Last week we lost a real one. @hilareenelson was a legend in every sense of the word. Endless stories from far-off places have shown what a light she was to so many in her vast community. Her understanding & caring of those around her coupled with her sheer power drove so many people in her universe to do their very best. ...A few minutes after this photo was taken on Hill’s porch, we were set at the starting line of ‘Mountains to Desert’, an organized epic leaving Telluride and heading towards the gates of Moab 130 miles to the West. It was one of many athletic scenarios I found myself in early on in meeting Michelle that were purely motivated by dumb love & felt far beyond my limits... I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world, especially this one. Very new to covering distances of this sort I timidly threw my leg over my bike with a loose idea of what I was about to endure. It was then that thunder clapped and the skies opened up on the 45 degree morning, pouring down cool Colorado rain (and some hail) on our four pack. Jim & Michelle were laughing it off, primed and unfazed by the harsh change in weather. For a moment I was alone in my panic until Hilaree glanced back at me with a ‘what the f*** are we doing’ look on her face that I’ll never ever forget - I was immediately transformed. I looked back at her, and my concern quickly turned to laughter as did hers. We were in this together. The crowd started moving, and well aware I would not see the other three riders in my crew for the rest of the day I pressed on with confidence and borrowed grit. One hell of a ride later I crossed the finish line & found myself in the desert, so happy to be sipping beers while drying off with these legends, a finisher - one of them. I can tell you with surety that if not for the brief pre-ride moment with Hilaree I would have peeled out at an aid station soaking wet, freezing cold & defeated taking a lift back to Telluride later in the day. Hilaree was a force and a light, a legend, a mother, and she will be missed so dearly by so many. Thoughts and heart with her family, the boys & Jimmo. ❤️