Beth's story: La Grind

BaseCamp athlete Beth Huffaker shared her experience at the 2026 La Grind bike race in Kansas.

My first time signing up for a 2-day stage race this year turned into a 1 and a half day race.

I finished day one with my fastest 50 miler ever and was in third place for the female overall going in to day two. I was exhausted and worried that I had overdone it and would have a hard time starting day two. After good advice from my coach, Jill Gass, with Liz be-bopping in the background, I was able to get some good recovery in and actually felt great on day two.

The Kansas winds were howling so hard that the crosswinds blew the snot right out of my nose! (Gross, I know but that was something!) I made it through the first 35 miles of hills and headwinds in first place, as the leader had flatted out ten miles back. I remember thinking how that must have been so frustrating for her. And then I got to have that same feeling as I got one, too, while taking a low water crossing too fast. I did what I could, but the tire was shot as I watched for 40 minutes as the other riders passed me by on the way to 30 miles of tailwinds all the way home.

On the plus side, I am tackling the short, steep climbs better than ever thanks to all of the climbing in Mallorca with my BaseCamp crew! That stays with me, right? I sure hope so. Next up, Unbound 100 that I keep trying to talk myself out of, but it's now or never this year, so here we go!