Michelle Hutchins: Gravel Burn — Heat, Sickness and Podium Tears
- 11 hours ago
- 5 min read
Gravel Burn is more than a race — it’s an emotional, physical, and mental adventure like no other. From brutal climbs in the heat to struggling with sickness and logistics, every day tests riders in unexpected ways. In this Q&A, one rider shares their raw, unfiltered experience, from nearly quitting to sobbing with joy on the podium, and the lessons they learned along the way.
“I nearly stopped — the heat, sickness, and fatigue were breaking me — but I just kept riding.”
1. What was your motivation for entering the Gravel Burn?
To see another part of the world and ride in a gravel event like no other, in a country I had never been to.
2. How did you train and prepare — physically and mentally?
I worked with a coach through TrainingPeaks who offered a Gravel Burn program, and he was amazing. I trained indoors, outdoors, and in the gym with a weights program.
3. Did you have specific goals or times in mind, or were you focused on finishing?
I was focused on finishing by working within my power goals.
4. What was the toughest part, and how did you manage the fatigue?
Getting gastric sickness. I had to visit the med tent daily after Stage 3/7. I also needed strapping for my hands — chafed and cracked fingers — and I’d strap from the beginning next time. Hygiene at the camps was really tough: not enough toilets, non-flushing toilets, constant toilet-paper shortages, long queues while dealing with gastro issues. Drinking water wasn’t near the lapas, and I had to walk far to find working toilets, showers, or water. All of this compounded the fatigue and despair and made the event even harder.
5. Major setbacks? How did you adjust?
I started very weak and nearly stopped because I couldn’t keep up with the riders. I had one emergency “bear in the woods — without the woods” moment and had to make do with nature.I just drank more re-hydration and got to the end. The next day, after another med visit, I focused on steady pacing by kilometres per hour.The heat was huge — some days drinking wasn’t enough. I overheated on Day 6 and had an anxiety attack 2.5 km from the finish. A car stopped and gave me Coke until I could ride again. I got to camp but the truck with my clothes hadn’t arrived, so I couldn’t shower — just added to the fatigue.
6. Most inspiring or rewarding moment?
The hand-cyclist. What an inspiration — I saw him every day, sometimes six or seven times. Amazing guy. Most rewarding was finishing and then being told by Rafeeq (my coach) that I got onto the podium — 3rd in my age group. I openly sobbed.
7. How did you manage nutrition and hydration?
I started with the AMAX numbers, then switched back to the EatMyRide app. I should have stuck with it, but connectivity and fatigue took over.
8. How did you deal with camping and recovery each night?
It was hard — really frustrating and mostly disappointing.
9. What did you learn about yourself?
My actual ability, and how supportive my husband is to me.
10. How did reality compare to expectations, and what would you do differently?
I knew it would be hard — and it was. I wasn’t expecting mostly MTB terrain. I’m glad I’m an MTB’er because those climbs and descents would’ve been terrifying otherwise.I’d change my gearing to something more MTB-friendly.
11. How did you handle the weather conditions?
The heat, cold, and wet made the event even harder — starting a stage feeling good and finishing exhausted with prep still to do for the next day. Shade for queues and cleaning areas would’ve helped a lot.
12. Advice for first-time Gravel Burn riders?
Train well. Ride MTB Level 3 minimum. Learn your nutrition. Don’t have expectations — ride each day as it comes. Enjoy the good times! Never, ever give up!
13. Would you return for another edition? Why or why not?
No. It’s done.I never want to see canvas or port-a-loos again. The hygiene issues — broken toilets, overflowing pipes, no water nearby, long queues — made it nearly impossible to reset for the next day. It really annoyed me, and I’ve done stage racing before, even while travelling, but not in tents.
14. Anything else to help future riders?
Be ready for the unexpected. Have a great coach who understands stage racing and offers support — it made the difference for me.
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Never, ever give up — but know when to let go.
Through it all one phrase stuck: “Never, ever give up.” It wasn’t just motivation — it was survival. Through illness, heat, exhaustion, anxiety, and logistical chaos, that mindset carried Michelle to the Gravel Burn finish line. Every pedal stroke — even the slow, painful ones — mattered.
But endurance racing teaches something deeper.
Resilience isn’t blind stubbornness. It’s awareness. There were moments when pushing harder could have caused real harm — dehydration, worsening illness, burnout. Seeking medical help, adjusting pace, or stepping back isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
True toughness comes from knowing the difference between discomfort that builds you and danger that breaks you — finishing a stage while staying healthy for the next.
Endurance racing is more than distance and terrain. It’s a test of character. It asks: will you persevere? Will you adapt? Will you listen?
The lesson isn’t only to push through. It’s this:
Push when it’s right. Pause when it’s smart. Fight for the finish — protect your future.
In the end, that’s what strength looks like.
Raf
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Wrap-Up
Gravel Burn demands more than fitness. It demands preparation, composure, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go to plan.
Michelle’s experience is a reminder that structured training matters — but so does problem-solving under fatigue. Nutrition plans don’t always go perfectly. Conditions aren’t always ideal. Logistics can unravel. What carries you through is preparation layered with resilience.
She didn’t just rely on grit. She followed a plan. She trained specifically. She showed up with a whole lot of heart. She paced herself. And when things went sideways, she adjusted — not emotionally, but strategically.
That’s the difference between surviving a stage race and finishing on the podium. If you're considering the Gravel Burn, let this story be your reminder...
You’re capable of more than you realize — let's get started!
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