, speed, and wind made it impossible to hear if anyone was near. I was in full sprint mode for the final 18 miles. It’s a long sprint, one where effort management is key. I saw a few crash victims along the way and had no riders around me. Then, suddenly, I heard someone coming up fast—no way was someone passing me here! But it was a guy on a motorbike, giving me a huge cheer and a rad-on gesture before speeding off. That was both funny and motivating!

Photo credit: dashingimages.com

The last gravel sections had some punchy climbs that stung. Then came the long, endless-feeling stretch of pavement leading back to where we started. Everything felt like slow motion. A young rider I recognized from the start caught me. Earlier, he had joked about bringing marshmallows for a chill ride. As he passed, I asked, “So where are the marshmallows?” His turnaround and look were priceless—we both laughed. One last turn led to a grassy field, a muddy creek crossing, and a climb out onto gravel toward the finish. That final climb felt like riding through molasses.

I crossed the line at 3 hours and 22 minutes, feeling great. I hit my goal—5th place in an incredibly strong field, racing against road and gravel pros. Exactly what I set out to accomplish.

I saw familiar faces, made new friends, and soaked in the experience. I always do. No matter if it’s gravel or singletrack, the challenge of bike racing is always profound. You learn so much about yourself—not just what your body can handle, but how your mind processes pain, discomfort, setbacks, and surges forward. The moments that could break you but don’t. That’s the most amazing part of racing—the psychology of pain, turning it into something beautiful and meaningful.

Mountain Goat Adventures puts on phenomenal races, always well-organized and so much fun. I can’t help but keep coming back for more.

Uwharrie MTB Race – A Muddy, Wild, and Epic Ride!

This was my first time racing in Uwharrie National Forest, and wow—what an introduction! The entire week had been brutally cold, and race day was no exception, with temperatures hovering at 30°F. Lined up in a massive 180-rider start, bundled in plenty of layers, I could feel my breath turning to weird stinging coldness as my lungs filled with crisp air.

The race kicked off fast, the leaf covered gravel road immediately sending us scrambling for position. With one female rider ahead of me, I kept pushing, knowing that the real race would begin once we hit the singletrack. Only 1.5 miles of gravel later, just before we dove into the technical Keyauwee Trail, I made my move and surged ahead.

This was the kind of trail I enjoy—bumpy, rocky, and raw, with small rock gardens, slick river crossings, and two massive rock faces covered in moisture and ice. Every line choice mattered. At one point, I glanced back to see that Sarah, who I had passed, had fallen behind—but Annie was right there, just a switchback away. She was charging hard, and before I knew it, she was on my wheel, eager to push the pace even more.

Despite the intensity, we still managed to exchange a few words in between laying down some serious watts! Annie chased me around with this awesome smile on her face! I loved it! When we hit a gravel stretch, she made her move, surging past me into the next trail—Wood Run. This trail was a whole different beast. It started out loose and pebbly, but then transformed into a peanut-buttery, tire-sucking mess. I had ridden it earlier when the ground was frozen, but now? It was a completely different animal, and I had no idea just how much worse it would get on lap two.

Somewhere in the middle of Wood Run, Annie had a bottle cage issue, giving me an opportunity to pass her back. I blasted through the feed zone, pushing into another fast, unfamiliar trail that led me straight into lap two—this time, with far fewer riders around.

With less traffic, I really started to enjoy myself. The river crossings, the rock gardens, the punchy climbs—everything just flowed. I caught myself hooting, and sending “yuppies” into the air, the way I always do when I’m truly in my element. My bike, now thoroughly caked in mud, tore through the slippery terrain, spraying chunks of earth into the air.

But I wasn’t alone. I knew I was being chased, and I still had to hold my lead. When I hit Wood Run again, it had turned into a full-blown mudslide. The switchbacks were insanely slick, and holding a line was nearly impossible. I had a rider right behind me, both of us making all kinds of ridiculous noises as we desperately tried to keep our tires down. It was hilarious and chaotic—the kind of racing that makes you laugh through the suffering.

Somewhere near the top of the climb, I spotted a beautiful plateau covered in blooming daffodils—a brief, surreal moment of peace before plunging back into the slippery madness. My bike was now so coated in mud that chunks were literally flying off into my face. The rider behind me shouted, “You’re a beast!”, and we both cracked up as we fought our way out of the muck.

Still holding a solid lead, I hit the final stretch, pushing hard but also just soaking in the moment—the challenge, the speed, the camaraderie, the absolute joy of racing bikes.

The day had been a battle—not just against my competitors but against the elements, the terrain, and even my own constantly changing body temperature. Frozen at the start, sweating on the climbs, chilled in the shade—I had never raced in so many layers, but for some reason, I just wanted to feel cozy out there. And cozy I was.

In the end, I finished in 2 hours and 33 minutes and took the win! 🎉

Next week, a new challenge awaits. And I can’t wait.

Return to Words: Capturing the Ride in Writing

 

It has been quite a few years since I last wrote on my blog. I love capturing my experiences in writing—riding, racing, and the adventures that come with it. Even when I’m in a race, I find myself mentally blogging, holding onto key moments—the thrill of making a pass, catching someone, noting the time or mile mark. After all, we can’t remember every detail of a race, but those small, special moments stick with us. Like spotting the first blooming pink Redbud tree against the gray stillness of winter or noticing a tiny purple wildflower tucked beneath a familiar root I ride over lap after lap.

I love bike riding and racing. I love being in nature. Even after all these years, I still can’t get enough. Life got busy, and I stepped away from writing, but maybe it’s time to change that. The thoughts, emotions, and experiences that unfold during a race feel too special not to share. The excitement, the energy—it all begs to be put into words. But why? To self-express, to share the moment, the passion, to inspire? Maybe to remind others how incredible it is to ride, no matter your speed or results. The pure joy of riding often surpasses the pressures of racing. Racing brings its own stress and expectations, but do we all need to succeed? Do we need to push our limits just for a medal?

After all these years, I’ve come to believe that racing isn’t just about winning. It’s about the feeling—the burn in the legs, the fire in the lungs, the heartbeat pounding in sync with the rhythm of the ride. It’s about the shared smiles with fellow racers, the small talk on the trail, the cheers from the sidelines, the rush of clearing a drop that once terrified you. Mountain biking and racing bring both mental and physical challenges, but above all, they bring joy. For many of us, this is a way of life. It defines who we are. The constant pursuit of the next adventure, the preparation, the sacrifices—it’s all part of the journey.

Is it worth it? Who can say? Is it worth going to the movies, working in the garden? We each find our own passions, our own sense of purpose. Whether it’s photographing waterfalls, writing poetry, teaching yoga, or racing bikes and blogging about it, what matters is that it brings us joy. It’s about filling life with the things that matter to us, even if they seem insignificant to others. The things that come from your heart and mind—those are the things that make you whole.

Breck-Epic - Breckenridge, CO

Breck-Epic - Breckenridge, CO - August  5-10

Champion - Team Open Women - Won 4 of 6 Stages and won overall by 5 minutes across 24 hrs / 220 Miles / 42k climbing

Teammate: Jennifer Moos aka Mooser

Write-up coming soon...

THE EPIC is a 6-day mountain bike race held in and around the backcountry surrounding Breckenridge, CO. Each stage begins and ends in town, allowing racers to stay in one place for the entire event.

In general, the race is 220-240 miles long and ‘features’ roughly 40,000′ feet of vertical gain (and loss!)

2018 STAGE ORDER:

    Aug 5: Stage 1 – Pennsylvania Creek  (Ice Rink/Carter Park) – 35 miles, 6000′

    Aug 6: Stage 2 – Colorado Trail (Lower Washington/B&B Lot) – 43 miles, 7200′
     
    Aug 7: Stage 3 – Guyot (Lower Washington/B&B Lot) – 41 miles, 8100′
     
    Aug 8: Stage 4 – Aqueduct (Lower Washington/B&B Lot) – 44 miles, 6300′
      
    Aug 9: Stage 5 – Wheeler (Beaver Run Parking Lot/Peaks TH) – 32 miles, 4900′
     
    Aug 10: Stage 6 – Gold Dust (Ice Rink/Ice Rink) 30 miles, 4800′
       

USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships - Snowshoe, WV

USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships - Snowshoe, WV - July 17-22

1st Place - National Title!
Top 5 Overall

Products used: 2018 ZeroUno Ambizone HT built and maintained by Riders Only in Jupiter Florida. Spaziale Diamante Handlebars, Seatpost, 25mmID Wheels and Ceramic Bearings everywhere. Castelli Custom San Remo Speedsuit. NewSchwalbe Racing Ralph and Racing Ray tires 29*2.25. Extralite 70mm Stem. Magura MT8 Raceline Brakes with Storm SL.2 160mm Rotors. SquirtLube Chain lube, Sealant and Barrier Balm. ND Tuned OVR Front Fork. SRAM 12 Speed Eagle drivetrain. Rotor Kapic 170mm Crank with 30t Q-Ring DM. Limar Helmet. Oakley Prizm Radar sunglasses. SelleSMP Carbon Saddle. XpedoM-Force 8 Ti SPD Pedals. ESI Fit CR grips. Clif Gels and Electrolyte drinks. Garden of Life supplements. Removu S1 Gimbal and a Gopro 6 to record the race course. TrainerRoad to train with on my Cycleops Hammer trainer.

We woke up early morning in Vallnord Andorra, just the next morning after the biggest race in my entire life. Hotel had to set us up with a small temp breakfast before regular breakfast hours. It was really awesome of them to do this. Last few looks around on the cold rushing river and we were off. It was going to be a very long day…

First was a drive to Spain where we were flying out from Barcelona and were having a connection in Morocco. Normally we will go direct but that was the best flight to get us on the National Championships site as quickly as possible and as close as possible to it. The “short” connecting flight was a little bit of a nightmare. When we were reaching higher altitude, we got into extreme turbulence's, probably the worst I ever experienced. The plane was being thrown left and right and up and down with great force for an endless what felt like about of time. It didn’t look good and I had no idea if we can get through it. We were literally jumping and getting air off the chairs and feeling lightness and being smashed back and to each side. All the children on the plane started screaming their lungs out and parents were just grinding the teeth as I was. I was also about to rip my husband’s shorts off I was pulling so hard on the fabric. It lasted for way too long but it stopped, it eventually stopped. We still had a long journey and had to fly over Gibraltar. Since then I could not relax even for the smallest moment and pretty much was counting every single second during the flight. We were approaching Casablanca now and the sky was just brown. It looked as a dust storm with no clouds, just dusty brown air all the way up where the clouds should be and all the way to the ground. I didn’t know if that would mean it would be a really rough landing but thankfully it was alright. Then we had the next flight on a Dreamliner all the way to DC. Most of it went smooth until the last couple hours. It still didn’t mean I was able to relax because I wasn’t. When we got to DC it was late evening and we still had a 4-hour drive to SnowShoe. It was another bag of problems considering how tired we were now. The dark, narrow, twisty mountain roads, sky full of billions of stars and our shutting down and over exhausted brains. It was really rough and we had to stop a few times just to pull ourselves together. Then we collapsed finally arriving sometime mid night at the race site.

This is exactly why I was not sure how good of the idea it was to even come here straight from Andorra instead of simply not racing at Nationals. 26 hours straight with no sleep, big time change and all this stress and travel. Not even to mention I just raced two days back in Europe the most important race in my life so far. But we went for it not knowing how my body will handle it and now we are here.

The next morning, I did my pre-ride and saw everyone out there. Track was very similar to what we had last year, minus the crazy rain at the moment, but it did rain the day before so whoever pre-rode yesterday was playing in mud. For me only those very shaded and my least favorite rooty sections were still wet, everything else was good to go.

I was different this time around, not the track but me. I actually didn’t hate it as much, I felt strong and confident on my least favorite section and made sure I can clear all those piles of slimy roots. The rock section toward the end didn’t bother me at all actually and I kind of enjoyed it. Everything in between was pretty fast, one super fun downhill section with berms that we all enjoyed so much last year and of course the climbs. For some reasons it felt like there were more of those this time around but really after what I saw and raced overseas those were really quite insignificant to me, almost like rolling hills than actual climbs, they didn’t bother me at all. Toward the end of my practice ride I started feeling them however in my still tired legs and body and though that maybe it was too much of the good thing and I should have not even ridden that much. But it was all done now and I was very confident with the course and ready to roll.

The race morning did come really soon, thankfully this time our balcony was overlooking a section of the course so I could just ride out from our room… That was neat and saved some nice time. I warmed up on and off the course with Ali who will be doing her first national event. We got really lucky this year, the weather did hold and it was beautiful and sunny the whole previous day and no rain predictions for today, so the course should be just perfect.

We got staged some 10-15 minutes before race start and lined up ready to go.

Some people in my class got race nerves and showed up really on the last minute. Glad you made it to the start line Kelly! 😊

I felt pretty good considering all the crazy hassle to get here this week and I was really looking forward to just make it happen.

Even though it was the only National Title that was still missing from my collection and it seemed to be for me the most difficult of all to obtain I was not stressed at all.

I was focused, composed, determined and just simply ready. I even smiled hard with having my husband on the side before the start cheering me on and goofing it out a little and doing little kangaroo hops with his big camera pack that was bouncing with him up and down… Loved it! But it was a go time, now or never!

And we were off. Right from the start we were going to the uphill on the dirt and some grass which become steeper toward the top and would determine who will go first to the next fast part of the course. We were all very even along the way and on the last few feet or so I felt I had to push even harder to make a move. It worked out and I fought my way through the front and next big downhills with berms and fast gravel path that lead us to really awesome, flowy and fast section with few spots where you could get some air if you really wanted to. Then there was a gradual uphill, steep tiny climb that checked everyone’s legs and bike down to the most dreaded rooty section. It had to be at least 0.5-mile-long, but I never bothered to check, it simply felt long and way longer than that. I was doing really good here and knew that this is where I lost my race last time. I was not going to let it happen again and was aware I have to stay in front and if I do, I should be good for the remainder of the lap. I did hear definitely a set of wheels behind me but I didn’t know who it was. I just kept on being as efficient, smooth and error free as possible. I started passing riders in front from other classes, that was good. Some people would fumble in front and actually mess up my lines, or they would simply slide off the root and fall, put the foot down and all the good that is associated with this crazy section. This did affect my riding slightly but not that much. I cleared it all, did come out of those mean roots on the bottom of the dirty and still muddy double truck in the lead. I put down the hammer, there was no stopping me now. I felt strong, surprisingly really strong and was not planning to slow down any time soon.

I managed the climbs so well, the fun section was just a blast and it made me forget I was actually racing, the rocks were just an awesome challenge as well as little timed down flat man-made rock garden. It was all good. I did cross the first lap with a nice lead and jumped strong into the second. It all went pretty well again, more passes, more people that I knew from classes before. Throughout whole lap I rode with confidence and set pace that was powerful but not overwhelming, I was not going to trash myself here, I was just set on a very manageable effort that possibly could be bumped up if it was really needed. I just wanted to be steady. It was all working out really well. It was good to see myself going by so many riders in the XC race, usually in the past it would not be the case.

Being called queen of endurance had a reason, and also me trying to win the XC title for some time now and always being so close but never close enough had a reason too. I am more than happy to bring it all to this change, to the moment where I don’t have to look at the weaknesses and feel like I can’t do good in something because my body just doesn’t choose this distance as a preferred one. I decided to fight it off and make it also one of my strengths. It was definitely working and I for sure proved it just two days earlier in the massive and stacked to the roof race.

So here we go, we are on the second lap and it is a swap bottle time. Too bad my Pax decided to position himself nicely to snap a cool picture on the little rock garden which was unfortunately located few hundred meters down from the official feed zone. The sun was out and I really was getting thirsty and was looking forward the bottle and it didn’t happen. Now I went to final lap three with no drink and knew that the feed zone is sadly toward the end part of the lap. It did for sure occupy my mind for a long while, since I felt that I already had enough obstacles put in place for this race that really, I didn’t need another one. Being dehydrated, overheated on top of just plain exhausted and sleep deprived was just too much. But I had no choice but just stay calm, keep on working and look at the big picture.



After all it was a last lap and I had a good lead. I saw a lot of people struggling on the climbs, they were for sure getting to everyone now. Everyone was trying to just manage the energy the best way they could. What was funny when I was going through the rock sections there was a lady in pink in front and I don’t know why I kept thinking she somehow could be in my class. I was determined now to speed up and catch and pass her as soon as I could. By the time I got to her I smiled to myself realizing she was just completely different person from some different class who started at a completely different time than me long ahead of me. Either way my class or not I had to pass and from there coast to the finish line. On the way making two more spots overall in the process before crossing the finish line.

And finally, it happened! The history had been made once again and now the way I wanted it, the way I imagined it quite a few years back when we said to each other with my husband Pax. “How cool it would be to have three National titles in three different disciplines”.


So, it was that phrase that started this all, this little quest for something that only made sense, mattered to both of us and really no one else. And because we felt it was going to be cool when it happens.


And it did!

We attended the award ceremony at night and watched some other races. We admired the mountains, the views, the fresh air, the wildflowers around. Each time I looked I wish I could ride mountains more often.


We left home the next morning but it happened to be very overcast and rainy day. It makes for cool, gloomy and reflective right but sadly once again not for the best flight home.

For those who get bored with my plane travel complaints might end here but for those who enjoy my misery please continue!

We took off in DC and it started well, but it was not long into the flight when captain said “flight attendants take your jumpsuits” or at least it was what I heard. I saw flight attendant rushing by me to the back and was thinking that pilot has a great sense of humor and imagined it as some James Bond or Mission Impossible scene when everyone, by everyone I mean the whole crew will jump out on us and leave us here. Later on, we were informed that we were going through bad storm cells. Few minutes later captain announced “flight attendants take your jump seats”, since he said it some eight more times during the flight. It was clear now that crew was here to stay! Yey. But the flight was still too stomach turning. We were supposed to land in some 15 minutes and I didn’t notice us descending at all. I knew we supposed to be on the east coast over the Atlantic and when we pulled up flight data on our GPS we realized we were in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico! Holly cow, apparently, we were zigzagging and flying for an additional 45 minutes in order to avoid all the storm below. When we finally landed and started driving home it was an end of the world downpour that we had to drive through. We were told we were last plain allowed to land in Ft. Lauderdale and my neighbor told me that at our house there was a hurricane like storm and winds and she had no clue how we were flying in this and getting home…

But we got home, safe and sound…

The trip all over the world and back was eventful, exhilarating, exhausting, soul defining and something that will stay in our history books forever.

All of it is not an easy process and takes a lot to make it happen, but we could not have it any other way around. I am so happy that Team Mucha had another fantastic adventure under the belt!

Now it’s official, 4x National Champion!

Thank you to all of you who followed my crazy journeys and cheer me on!

Until next time!

Thank you goes to:

ZeroUno Bikes, Spaziale Compositi, Riders Only Bikes, Castelli, Magura, Removu, NDTuned, Limar Helmets, Schwalbe, Rotor Bike Components, Squirt Lube, SelleSMP, Trainer Road, ESI Grips, Clif, Xpedo, Garden of Life, Kuat Racks, Oakley, KMC Chains

2018 MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - Vallnord, Andorra

2018 MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

 -  Vallnord, Andorra

Bronze, it's a Bronze! :-)

Products used: 2018 ZeroUno Ambizone HT built and maintained by Riders Only in Jupiter Florida. Spaziale Diamante Handlebars, Seatpost, 25mmID Wheels and Ceramic Bearings everywhere. Castelli Custom San Remo Speedsuit. NewSchwalbe Racing Ralph and Racing Ray tires 29*2.25. Extralite 70mm Stem. Magura MT8 Raceline Brakes with Storm SL.2 160mm Rotors. SquirtLube Chain lube, Sealant and Barrier Balm. ND Tuned OVR Front Fork. SRAM 12 Speed Eagle drivetrain. Rotor Kapic 170mm Crank with 30t Q-Ring DM. Limar Helmet. Oakley Prizm Radar sunglasses. SelleSMP Carbon Saddle. XpedoM-Force 8 Ti SPD Pedals. ESI Fit CR grips. Clif Gels and Electrolyte drinks. Garden of Life supplements. Removu S1 Gimbal and a Gopro 6 to record the race course. TrainerRoad to train with on my Cycleops Hammer trainer.

Race start and finish in beautiful Vallnord, Andorra

Jolanda Neff

Nino Schurter

 

Emily Batty

What a race! What an amazing adventure once again!

My whole season revolved around this one race. Long year, long journey, long distance to travel for such a short but powerful and meaningful event.

Cross Country mountain bike racing is hard. It always comes down to the smallest details, to the tiniest decisions made in the heat of the moment. Every second, literally every single one counts and you have to be as smart, composed and prepared as it gets.

I had my doubts within no doubts if I should be flying all the way to Europe to give myself one more opportunity to fight for a good finish on this wonderful course. Doubt had a few valid bases. One of them was that our XC National Championship event was moved from what supposed to be two weeks after Andorra to the same week as Andorra. It was planned out so badly that my race in Europe was taking place on Tuesday of the same week and my USA race on Friday. And considering the crazy time change and packing and repacking the bike and somehow getting there coherent and on time, it all was a big problem. How to even find connections that will bring me there on time without leaving here (Andorra) too early, just in case my race is postponed. Besides that, my finishing time last year was a solid 6th with me and Meaghan battling hard for the top 5 but also a deep understanding that top 4 was so far off our reach that it was not even encouraging in any way. You really have to be crazy or over optimistic to put yourself in the spot thinking you have any shot at the top 3, none the less the win. The no doubt part was simple, I wanted it. Like a little stubborn child, without any other better explanation or logical reason, this is simply what I wanted. Now I just need to figure out how to get it. And if you think you have a year to prepare and you have what seems like all the time in a world, you are so wrong. Time flies by so quick, especially if you want to be everywhere and do everything if you want to do all Florida State series than some South Florida series, then endurance series, some local trail building fund events and the list just keeps on going. It simply went by so quick that it felt weird and little terrifying.

I did my calculations, the most generous, optimistic, “I got this” way of thinking I could possibly assess. I took into account what I have learned from my previous race there. I was some 9 minutes back off the winner last time, Lorena Zocca from Italy, some 7 minutes back to all top 4 women. I was 11 minutes back from the former Olympic medalist Marga Fullana who wins this race overall every single year for 8 years in a row now.  So, I thought of every little single section I did last time, I ran it all in my head how much time (seconds, it is all in seconds) I possibly could have improved by. The seconds started to add up. Whichever way I tried and it was not including any flaws or mistakes. That was this illusive the best-case scenario. I concluded I have a shot to be possibly 6 minutes faster. That is actually a lot and encouraging but that would still not put me in the medal position.

On top of that list of racers that I was going to go against this year was not something to not look at with a really good perspective. The last year winner and current world champion is coming back, the top 15 Olympian finisher will be in my class and the top 3 finisher from Vale di Sole two years back. There was more of course but those were already crazy strong and undoubtedly capable contenders.

We gave it a go, and arriving in the beautiful Andorra and seeing those mountains once again was just so fantastic. We watched a lot of racing days prior to my race from XCO to Downhill and met lots of top racers in the world and had a blast. But it was time to focus on my own race.

My racing machine Zerouno Ambizione Jade was ready to go and set up in the best components that we felt were suitable for this type of terrain and the race. Just two weeks before I swapped my group set to SRAM Eagle XX1, I just put a new Kapic crank from Rotor, brand new Schwalbe tires that just came out. The lightest and most aggressive Selle SMP saddle that I own. Everything was top notch. We even upgraded my fork to a NDTuned custom fork (First in the World) and that’s why I traveled with an extra wheel to fit the boost fork in front. I had plenty amount of time to practice with the new fork and get used to this setup.

I loved riding here. The course was mostly the same as last year but the start and finish area was slightly moved and therefore somewhat modified. I really liked the change, it added a steep long climb right from the gate which was followed by awesome bermy slalom like descent with some small jumps in it. The end included some fast-single track with steep and sketchy climbs. I enjoyed it last time but I truly loved it this time around. The course is so tough, so technical, so steep, so breath taking and so wonderful at the same time.

Race Day:

I was ready, I did my little warm up and went to staging. I was called out to the start line.
While I was standing in the first-row, a rider on the left of me looked down on my bar, which had a little scrabble I put on it the night before. She read it, smiled and said “but be smart”. I smiled back and told her that it was more something that simply makes me smile since it’s our internal joke from work rather that something to be taken literary. My bar said “Go fast and take chances”, I still smile when I think about it…Little that I know it was no one else but Kiara, former Canadian Olympian who will be winning this race overall.

Right before the start when we are just nearing a minute away there is this amazing and crazy beautiful and emotional, for me at least, music is playing, which suddenly stops and it sounds like a heartbeat right before we start. It is funny now but it is so incredible and powerful to simply just stand there and it is the hardest thing to keep your tears in check. The last thing you want to do is weep on the start line.

Pom, pom, pom, pom, pom and we are off! Straight to the turn and long gravel laden climb. I was in front with some of the fastest ladies out there on our beautiful planet. I was not going to let go off the gas and kept on fighting. I got to the first slalom descent in a decent position. Soon after the trail turned upwards and we were climbing again. This time around things hurt much more and no one is simply jetting away, it’s just impossible. Climbing here is real and altitude can be felt. Toward the top everyone’s legs start feeling like noodles but you have to keep going to the tiny descent that leads to the next, but very gradual climb, which just keeps getting steeper and steeper and has more funky roots. This is definitely the spot where you want to make sure you have legs to keep turning those pedals, skills and stubborn mind to keep on fighting and making sure you don’t make mistake.

Then comes a rock garden. After we clear that there was the only a stretch that seems quite leveled. Here I noticed I was not that far away from Lorena Zocca, last year’s World Championship winner from my group. I wondered if I will be able to keep my eyes on her and hopefully stay close on the next, very long and very technical descent called Rampage. To my surprise Lorena was for most of that part the same distance ahead, well until my bike decided to start flipping me over near some infamous bed of roots which were followed by steep small drops. I managed somehow and very quickly to catch myself from completely losing it and recovered really fast and despite the steepness, just clipped in and kept on going. I did come out of this section only a little below her. With each pedal stroke on the long and quite brutal Red Zone climb I was getting the gap smaller.

Than we went to a fast, grassy, another slalom like descent, feed zone 1 and one steeper climb ending with a big and steep descend to the forest. This section is pretty awesome, at times technical but mostly very fast, with big berms that turn into the technical La Massana climb. Lots of roots resides here, different lines and it does get steep. Not making a mistake here is a key and I actually felt very confident here and didn’t mind choosing the hard lines.

This is where I caught up to Lorena. After that, we had another even steeper and pretty long and narrow descent, which did flow into a really fast and rooty single-track that I adored. I was sitting on her wheel now, thinking when I will be making my pass. We have two really tough upward turns however coming up and I knew those were going to be tricky and everything needs to be as perfect as possible to make them with no mistake. I knew my lines and options well but didn’t expect or even think that the smallest root in this steep 180-degree turn would still be slippery. My back wheel slid off the root turning my bike completely and halting my climb. Putting a foot down here was the factor of losing those valuable seconds that will be so difficult to get back for the remaining of the race. That also opened an opportunity for the rider behind me to make a pass. Simply every little small second would and will count and the weight of any mistake is huge. My pass was not going to happen now and I lost my 3rd position. Soon after we were going through the famous NASA bridge, feed zone once again and to the finish.

We were all very close and I made my attack on the first climb again making a pass back toward the top, I took the harder line on the descent while the girl in 4th took the easier, somehow miraculously she did come out on the bottom of the next climb in front of me. Here we go again, now I know she is very good in descending and will be keeping that in my mind. I attacked the next grassy climb and passed her back. Climbing through the roots to the Cadellas natural rock garden was getting more and more brutal on the following lap. I knew I had to be here mind strong and even stronger on the descents. Red zone climb was getting now to everyone, and looking up you would see only, sweat, glare, and have no pray to see the end of it. It was kind of no point looking up, just put your head down and keep on grinding. Lap by lap went by and pretty much gaps stayed the same way between all of us. But they were so small that once again every single second was going to count and count big. I knew I have to stay really focused and powerful on all the climbs and could not make any mistakes, like completely any on anything else. The smallest mishap could cause not getting on the most important podium so far in my life. The pain in my body when I approached the rooty climb for the 4th time was indescribable, I simply looked to the side for a second and thought how amazing it would be to just faint or sit down and not have to keep on climbing. But instead I had to look inside and tell myself, Beata just one more time, and I gave all the energy I had mentally and physically to push through it and stay clear on all those vicious roots.

 















Going to Rampage was another concern and I was very comfortable with it, but knowing how technical this descent is you just never can count on everything going smooth, but when it does happen of course it is great. I had to have good speed here however since the girl behind was a good descender, coming out of there before her would be the key. I knew I can handle the climb and remainder of the course well. And it did happen, I was in 3rd and Lorena in 2nd was just 20 seconds ahead. My Pax was somewhere toward the top and said “2nd place is just 20 seconds ahead” I knocked my head as I did know and he said “just letting you know”. And I was completely aware of it and really played a little back and forth battle on the red zone climb with myself thinking if I should try to attack harder and risk not riding clean to the rest of the lap of the race and possibly sacrificing my position for greediness. Or to listen to my body and ride hard, ride on the edge of my limits but limits and efforts that I know I can handle. It was tough and I had to decide it really quick. I stayed at my pace, went down to the forest, slalom downhill, tough climbs, technical drop and the fast section one more time that ends with those two really tough turns and climbs. This was probably the most important part at this moment and key point of the race. If I pushed just a little harder a few minutes ago I would be very vulnerable of making mistakes here, that would cost me seconds, which could cost me a podium. Because I decided to race within myself and my limits I cleared the first one and soon after the second one flawlessly. Now I just had a grass stretch to NASA bridge for one more time and fast section to the feed zone and finish. I was standing up, pedaling now like there is no tomorrow, I felt like I had wings, I forgot how much pain I was in and had to endure to get to this moment. One more climb to the Finish and the Andorra Stage. I crossed the finish line only 25 seconds from Lorena Zocca, last year’s World Champion and 3x Italian champion. I won my first medal on the world stage. That was the most amazing feeling. Lorena, a few days later went to and won another Italian National Champion title when I was flying to WV to compete in my XC Nationals. The following week she won the European Title as well.  Kiara Bisaro won the race and the whole event overall, she was so fast that she beat Marga Fullana, bronze Olympic medalist. What a company to race with…

So, it happened, I was not sure if I should be going and racing here but I did and by doing so I allowed myself to be able to stand on a World Championship podium and win my first ever medal.

From the left: Lorena Zocca, Kiara Bisaro and I.

Having a bronze in such an event against such strong competition and still have such a close race for second place was more than I could dream of. I ended up not improving as I calculated by 6 minutes but by full 9! I was not any longer 10, 11 minutes back from an Olympic medalist but only 2, woman that won this race overall 8 consecutive times. I was and still am proud of myself and how I handled this race. I could not ask for being stronger, composed, focused and determined that I was on that day.

It was truly the most amazing ending to my biggest, most ambitious, buzziest, biggest season ever. What I had planned after that was also going to be very hard but the pressure was thankfully coming down drastically here. I felt complete.

The award ceremony was fantastic. The time I spent with the ladies that I was racing and sharing the podium with was really amazing too. They are both very incredible women, strong, driven, talented but so kind at the same time. We become friends very quickly and I really cannot wait to see them again and race and ride bikes together.

This event not only brings the best talent out there but also the biggest passion and it really showed.
Winning this medal was not only a culmination and reward of all my work that I did put in for so many countless years. But what more important it was a win for everyone around me. For my husband Pax who is there for me supporting and sharing my dreams, to the point that they blend in and become our dreams. So, making it happen for both of us was really amazing and I am happy I could do it with him. It also applies to all my sponsors and supporters throughout the years, some being there for me from the beginning of everything, when I was just starting the race and we would share together all those moments and journey and ever-growing desire to dream big.

I fell in love with the mountains here, rushing rivers, wildflowers, changing weather…

It was really hard to leave Andorra so soon the next early morning after the race.

We had a nice small dinner with a group of friends in a little town tavern on the river’s edge. People do come here with big dreams and tons of hard work put in and it is a chance to really become friends with really great people.

We took a small walk up to the Nature park and the moment I started climbing, I kept telling myself just a little more and little more. I didn’t want to stop, I didn’t want to turn around. There is something so mysterious, rough, beautiful in those mountains.

Andorra will stay in my heart forever.

And we were able to make a little piece of history here…

Thank you goes to:

ZeroUno Bikes, Spaziale Compositi, Riders Only Bikes, Castelli, Magura, Removu, NDTuned, Limar Helmets, Schwalbe, Rotor Bike Components, Squirt Lube, SelleSMP, Trainer Road, ESI Grips, Clif, Xpedo, Garden of Life, Kuat Racks, Oakley, KMC Chains