Yes. People have been tapering for events for decades. It’s a proven method. You’d rather go into an event feeling a little flat than feeling over-worked. The legs will be there! I’m in a 5 day taper for an event that is only 3 hours long (this Saturday), fresh is fast!
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Don’t worry about the weather until one or two days before. In 2019 there was massive flooding and looked like it was going to be a very wet ride. Even the day before it said cooler and rain. And it turned out to be HOT and dry!
To be safe I’m throwing a 38 on the rear with my 42 front for more clearance. But if it’s bad, I’m ok with hike-a-bike to avoid a broken derailleur or other issues.
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Hey Alvaroe. I use Terrano dry in 33mm on my cx/gravel bike and in 2.2inch versions on my bikepacking mtb. I’ve ridden both in apocalyptic mud. The side lugs hook up well on the corners and if you stay loose they just glide along in a straight line.
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Speaking of tires, maybe bring a set of cross tires that are 33c or just use a set of something i can buy there in 35 if its a muddy course?
Given the Bike parts supply issues, I wouldn’t show up expecting to be able to buy anything. If you are traveling and need to make a decision before the forecast solidifies, I’d bring whatever is reasonable and adjust as needed, but I wouldn’t count on being able to buy a set of tires.
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I have mounted the Terreno Dry and ordered a set of Terreno Mix because I like them so much. I don’t think I will mount them on unless it keeps on raining. Yesterday we got a lot of water here in Wichita (2hr south of Emporia).
The weather is looking nicer!
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Make sure you have your water sorted for next weekend.
My plan here is:
1 - Bottle of 24oz of MAURTEN 320 (Kcal 320, Carbs 79g)
1 - Bottle of 24oz of Gatorade/sugar mix (Kcal 400, Carbs 100g)
1 - Hydration pack of 1.75L (60oz) of water
On the checkpoint, I will likely refill all of these depending on how I feel about mix vs. water.
I will also carry food:
-
Salted Watermelon Cliff Blocks
-
Salted Watermelon Gu gel
-
Some chocolate or snack (real food)
I will also eat a PB sandwich during the checkpoint depending on how much food I have taken in.
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So with mud you are trying to balance two things…footprint and tire clearance.
In general, a wider tire footprint is better because you disperse your weight over a larger area and you won’t sink as much in soft stuff (sand, mud, snow, etc). That is why fat bikes are great in the snow…
But a wider tire means less tire clearance with your frame / fork….too wide and you’ll clog up constantly.
So as with so many things in our sport, the answer is “it depends”. 
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Right now I will be doing
start to first check point
- 2 33oz bottles with 960 cals
- gels and blocks
check point 1 to check point 2 - 2 33oz bottles with 1200 cals
- 2.5 L pack of just water
- Gels and blocks
- snack of no bake cookies or rice at the check point
- Carrying extra packet of drink mix if I stop at the neutral water stop
final run - 2 24oz bottles of gatoraid
- cookies
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Not at all suggesting you change your plan, but what is the reasoning for having “just” water in your pack?
I’ve never done a 12hr bike race, but in my XCM racing I would want to carry some of my carbs in that 2.5kg. I also find it easier to drink the carb/electrolyte mix than straight water and other carbs so please don’t take my meaning to be anything other than curiosity.
I get really tired of drinking just the mix and in the past have struggled to consume the product after 4 hours. I will have some mix in a pouch to mix in bottles if I need to.
I will make up for the lack of mix with another form of food.
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Exactly, you’re gonna want/need clean water from time to time. From experience that is a good idea. Plus it is really hard to judge rate of consumption when it’s 2L and on your back.
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I don’t care what TR says, a 4hr ride (especially at .67if) three days before a 10+ race effort is silly. Maybe a week before would be okay, or if you were world tour pro and used to spending 5hrs on the bike every day. There is nothing that 4hr ride would get you that a 2hr ride wouldn’t, except excess fatigue and depleted glycogen stores.
Reduce volume, maintain intensity, be as fresh as possible without feeling flat.
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I went the whole covid shut down without getting sick, picked up a cold. Ugh
When the neighbors kid had a running nose I should have taken my kid and gone home. Guess I have 6 days to feel better. Sleeps been crap for 3 days.
Wouldn’t be life without hurdles
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You’ll be ok 
.
Smash the Vitamin C (and Echinacea if you can) and have faith in your body and training.
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OK, you probably don’t wanna hear this, but…
I got really sick Memorial Day weekend 2019. Congestion, cough, stuffy head, eventually puking, could barely drag my ass out of bed kinda sick…
Felt better-ish by Weds and went through with DK…and paid the price. By mile 75, I was in full leg cramps on both legs and I had never cramped before in my life on the bike.
In retrospect, I probably went too hard at the beginning…not for what I had been planning, but for what my body was prepared for after the previous weekend. I stayed in the first 100 or so for 90 min…we hit a really technical section and I said “ ok, time to sit up”. I felt fine, but it seemed like a good time to settle in.
Looking back on my HR data (all I had on my gravel bike at the time), I was about 15bpm higher than I planned. My body just had not recovered sufficiently within the week.
My point in not to freak you out, but to just say it is OK to take it easy at the beginning, even easier than you planned if your cold doesn’t clear up in a day or so.
And I want to emphasize…I was was REALLY sick that weekend. I don’t know what it was, but it knocked me on my ass HARD. Definitely more than a cold…
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Perfect timing for a cold! It’ll stop you riding your bike for a few days (unless you’re really stupid).
I’m always flying the week after a cold. The enforced rest works wonders.
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