#GravelFamily: Carrie Bax
• What’s your favorite GW experience?
My favorite Gravel Worlds experience was the last 25 miles of the race in 2018, which was my first ever GW, the longest ride of my life at that time. I had only been racing for 10 months and was really pushing my limits. I remember wanting to pull the plug, no one was around and it felt like I was out in the middle of a desolate, deserted land. I remember making myself turn that pedal one stroke at a time and telling myself that if I just did that, I would make it to the finish. Baby steps turned into me crossing that finish line with tears rolling down my cheeks as my mom, son, and new gravel team, MUOR was there to wrap their arms around me. That was the first and only time that I have ever cried crossing a finish line. It was epic moment for me.
• What’s your funniest Gravel event story (ie never trust a fart)
Last year at the Dirty Dala race my legs froze up and I couldn’t pedal, I fell off my bike and couldn’t stand. My friend and teammate, Don Daly, came to my rescue with his 4 wheel drive SUV. He ended up COVERING it in mud and getting it stuck. The locals had to get a tractor out there to rescue him. It wasn’t too funny then but now I look back on it with a smile. #GravelFamily
• How long have you been riding? Has gravel changed your perspective on riding, and if so, how?
I have been riding for 2 years and 8 months, started July 2017. I actually started riding on gravel, it’s my home turf. I used to crash on pretty much every ride I would go on, my body has learned a lot since then. Gravel has changed my perspective on life though, it has all the aspects to change your mind and the way you think about life. It’s a good thing.
• Has gravel brought you closer to your community and if so, how?
Yes, I have made some of the greatest friends through gravel. Friends that I would trust with my life, the type that you have to go through a lot with to be that solid. Some are near and a few are in other states, but it still feels like part of my community. Locally with neighbors and peeps in the area, they see me out there waving to them often while on my bike. I try to set a good example for all cyclists, plus it’s makes you feel good to smile and wave, especially if they start waving back. People notice, become more aware, and sometimes get inspired. It’s cool to get messages from the locals on FB asking if that was me out there on such n such road at such n such time.
• What does #GravelFamily mean to you?
#GravelFamily means so much to me. It’s my largest family! People of all shapes and sizes, with all sorts of backgrounds, abilities, professions, from all over the world come together with one main thing in common. They love riding their bike. They enjoy the views and the challenge, some do it for the mental gains and others for the physical, but in the end we are all there for each other. We are there to motivate, inspire, help change a flat, block that wind, or meet a new lifelong friend. #GravelFamily.
