From Behind the Corn 06: Sophie St-Jacques
What is your most memorable Gravel Worlds experience?
“Mémorable expérience at Gravel Worlds…..I am a bit torn because all 3 editions I did have great experience and memories. First year was a first in racing that distance, so in itself it was a great experience. Than I thought maybe it was a one and done. Then the email came out that Gravel Worlds was going to go a 1000 women for the following year. I went and signed up right away! Love love to see so many women at the start of the race that year, it was so inspiring.
But maybe my most memorable one was last year…..and because of the rain and mud. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and hearing the down pour and thinking that I had not seen any rain in the forecast. Who knew. Well, as it was still raining a lot at the start, I remember how the start felt so muddy and deep….and swirling. I love love that!! I felt like a kid playing in a sand box.
The conditions added an extra layer of « spice » to the day and it was all that I was looking for!”
What did that experience teach you?
“What did I learn from it…
Well, one of my goal was to hopefully have a faster time then prior years. It was a good reminder that you can’t control everything in a gravel event, especially the weather and forecast. So race time or pace are not always the one indicator of one’s effort and success!
I sure was bit surprised to be winning my age group!”
Would you like to shout out any people who made that day special for you?
“Shoutout to my husband Larry @fixcoachlarry to always being there to support me for my adventures and being on the sidelines and on dogs duty so I can do these races. Which is why this year I am on dogs duty so he can finally experience Gravel Worlds on the bike!”
What would you like to tell someone if they were debating on signing up for an event like Gravel Worlds?
“Gravel Worlds is one of our favorite event to go to, which is why we are coming back for the 4th year. The course is fantastic, the moment where the sunshine starts peaking up over the prairies and roller hills is memorable….but truly the reason we keep coming back is the community and the whole Gravel Worlds family/staffs/volunteers. Their energy is unmatched and they make us feel special and at home!”