Natalie's story: Appalachian Journey

BaseCamp athlete Natalie Barron shared her experience at the 2025 Appalachian Journey event in Virginia.

This was my second year doing this event in Floyd, Virginia with my partner, Mike Swackhammer, from my local team (THR). This is a partner race which makes it somewhat unique for a gravel event. We again did the short course which is 39 miles nearly all gravel and 4338 ft of climbing – "Floyd miles are legit miles."

This was a training race for both of us and my process goals were to get 60-90 g carbohydrate/hr, to get a harder start than last year and to finish strong on the last portion of the course. We also hoped to podium in our category which was mixed duo open.

This is one of my favorite events because the venue is wonderful, the course is beautiful and I get to hang out with my friends from Red Barn Bicycles. Robert Maye is the absolute best mechanic and he put a new transmission on my Lauf Seigla this winter. This was my first time using it on a climby course and it was perfect. This year I also was able to meet up with Shannon and Den Scanlon who have also done this event before. The weather was also incredible this year – sunny and in the 70s.

The outcome – we had so much fun and that is the best part about this race and the afterparty BUT we also did come in second in our category and we got some great prizes including Handup Co gloves. I did hit all my process goals and in the end, we were faster than last year, critically on gravel descents which had been a limiter for me but no more and I have to say that gravel camp last year was pivotal in improving my descending. I was also more consistent on the climbs.

Thanks especially to my husband Dave who came on this adventure and rode the course solo as Team Cat Daddy, to BaseCamp for the winter program as I would not be in this kind of shape without you, to my coach Jill Gass for continuing to provide excellent coaching and for being my ever positive cheerleader.

Oh, that Elderberry victory whiskey tasting was also pretty great.

On to the next bike adventure!