Riding Like
a Swamp Fox at the Moultrie Militia Gravel Raid
Event: Moultrie Militia Gravel Raid
What:
177.6 miles of gravel roads
Organizer:
Mt Pleasant Velo
Where: Francis
Marion National Forest, north of Charleston, South Carolina
When: March
15, 2024
2024 was a
return to the Moultrie Militia Gravel Raid (MMGR) for both Joël and I. Last
year in 2023 it was an impromptu event for both of us. We decided to ride it together and took time
to video, photo, etc. It was more about
the experience rather than truly racing.
We enjoyed the event and everything surrounding it so we decided to
return again. However a little different
was that this time both of us wanted to see what we could do on our own; riding
separately and racing the event solo.
Event
specifics. The MMGR is a 177.6 mile
gravel event throughout the dirt and gravel roads of Francis Marion National
Forest in South Carolina. A few double track and rural paved roads are thrown
in. The event is self-supported, meaning
no aid stations and no outside support. Riders carry all they need and can get
supplies such as food and hydration at a few local gas stations and general
stores along the route. The most interesting part is that in the spirit of
being a sneaky Revolutionary War hero the race takes part primarily overnight;
starting at 11pm.
I’m not going
to go into all the details of the course and history surrounding the race, the
namesake, and the area. You can reference the 2023 blog about the race by
clicking here for the backstory.
So how did it
go for each of us opting to ride on our own?
Both Joël and I had out highlights and lowlights of the event. My goal was to complete the event faster this
year than last and I did; not by much but still a mission accomplished. Joël’s
goal was to see how much faster he could complete the event in when riding on
his own and not riding slower with me, he did finish a good bit faster so
mission accomplished for him.
So what made
the lowlights of the event? Between the
two of us there was a crash, two flats, electronics/GPS snafus, and some injury
issues that prevented us from riding as strong as we would have wanted. Always
disappointing when these things happen. But the highlights of the beauty of the
ride, still putting in good finish times, and the accomplishment of pushing
through the adversity of the issues made for a positive and good feeling
post-event. No true awards for this event,
it’s advertised as a ride more so than a race, but I did finish as the first
overall female and Joël was within the top men.
It was a good
time on the bike. The rain and stormy
downpours directly at the start of the event made for some muddy conditions in
the beginning but once the rain moved out the temperatures were pleasant and
riding good. The atmosphere of this event; the post-race party, food, drinks,
and camping all are spectacular and make the event what it is. Definitely a
good time.
Side notes to
make this adventure most spectacular:
On the way down
we stopped at Murto Made Distillery in North Carolina. So amazing! Great drinks and good vibe. Not only did we
drink there we purchased some bottles to take home.
At race
registration: Commonhouse Ale Works in South Charleston. Really good beer. We bought quite a bit to
drink post race and to take home for later.
On the way back home Flipside Restaurant in South Carolina. Southern fare that
is amazing! Home style food and friendly
atmosphere. Yum yum!
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Words by Jess
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Photos and input from Joël