Lessons from the Gravel: Community, Grit, and a 95-Degree Dead Swede

I love living in Sheridan County! We excel at welcoming visitors and making them feel like family. This past Saturday, that incredible community spirit was out in full force as over 1,000 cyclists lined up for the 10th annual Dead Swede Gravel Ride.

Facing an unseasonal, blistering 95 degrees, I tackled the 40-mile event and had a fantastic time chatting with fellow riders from across the country. But sometimes, the best plans meet reality on a hot dirt road. I clocked a tiring 31.9 miles before letting wisdom take the handlebars. Realizing I was “no longer smiling,” I listened to my body and called for a ride back to the station. This was my first “Did Not Finish” (DNF) in three times of entering, but as we say in Wyoming, there’s always next year—and I promise to train harder!

A massive thank you to Jordan LeDuc, the team at Sheridan Bicycle Company, and the incredible volunteers who rescued me exactly when I needed it and looked out for everyone on the course.

Even while I was out on the gravel, the campaign didn’t stop. I loved seeing a “Bigelow for HD51” sign pulling duty on an official race support truck! While riding, I actually received several text messages from neighbors asking for yard signs, which I spent my Sunday happily delivering.

Our clipboards are full and our signs are sprouting up across the county. If you would like to host a yard sign or join our walking crew before the August primary, please reach out at (307) 752-1762. See you on the trail!