Danielle Jahn, Warrior Princess

Dani has been having knee problems from the very beginning.

I don't talk much around people I don't know very well. I am keenly aware of this trait, and yet I feel helpless to do anything about it. Usually the process of turning strangers into friends begins with someone getting curious and asking questions. On this trip it was Dani. On the 13 mile shakedown ride the day before the trip started, she tried her best to yank what she could out of me.

As luck would have it, I have turned out to be one of the stronger riders on this trip. I am not going to pretend that this is because of any amount of badassery on my part. Mainly this is because I was blessed with the right body type for this sport, and my life experiences up to this point have prepared me well.

I enjoy riding with the first pack. It's fun to go fast and be the first to arrive at the host. However, I decided that I did not want to spend most of the summer with the same few riders, so I would spend at least a few days riding with other groups. Maybe a week or so ago I rode with Lauren, Julia, and Meg. I did enjoy that, though somehow both Lauren and Julia accidentally spit a mouthful of water on me - at the same time.

On the day from Yellow River to Rushville, a 96 miler, I was one of the last to set out. The first group I met up with was Emma and Dani. Emma's elbows have been bothering her, and Dani's knee has kept her in the van for many a ride day. One thing must be made clear though: Dani would ride hurt. She has been injured.

We chugged along at an easy pace, enjoying the nice weather. Despite their ailments, the girls seemed to be doing well. Had I not known, I would have never guessed that they had been hurting. We came across a pretty challenging hill. I was the first up and waited for the girls at the top. Dani was next. "Nice," I told her as she came to a stop. She didn't reply. I just figured she wasn't in the mood to talk. Then she lowered her head to her handlebars and started to cry.

Not knowing what to do, I did nothing. (What an ass.) Emma soon reached the top and was able to comfort Dani. I eventually put together some words of encouragement. It was seven miles to first lunch. We asked Dani if she wanted us to call the van, and with tears running down her cheeks, she nodded her head "no."

We made it to lunch. Dani rode like a champ. She iced down her knee as soon as we arrived. After we'd had a while to rest, I asked the girls what the plan was. Emma was feeling sick and chose not to go on. I thought for sure Dani wouldn't want to continue, but she did.

Were I able to take some of her pain and give it to myself, I would have, but that not being the case, I did the best I could. I talked to her about everything I could to try to keep her mind off of the pain. We talked about all manner of things: college, sports, travel, jobs, family, relationships. Turns out Dani has had a very interesting life.

We reached second lunch without further incident. I was proud of Dani for making it that far, and figured that naturally she would take the opportunity to bow out. But she was ready to go before I was. We pressed on.

Around mile 80, the day gave us a hard one-two punch. We came across a nasty uphill that I was afraid of. Dani decided to clip out and walk it, and I walked with her. Earlier we noticed a typo on the cue sheet, and on the way up the hill Dani called one of the trip leaders to confirm it. One of the distances had been typed as seven miles when it was really 17. Had the distance been seven miles, Dani would have continued, but she didn't know if her knee would hold out for another 10.

Just as we reached the top of the hill, sweep pulled up, Allie and Johanna. They helped Dani realize what I already knew: that after riding 80 miles on a busted knee, she didn't have to prove anything to anyone. We called for the van, but Sophie was taking two other riders to the hospital. (Jess R. and Charlotte took a spill, but they were alright.) Instead, she sent a "nice young man" who had helped out at the scene of the accident to pick Dani up. This arrangement made us a little nervous, but everything turned out fine. The "young man" and his friend were volunteer firefighters. I rode the last 17 miles alone.

Dani was upset at not having been able to finish the day, but she shouldn't have been. She continued long after most people would have quit. Good riding, Dani. I'm proud of you.