Well, this whole Trans Iowa V7 thing has me pretty occupied of late. To say I'm a bit stressed out is an understatement, and it has taken its toll on my riding.
Lately, when I get off work, instead of taking the long route home, I am headed in the shortest bee line to the house just to sit and vegetate for a bit while the house is still empty. My desire to ride gravel long time has dwindled to short time.
Still, I got in a few nice rides. The "two-fer" on Wednesday being a good example. Great stress reliever, and great riding.
This coming week? Fahgedda-boudit! I'm just going to write this week off, as Trans Iowa V7 will be pretty much my sole focus over the next week. Afterward, I will be able to buckle down and put in some more serious training.
On the bike/gear front, I swapped out the Geax Barro Race tires for the way-fast Bontrager XR-1 tires, which are not only faster, but lighter, and clear the fork a wee bit better. If you have the clearance, and especially if you are a bigger fella like me, you should try these tires. You'll be feeling far faster, and the volume of these tires is great, so running lower pressures is okay. I run about 38psi, and these tires fly.
Secondly, I am looking pretty hard at Banjo Brothers Waterproof Saddle Trunk. Having had the unique opportunity to talk with both "Banjo Brothers" in the shop where I work recently, I am convinced this bag may be the ticket for the ultimate gravel grinder, go ultra-long, set up. "Banjo Eric" told me this thing holds the same capacity as a regular rack top trunk bag. With the Tangle Bag being occupied by my 70 oz. Camelbak reservoir, I could use that extra room for rain gear, and a few oddments. We'll see how it holds up after I get it.
Next week will be all Trans Iowa, so look for the next installment of The Dirty Kanza 200 Chronicles on May 1st
Snow Dog Down: 53 Days And Counting.....
That Saddle Trunk looks like the ticket for longer rides with the La Cruz. I like the look, the build and the price! Nice!
ReplyDelete@Wally: Yeah, my only possible reservation with the bag might be if my legs bounce the thing around as I pedal. We'll see how it sits on the "Orange Crush" when it comes in.
ReplyDeleteI've still got a spot for you in the BALLS ride if Mrs. Guitar Ted will give you a weekend pass the weekend after TI. Two days, 165 miles, cold beer, lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice looking bag....let us know how it goes. Looks like phil wood has forgotten about you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the race!
Jaand Also made a nice bag like that.ari
ReplyDeleteYou will love the bag! I used it last fall for 50 mile days on the mtb up in N Wi riding some pretty technical single track on the rigid SS and it never moved one bit. I also used it recentlly for 11 miles of gravel bliss on the La Cruz for the Ragnarok and it held everything I didn't end up needing and all that I did (non supported this year).
ReplyDeleteTed, I'm wondering what bars you have on the bike pictured (Sawyer?) are they On One Fleegles? Also what knickers are you sporting?
ReplyDelete@Dan, The bars are the Crivitz Bars available from Bontrager and come stock on a Sawyer. They are very much like a Carnegies Bar from Ragley Bikes, which were designed by Brant Richards, who designed the Fleegle as well. So, a direct lineage of sorts there!
ReplyDeleteThe knickers are Endura Humvee 3/4's length in black. Don't buy the khaki ones! They are junk, but the black ones are great.