Sue's story: Flint Hills Gravel

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

Flint Hills Gravel Ride and Run had all the ingredients of a typical gravel ride in Kansas in the springtime. We had some great gravel roads with a little bit of pavement and trail mixed in and of course brutal WINDS!!!!

It was truly amazing to meet a couple fellow BaseCampers at the event, Beth Huffaker & Tiffany Modlin Macey!!! Beth and I rode a few miles together but got lost in all the riders. Tiffany toughed out and did the longer ride!!!

With 40+ mph wind gusts expected on race day, I was nervous all week. After seeing Beth and Tiffany's smiling faces helped me mentally!!! The last half of the race was the toughest. This ride gave me lots of time and opportunities to figure out how to stay upright on my bike with those gusty sidewinds. I was happy that at least the headwinds were only 2-4 miles sections at a time. Towards the end we ran into some "controlled burns" in Flint Hills pastures. Why anyone would burn on a windy day like that is beyond my comprehension. About 5 miles from the finish, I had a college roommate (who was also my diving partner in college) meet me. She actually lived on a road we rode on. It was great timing to see her and get a big hug from her! With about 3 miles left, an ambulance pulled up, and as I rode by they were giving a biker CPR. It was such a difficult experience as he passed away. Gives one a whole different perspective on so many levels.

I was so happy to be finished and to be able to finish. I was shocked at my finish time as I expected to be done in a whole hour longer than I anticipated. I struggle with the winds as I'm not very strong. I was thrilled to have stayed upright the entire time!!!

Thanks to BaseCamp and all the training, education and support physically and mentally, I DID IT!!!! I'm learning that almost every ride seems to be a "training ride" as I learn and grow with each event.

Here's to the next event and more BaseCampers to meet!!! Ride On!