Okay, I did see you there and in other GS events last year. Good stuff, I’m sure we’ll cross paths again soon.
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I rode the 120mi course yesterday on a Crux w/ 38 Pathfinders (40psi F/R, 188lbs) 2x GRX. Traction was good, gearing was good. Wondering if I could have gotten away with file tread centers.
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I did the Wafer route - Niner RLT9RDO with 38T x 11-42 gearing and a 40mm Tufo Swampero/Thundero tire combination. I probably could have gotten away with something with less tread at both ends, but my confidence in the way they grip in the dirt allowed me to let it fly through areas that others were being more cautious with. A large majority of the passes I made were in the dirt. A couple more watts of tire efficiency on the road wasn’t going make a significant difference in my overall performance.
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I rode 40mm Terra speeds, 38.5/37psi. Absolutely no complaints about the setup. I compared my time with previous 2 years and didn’t find I lost anything. That’s comparing Strava segment times vs watts, both in pre-ride and race. Two years ago I ran 33mm Strada Bianca. I definitely had no issues keeping up with anyone on the road, especially being a smaller guy with sub-300W FTP. Will continue to use the same, and maybe consider the new G-One RS.
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How did your race go?
My quick recap: 7:07:59, 85th overall male, 5th in AG. Beat my previous rank and the goal I set. Happy with the race!
Lined up near the front early to avoid a jam. Kept up with a fast group until Hodges. Got separated as I couldn’t pass a less comfortable group on the technical sections.
Climbed Raptor Ridge quickly and avoided a jam, but slipped off after a rider in front grabbed fistful of brake, minor 10 second delay, no big deal. Wrecked my RD on the way down though, I shifted straight into the spokes after that descent when it kicks up. Fiddled with it for 6 mins and finally just bent it into shape by hand. Was left with a finicky 42T and no 11T, but didn’t need to visit a mechanic so I took it as a win.
Got into Ramona in with one other guy, who I dropped off before the rough gravel. Passed a bunch of people up Pamo and formed a great 12-15 person group. We stayed together on the way back until the first single track. I put in a dig to get 3-4th wheel which paid off, as it split right behind me.
Basically soloed through Hodges on the way back, which worked well. Then crawled my way out to Elfin. I had an absolute legend catch up and tow two of us all the way to Quest. Can’t repay that kind of a pull! With help of a couple caffeinated Maurtens and a deep dig, found myself topping Double Peak and then I knew it was over.
Was secretly hoping for 7:25-7:30. Going up Double Peak I didn’t think I’d get under 7:15, but managed to hold it together.
Hope everyone else had a good time! Would love to hear more reports.
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After months of preparation via training, equipment, and course recon, the day ended up being a bust.
I’ve had a couple of rough weeks leading into this event due to personal reasons and despite all of that, when I was in the corral it was such a beautiful morning, and I was in a pretty decent position to start the race. Being in the moment, I realized I felt good and was ready for a great result.
Once the race started and I was out on the open road I could see the front of the race already up the road quite a bit. I started passing riders while riding basically at threshold for the first 7 minutes up the first short climb - I could see a lot of fast riders around so I felt good and made it a point to not go too hard - going down the first descent into the first big climb up twin oaks - my chain fell off and I couldn’t pedal. I pulled over, untangled my chain and got back going - it took close to a minute, but I got going again. Once headed up the Twin Oaks - I felt good and was pushing a little over threshold - I ended up PR’ing the segment and I made up some lost positions. After that it’s a very fast descent to a left turn and then a steep and twisty descent into the first dirt segment. Once again, my chain came off on the descent and my front tire was really soft. Got back going again and then stopped at the aid station to fill up my tire. At this point, I lost about 5 minutes, but I was ahead of Valverde - he was putting in an inner tube. I got going again and started to leapfrog some groups on the road - again, getting PR on the segment out of Harmony Grove which I did a bunch of time in training. I was able to get into some groups and make up some lost ground on Lemontwistenberg, I passed quite a few riders on that segment and got into a decent group around Hodges. On the next dirt segment leading up to Mule Hill my back break started rubbing and squeaking like crazy. I pulled off to see if anything was stuck and nothing was there, the tire spun freely, and I got going again - and it started to rub again. At this point I was pretty much over it - I thought about just finishing the day but the brake rub and noise was embarrassing and unbearable. I pulled off my back wheel and tried to recenter the pads and it was useless. I ended up cutting the course and just riding back on the roads and called it a day.
Overall, I was very relieved that my day was done - even though it wasn’t done the way I wanted it. I ended up chilling and spending time with some cycling buddies and got to chat with some of the pros after they had finished up their races. Also, it was good to see you there @sasa - sounds like you had some issues too but I’m glad you were able to finish and with a good result.
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Sorry to hear that the day didn’t go as planned, I wish it had gone better, especially after all the prep! Glad you managed to get back safe and chat with people. It was great to run into you, and I’m still blown away you recognized me 
Hope to have a chance to chat a bit more next time, good enough chance I’ll be back in 2025!
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