Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Alexandera Houchin just became the first woman to complete the 2024 Grand Loop, finishing the 365-mile loop in Colorado and Utah in 3 days, 3 hours, and 58 minutes. Johnny Price was at the finish line to capture her record-setting finish. Find details here…
Words by Johnny Price, photos by Dani Reyes-Acosta
Alexandera Houchin came in sometime after noon today under a blaring sun with a time of 3 days, 3 hours, and 58 minutes, setting a new singlespeed record and becoming the first woman (ninth overall rider) to cross the finish line this year. She had some mechanical issues early on with a massive hole in her tire that she fixed with a pile of bacon strips and a voile strap, true to her style! She said the first two days were really hard. The heat made it extra challenging on day two. Watching her dot leave Fruita, it was obvious she’d caught a second wind, and just as other riders were falling apart, she seemed to be getting stronger and faster, pedaling away from Grand Junction and into the chunky Uncompahgre National Forest. She was building momentum and passing dots all night, arriving to cheers and snacks at the finish in Nucla, Colorado. Hers was ann incredible ride through and through.
At the time of publishing, Katie Stempke is the only other woman out on course, and she’s sitting in second place in the women’s lineup about 35 miles from the finish. Follow her and the other remaining riders still on the route here.
About Johnny Price
Johnny Price is a writer, mountain biker, and farmer. He currently lives in his truck camper with his partner and is trying to make time for what’s important. You can find him on Instagram @johnny_no__shoes.
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