I chose the walk function. The water would’ve submerged my cranks.
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Awesome. And that’s some quality mud season riding!
I had some 700x48c Thunderos delivered just today, and I’m pretty excited about them. Won’t be installed in time for Rasputitsa this weekend (assuming I can make it - still recovering from being sick so it’s kinda iffy), then I’ll hopefully have them installed with at least a few miles on them before Muddy Onion next weekend.
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I actually mounted mine up last night and did a ride today (road only). After seeing your sizing, I was surprised they came in under 47 and checked mine. Mine measured up at 48 with 25id rims (zipp 303fc’s). Not sure what the difference is, but I was running pressure a bit high (~35psi) since I was on the road today. Decent clearance on my checkpoint, but I still might go down to 42’s if it’s muddy.
I was planning a really big ride for saturday, but the weather forecast sucks and I knocked it out today. Plan was 100+ miles with 10k ft of climbing at sweet spot/threshold and riding tempo between the climbs until I imploded (cramps typically end me on these kind of rides). It took me right at 7 hours and never a hint of cramping (on a warm/humid day), so feeling like the endurance is really good. Fatigue was getting very heavy by the end, but I never lost the ability to hold tempo and could hit threshold when needed. Over 400tss and .76 IF (235w) for the 7 hours. That’s about as good as it gets for me historically and I didn’t feel wrecked afterwards, so I think the volume is paying off (hoping it’s not a hole I’m digging). Tomorrow is bright red on the calendar… Probably do the zwift BTMR century saturday AM if its raining.
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I only had 20psi in my pathfinder, and fresh out the box
I know my my 42c pathfinders measured 45
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long, slow whistle
Well done!
If you want a new tire to stretch, inflate it to maximum psi and leave it in the hot sun or a very warm condition overnight. My experience it will gain you a few millimeters when back to normal psi. Also a good hack to leave it in the hot sun or warm conditions prior to make the tire easier to mount.
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I was just test fitting, but sounds like I need to do that to double check clearance.
I ordered the wrong crit tire and need to swap some stuff so I’ll get that done next hot day
40 days - I am sitting at 80CTL
This week I am still working vo2 and adding anaerobic work. Hoping to get outside this weekend for 8-10 hours in 2 days.
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I ended up getting outside on Saturday, a little rainy at times but legs were on point. Capping off my biggest week of the year with 5.5hrs at .81 IF and legs feeling so good. Plan to dial it back a bit this week since the following week will be extra volume with pre-riding and a stage race in Emporia. After that, it’s a week of rest then start backing off volume and 1 more warmup race (rule of 3) before unbound.
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Back down in Bentonville for a last-minute business meeting…took the opportunity to try out the 650b wheels with 2.1 Thunderburts on some chunky gravel. Yoday was my first ride on them.
Was fully prepared to not like them and kick myself for spending the $$ on them, but i was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked them and enjoyed riding them. Didn’t seem slow on the road sections and were a total blast on the chunky stuff. Didn’t really notice any handling differences, except in a couple of tight downhill switchbacks when there seemed to be a bit of front wheel flop / dive.
Need to test them in a group ride setting so I can better judge how fast they are compared to toehrs riding 700c, but so far, I’m impressed. Definitely in the consideration set for Unbound.
The ride today was awesome…a mix of road, gravel and singletrack. 41 miles, 3 hours .86IF and 210 TSS. Compared to a few weeks ago when I did the same route, my legs felt noticeably better…finsihed 10 minutes faster and with a higher TSS.
Also warming up to the idea of aerobars on the bike…rode a fair amount in them today and the fit is improving.
Added bonus - the meeting today led to a follow-up meeting next Thursday. May take Friday off, spend the night and do a long-ass gravel ride down here. Maybe the Big Sugar route.
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So I forgot my flight home was not until 6:30….earlier flights were WAY too expensive (like an extra $500).
Got uo early, knocked out some work stuff and then did the Big Sugar 50 mile route. Between the extra miles to get to the start (and back) plus a few wrong turns 
, I ended up with 70 miles and 282 TSS. So I basically bagged 500TSS over 2 days and raised my CTL 7 points. 
One of my wrong turns took me through a cow pasture, complete with cows and no fence. When I returned back down the “road” after reaching a dead end, the entire herd has started coming up the road. I stopped as I approached them and they were VERY curious. One even got close enough to lick my rear tire. Then they started mooing and some were peeing, so I figured it was time to take my leave. 
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So not sticking around for Highlands Gravel Classic on the 27th?
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Man, I wish….but I need to be in FL this weekend through Tuesday and then back in Bentonville next Thursday.
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Let’s talk kits. I do not currently own an aerosuit, though I’m definitely open to buying one. There are a plethora of options out there, and knowing which is “best” would seem to be individual. My preferred bibs are the Velocio Concept and that’s what I’d wear if I went jersey/bibs, but Velocio doesn’t make a suit. For some reason, it seems like many suits only come in black, and I’m not interested in baking in the Kansas sun any more than I have to. What’s everyone else thinking?
We just got new kits. I’ll be rocking a 2/1 skin suit. No gravel pockets though.
I have tried 5 brands of skin/aero suits and a lot are not comfy for 200 miles of gravel. Most chamois is not big enough in the right areas, great for a 40km TT or a crit.
cuore have not tried - in bag
champion systems not good
gobik was a good 2/1 skin suits - have worn for 200 miles
velotec not good
nopinz not good
rule28 not good
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The parallels between these events and Ironmans say 15 years go feel more and more.
They’re starting to lose their luster for various reasons and they’re going to be facing more competition.
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100%…but I don’t know that they are losing their luster just yet.
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Okay, this may be a weird question, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about. I figure if anyone can provide an answer, it will be the crew on this thread. So here it goes - Q: For people who put calories in their hydration packs, how do you monitor how many carbs/calories you are taking in every hour if you can’t actually see how much you are drinking? Do you know, for example, how many sips it takes to get through 500 ml of fluid? Or do you just wing it?
For context, I have a USWE with a 2L bladder and usually drink 80g of carbs/hour in a 500 ml bottle.
Thanks!
Winging it…as long as I am drinking regularly, I should be in good shape.
I’ve done speedsuits in the past for my gravel races (Castelli), but for Unbound, I’ll be going with a Castelli Aero jersey and cargo shorts. I’ll take the minimal aero penalty for easy access to nutrition or storing trash. Again, easier access means more frequent fueling.
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I would keep calories only in bottles and water in pack. If its hot, you will want water since the sugar in the drinks doesnt quite do it.
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