Dave's story: Colesburg Back 40

BaseCamp athlete Dave Douglas shared his experience at the 2025 Colesburg Back 40 bike race in Iowa.

This is my 5th time starting this ride. Fourth time finishing. Two years ago I over heated and DNFed. I seriously considered giving up riding after that ride. Needless to stay I stuck with it, and during BaseCamp I decided that I need some revenge. Unfortunately, not long after BaseCamp I injured my back. Four bulging disks and three pinched nerves made very difficult to even walk for almost 2 months. I was eventually able to get back on the bike and made it through another BaseCamp.

This ride does not play to my strengths. There is nowhere close to my location that has climbs anywhere close to the ones on this ride. I saw 13%-14% repeatedly and a few steeper. Started cramping 30 in. On the single track I fell over twice because my legs locked up and I couldn't turn the pedals. I did manage to complete the ride and even managed to set PRs on several of the climb.