This is Quentin Gniot’s account of his day at the Marji Gesick 100 mountain bike race near Marquette, Mich., on Sept. 24, 2016. He likes using #hashtags.

This weekend two teammates (Mark Schindel and Matt Lemorande) and I raced and finished the Marji Gesick 100.  The race is a point to point mountain bike event with 11,000+ feet of climbing on the bike, 104 miles total distance.  The race is billed as being “all up hill” – and it felt like it at the end.

This was the second attempt for me after I had failed to finish last year in the inaugural event due to a navigation error.  The trails ranged from groomed double track and paved commuter trail (wasn’t enough of these) to long grinding uphills and switchback downhills. There were also flow trails and technical rock/root sections.  The trails took every ounce of concentration and bike skills (I fell off a 10 foot drainage pipe) that I could muster.

The race was designed to break you down and beat you up – only to emerge on the other side as a better rider.  I think it worked!  I finishing 39^th overall in 13 hours, 41 minutes – missing the 12 hour cut off for the belt buckle prize was a disappointment, but completing the event was a huge accomplishment and improvement over last year.

Deep Thoughts

I completed a few goals and missed a few too.

•  Finish the race: check. 2015 was a DNF #redemption
• Don’t get lost: check. #preperation
• Test myself and make an effort for the 12 hr mark #hardwork
• Don’t injure myself (everything hurts right now) #notsure?…
• Earn a buckle: missed. More than 230 racers started, 23 made the 12 hr cut off. 54 percent did not finish and the last rider came in around 2:30 am. #ouch.

The race was one of the absolute hardest things, both mentally and physically, that I have completed (this is my second time doing this, #crazy or stupid? You decide).
The trails were in great shape, many were so fun to ride, others went straight up (why?), some went straight down (oh $hit!), but all of them took 100 percent concentration (If you know me, I’m easily dis #ohlookasquirrel tracted).

The race was “about the trails” and is a fundraiser supporting maintenance and new trail construction. The event also showcases the people and the riders.

• The winner finished in just over 10 hours, (wtf? #beastmode).
• Some riders had a good day, many more , not so much (#itsatest).
• Spectators were all over the course – (why is there a brat fry in the middle of nowhere?).
• The race promoter took on a massive task and pulled it off without a hitch. You can #blametodd, but a huge thanks to Todd and Danny.
• Last (but not least) – the volunteers — both on course and at the rest stops. Never, ever, have I met such nice people whose sole purpose seemed to be the riders well-being. All of them smiling (maybe they were laughing at us?) All eager to help – can I get you something? Water, cookies, drink mix, bacon (!) can I hold your bike? Do you need anything? The volunteers were without a doubt, the best I have interacted with during any event I have done.

Will I do it again? Too soon to tell (#hellyes)

Kudos

• Thank you to my wife for allowing me another weekend out of town (race season is almost over!).
• Gryphon Velo Racing:a great bunch of teammates to ride and train with.
• J&B Cycle & Sport and Specialized: The bike – 2016 Epic WC –  performed perfectly and didn’t let me down #icrasheditabunch.
• Skratch Labs for the hydration and nutrition, drink mix, chews and #realfood from the portables cookbook.
• Borah Teamwear: 14 hours in your clothing; comfortable, cool, no saddle sores or chaffing in strange places (#anditlooksgoodtoo).
• Smith Optics: The sunglasses were perfect, from early morning low light, to a 2 mph slog uphill in the heat of the day, to dusk and dark riding – they never fogged, never slipped and kept my vision crystal clear!

And all our team sponsors whose support makes my participation in events like this possible! Thank you!