that taking a DNF would jeopar-
dize the team's chances of keep-
ing the lead spurred Gutish to
draw
on super-human determina-
tion. Though unable to perform
much work
on her damaged bike
that afternoon before impound-
ing it for the night, she had Doc
McGee
patch her up and provide
medication plus advice.
Gutish then practiced chang
-
ing the rear tire on chase rider
Meg
Argubright's bike, using
only her non-dominant hand,
knowing that she was more like
-
ly to hour out due to no traction
on
the silty hills than losing time
changing a tire. After numerous
repetitions, she got it down to
seven minutes and felt ready
to face the next day, which she
completed in remarkably good
shape, all things considered.
But day five saw her cement
her status as a legend after the
doctor adjusted her medication,
and she borrowed a shoulder
brace from U.S. Club team rider
Trevor Maley.
"Given the week we've had,
I just had this bad feeling that
something might happen to one
of my teammates…and I'm like,
'If one of them goes out and if
my score counts today, I have to
NOVEMBER 6-11, 2023
CIRCUITO SAN JUAN VILLACUM / SAN JUAN, ARGENTINA
OFF-ROAD I 97TH NOCO FIM INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS ENDURO
P64
After separating a
shoulder and breaking
a rib on day three,
Rachel Gutish not
only finished the week
sixth-fastest woman
but even won a test
on day five!
Brandy Richards was
determined to finish,
which she did ably
despite breaking her
collarbone on day four.
