I guess there is not a lot you can do to stop me from getting 9th at this race @thetraka . Happy to see that I can rise to the occasion for the third year in a row. Probably the most stoked you can see someone getting ninth, but exceeding your own expectations on an extremely hard day is worth some celebration ✨
For real have been coughing my lungs out for the last few weeks so we had a conservative plan. Went out with a plan to fight hard *enough* to descend onto a good group for the first climbs and I was relieved to do just that. Motored to the middle climbing section with machines @livpijpers and @signekoch then suffered for a few hours solo on the coastal climbing section. I was ready to roll alone for the flat middle section but was blessed by a group of men towing a female competitor! From there I used my “negative” road racing strategy and received a lovely 100km tow from the perpetrator :-). Then she attacked the shiii out of me on Metges and I thought I wouldn’t be able to share this story. However, a redbull and paracetamol had me feeling like the star in Mario kart. I simply locked in and the last three hours were ripping. I was able to catch a few girls.
Ok enough of the play by play. What really had me going was the thought of all the friends, family, and sponsors in my corner. Thank you guys for the time, energy, and belief. Theres more to come!
And don’t forget to celebrate :) 🍋🟩
sixy photos by @visualsofharry
340 km and not a single thought went through this brain 🧠. I love riding my bike. 9th at the biggest gravel race in da 🌎 is surreal and hasn’t really hit yet because we STAY WANTING MORE.
Some takeaways:
⭐️Lots of gels and drinks is always the answer.
⭐️Eat your rice MORE than 90 min before the race. And for that matter get to the start line early too 🤭.
⭐️Have a great playlist ready.
⭐️But make sure you don’t leave your phone at Aid 1 🤭
⭐️Have an extra pair of glasses at the aid or on your body.
⭐️Make sure to tip your swanny with treats 🌯 🍪.
⭐️ Be a girl so you don’t get any flats. (Girls don’t get flats).
Thank you @sergi_romeu for the finish line photoshoot and capturing my range 🫶
Sometimes attacking from 300km out sounds like a good idea…I may never change…. Kissing the front wheel of a moto did cut that idea short though as I DO NOT have the legs to chase back on in this kind of field ;) Luckily @lucyhempstead came around and made me suffer through the proceeding climbing section. We rolled around with lead filled legs for a few hours then popped a paracetamol. Savage of her to ask me to do badlands with her mid race. My legs forgot the previous 11 hours had ever happened <going to add this one to my race bag of tricks> and we cruised up some of the longer climbs in this race. All to press the stop button at the finish line seconds after my Wahoo went into dark mode 🙏 Knocked Lucy off her bike and hit her with a car so I could get 9th.
@thetraka an amazing event that brings an amazing community together for a week of nonstop action. This time around I allowed myself to be swept up in the excitement around this event and celebrated even small successes like a win. It takes a village to get across the finish line and I owe any success to @jeromevervaet@luciefityus@magicmoments84@heywoodmaddie and the team at @maap.cc Also an honor to be captured by the legend @twilcha
Onwards !
feedzones finish lines and the best friends in the world
still buzzing from traka and THANKFUL that it’s a week long. thankful for who it brings together and the memories we share 💕 here’s some off the bike snippets
Time for Traka number three! Giving myself a moment to breathe and reflect on how far both I and this race have come over the last three years. There was once a time where I could swap jersey and pack in the feed zone 😳. Things are much less casual now. Luckily as the level has increased, my desire to perform has gone up with it. Excited to empty the tank tomorrow ⛽️ 💕
Photo from @sergi_romeu
Meet Sofia Schugar (@literallysofiaschugar )! We're stoked to have her on Waheela R this gravel race season and she has some BIG races on the horizon. We thought it would be fun to ask Sofia some hard hitting questions ahead of @thetraka – her biggest race of the season.
Why did you choose to work with Otso for gravel racing?
"The small family feel of the company made it an easy choice. I think the folks involved care about me as a person just as much as they do my results. I also think the type of rider that rides an Otso is really true to the 'spirit of gravel' roots. I am excited to show that you can take some principles that make gravel, gravel, and still ride faaaast."
How would you describe the ride of the Waheela R?
"For a thicc boi, the bike is shockingly light! SO it climbs fast. I would also say super stable on descents, I felt immediately comfortable on the bike and was able to rip some of my favorite descents and trails immediately."
What are your priority races on your calendar?
"The Traka is the most important to me (although a poor lead in) I think it will still be fun, Ranxo Gravel in Spain, and and UCI race that will qualify me for World Championships in Australia :)"
What is your preferred feed zone snack that isn’t gel or goo or hydration mix?
"Dr. Pepper all the way!"
Good luck at The Traka and throughout the rest of the season @literallysofiaschugar ! #OtsoCycles
Getting everything diallled for Friday 🌟 I Love Backpack Jungle Juice.
Lots of slightly uncontrollable things leading up to the Traka but always nice to control what we can.
Thx to the squad behind the scenes 💕
not fun to go from a very good race to a string of horrible feeling days. but I love sea otter, love seeing all my friends, love Monterey in the spring. plenty to be happy about. enjoy the footage 🐌 and the song that was stuck in my head all race 💕
