My first boat wreck was intense. The river was higher than last year, making me nervous, like cycling on ice. Yet, we were told the higher volume would smooth the ride. It didn’t feel smooth; the power of the water was overwhelming, with swells hiding the shores, reminiscent of a “World’s Deadliest Catch” episode.
Before the wreck, during the 2012 Grizzlyman Adventure Race, things were different. Dave was bummed it wasn’t a 24-hour race. I was barely trained but ready. Our strategy was unconventional, aiming for checkpoints in the dark.
The race began, and soon we were navigating through swamps to checkpoints, turning it into an adventure tour with cycling and walking. Easy and fun.
Approaching the river, I panicked, remembering my fear of water. Despite Dave’s reassurances, the rapids were terrifying. Yet, we managed without capsizing until something flipped us near the end. The river fought hard, but we fought back, re-entered our boat, and finished the race, merely washing off the day’s sweat.
Post-race, the organization felt haphazard, as if we were randomly choosing our next moves. Surprisingly, we hit new records and found new trails, finishing strong and already planning for the next year’s 24-hour challenge.
Boneshakerbike 
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