Beth's story: Flint Hills Gravel

BaseCamp athlete Beth Huffaker shared her experience at the 2025 Flint Hills Gravel Ride/Run in Kansas.

Sue Shirley-Hageman and I led the pack at the Flint Hills Gravel race yesterday. Although no official age categories for us, unofficially Sue finished first in hers, I finished second in mine, 18th out of 74 women.

The Kansas wind was howling from the start and never let up. At one point I had to stop while a "controlled" burn was starting across the road and then had to run up the hill as it was about to take us over! Waiting at the top was the Lauf pit stop handing out bourbon and bacon before they too had to evacuate.

It was great to finally meet Sue and Galen, as well as Tiffany Modlin Macey, who gutted out the 80-mile course!