If I can, anyone can

By: Scott Shipman

I’m a cyclist. Three years ago I would have laughed in your face if you suggested that I would one day call myself a true gravel rider. I had a bike as a kid- but it was never one of my favorite things to do. As a teen and adult it wasn’t ever on my radar as a potential hobby.

But then I became a dad and my oldest son Max took to riding bikes all on his own. Literally on his own. We were at a friend’s house and my five year old came running in to tell me that he was riding the friend’s bike without training wheels. I didn’t really believe him but sure enough he hopped on and started to literally ride circles around me. So I got him a bike and realized pretty quickly that I was going to need a bike if I stood a chance of keeping up with him.

I made my way to District Bicycles and talked my way into a black Salsa Journeyman (aka Karen). At that point I still really didn’t plan on becoming a serious cyclist- but my goal was to buy a good enough bike to be able to if I changed my mind. Max and I started riding together while I pulled his little brother Maverick in a trailer behind Karen.

Eventually Max and I were going 10-15 miles together without even thinking about it. We attended the 2020 Mid South and Max asked if we’d ever ride in the race. That made up my mind- I was going to try for the 2021 MidSouth 50 mile race. I started adding some solo rides to my routine so I could train for the longer distance. I got really into the biking culture in Stillwater and joined regular group rides.

Max and I’s first ride

The day I got Karen

The boys and I

Scott, Maverick, and Max (humans) having fun journeys with Karen (bike)

The more serious I got, the more I wanted to add another bike to my garage. Karen was perfect for riding around with the kids but I wanted a dedicated race bike. A week before 2021 MidSouth the stars aligned and I had the opportunity to buy a gently used Salsa Cutthroat Force 1. I completed the race that year on Karen because I didn’t want to rush into using the new bike and sabotage myself. I felt really proud of accomplishing a distance that had previously been unachievable.

MidSouth 2021!

I immediately set my sights for the 100 mile in 2022 and signed up for the G3 series for fall 2021. I knew those 100K races would be great midpoint races for me. The G3 2021 was spread over 2 months with 3 separate 100K courses that started and ended in Guthrie, OK. The first race was in September on an unusually warm day. I felt a little apprehensive about the race because I knew my training in the weeks leading up to it wasn’t great (I could thank my new girlfriend, Sarah, for that). I also hadn’t dialed in my race day nutrition. I made it about halfway and things started to disintegrate. I pushed it for about another 2 hours- doing more vomiting than riding- and had to call for SAG.

I was frustrated by the experience and I realized that I really had pushed my body to a dangerous point. I recovered and recommitted to my training routine. The 2nd race was a much better experience and I was able to complete it and the third race feeling good. A group of friends and I decided to register for the Chainring Massacre in Texas in January which was a ton of fun. I pulled out early to make it to another event- but I loved riding that Texas gravel with that group. We are all at different levels of fitness and experience but we enjoy being out on the roads together and we always have a blast.

Going into the Mid South 2022 I was feeling okay about my training- but it’s such a long ride I was definitely nervous. The last few years ahead been treacherous with mud and a crazy snow storm on Friday had me on edge. Sarah was planning to bring the boys around in the car to cheer me on and I was definitely feeling the pressure to not let them and myself down. About 10 miles in, the pack was thinning out and although we hadn’t really started together- Larin, Erin and I ended up riding together along with a couple guys I had started with. I’m not sure I would have made it without a group to ride with- but we had fun and we made it over the finish line after over 13 hours on the course- we finished! Crossing the finish line and hugging Max- the inspiration behind it all was the best feeling.

On the Mid South 2022 Course

Max and me at the finish

FINISHERS

MidSouth 2022

I don’t know if another 100 mile race is in my future for a while. The 50-70 mile distance feels like a good fit for where I am in life and the time I want to commit to riding right now. My next century ride will probably be with someone who needs a training partner to help them get there or with my sons. And I would much rather ride a solid distance at a party pace with my friends. But one thing is for certain- if I can do it, anyone can. And I’d love to help anyone else who is just starting out and ready to set a big goal on a gravel road.

Scott in-front of graffiti at the Ripley Bridge.

All photos provided in today's blog were provided by Scott Shipman