Unbound

[ChewbaccaDefense]

I'm headed out with my wife's bike. Interesting names on the entry list.

Little bummed myself, because I am in Steamboat Springs and was here for 3 days to ride...night of day 1, had bad intestinal issues, turns out I have a norovirus, so I missed riding here.

Anyway, I will be posting updates on the thread on race day.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Arrived today. Still getting over my stomach issues so no ride, but did see a couple of guys coming in from rides...good thing there is some time between now and race day, because it rained pretty good yesterday and last night, and both guys looked like they'd been through a battle. Saw a couple of the roads...pretty chunky. We're definitely in Kansas anymore.

Think I'll do the Gravel Hall of Fame ride tomorrow, as a friend from town is here and his dad is being inducted.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Gravel Hall of Fame ride was nicely done. The gravel on that loop sounds like the average of what the racers will ride, with smoother sections, and very much more chunky sections. Supposed to rain tonight, and rained hard a couple of days ago, so conditions are still a little up in the air.

Really cool atmosphere in town. The spirit of gravel might be dead, but it isn't dead. Local bike shop (Merchant Cycles) was super helpful, and couldn't have been nicer. Lots of people on the ride to talk with, and some great advice to pass onto my wife. Picking her up in KC tonight, and tomorrow we start recon.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Really cool atmosphere here now. Lots of people showing up, and lots of talk because of the rain last night. It made things much more interesting, as it had a real effect on the course, so much so that they had to change the 350 mile route, because there is now a lake over part of that course.

Went for a fun ride with people from back home, ate some pizza, and had an all around good time today.

The 350 starts tomorrow at 3pm local, and we've got a friend doing it for a 2nd time. Strong field for that one this year, for sure.

Also, Laurens Ten Dam sighting

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Will be interesting from a tech point of view; MTB tyres, suspension, pedals, etc

Ben Delaney did an interview with Tudor's Simon Pellaud, and he's decided to use the URS, which is an Adventure bike, over the Kaius Race bike - looks like he's on MTB pedals.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Will be interesting from a tech point of view; MTB tyres, suspension, pedals, etc

Ben Delaney did an interview with Tudor's Simon Pellaud, and he's decided to use the URS, which is an Adventure bike, over the Kaius Race bike - looks like he's on MTB pedals.

Yeah, you'd have to be bold to think you aren't going to walk something tomorrow. I don't think road shoes will be often seen.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

XL left today at 3pm local. Crazy race. Our friend is well prepared, so we will be tracking him. Saw Lachlan and ten Dam chatting it up, neither was at the front on the start...it's not the kind of race vibe for that...those guys are going to ride a long way over the next 24 hours or so.

Wife is nervrous as a cat, and overthinking. Lots of support from everyone though. She'd start right now, if she could, just to get it going.

Sunny and hot today. Big change from even yesterday.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jS6uf1_KlU

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Super busy day, didn't actually haave time to watch any of the other races, as we were crewing for my wife and another friend, and were busy with that. Got to both rest stops just after the men went through, but it sounds like it was over already in Alma, same with the women. I saw the lead group go through, and they were well ahead of the others. Brutal day for them and everyoe riding. I saw several people who needed medical (wound)help, and a lot of abandons at the aid stations.

Our day was great, had one friend get top 30 in the 350, and anothe ffriend finish in about 15 and a half hours.

Best news is that my wife crushed it!! She was 2nd in her age group, and finished before the sun went down. She is a freaking beast!!

Great festival and atmosphere. If you ever want an epic day, this is one. I worked enough volunteer hours to get an automatic spot next year, so I'll be in the 200 myself next year. There are 5 of us already wanting to ride next year....so we will have to figure out who will do our crew work....

 

[Unchained]

Super busy day, didn't actually haave time to watch any of the other races, as we were crewing for my wife and another friend, and were busy with that. Got to both rest stops just after the men went through, but it sounds like it was over already in Alma, same with the women. I saw the lead group go through, and they were well ahead of the others. Brutal day for them and everyoe riding. I saw several people who needed medical (wound)help, and a lot of abandons at the aid stations.

Our day was great, had one friend get top 30 in the 350, and anothe ffriend finish in about 15 and a half hours.

Best news is that my wife crushed it!! She was 2nd in her age group, and finished before the sun went down. She is a freaking beast!!

Great festival and atmosphere. If you ever want an epic day, this is one. I worked enough volunteer hours to get an automatic spot next year, so I'll be in the 200 myself next year. There are 5 of us already wanting to ride next year....so we will have to figure out who will do our crew work....

Congratulations all around, your wife's is fantastic! I have watched half dozen highlights- race result videos and articles. All had a common theme, speed was up.. One video had Keegan commenting that he made it to first aid station @35 minutes ahead of schedule. Everyone just flying. Lots of female racers said level of competition has never been higher. To get a result is certainly awesome accomplishment!! The quality of the field just goes higher and higher in every category.

 

[Sciatic]

Super busy day, didn't actually haave time to watch any of the other races, as we were crewing for my wife and another friend, and were busy with that. Got to both rest stops just after the men went through, but it sounds like it was over already in Alma, same with the women. I saw the lead group go through, and they were well ahead of the others. Brutal day for them and everyoe riding. I saw several people who needed medical (wound)help, and a lot of abandons at the aid stations.

Our day was great, had one friend get top 30 in the 350, and anothe ffriend finish in about 15 and a half hours.

Best news is that my wife crushed it!! She was 2nd in her age group, and finished before the sun went down. She is a freaking beast!!

Great festival and atmosphere. If you ever want an epic day, this is one. I worked enough volunteer hours to get an automatic spot next year, so I'll be in the 200 myself next year. There are 5 of us already wanting to ride next year....so we will have to figure out who will do our crew work....

Great stuff, and nice to get lowdown from someone there! Congrats to your wife!

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Got my guaranteed entry code, registered. Seems weird to be excited about riding 200 miles in Kansas, but here I am. I'm super stoked!!

Funny, I considered today to be my first Unbound training ride, rode 45 minutes, popped my chain (didn't bring my tool pouch, which I usually do), had to walk back to the bike shop (was only about 3 miles away), so I feel like that's a good start.

 

[Unchained]

Got my guaranteed entry code, registered. Seems weird to be excited about riding 200 miles in Kansas, but here I am. I'm super stoked!!

Funny, I considered today to be my first Unbound training ride, rode 45 minutes, popped my chain (didn't bring my tool pouch, which I usually do), had to walk back to the bike shop (was only about 3 miles away), so I feel like that's a good start.

First investment in your Unbound odyssey..new chain and cassette.. Out of the saddle broken chain you go to dentist or get surgery while they search for.. Where did they go? Toptube injury!
Another strange hack I just saw..guy had old 25-28mm pieces of inner tube pieces, maybe 5-7 inches long and he puts them on front fork legs with booting rubber and Slime or Park sticky patches and he can do a flat change, super fast with CO2, inflator head on front of seatpost.. Baja Epic hacks, which is another race you should consider!

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

First investment in your Unbound odyssey..new chain and cassette.. Out of the saddle broken chain you go to dentist or get surgery while they search for.. Where did they go? Toptube injury!
Another strange hack I just saw..guy had old 25-28mm pieces of inner tube pieces, maybe 5-7 inches long and he puts them on front fork legs with booting rubber and Slime or Park sticky patches and he can do a flat change, super fast with CO2, inflator head on front of seatpost.. Baja Epic hacks, which is another race you should consider!

One of the guys at my shop did Baja Epic. He's a freaking stud, and he said it was harder for him, because of the heat and remoteness, than Tour Divide. My wife and I are eyeing Paris Brest Paris as our next big adventure, and I'm considering Leadville this year. Just have to see how things shake out, and whether I feel like 12 hours is a realistic goal for me. I think so, but that race was a sufferfest, viewed from the side of the road. Im thinking maybe instead of paying Lifetime $400 more, I might shoot for White Rim in a day, in October next year. A longer bikepacking race is hard for me, because taking multiple weeks off isn't an option right now. We are going 25 Hours in the Old Pueblo in February. That seems like it will be a blast.

Im actually considering not using CO2 at all, or just carrying one. I have a fantic electric pump, and that thing is great. The only thing I dont know is if it will seat a tire, if needed to.

Its south course next year, so if it rains, I'll biggest hack will be to wear the most comfy shoes to walk in.

Thanks for the tips! I should have been better prepared yesterday, but i got lazy. My wife and I help coach the local high school MTB team, and unofficial practices start tomorrow. I've got to carry an entire tool kit and a first aid kit, so I think I was enjoying not having to carry stuff.

 

[Unchained]

One of the guys at my shop did Baja Epic. He's a freaking stud, and he said it was harder for him, because of the heat and remoteness, than Tour Divide. My wife and I are eyeing Paris Brest Paris as our next big adventure, and I'm considering Leadville this year. Just have to see how things shake out, and whether I feel like 12 hours is a realistic goal for me. I think so, but that race was a sufferfest, viewed from the side of the road. Im thinking maybe instead of paying Lifetime $400 more, I might shoot for White Rim in a day, in October next year. A longer bikepacking race is hard for me, because taking multiple weeks off isn't an option right now. We are going 25 Hours in the Old Pueblo in February. That seems like it will be a blast.

Im actually considering not using CO2 at all, or just carrying one. I have a fantic electric pump, and that thing is great. The only thing I dont know is if it will seat a tire, if needed to.

Its south course next year, so if it rains, I'll biggest hack will be to wear the most comfy shoes to walk in.

Thanks for the tips! I should have been better prepared yesterday, but i got lazy. My wife and I help coach the local high school MTB team, and unofficial practices start tomorrow. I've got to carry an entire tool kit and a first aid kit, so I think I was enjoying not having to carry stuff.

I will use the term mini compressor.. I have seen 2 different brands in use and I can see as price point keeps going down, performance keeps going up.. I can see mini compressor being the replacement for CO2 and mini pumps.
I really don't have any idea what the rear solution is for footwear! I have Specialized shoes currently, I think that I like how stiff they are.. And I am not good at walking in shoes that are designed for walking. I hate walking my bike.
I carry 2 -16g cylinders on my road bike and it has let me down a couple of times. My only issue ( not really) would be to get tire to pop or jump back on the bead. I use tubes so it's not an issue , but.I am usually ok that everything is ok using a single cylinder but after inflation if the tube is hanging out or some funny bump..I have to let the air out and start over..again all reasons to seriously think about a mini compressor \ inflation unit. On Amazon there are some @$35-55 with lots of 5 star reviews.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

I will use the term mini compressor.. I have seen 2 different brands in use and I can see as price point keeps going down, performance keeps going up.. I can see mini compressor being the replacement for CO2 and mini pumps.
I really don't have any idea what the rear solution is for footwear! I have Specialized shoes currently, I think that I like how stiff they are.. And I am not good at walking in shoes that are designed for walking. I hate walking my bike.
I carry 2 -16g cylinders on my road bike and it has let me down a couple of times. My only issue ( not really) would be to get tire to pop or jump back on the bead. I use tubes so it's not an issue , but.I am usually ok that everything is ok using a single cylinder but after inflation if the tube is hanging out or some funny bump..I have to let the air out and start over..again all reasons to seriously think about a mini compressor \ inflation unit. On Amazon there are some @$35-55 with lots of 5 star reviews.

I am tubeless only on everything, though I carry a TPU with me. I love running low pressure.

Yeah, the mini-compressor is a great little tool. Set the exact psi, and it quickly gets you to that pressure, and stops.

I have always worn Sidi's, as their 43 in normal width, has always been the perfect fit for me. I have a couple of pairs, and one is a great shoe if you have to walk (I was wearing them on my bike walk last Saturday), so no blisters or any discomfort in them. The others are carbon soles, and stiff, and would not be all that great to walk in.