+1, I do it all the time when it’s smooth enough. Makes the group faster and/or saves me watts.
Until they hit a pothole, crash and take everyone with them. 
Anyone dumb enough to roll a pothole in aerobars is a danger at all times… I’ve never really bought the safety aspect of banning them. Not saying they don’t add some element of risk, but it’s a pretty small slice compared to what we are doing constantly in the race (riding in gravel in tight packs on selective terrain). Aero bars were banned for the pros because it was an “unfair” advantage to those who choose not to run them and resulted in a bunch of whining.
A little course recon -
I’ve been out riding around Emporia since Saturday and did all of last year’s North course (and also pre-rode both stages for a race coming up this weekend). It’s basically my annual gravel camp and I did the same that last couple years. ~400 miles of gravel the first 4 days. Legs are sore, but nothing compared to my nether regions and rest of my body.
North course is similar to this time last year, but a lot less washed out spots. Nothing sketchy to speak of. Many roads appear to have been graded recently, which I assume is why things look pretty good. That came with lots of heavy/slow riding in the loose gravel, but I expect those roads will be better packed by race day (that’s what happened last year, much smoother/faster). Zero flats on a mix of race king 2.2 and pathfinder pro 47. One small hole that I can see sealed on the rear and one noticeable cut on the rear sidewall that didn’t make it all the way through.
I did experience a few mud spots, just enough that I had to get off the bike and clear mud from the bike a couple times (and wore a bit of paint off my inner fork). This was 1 day after a little rain, so not too bad. It was a good reminder that you have to stop and walk at times or risk destroying equipment. Also, the chain catcher I recently added is a clear “no-go” if there is a chance for mud. It made clearing mud harder and could definitely end your day if you tried pedaling when jammed with the mud/rock mix. I expect they will be releasing the 2025 course soon, will be interesting to see what changed.
Also, after riding the upper north section and getting beat to crap (even running a 2.2 up front), I decided to get a frame that actually supports wider tires. I hate making last minute changes, but I got a chance to test ride a Seigla yesterday and I pulled the trigger on a frame and will build the bike when I get back next week. That should give me a few weeks (including racing at Rule of 3) to shake out the new bike before Unbound. I’ve got my last race on the Checkpoint is this weekend, but that’s mostly smooth gravel both days. It’s been a great bike, but it’s time to move on.
This is good feedback. I’m still leaning into running the TB up front with a 47 pathfinder in back.. With the lesser chance of punctures in front, do you think this is still a reasonable choice, or should I choose something different up front (probably a 47, but maybe a 2.2 if it’d fit, my fork is rated for 50).
Also, are you familiar enough with the 100 mile route from last year vs the 200 to know if some of the looser/rougher sections will be in the 100 as well, or more primarily the 200?
I’d prioritize puncture protection over speed. I don’t have personal experience with that tire, but my understanding is that it’s not particularly durable. And for what it’s worth, the only place I’ve ever flatted a front tire riding gravel is around emporia with pathfinder pro 47. And whatever tire you chose, I think the sidewall durability is the key to avoiding major disaster. I’ve got a pretty well worn set of pathfinders with sidewall cuts all over them (front and back) from pre-riding and racing around Emporia.
Yep, I rode it on Tuesday. Definitely tamer gravel and less chunky climbs/descents compared to the 200 section past Eskridge, but still plenty of flat-prone places in the middle section. The run out of and into Emporia is all very smooth, but there is enough chunk to the north that I’d still prioritize durability. You might get away with the TB on the front, it’s always risk/reward.
Thanks for the feedback! I’ll pick up a 2.2 and see if I can fit it up front. Is this the race king 2.2 you’re using?
Yep, that what I’ve been running. In theory, the new Dubnital is pretty much the same thing. They added a 2.4 version, but unfortunately didn’t add a 2.0 (which I think would have been popular with the gravel crowd). I think anything under 2.2 is falling under gravel branding, not really up to speed on conti’s offerings there.
FYI, the 2025 route has been released. Based on a quick review, the 200 route appears identical to 2024.
Also, I heard that Lachlan is racing the XL (350) this year. I assume he’d have to be the favorite to win, but I honestly don’t know much about the competition for that distance.
Finally got around to mounting up my Gravelking X1+
40mm on HED Emporia with a 26mm inner width measure 42mm on the calipers.
45mm on Emporia measure 46.5mm
Going to do a long ride on the 40s tomorrow.
I’m also going with the GK X1+'s in 45mm. I plan on mounting them tomorrow. Hopefully the plus version provides enough sidewall protection.
I haven’t told the group here, but I backed out of the race for this year.
My spring has been a little bit too crazy and things weren’t going as great as I wanted for a variety of reasons to the point it was just stressing me out. Late spring and not enough time outside coupled with tons of work travel, and with everything going on just wasn’t feeling as ready as I wanted to. As opposed to digging myself a big hole, decided to take a week off, a light week, and then full speed ahead training for Leadville.
Hope everyone crushes it - and Mr. Murphy will now send you cool, cloudy, fast and dry weather on race day!
I just looked at the 100 route on ride with GPS. They have it at 105 miles, 3,029 feet of climbing and 92% unpaved roads. I imagine there will be ~5,000 feet of climbing.
Sounds like a good call. Bummed that you won’t make it to Unbound, but I’m guessing you will crush it at Leadville (again) this year.
I’m both bummed, and relieved. Where Leadville I’d go and have fun pacing a friend to sub-12 because of how fun the whole trip is, I wanted to bring my best effort to Unbound and while I would have done fine, I would have had to ratchet expectations back a notch. Still on my list to do it another year - just have to pay more attention to how I structure the lead-up and I’ve found that early season events are a little tougher if we get a crap winter that keeps me indoors.
I’ll be watching to see how it goes for everyone!
Did a 75 miler about 75% gravel, yesterday.
They fit the Panaracer “+” feel in that you can tell it’s a beefier carcass. They roll faster than the SK+, and maybe a bit slower feelling than the SS+, but actually lean over more predictably than the SK or SS, both of which have a pretty pronounced shoulder.
My Front wheel is being rebuilt, but as soon as it’s done I’ll mount up the 45’s and run them on a similar route. One more weekend with an 6+ hour ride before dropping that down to 4 hours and then heading to Emporia via Southeaster Minnesota.
I tried my first ‘heat training’ ride this morning. A 90 min Z2 ride hovering around 55-60% ITP with around 10-15 at 70%.
For the ride I turned off the fans, closed the room door, and I wore a winter hat, thick under armor insulated shirt, bibs, and tights.
Are people using a CORE body temp gauge to measure, or what method? I tried a regular thermometer, but from what I’m reading, it should be like a CORE or rectal. While a saddle and tight bibs might lend to sufficient rectal measuring, I don’t think I’m going to go that route. The CORE is a bit spendy to spring for at the moment.
Generally on a 90 min Z2 ride I barely break a sweat and go through about 1L of water. Today I knocked out 2L of water by 70 mins in. Based on the puddles and clothing, I sweated a ton.
I’m not sure if I should turn on a space heater in the room as well? Due to time constraints, a sauna or HWI isn’t practical for me right now. I don’t think heat training, like most things, is a 100% all or nothing. While I may not be doing the ‘best’ method, I also want to see if this method can be as efficient as possible. If not really creating any adaptions, I also don’t want to go through the added hassle.
Appreciate any further feedback.
Uh Core. V1. V2 is now out that will measure core temp in saunas. I wouldn’t go for, let’s call it a more invasive method of measurement.
I wear fleece lined bibs, a gore wind stopper top and a painter’s suit (Tyvek) on Heat Training days. it’s so SO gross.
Identical weather would be amazing
It is such a shame they did not put out a 2.0.