Three weeks before The Rift MTB Iceland, I wasn’t riding, I was in the ER with a misaligned spine, popped ribs, and fluid around my heart after a freak MTB crash. At that point, racing a five-day MTB stage race across Iceland’s lava fields felt impossible. But thanks to incredible care and sheer stubbornness, I made it to the start line alongside my duo teammate, Lauren Zimmer.

If you’ve never raced Duo, I highly encourage you to find your person and give it a go. In most race scenarios, your inner dialogue is focused inward, but when you’re racing as a duo, those thoughts turn outward; toward your teammate and how you can best support each other. You balance strengths and weaknesses, lift each other through the tough moments, and take turns leading when one shines. It’s about teamwork, trust, and shared experience. And when you’re in a place as magical as Iceland, sometimes it takes your partner to say, “Hey, look up — check that out.” There’s laughter, encouragement, and a deep sense of gratitude for getting to do something this special, together.

Before flying out, we debated how many wheelsets to bring. After racing the HUNT Proven Race XC UD Carbon Spoke wheels at BC Bike Race with seven challenging stages where they handled everything from slick roots to rock gardens flawlessly, I was confident they could take on Iceland’s volcanic terrain, sheep trails, and river crossings. Worst case, if we broke a wheel, we joked we’d have a great excuse to ride Icelandic horses (don’t you dare call them ponies). Sadly, we never got to ride the horses, but we also never broke a wheel. 

From the first climb out of Akureyri to the final muddy descent into Skógarböð Spa, my HUNTs performed flawlessly; light, responsive, and perfectly balanced for long, punishing days. We pushed through fog, wind, lava fields, and bogs, winning all five stages and the overall.

We didn’t win despite my injuries, we won because of them. The crash stripped away expectations. It forced us to ride smart, care for each other, and focus on the experience, not the result. We showed up with no pressure, just trust. We adjusted, adapted, laughed, and carried each other, literally, at times. And through it all, we found our strength. As a team. As women. As racers who refused to quit.

The Rift MTB was an impressively executed first-year event. From shuttle pickups and smooth logistics to accommodations and meals we looked forward to every day - shared with other Duo teams who quickly became lifelong friends - the entire experience was seamless. The Rift team truly created something special, and I can’t wait to return in 2026.

The Rift wasn’t just a race. It was a reset, a reminder, and a wild, muddy love letter to resilience and partnership. And we’ll never forget it. 

HUNT Proven Race XC UD Carbon Spoke Wheels: 5 stage wins, 0 flats, and one unforgettable adventure.