This weekend I am heading to Iowa to race my bike for 320 miles on gravel roads. I am one of 100 (crazy?) racers who will roll out at 4:00 a.m. this Saturday for the ninth annual Trans Iowa Race.
Trans Iowa is a nonstop, self-supported, self-navigated solo mission along gravel and minimum maintenance roads in rural Iowa. The route is kept secret until the cue cards are handed over just minutes before the race start.
The race, which begins in Grinnell, Iowa, has a time limit of 35 hours. I’m just hoping to finish. However, claiming the title of “2nd woman to ever finish” would be nice, too!
This will be the longest I have ever ridden my bike. I’m excited to see what I’m made of, and what my bike and gear can do after 30+ hours on the roll. Stay tuned for a full write-up after the race and once I am conscious and back on my feet again early next week. —Amy Oberbroeckling
