The Incredible Journey of Lail Wilcox: Riding Across Continents
Summary
Lail Wilcox is an ultra-endurance bike racer who has ridden 20,000 miles every year for the past three years. She has participated in some of the longest and toughest races like the 2015 Tour Divide, where she set a new women’s record for the race by finishing it in 15 days, 10 hours, and 59 minutes, and the Trans-America Bike Race in 18 days, winning it overall. Lail prepares herself for new challenges, including a 1,000-mile race across Switzerland and another in Kyrgyzstan. In this Q&A, Lail talks about her passion for biking, her achievements, and her personal project to ride every road in her home state of Alaska.
Table of Contents
- Lail’s Start in Biking
- Lail’s Ultra-Endurance Bike Racing
- Preparing for New Challenges
- Personal Projects and Guides
- Conclusion
Lail’s Start in Biking
How did you start biking?
I started biking about ten years ago. It was just a way to get around town and to different activities. But then I got hooked when I rode across the country for the first time in 2014. I rode with my mom from Oregon to Virginia, and that’s when I caught the racing bug.
When did you start racing?
I started racing about three years ago. My first race was a 400-mile road race, and I won that race unexpectedly. It was a friend who put me up to it, and I only signed up three days before.
How did you get into ultra-endurance bike racing?
I think it was just a natural progression. My first race was 400 miles, and then I did a 1,000-mile race, and it just kept going from there. The more I rode, the more I wanted to challenge myself.
Lail’s Ultra-Endurance Bike Racing
What’s the longest race you’ve ever ridden?
The longest race I’ve ever ridden was the 2015 Tour Divide. It’s a 2,750-mile race along the spine of the Rockies, and I finished it in 15 days, 10 hours, and 59 minutes, which set a new women’s record.
What is your approach to these unsupportive races?
I keep everything I need packed in bags all over my bike. I carry extra socks, long johns, a sleeping bag, and a shelter. I have a rain fly for my tent, a jar of peanut butter, some snacks, and coffee. I also carry essential bike tools, dental floss, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a spoon. And that’s it. I don’t carry shampoo because showering is a waste of time in a race. Most people need to sleep four or five hours, but I don’t need that much sleep and can conserve time.
What’s your most challenging race to date?
One of the most challenging races I’ve done is the Trans-America Bike Race from Oregon to Virginia, which is 4,400 miles. I won that race overall, beating the leader in the final night. It took me 18 days.
Preparing for New Challenges
What challenges are you preparing for now?
I am preparing for a 1,000-mile race across Switzerland and another one in Kyrgyzstan. Both races are going to be completely different than anything I’ve ever done before.
How do you train for a race?
Most of my training is just riding as much as I can, as often as I can. I try to ride every day, whether it’s a short ride or a long one. I also try to do some specific training, like hill climbs or sprints, to work on my weaknesses.
Personal Projects and Guides
Do you have any personal projects when you’re not racing?
Yes, I have a personal project of riding all the major roads in Alaska. This summer, I’ve been riding to cover about 4,200 or 4,300 miles, and I probably have about another 500 to go.
Do you guide cycling camps?
Yes, I guide cycling camps. Some of them, like Saddle Drive and Pedal Missoula, are beginner-friendly cycling camps that I’ve been a part of for a few years. I just try to pass along the joy and the love of biking to others.
Why do you love biking so much?
I’m not sure if I feel obsessed with riding miles, but I just wake up in the morning and that’s what I want to do. I want to be out there, pushing myself, and seeing what I’m capable of. Biking gives me a sense of freedom, and it’s just something that makes me happy.
Conclusion
Lail Wilcox is one of the best ultra-endurance bike racers in the world, and she continues to challenge herself with new races and personal projects. Her passion for biking is evident, and she inspires others to discover the joy in pedaling. We wish her all the best in her future challenges and hope to see her setting new records and accomplishing new feats.
