The Appalachian Journey is a gravel event unlike anything that I have ever attempted-a duo event. Per the rules, you must do the race with a partner and when preparing preparing to finish, you and your partner must be within 5 minutes of each other or risk a 1-hour finish time penalty. Interesting huh. I signed up for this race with my buddy Nate.

Upon arriving to the race site I was unsure of where the gravel event would be as I did not see much gravel anywhere. I’d find gravel soon enough. The morning started out just below freezing. with 65 miles and more 65K ft of climbing anticipated I dressed as warmly as I could. The sights were to die for. And on too many descents to count I prayed and reassured myself that not only could I do “this”…I better do it. “Pay attention, you got kids” I kept hollering in my head on some of the most amazing hair raising, eye popping descents. I‘m happy to report that I made it!

With the longest climb spanning about 4 miles and topping out at 20 percent incline I was sweating my tail off. After taking off my jacket, I kept climbing and was rewarded at the top with grilled potatoes and lemonade moonshine. Live a little…the worst was over…or was it? A few miles of single track, pavement and more gravel, we ended the 65 miler with over 8K feet of climbing. It was a good day!!!

Cheers to the climb