After SXSW 2020 was cancelled, I knew it would be feast or famine for the unforeseeable future for this freelancer. Then the word of CV starting to spread in the US did not calm my nerves either. When I got an opportunity to photograph Midsouth Gravel race (formally the Landrun 100) for CyclingNews in the UK, I jumped on the chance. Up to this point in my life, I have never traveled domestically for a race out of Texas, let alone one I wouldn’t be actually racing!
The Oklahoma race went off as planned, with 100% chance of rain at the start of the race, and basically a race of attrition with broken bikes and broken spirits littering the course from the start to very finish of the 100 mile race. Even the pro racers were apt to slower race times due to the wet, slick course and thick, red clay mud. You can view my photos from the race here:https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/the-mid-south-2020/ and below you can view portraits I took of various racers as they crossed the finish, which to me shows the human spirit and how nothing will ever break that.
Congrats to all participants, staff and racers, whether you finished or not. Please credit “Jessica Alexander/jealexphoto.com” if you download a photo for yourself and tag @jealexphoto on all social media. If you really enjoyed an image, please consider donating $5 or more to https://venmo.com/jealex3 as photography is how I make a living and in this troubled time in history, work opportunities are few and far in between.
Rubber side down and see ya’ll there next year! ❤
Jessica Alexander, Austin-based photographer 