Coast to Coast 200: a Pictorial

Everything I had heard about MI Coast to Coast 200 was not our reality in 2021. The Great Wash of Michigan happened, instead. What should have been fast-packed dirt roads were instead boggy quagmires, and we got sand in our pants.  I salute everyone who finished that race. I also pour one out for everyone who made the difficult decision to quit. The finish rate was less than 50%. Despite quitting at mile 120, and being deeply, deeply disappointed in myself for having to do so, I maintain that it was the correct decision, considering this was not my A-race.

Four members of Tippecanoe Mountain Bike Association & Wabash River Cycle Club started out in Au Gres. Chris was the only one of us to dip his rear wheel in Lake Huron the morning of the race. The Trotts and I did so the night prior - did we bring our own doom upon us by not adhering strictly to the ritual? Chris was the only one of us to finish, and I tip my hat to you, sir. What an absolute slog.

At the start, I was raging to go and worked with two other powerhouse women, with a mass of men behind us. It was exhilarating, tearing along, but I went out too hard (as per usual). When a shit line sucked me into the chunderdome, I cut my losses, bid farewell to Amanda and Marie pulling me along, and came into Checkpoint 1 solo. 

The sun was trying to peak out from the clouds when I caught up to a guy in front of me. "Can you believe my husband didn't want to hug me?" I joked. He started laughing, we were both in such a state. What else could you do?

Another guy, when finding out I was from Indiana, looked around and said with a wry grin, "Welcome to Pure Michigan." I guess so, buddy.

 

Things were ugly at Checkpoint 2. I wasn't eating enough to keep moving enough to stay warm. My bike was not much better, with bad shifting, bad brakes and a crunchy bottom bracket. Even hooking back up with Chris at checkpoint 2 didn't keep my spirits lifted for long once I realized how badly I was slowing him down. 

 

About 15 miles from CP2, I made the decision to DNF. This is that moment: full of indecision, disappointment and just being sad. I was done. There wasn't anything for it. I've done hella harder things before... but also? This might have been the hardest 120 miles I've ever done. Looking back, my DNF was not about being underprepared, about not being gritty enough, or having gone soft last year. It was about being smart in a race that wasn't THE race. I needed to be able to get home with my body and my bike in one piece. I'm terribly disappointed. It is what it is. Live to ride another day. 

Here's to the next month of training rides as I turn my eyes to Gravel Worlds.  Nebraska, if you try to flood me out, so help me God, I will bring a fucking canoe.

 Specs:

M Liv Devote Adv 1 with 34 1x GRX & 11 x 40 GRX 

700 x 45 Maxxis Ramblers @ 35 psi 

Apidura racer frame pack with nutrition, meds, batteries 

Sub-48 top tube pack with nutrition 

1 x 20 oz and 1 x 12 oz water bottles with Nuun 

1 x 1.5 L camelback, packing tools, assortment of gear 

Tool keg on bottom bracket with assortment of tools 

SAG goals: spend as little time off the bike as possible. 

Lube chain while N. swapped Camelbacks and restocked food.