Congratulations, Jill!
Like many of you, I’ve been watching the Iditarod Trail Invitational website, tracking the latest news page and the leader board. Why? To see how Jill Homer — a person I’ve only met through blog comments and occasional email — is doing on her 350-mile race to McGrath.
As of today, she’s completed it. Six Days, Two Hours, and Twenty Minutes.
Unbelievable. I am incredibly impressed.
If you look at her report from Nikolai, you can tell she didn’t just breeze through it. She’s pushed her bike through knee deep snow for 45 miles. She’s pulled her right hip flexer muscle (I’m not even sure what that is). She’s bivied at 20 below 0 (F). She’s been so tired she’s fallen asleep at the bike.
You know what I can hardly wait for? I can hardly wait for her to tell her complete story. That is going to be an epic ride story worth reading.
Be sure to swing by Jill’s website and leave a comment, congratulating her on her incredible success, OK?
Comment by Marrock | 03.1.2008 | 9:46 pm
I’m going to show her website to some folks I know that think 40° weather is “just too cold to ride a bike to the store in”… Bloody slackers.
I rate this a -very- mild winter this year since my scarf didn’t freeze fast to my beard even once.
Comment by scank | 03.2.2008 | 3:16 am
Yes well done, 350 miles in those conditions. It sure puts my sunday ride into perspective! (However, not today as it’s Mother’s day in the U.K – so the children and I are preparing to cook a meal for the wife).
Comment by Big Boned | 03.2.2008 | 4:30 am
I’ve been watching as well. Impressive! And to think I was whining about the constant headwind I rode in yesterday…I’m thinking Jill must have a HTFU TATOO! Probably did it herself with a sharp stick and some berries she found along the trail one summer.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 03.2.2008 | 4:32 am
WOW…that is incredible….what a feat!!! Did she use the ride to raise any funds or awareness for a cause? I’ll have to check out her site to see……
Today there is a huge festival here in South Florida (+77 degrees F). I will be wearing my FC garb and raising money for the LAF. Please, fellow readers, help us make a difference: http://bayarea08.livestrong.org/mike
Thank you
Comment by Bluenoser | 03.2.2008 | 5:51 am
On top of it all she was in the mix for the first woman to finish against an experienced rider. All in her first try. Amazing.
-B
Comment by Miles Archer | 03.2.2008 | 9:02 am
On of the most insane things I’ve ever heard of. Inspiring, yes, but still insane.
Yep, Marrock, that’s me. I’m was going to ride to the store yesterday, but it was too cold (60 degF). I will go for a ride today, but it’s for fun.
Comment by Canadian Roadie | 03.2.2008 | 10:46 am
Jill has a report from McGrath on her site now. Check it out. She crossed a river, dropped her bike, and had to walk 10 miles with wet feet! Crazy girl.
Comment by Don (cyclingphun.blogspot.com) | 03.2.2008 | 11:29 am
My ride in 30º is suddenly worthless.
Comment by Mike from Melbourne | 03.2.2008 | 1:02 pm
I have been reading Jills blog for quite a while now and she prepared very well for this race. I knew that she would do well. Congratulations Jill !
Comment by jenni | 03.2.2008 | 2:43 pm
Pushing her bike for 45 miles through knee-deep snow? Holy cow. I just can’t even…wrap…my mind around that. Wow. Wow.
Comment by Don (cyclingphun.blogspot.com) | 03.2.2008 | 3:17 pm
She prolly rides a Pugsley.
Comment by SteveG | 03.2.2008 | 6:53 pm
Incredible story of endurance. I recently rode 7 Km through 3 inches of snow during a commute. Brutal. Almost wrote a post about it, until I read this. Guess I should just shut up and pedal.
Comment by je | 03.2.2008 | 7:16 pm
Jill is inspirational. And crazy – but a good kind of crazy.
Not that I ever want to be that kind of crazy.
Comment by VA Biker | 03.2.2008 | 8:39 pm
I hit the ol’ refresh button on the web browser a lot Saturday, worried about Jill. I was worried for her family and that of her boyfriend, Geoff. There are people still out there plugging through I haven’t read about. Fascinating that I feel a connection only through reading Jill and Geoff’s respective blogs.
All the racers for 350 miles are tougher than I am. I shudder to think how hard it is for the full 1,100 miles.
Comment by KT | 03.2.2008 | 9:10 pm
Wow… That is an incredible experience!!
Way to go, Jill!!!!
Kt
Comment by fatty | 03.2.2008 | 11:11 pm
and then there’s mike curiak. doing the 1100 miles totally self supported. i just can’t imagine.
Comment by Bluenoser | 03.3.2008 | 2:48 am
can’t even start to think about something like that fatty.
-B
Comment by chtrich | 03.3.2008 | 7:36 am
Way to go Jill!!
Sure wish the updates were more frequent. It’s was a tiring week trying to stay up to date on her progress when there were no updates.
Yeah, like that was tiring……maybe I should go bike in the snow and talk about tiring.
Comment by tavis | 03.3.2008 | 9:33 am
That’s incredible, and I don’t want to take away from her accomplishment, but the winning bike finished in 3 and a half days! That’s nuts. I bow to all of them.
Comment by Bob | 03.3.2008 | 11:00 am
Hardcore…I can’t think of better word to describe a feat like that.
Comment by MBonkers | 03.3.2008 | 11:07 am
Wow, anything I do short of crossing the Pacific on my bike pales in comparison. It’s absolutely incredible what people can do when they put their minds to it.
Most days, I can barely put my mind to making breakfast!
Comment by bikemike | 03.3.2008 | 1:06 pm
holy freaking crap!
i’m taking this week off cause the back of my leg hurts. i’m so such a p..poopy head weenie boy.
also, what exactly does one do when one bivies at 20 below? can you do or say that on a family blog?
obviously Jill’s da man. (or at the very least more of one than i am )
Comment by Big Boned | 03.4.2008 | 7:37 am
UPDATE….
Jill has the first two days of her race posted on her website. So far, a good read.
Comment by KT | 03.4.2008 | 8:39 am
Did anyone read the race report about the cyclist who got frostbite ON HER EYES????
A fellow cyclist tried to guide her in, but it was incredibly hard going, so he left her with his sleeping bag and booked it to the next checkpoint to send back help.
She’s fine now, recovered her sight and everything.
But MAN! Frostbite, on your eyes!!!