Marley Blonsky DFL’d at Mid South and It Was Perfect
Mid South Gravel, a gravel/dirt/mud event in Stillwater, Oklahoma has officially solidified itself as the cycling party to be at.
Pros have traditionally loved it as a rust-buster to kick off their season with. But over the past few years, it’s also turned into one of the most inclusive events out there. They have a 50-mile ride, a 100-mile ride, and a 50K run. They have a men’s field, a women’s field, and a non-binary field.
You can race it or you can meander along — whatever kind of day you want to have, you can have it. This past weekend Marley Blonsky earned the DFL (Dead F--- Last) title.
When coming in last feels like a win
Blonsky co-founded All Bodies on Bikes, an organization dedicated to fostering a size inclusive bike community. She has an attitude of doing things your own way — showing up and being your true self.
Blonsky arrived at the event thinking she’d ride the 50-mile route, but made a last minute decision to go for the 100-miler. She said that race organizer Bobby Wintle told her he believed in her, so she decided to believe in herself.
“The jeeps of the Oklahoma Red Dirt Jeep Club crawled along behind me,” Blonsky told Bicycling. “They matched my pace—sometimes 20 mph (downhill), sometimes 3 mph, but most often, 8-9 mph. Each time I’d stop to stretch, they’d pull up alongside me, confirming that I was ok and then offering words of encouragement.”
Blonsky loves riding her bike alone, so she wasn’t fazed by the solo pedaling. “As I exited the single track, I was greeted with the sound of 30+ jeep drivers cheering me on. I felt like the slowest parade leader in the world, leading a caravan of the kindest, most supportive folks. Then, the caravan grew, eventually being led by a Stillwater police cruiser with full lights and sirens. I crested the last rise and could see the finish line - with probably 500 people there waiting for me.”
When she rolled in more than 14-hours after the starting gun went off, the crowd broke into a “Mar-ley, Mar-ley, Mar-ley” chant. Wintle handed her a huge longhorn skull, which she raised above her head — the DFL prize. The entire street was packed with onlookers who went absolutely nuts. It made everyone want to be last, because, who cares how fast or slow you go?
Mid South Gravel is a special event
At the finish line, everyone gets a hug from Bobby Wintle, founder and all around hype-man for the event. It’s a rule. Everyone. The first rider across the line and the last. But maybe especially the last.
There is no time cut-off. There is no mandatory pace requirement. And the finish line party goes into the night, until the last rider is done. And then it goes a little longer.
Wintle’s whole philosophy centers around belonging. He’s in awe of people and you can tell. If you want to ride a bike — any kind of bike — no matter who you are, you’re in.
Mid South will continue to be a wickedly fast and technical race for those who wish to fly, but it will also continue to be a place where everyone is welcomed and celebrated.
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