Race Report: Liv at The Traka 360
With little gravel racing experience before The Traka, Liv lined up with the goal of simply completing the race.
Filled with pre-race nerves, life's surprises and lots of training, anything was possible. Liv shares her race report of her first attempt at The Traka 360 with an incredible 8th place finish.
Read on for more.
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"I did it. We did it!
It's no lie that I made The Traka a goal of mine. I wanted to challenge and prove to myself that I deserve to be on those start lines. I wanted to do good and I wanted to go fast. That's also why I chose the Cinelli King Zydeco 2. I prepared for a long and hard day out.
Because of this built up pressure. Doubt started to creep in. Add in the mix some last minute mechanicals and I just burst. Thank you so much to everyone who stayed calm when I couldn't, searched for solutions when I was overwhelmed, and made me laugh to release tension."
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"On the morning of the race I felt ready and determined. I started well and tried to pay my dues by doing a pull at the front. In the chaos of the openness, men catching up and the first steep sections I had to let go of the front of the race.
I knew it was going to be a long day, 90km of headwind, with not a soul to see to help me. Luckily I found Ruth and Maddy for a bit but I ultimately had to let them go and ride at my own pace. I made a quick pit stop, gave myself a mental reset and went on my way.
When hearing at the second feed station I was still in the top 10 I knew I wanted to keep that spot. So, I dug deep, so deep that by the last 15km I started making mistakes of exhaustion. Which resulted in a flat front tyre and two small crashes."
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"Needless to say I was relieved to have finished, within the limit I set for myself and an 8th place. I was so happy to see my little family at that finish line. Thank you for taking care of me. Before, during and after.
Cycling is a very individual sport in that no one is pushing the pedals but you. In every other aspect it is not. Every time it hurts, every time you have to dig deep, every time you're questioning yourself, you think of everyone there. Supporting there or at home, or even the competitors around you with whom you share this crazy passion. In that way, cycling is very much a community sport. One I hope I get to be a part of for a long time to come.
Thank you Traka, and Gravel Earth Series for providing a space that holds community and nature as close to the heart as it does competition.
See you next time."
