*Charlotte pushing through swamp to water crossing.*

From buying her first steel track bike at 22 to conquering multi-day ultra races, Charlotte Laurance’s journey in cycling has been one of adventure, determination, and community. If her name sounds familiar, that’s because she’s also the creative force behind our Cap2Cap jersey designs! Through endurance challenges, mental breakthroughs, and unforgettable rides, she has embraced every mile with passion, proving that cycling is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life.

Finding the Love for Cycling

Charlotte’s cycling story began with a Jamis Sputnik. That steel bike, or as Charlotte calls it, her first “adult bike”, sparked a love for cycling that has only grown over the years. To this day, she regrets her decision to sell it. Her love for cycling deepened as her knowledge in the industry increased working three years as a Retail Manager at Pedal Power RVA. Despite learning a lot about bikes and the industry, Charlotte wasn’t in the saddle as much as she wanted.

It wasn’t until she moved to Roanoke in 2022 and started working with Starlight Apparel and The Black Bibs that she was able to truly immerse herself in cycling. With more flexibility and an abundance of trails, cycling quickly became a daily part of her life.

“By then, I had four bikes, a more flexible schedule, and lived just three miles from Mill Mountain, which opened up a whole new world of riding opportunities.”

*Day 4: Heading away from Croom Wildlife Management in the fog, exhausted but still smiling!*

After a year in Roanoke and navigating some big life changes, Charlotte moved back to Richmond in 2023. The city’s evolving cycling scene quickly reignited her passion, and she found herself immersed in an ever-growing community that strengthened her connection to both cycling and the outdoors.

“The whole scene had changed. Richmond now had more group rides, shop led rides, and events, and that hasn’t let up. I made strong connections, new friends and was riding almost every day. Cycling has really changed my life for the better and I’m super grateful to be a part of this community.“

*Day 2: Charlotte and Emily after packing up camp, 110 miles in.*

Riding The Hurracan 300

Fueled by a desire to test her limits, and some friendly encouragement from her friend, Emily Monroe, Charlotte signed up for The Huracan 300 Challenge! The ultra bikepacking race, organized by Karlos Bernart (@singletracksamurai), covers a grueling 375 miles across Florida in just four days.

“I knew after completing some pretty big things in the past, The RAT (Richmond Alley Tour by The Pizza Vultures), MountainCat100, and Dirty Kitten Gravel Race (2nd place in the 60 mile Women’s Open), 4,000 miles in a year, (to name a few!) I wanted to keep doing big things to see how far I could push myself. I got a text from my good friend Emily Monroe that said “are you going to do Huracan!?” I responded “Idk, I’m scared of the gators and crossing the water.” Emily had done this event before and helped me shake off any doubts I had. I would call it “peer-suasion” :)

Months of preparation, moments of doubt, and pure exhaustion couldn’t deter Charlotte. Her dedication, the encouragement of fellow cyclists, and her strong bond with Emily helped her persevere.

“Emily and I made plans months in advance to ride together, and I honestly couldn’t have done it without her—she’s incredibly strong. We’ve been riding together consistently for the past couple of years, and we’ve become pretty in tune with each other on long-distance rides. It’s always been important to me to vocalize when I need a break, if I’m hungry, or if something feels off. It’s comforting to know that the person you’re riding with understands that, and that level of respect and understanding goes both ways.”

*Day 2: Lake Apopka (L-R) Chris, Charlotte, Coman, Alligator with opossum in it’s mouth.*

Day 2: *Lake Apopka (L-R) Emily and Charlotte pointing at a gator.*

Preparing Mind and Body

For an event like The Huracan 300, training required endless hours in the saddle. Florida’s terrain demands constant pedaling, so Charlotte prioritized endurance over elevation.

“Physically preparing felt a lot easier than mentally preparing. I rode my bikes a lot. It didn’t matter which bike or route. You’ll often hear people say “time in the saddle” when preparing for a long ride and it was especially true for this trip. Florida is FLAT in comparison to what we’re used to in Virginia. There were some climbs, some days with elevation gain, but mostly just non-stop pedaling. Eating! A LOT! In the last couple years I’ve gotten more in tune with how to properly fuel myself for endurance rides. The day before the Richmond Hurcaners (a lot of us went to Huracan) left, we went to Olive Garden and ate a lot of pasta to carb up.“

Nutrition also played a key role. Charlotte recalls how lucky they were to hit actual grocery stores along the route where she could grab fresh fruit, sandwiches, electrolyte drinks, sodas, and easy-to-pack snacks. She embraced an “eat whatever, whenever” strategy and had no qualms about indulging in junk food to help fuel her ride!

“I don’t have many food restrictions and I’m a sucker for junk food. Operating in a calorie deficit for multiple days meant there were no ‘rules’. Whatever works for you, works. I have two alerts set up on my Wahoo computer, reminding me when it’s time to drink water or eat a snack. Eventually, every time my computer would beep, our whole group would take a sip of water. (Pavlov’s dog)”

Mentally, the preparation was tougher. Charlotte leaned on her community for support, practiced test-packing her gear, and focused on self-care in the stressful lead-up to the race.

“Test packing and riding my bike loaded was super important. I’m lucky to know a lot of people who could share their knowledge with me, let me borrow a couple things, and sit with me in my apartment while I unpacked every bag, listed what was in it, then repacked it. I was completely packed 4 days before we left and didn’t open a bag until we arrived at the start point. I was so anxious leading up to this event I don’t think I relaxed my shoulders for the whole month of January, which was a WILD month in Richmond. I drank a lot of chamomile tea, watched garbage TV, and tried to get good sleep.”

A Rite of Passage

If the 375 miles in 96 hours wasn’t enough, riders face water crossings, knee-deep mud, and swamp holes.

“Besides doing back-to-back 100+ mile days, one of the hardest parts of the trip for me was overcoming the anxiety I had built up around the water crossing. Leading up to Wekiva Springs, you’re not really riding anymore — you’re pushing your bike through deep swamp holes, ankle-deep mud, cypress knees, and trees. Once you reach the opening, you’re still standing in a mud pit. The weight of both your body and your bike gets sucked down into the mud, and you still have to cross chest-deep water with a 70lb bike on your back. By this point, I was already exhausted and wasn’t sure if I could pick up my bike and carry it. I remember telling Coman, 'I’m not sure I can do this,' with tears in my eyes.”

*Day 2: Carrying bike of water crossing (missing the struggle on Charlotte’s face)*

Despite the anxiety, insufferable terrain, and pure exhaustion, Charlotte pushed through. After three days without a shower, the water felt amazing, until she remembered the alligators. After making it across the water, Charlotte immediately texted her family.

“Did the water crossing. No gators.” I think my mom finally took a breath after that text, and honestly, so did I.”
“The water crossing on the Huracan route feels like a rite of passage — only riders on the OG and WTF routes have to do it.“

*Day 1: Palermo Pizza (first day of no shower!)*

Pushing Forward to New Challenges

Fresh off The Huracan 300, Charlotte is already setting new goals!

“My next big, long term goal is to exceed my mileage from 2024. I logged over 4,000 miles, all outside and I’d like to try and make it to 6,000 for 2025. I’ve got plans to participate in local events and rides. Next up for me will be the Alpe Du Richmond for Richmond Cycling Corps. I’m planning to do the Cap2Cap in May and make a bikepack trip out of it, maybe even go see my parents who live close to Chickahominy campground. I’ve got a couple gravel and mountain bike races over the summer I’m looking forward to, but mostly I’m excited about riding bikes with my friends. I don’t have any big bikepacking trips planned but I’m keeping an eye out, even if it’s just a weekend overnight, I’ll be more than prepared for it. Just riding along, really.”

Appreciating the Wins No Matter How Small

For Charlotte, cycling is about more than just fitness or competition, it’s about personal growth, resilience, and community.

“For me, the most rewarding part of cycling is the sense of accomplishment that comes from pushing myself. Cycling has not only made me physically stronger but also mentally tougher. I’ve learned to appreciate the small wins—whether it’s hitting a personal best, conquering a hill I dread, or making it through a technical trail section that intimidates me.“

Charlotte’s Cycling Essentials

Charlotte’s must-have, won’t leave the house without gear:

helmet
flat-fix kit and tools
at least two full water bottles (no matter the distance)
snack

A big supporter of pickle juice as a salt replacement aid, especially in summer, Charlotte keeps a jug of Mount Olive Pickle Juice in her fridge.

*Day 3: Ankle deep sand somewhere in the Green Swamp.*

“Someone said to me a long time ago “Drink before you’re thirsty and eat before you’re hungry” Everyone has different fueling needs, but staying ahead of the bonk is crucial advice. - Having a friend to ride with who pushes and supports you will make every experience way better. Plus, it’s nice to talk to someone and get out of your head.”

Favorite Trail Route

Although Charlotte is more of an off-road rider (she doesn’t even own a traditional road bike) she's always on the lookout for gravel or dirt roads to incorporate into her rides. Despite her preference for unpaved terrain, one of her favorite out-and-back routes takes her along the Capital Trail from the city to Upper Shirley Vineyards and back to the city.

“I somehow always find myself finishing this route as the sun starts to set. Losing light on the roads in Charles City is really scary, even with a headlight and tail light. The Cap Trail is great for getting me back to where I need to be, safely, without much or any interaction with motorists. The hills back are rolling ones, the sunsets are stellar and it’s an added bonus that the 7-Eleven is well stocked for when I need to re-up on supplies. “

dream ride
If she could ride with anyone, past or present?
“David Byrne because he showed up to the MET Gala with a bicycle and he’s an advocate for cycling. Plus, I love The Talking Heads.”

To many, cycling is about either fitness or competition, but for Charlotte Laurance, it’s so much more. It’s about the journey, embracing the ride, and the people who make it unforgettable. Whether you’re just starting out or tackling your next big adventure, keep pushing yourself and always remember to enjoy the experiences and people along the way.

“No one achieves anything alone. I’m incredibly lucky to have friends who cheer each other on and support one another through our experiences.”

Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing your passion for cycling and your inspiring ride across Florida! We can’t wait to see you conquer 6,000 miles this year!

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Beyond the Bike: A cycling journey of passion & community