I’m Not Stopping (film): Lael Wilcox Navad 1000

compose Logan Watts
time Sep 20, 2018
comment 9

Film and photos by Rugile Kaladyte

The Navad 1000 is a 1,000 kilometer, self-supported ultra-endurance bikepacking race that climbs 30,000 meters (98,400 feet) through the Swiss Alps. Lael Wilcox chose this race as her first ultra-endurance competition in Europe, crossing nearly all of Switzerland by bike. This new film by Rugile Kaladyte showcases the relentless natural beauty of the Swiss Alps and the challenges a race like this presents. Sacrificing sleep and finding food and water along the way, Lael pushes as hard as she possibly can on the grueling Navad 1000 route in an attempt to beat the course record of 5 days, 5 hours, 8 minutes. After days of effort and focus, Lael finishes in an unbelievable time of 4 days, 10 hours, and 13 minutes, setting the new second fastest finishing time and becoming the second woman ever to complete the Navad 1000.

The sheer beauty of Switzerland and the high level of competition inspired me to push myself in ways I’d never imagined,” Wilcox said. “I love this style of racing because I spend almost every hour outside moving through the natural world. Over the course of days, the landscape and conditions are constantly changing. I thoroughly enjoyed the effort this race demanded, and I honestly don’t think I could’ve ridden faster.”

The film was produced and edited by US-based photographer Rugile Kaladyte and is presented by PEARL iZUMi and Revelate Designs. And stay tuned for “The French Divide” in Issue 01 of The Bikepacking Journal to read more about Lael’s European racing adventures, featuring photographs by Rugile and words by Lael.