Unbound Gravel 2024, Jonathan?

That’s my biggest concern right now….i have been locked to the trainer and most of my “long” rides have been the BMTR Saturday rides, so ~4:15. I did do an extra hour before the ride on the day before I left for Taiwan and then yesterday I did a 2.5 hour TR endurance ride on the trainer in the AM and then 3 hours outside on the trails once it warmed up. The good news is that my legs felt really good yesterday at the end of the trail ride, despite having ~100 miles in them and I had very little fatigue today when I rode.

Just need to start logging those 5-6+ hour outdoor rides…c’mon warm weather!!

Good on you for doing 4 hour trainer rides.

89 days boys and girls.

I only managed 400 tss last week, ctl sitting at 69. I fought off a cold with 4 nights of 11+ hours of sleep. I nailed a sweet spot workout and a vo2 workout. Wasnt able to get outside on the nice day. Longest ride so far has been 5 hours and I did 75 miles with 4000’ of climbing in under 4 hours a few weeks ago, felt good to finish a ride with .85 IF.

Looking forward to my first race Saturday

Got my USWE OutLander Pro in the mail tonight. Positive initial impressions. It does sit higher than the camelback chase which I think is fine. Definitely sleeker than the camelbak which I think is nice as well. Will try it out on a ride this weekend.

I might wear mine in my race this weekend

I just have a short 2 hour ride this weekend as I have a race the following weekend so it will be a good chance to test out the pack

I’ve been using the Pro and love it. Hydropac makes an insulated pac that fits in the Pro. It’s nice to have cool/cold drink on the hot day.

Which model…the 1.5L or the 2.0L? Does the insulation require you to downsize in capacity?

Didn’t have to down size. It was for the 2L.

I also put some giant ice cubes in mine. They made a insulated tube too, but i couldn’t secure it so i used the original tube.

Awesome, thanks….sounds like a worthwhile purchase since I hate drinking warm drink mix.

insulated water would be good, i never put mix in mine since i seem to always want cold water while riding in the heat.

I saw Uswe included that insulated sleeve with their new pack

I use silicone soup freezer trays. I use the 1 cup option and just do water in the trays. I still use Skratch in pack. On hot days I’ll throw as many as 4 of the giant cubes.

That’s a good idea…I have frozen the bladder in the past, which works OK but can be a bit awkward when first using the pack, depending on the shape it froze in.

Was looking around at packs and noticed this sale on the camelbak chase:
https://www.rei.com/product/235023/camelbak-chase-bike-hydration-vest-mens?sku=2350230001&store=&CAWELAID=120217890017515907&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=118802253518&CATCI=pla-908948315511&cm_mmc=PLA_Google|21700000001700551_2350230001|92700061104026578|NB|71700000080079992&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1a2j54DlhAMVJwOtBh0tcAMIEAQYAiABEgIXYPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

74 days = 10 weeks
My CTL is at 80, I want to push it to 100 but this weather isnt really helping

I start another vo2 block this week. When I am done with this block I will be training repeatability on the next block. I know that sounds weird, but I also do crits and unbound is more of just a race/ride at this point.

Did my first race already, podium my age group and top 10 in the race.

Tried out my new Uswe outlander pro 2 pack on a 100 mile gravel race this past weekend. I only filled to 46oz and had 2 bottles on the bike. It worked great and stayed put. Race weather was mid 60s to 80 at the finish so no real chance feel how hot it would be.

Ordered some Thunder Burts for my 650b wheels and will get those set up next week. Will be interesting to compare vs. 700c wheels.

Weather this week in Chicago bites monkey butt….not really gonna crack 40* all week so it is all trainer for now. Taking my Feedback Sports Omnium trainer into work and setting it up in a spare office so I can get some extra Z2 miles in at lunch.

Solid week of training last week w/ 860 TSS and CTL at 95.

I might change my tire selection. I like the speed for the Terra speed, but I know pathfinder pros just work

I’m wondering if they’ll stick with the 2 neutral water stops rather than just 1.

I bet we see at least 2