So there we were, Bill Martin (me) and Mo Mislivets, charging headfirst into what would become the stuff of legend for the RMVQ. Four days, 8 hours, and 47 minutes of pedaling through 168 miles, with our bodies screaming as we scaled a total of 34,418 vertical feet. If that doesn’t scream “extreme workout,” I’m not sure what does!
But let’s be clear, the RMVQ wasn’t just some leisurely jaunt through the park. Oh no, it was a full-on duel with Mother Nature’s wildest weather. Mo and I, we had our moments, and we almost lost our day jobs in the pursuit of this challenge. Our bikes? They were more than mere bicycles, braving the elements with us. We faced rain, then snow, followed by—yep, you guessed it—more rain. Through every downpour and chilly blast, the bonds between us and our bikes only got tighter. Crossing that finish line was a cocktail of feelings: bone-deep tiredness, a dizzying high from the achievement, and an overwhelming sense of “We actually survived that?!” It was a stark reminder of the why behind our madness – the sheer buzz of the challenge, the untamed adventure, and, frankly, the sweet, sweet exhaustion of accomplishment.
Boneshakerbike 