by Maghalie Rochette

Saturday was the annual Big Red Gravel Run. It's the biggest gravel event that we have here in Quebec, and we've made sure to include it on our race calendar for the last few years. For us, it's more than a race...in fact this year, it was the only race we did at home, so it always feels special. David said it well when he said that Big Red feels like homecoming. Over the years we've gotten to know, to work, or to ride with many people of the Quebec and Canadian cycling scene...but nowadays, while we are often away racing, we don't get to see any of them frequently. We receive messages here and there from the community telling us they are cheering us on when racing World Cups, but now, being there, at the same event for a full weekend and getting to chat, connect, and ride with them...it just feels so special!

The event started Friday night with my first stunt as a bar tender. In collaboration with my friends from the Rasputitsa gravel event we volunteered to tend the bar and serve beer to participants. I had never been a bartender before, and we were not just serving beer. The 3 of us were actually tending the bar, cleaning up, taking money and swiping cards (with all profits going to a charity). I loved it.

I also learned two things:
1. there is money to be made selling alcohol
2. Bar tending is an amazing way of meeting people. I had many good discussions and connected with so many people while pouring their beer!

We poured beer until late in the evening, and we got back home just before midnight. It’s uncommon for me to go to bed that late, but the experience was really worth it! That said, I didn’t know what to expect from myself and from my body the next day at the race. Since Rooted (end of July), I’ve been really focused on my training and recovery. We’ve put in big days and big weeks, but I’m stil not quite where I want to be in terms of fitness.

THAT. FELT. GOOD.
Normally, my strategy for a gravel race is to start as hard as I can, make the separation with the front guys, and try to stay in front…but then, what usually happens is that I’m so full gas that I eventually get dropped from the men's lead group and ride by myself the whole race. Brutal, and boring. This time, I tried a different strategy. I started conservative and decided to see how I felt and where I stacked up. I wasn’t thinking of winning, I just wanted a good day on the bike. When the first selection of top guys was made, I decided not to follow it. Instead, I stuck with another group, and rode steady. I’m so glad I did this! I was in a position where I could push myself, but was never flagging at the back of the group. We rode hard and steady the whole race. Towards the end, someone told me I was leading the women’s race, and suddenly, I felt competitive. I had not cared before, but suddenly, I wanted to win.

It sounds stupid, but I was so excited to have that feeling back. I’ve been struggling with that lately. So when it came, I fully embraced it! Suddenly, I left the group I was riding with and started riding harder. I was feeling good, so I rode alone and fast for the last 15km. With 5km to go, I caught up to a group of 4 guys. We raced each other a bit, and then found ourselves together in the last kilometre. I wanted to win from the group. I sprinted with 300m to go and won the sprint! I was so pumped to feel that hunger and I’ll make sure to use this excitement to turn the wheel of momentum in the right direction! It's not easy getting back into shape. The process is tough. You push the limit so you are constantly tired and not energized, you never feel good in training, you put in maximum effort day in day out, but never see any result. You just work, trust, and try to let go of any emotions. So it felt awesome to simply have a good day, and I was happy to finish in the top 15 overall, but even more happy to feel excited about racing!

Anyway, I came away from that weekend with a renewed excitement, and a heart full! We spent the afternoon connecting with everyone at the event and just had such a great time.

This event was everything I love about cycling.

Thanks to the Big Red crew for making this happen. Thanks to all the volunteers who were out there offering us water or showing us the way. Thanks to all the land owners who allowed us to ride on your beautiful properties for this special occasion. And thanks to all the participants for making this such a memorable and special weekend!

I’m taking 2 easy days, and then it’s back to the grind, but this time, with a heart more full, and feeling more hopeful that I can still feel good on a bike!

Maghalie

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