Lynn's story: Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder

BaseCamp athlete Lynn Botelho shared her experience at the 2026 Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder in Pennsylvania.

I rode the 45.3 mile and 4,269 feet of gain version - The Grittier. There were no age groups, so I was in the Open at age 63. The youngest (2nd) was 19, and I was the oldest. I came in 4th and just out of the money. The race was a challenge for me. About a month ago, I started dealing with a pinched nerve in my left hip. It comes; it goes. It was there in all its glory at mile 19, halfway up the second climb of the day. I honestly thought about abandoning the race at the first aid station, but it was on a descent, and I figured I had a couple of good descents ahead of me to find something that worked. So, off I zoomed. I shifted my position forward in the saddle, which helped, but then my hamstrings started to scream (maybe they are as strong as they should be? Hmmmm). I spent the race shifting between positions and standing here and there. I also shifted to a higher cadence and less sheer power. Got off the bike for a couple of minutes at mile 30.5 at the second aid station and snagged some of my favorite snack food: Peanut M&Ms. A cup of pickle juice for good measure, too. I went all in for the last 7 miles, thinking, You can cry when you get home! LOL There was a lot of self-talk, including talking away the negative stuff, and a lot of adjusting to fit the situation. I feel grateful for what I learned over the last couple of winter BaseCamps and finding solutions under less than ideal conditions.

The big shout out is to Coach Maia Paris for adjusting the build to fit the pinched nerve, as well as all the rest that goes into coaching. I kept hearing her say, "What would make the future Lynn proud?"

The course is a fun one. The distances are 25, 45, and 65. The 100 miler didn't have enough people to run. The course has long climbs, but also steep ones. There is a grassy climb that made grown men get off their bikes (thanks, Maia, for high-cadence work that kept me firmly in the saddle and moving nicely). There is single-track and a gnarly two-track that had a lot of dips that made you feel like you are on a pump track with your gravel bike. Lots of folks took some nasty falls there, including a hospital run.

The event is well run and well sign posted. It was nice that they recognize P. 1-5 under the banner at the end. It almost took the sting out of 4th. LOL We had hot and dry weather and fast conditions. I just wish my fast legs had made the trip! They were also hosting national point events for juniors. Nice mix of riders to share a meal with at the end.

Final note: my long sleeve BaseCamp jersey was the bomb for this day.