All Bodies on Bikes at Mid South 2026

From the moment I reassembled my Salsa Flyway after travel and took those first pedal strokes in front of District Bicycles, I had a feeling it was going to be a special weekend.

I just didn’t realize how special it would be.

I’ve been fortunate over the past five years to ride a lot of gravel miles. Whether it was a training ride at home in Arkansas or lining up at events in Oregon, Kansas, or Oklahoma, I’ve learned more about myself from the saddle of my bike than anywhere else in my 39 years on this earth.

I’ve learned that I can do hard things. I’ve learned that enough snacks and candy can get me through just about anything. I’ve learned that if I keep my heart rate around 150 bpm, I can ride all day.

I’ve learned that I love flying down hills—and that hitting 40 mph on rough gravel is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.

But most of all, I’ve learned what truly brings me joy on the bike: building community, forming unexpected connections, and watching others achieve their dreams. At this year’s Mid South Gravel, I got to experience all of that in the best possible ways.

Cultivating Community with All Bodies on Bikes

For the fifth year in a row, I led a team of non-traditional athletes to their first gravel event through the All Bodies on Bikes Gravel Team. This program was born from my first gravel race experience, when I looked around and realized I was the only bigger-bodied cyclist I could see. I knew others were out there—we just needed to create spaces where people could see themselves represented and feel explicitly welcomed.

Thanks to incredible support from the cycling industry and race organizers, we’ve now mentored more than 75 athletes through this program. Many have stayed deeply connected to the gravel community long after their first event. Through monthly calls covering everything from nutrition and hydration to sports psychology and tubeless setup, we aim to give each rider the tools they need to succeed.

And success doesn’t look just one way. For some, it’s finishing their longest ride ever. For others, it’s hitting a time goal—or simply crossing the finish line. Our role is to support whatever that goal may be.

After the cancellation of Mid South 2025, I was honestly nervous about returning in 2026. Even though it was out of my control, I still felt responsible for the experience of our team. I carried the disappointment of that lost year right alongside them. So the expectations heading into this year felt especially high.

Thankfully, Mid South 2026 delivered in every possible way.

From our Thursday night meet-and-greet, to working the expo booth, to cheering each other on at the finish line, this year’s team showed up with incredible camaraderie and support. I felt like a proud mom all weekend. Even now, weeks later, our WhatsApp group is still buzzing. This wasn’t just a team—it became a community for life.

Unexpected Connections on Course

I’ve always been a slower rider, which often means spending long stretches alone at the back of the pack. Last year, while living in Bentonville, I trained more consistently and found myself riding mid-pack. But after moving to Portland in November, my training fell off—and I returned to the back of the pack at Mid South.

This time, though, I wasn’t alone.

I found myself surrounded by other riders moving at a similar pace. We huffed up hills together, shared snacks in the shade, and cheered each other on across the Oklahoma prairie. With all day to cover 50 miles, there was no pressure—just the joy of being out there together.

Around mile 20, I came across two riders walking the wrong direction. One had a flat tire, and without tools, they’d decided to head back in search of a SAG vehicle. After a bit of convincing, they let me help.

As first-time gravel riders, they weren’t yet familiar with the deep community ethos of the sport. While fixing the flat, I shared stories of other roadside repairs and reassured them that they weren’t a burden. Helping other riders is something I genuinely love—it felt like a return to my roots, making sure everyone gets to the finish line.

Helping Others Achieve Their Dreams

The rest of the ride flew by with a mix of new and familiar faces. I greeted every cow we passed, soaked in the unexpected beauty of the landscape, and before I knew it, I was at the Salsa Oasis with just 10 miles to go.

After a shot of pickle juice, a water refill, and a quick photo on the Chaise, I rolled out feeling recharged. Which was good—because the ride was only half of the day’s adventure.

My favorite part of Mid South was still ahead: the DFL party.

For the past three years, All Bodies on Bikes, Ride with GPS, and the Mid South team have come together to celebrate the final rider across the finish line. It’s a joyful inversion of traditional sports culture—where instead of only celebrating the fastest, we throw the biggest party for the last.

This celebration holds a special place in my heart. In 2023, I was the 100-mile DFL rider. I’ll never forget crossing the finish line to a crowd of cheering people, getting sprayed with champagne, and lifting the longhorn skull trophy overhead.

This year was even more meaningful.

Both the 50-mile and 100-mile DFL riders were members of our team. Watching them cross the finish line—after riding their longest distances ever and overcoming everything from asthma attacks to dead phones to even stopping to perform CPR on another rider—brought tears to my eyes.

Their joy, their resilience, and their determination were a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Check out Marley's Flyway here.