laelwilcoxI don’t think we could have dreamt up the scene that took place at Brush Mountain Lo
laelwilcoxI don’t think we could have dreamt up the scene that took place at Brush Mountain Lodge this year. Halfway through this year’s Tour Divide, some of the top racers found themselves hunkered down, stopped momentarily by miles and miles of shoe-sucking mud and snow. When Spencer, Jay and I arrived, the riders were resting. One by one they emerged from their rooms and started exchanging stories from the previous days and remarking about the weather and viable options. When Lael entered, I distanced myself from everyone to avoid interacting with her. As her girlfriend, interaction with her would disqualify her from the race. Since the start of the Tour Divide, I have made sure that nothing of the sort would happen. The three of us are wearing SPOT trackers monitored by the race organizer and I’ve documented every time Lael came close to us on the route. I wanted proof that in no way would Lael seeing me halfway across a field with a long lens would give her an emotional boost. Most of the time she wouldn’t even know where I was. Spencer and Jay continued documenting the scene at the lodge while I camped out in a room. The next morning, after more rain and snow, Lael came into my room bringing me breakfast. She had decided that she would scratch from the race. Her goal and been to beat her own women’s record. “I was just crushing it.” There was a fire in her eyes when she said this. She had been almost a day ahead of her record until the weather hit. She’s continuing to ride the route and she’s told me over and over that she just wants to ride her bike. That’s what it’s all about. And that’s Lael, she’ll scratch from a race to bring you breakfast and make sure you’re included in the group. We’re looking forward to following the riders and catching up with the racers in front. We can’t wait to share with you the story of this year’s Tour Divide. @rugilekaladyte guest posting. -- source link