I was wondering about this myself. Without thinking about it too hard, I thought I might be able do the course without stopping, or perhaps stopping once for bottles. But now I am considering bottle+gel hand ups. I have never been here so I am not sure how reliable the spectator spots will be.
Both my Lutsen experiences it was cool so lower hydration needs. Morning is even cooler so you need less in the first half of the race.
I can’t see Curly bars being a big disadvantage if you’re competent with them and still on at least front suspension, but at the same time, I wasn’t solo very much the entire time I was there so I’m not sure if they’re a big advantage either. Finished less than 90 seconds out of Red last year (of course)
Drop bags were easy the year I used them. Good thing - when you stop the bugs can literally pick your bones clean in seconds. Wear bug spray!!!
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Part of my thought was that they would just be more comfortable for the duration of the event. But perhaps the juice wouldn’t be worth the squeeze.
I am chickening out on riding the gravel bike, I am going to ride my mountain bike.
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Any word on what the course conditions are looking like? This will be my first race there, and I’ve heard it can be quite a mud fest some years.
It should be ok. I’ve been tracking the rain for the last month or so, and they haven’t gotten a ton of rain, and it doesn’t look like there is much rain in the forecast ahead of the race.
It’s literally raining right now, and supposed to keep raining all day (I’m about 50 miles from the course). Also, chance of thunderstorms this weekend…
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As others have said, it’s been dry so (hopefully) we can avoid repeating last year’s mud-fest. That said, there are always puddles throughout the course. Assuming any light rain between now and Saturday will keep them Saturated.
@BenB willing to drive up this week and do some recon for us?!
Rain stopped around 4pm yesterday, and looks like not too much coming before the weekend, just some sprinkles tonight. But it definitely won’t be super dry, it’s cool and cloudy for the next couple days, so not much evaporation.
However there hasn’t been excessive rain in general this spring: | U.S. Drought Monitor
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Congrats to everyone that raced! That was a perfect Lutsen day. Mostly high speed puddles, lots of people pushing the limits on bumpy double track, and a gut punch of just a few terrible slog of miles right near the end when you’re super drained.
All followed by great food trucks and drinks in the cool weather by the lake.
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Completed my first Lutsen yesterday. Weather was perfect. Bumpy double track at high speeds was really fun, and most of the puddles were not bad. Did seem like I submerged my bottom bracket a time or two. Admittedly, I was in a bad spot when we hit the last terrible slog of baby poo mud. Would have preferred that the organizers leave that crap out if that trail is known to be that terrible even on a good weather year. But that is just me, and my lower midwest sensibility where we don’t ride trails like that if they are that muddy. Probably the muddiest race I have ever done, and this was a drier year?
Overall a good fun day, glad I got the experience. That being said, don’t see the need for me to complete again. For those choosing 100 milers in the midwest, I would say Lumberjack 100 over Lutsen.
Now off to clean my bike a few times.
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My friend and I just got our Lutsen video completed. That was a challenging day out there and my Lauf Elja may still be a little muddy! The video also shares some stories of what life is life as a father and professional cyclist:
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Congrats on the win! Seems like the Lauf MTB worked out nice. I’m enjoying the Off the Front YouTube series.
I have ridden this race a few times now, including the last two years. Serious question, how are people riding the last few sections of mud before Onion River Road? Am I just too heavy or missing some type of technique? I am curious to know how others are approaching this because I’ve had a really hard time riding that stretch but would like to try the race again next year with perhaps more success riding the final sections.