Taking It Back To The Fun

2016 saw me experiencing the Flint Hills in a totally different, and more fun,way.

There is something about going out on a bicycle to see the "how far", "where you can go", and "what you can do" that is very appealing to me, and by the way, is not at all connected to competition. You maybe can call this "touring", or you might call it "adventure by bicycle" like one company has done, or you maybe could just distill it all down to one simple word- fun. 

To my way of thinking, "fun" on a bicycle, as described above, is why I got hooked on bicycles in the first place. It wasn't about being faster than the next guy, it wasn't about the latest lightweight gizmo, and it certainly is not about gaining notoriety on social media. No! It was simply a joy in riding around, searching, looking, and experiencing the terrain and the things alive on it and in it. That pretty much sums things up in general terms for me.

Now, before I go any further, I want to explain very clearly that competition has its place. I even enjoy competing in events on occasion. But I also want to make it very  clear that competition falls way down the ladder of reasons why I take to the gravel and ride. I also want it to be very clear that what I am about to share goes for me only. I don't speak for anyone else here, so please let that sink in a moment.

Just sittin' around and having some fun out on a gravel ride this past Summer. From the GTDRI by Rob Evans

Someone online the other day accused me of being "all patriarchal" about some of my views pertaining to the gravel scene. Well, I am a male and I've been around this scene, some say influencing it, for well over a decade. So, yeah, I'll own that. You can see that as a negative or whatever. It is what it is, and so I'm going to put this out there as one of the people others say has a word or two to share that might have some weight to it. You can decide on that ultimately.

Anyway, I feel that chasing races and somewhat manufactured experiences is getting kind of old. Not that I won't ever pin a number on one of my bicycles again, because I plan on doing that, but I won't do that a lot anymore. Why? Because I'd rather have more "fun". I'd rather do more rides like the GTDRI, the "Geezer Ride", 3GR, and whatever else others do out in the world that isn't about paying someone a bunch of cash and racing.

Just being a bunch of Geezers in 2015.

There are free to enter races, sure. I get that and I like that way of doing things. I'm not averse to paying for an event though, but in some cases I've just had to say "no mas!". Enough is enough. Chasing the race scene is cool from the people aspect, but I have found that you no longer even have to do the race to get in that aspect of things. I have also found that getting together with a group of like minded individuals, be that one other or many others, seems to be a lot more enjoyable, creates a lot more "good times", and can be done on a shoe string budget. Besides that, these experiences on rides I have either put on myself or have been on with others seem to create their own special "vibe" that no event/race I've ever done has possessed.

Then there is this whole thing about "getting the value for the dollar spent" , which from where I sit, has taken precedence over the "why I ride in the first place" aspect of gravel and gravel events. So, you know, if you spend this, in my opinion, exorbitant amount of money, the attitude seems to be getting to be, "what's in it for me besides the riding?" And to be honest, that's on us, the riders. I know it is really popular to blame the event promoters for "selling out the scene", but if people keep buying, who really should we be pointing our finger at? I say, look in the mirror.

And maybe that's okay with you. I get that. But again, it isn't why I am riding gravel.

So I Tweeted out the following the other day:

 That got a ton of responses. Some direct from Twitter, but I also was contacted by e-mail from a "like-minded" individual who shall remain nameless at this point. Needless to say, I felt that I was not the only person with feelings that the gravel scene, in particular, has been loosing its way when it comes to its "real reason to be", which isn't racing and a bunch of other hoo-ha attached with it.

Take the linked event in my Tweet, the SWIG Tour. You can ride it, you can race it, but the general vibe is that of a guy who wants to share in what he believes is a great place to ride. He feels the views and the roads are too good not to share. I can get behind an idea like that.

Then yesterday I Tweeted the following based upon responses I had gotten from the first Tweet and my further thinking about this: 

So this Tweet got an even bigger response. Now as I stated at the top of this post, I am speaking here only for myself, but it is very clear that others out there are thinking along the same lines. How many folks are getting this vibe, I have no clear idea, but from where I sit, it is more than I thought. It's apparently more than a few of you out there.

So, as I say in the Tweet, I am not sure where this all is going, but it is going! Already there are plans for rides, special "stuff", and more surrounding this groundswell of "just riding". I know that as far as I am concerned I would like to recreate something like my "DK MY Way" ride out in Nebraska where "Odin's Revenge" used to be ridden. Probably as a long weekend, three day deal where we ride out and back to Gothenburg for three loops of the old courses we used to ride.

I want to get the old 3GR ride up and going again as a regular local gravel grind. I also want to do a Geezer Ride, or two, or three. But however it goes, I want to experience more places and people in casual riding atmospheres instead of every big ride being one of being under the gun to race and all that entails. We'll see how that turns out...

More on this subject later as things develop.

Taking It Back To The Fun

2016 saw me experiencing the Flint Hills in a totally different, and more fun,way.

There is something about going out on a bicycle to see the "how far", "where you can go", and "what you can do" that is very appealing to me, and by the way, is not at all connected to competition. You maybe can call this "touring", or you might call it "adventure by bicycle" like one company has done, or you maybe could just distill it all down to one simple word- fun. 

To my way of thinking, "fun" on a bicycle, as described above, is why I got hooked on bicycles in the first place. It wasn't about being faster than the next guy, it wasn't about the latest lightweight gizmo, and it certainly is not about gaining notoriety on social media. No! It was simply a joy in riding around, searching, looking, and experiencing the terrain and the things alive on it and in it. That pretty much sums things up in general terms for me.

Now, before I go any further, I want to explain very clearly that competition has its place. I even enjoy competing in events on occasion. But I also want to make it very  clear that competition falls way down the ladder of reasons why I take to the gravel and ride. I also want it to be very clear that what I am about to share goes for me only. I don't speak for anyone else here, so please let that sink in a moment.

Just sittin' around and having some fun out on a gravel ride this past Summer. From the GTDRI by Rob Evans

Someone online the other day accused me of being "all patriarchal" about some of my views pertaining to the gravel scene. Well, I am a male and I've been around this scene, some say influencing it, for well over a decade. So, yeah, I'll own that. You can see that as a negative or whatever. It is what it is, and so I'm going to put this out there as one of the people others say has a word or two to share that might have some weight to it. You can decide on that ultimately.

Anyway, I feel that chasing races and somewhat manufactured experiences is getting kind of old. Not that I won't ever pin a number on one of my bicycles again, because I plan on doing that, but I won't do that a lot anymore. Why? Because I'd rather have more "fun". I'd rather do more rides like the GTDRI, the "Geezer Ride", 3GR, and whatever else others do out in the world that isn't about paying someone a bunch of cash and racing.

Just being a bunch of Geezers in 2015.

There are free to enter races, sure. I get that and I like that way of doing things. I'm not averse to paying for an event though, but in some cases I've just had to say "no mas!". Enough is enough. Chasing the race scene is cool from the people aspect, but I have found that you no longer even have to do the race to get in that aspect of things. I have also found that getting together with a group of like minded individuals, be that one other or many others, seems to be a lot more enjoyable, creates a lot more "good times", and can be done on a shoe string budget. Besides that, these experiences on rides I have either put on myself or have been on with others seem to create their own special "vibe" that no event/race I've ever done has possessed.

Then there is this whole thing about "getting the value for the dollar spent" , which from where I sit, has taken precedence over the "why I ride in the first place" aspect of gravel and gravel events. So, you know, if you spend this, in my opinion, exorbitant amount of money, the attitude seems to be getting to be, "what's in it for me besides the riding?" And to be honest, that's on us, the riders. I know it is really popular to blame the event promoters for "selling out the scene", but if people keep buying, who really should we be pointing our finger at? I say, look in the mirror.

And maybe that's okay with you. I get that. But again, it isn't why I am riding gravel.

So I Tweeted out the following the other day:

 That got a ton of responses. Some direct from Twitter, but I also was contacted by e-mail from a "like-minded" individual who shall remain nameless at this point. Needless to say, I felt that I was not the only person with feelings that the gravel scene, in particular, has been loosing its way when it comes to its "real reason to be", which isn't racing and a bunch of other hoo-ha attached with it.

Take the linked event in my Tweet, the SWIG Tour. You can ride it, you can race it, but the general vibe is that of a guy who wants to share in what he believes is a great place to ride. He feels the views and the roads are too good not to share. I can get behind an idea like that.

Then yesterday I Tweeted the following based upon responses I had gotten from the first Tweet and my further thinking about this: 

So this Tweet got an even bigger response. Now as I stated at the top of this post, I am speaking here only for myself, but it is very clear that others out there are thinking along the same lines. How many folks are getting this vibe, I have no clear idea, but from where I sit, it is more than I thought. It's apparently more than a few of you out there.

So, as I say in the Tweet, I am not sure where this all is going, but it is going! Already there are plans for rides, special "stuff", and more surrounding this groundswell of "just riding". I know that as far as I am concerned I would like to recreate something like my "DK MY Way" ride out in Nebraska where "Odin's Revenge" used to be ridden. Probably as a long weekend, three day deal where we ride out and back to Gothenburg for three loops of the old courses we used to ride.

I want to get the old 3GR ride up and going again as a regular local gravel grind. I also want to do a Geezer Ride, or two, or three. But however it goes, I want to experience more places and people in casual riding atmospheres instead of every big ride being one of being under the gun to race and all that entails. We'll see how that turns out...

More on this subject later as things develop.

Rolling With The Changes

From my "DK My Way" ride last June

Registration season is in full swing it seems. Trans Iowa v14 registration went live yesterday, the Dirty Kanza 200 registration details, which weren't supposed to have been put out until the 10th, but some eager gravel related site slipped up, (No- not RidingGravel.com) went out yesterday, and some mountain bike events opened up registration for next year's events as well.

This post will focus mostly on what is happening with the DK200's affairs as I see them. so........

NOTE: Large doses of "my opinion" will be handed out in gloppy dollops today. You've been forewarned.....

 

First and foremost, all of what you and I have witnessed over the past five years in regard to the Dirty Kanza 200 is due to the event's successes. Those successes are because of the riders. Yes, the demand, (in other words, the riders who want to come to Kansas every June to ride) has caused all of the changes you have seen in recent years with this event. The changes are reactions to this higher demand. So, anyone who balks at the price of entry, the new lottery system in place for choosing riders, or has any beef with not having full support stations or what have you has to keep in mind that nothing would have changed at all had the demand remained the same or went lower. 

 

 The beauty of the Flint Hills is stunning

So, if you don't like it, then simply don't participate. Vote with your dollars. Otherwise, in my opinion, any grousing folks do is a moot point. The DK Promotions team are not the "bad guys" in this. They are just keeping their heads above the water and reaping a bit of benefit in doing so. I would suggest that if the "dollar per mile" entry fee for the 200 is too rich for you, then your decision is simple. It isn't like there are no other gravel events in Kansas, or the Mid-west, or the nation. No, there are over 400 other events to choose from.  

Those chasing the "grail cup" for 5 DK200 finishes may have a beef with this new way of doing things, but the DK Promotions folks are saying that they are taking those folks into consideration for spots in their lottery process. So, that shouldn't be at issue if the DK folks can make that work. 

Changes are tough for many of us, and the DK200 has been changing every year for.......well a while now. It seems that nothing stays the same with that event from year to year. Maybe this is their problem. A public relations issue. Perhaps. I really think it boils down to something else which I have noted over the course of 13 years of putting on Trans Iowa. 

In my opinion, the issue is that participants want things to be easier and guaranteed. Especially when the event is set up in such a way that chance occurrences, weather, or other factors beyond the control of anyone can play a huge role in the outcome of a participant. Take the lottery that the DK200 is going to instigate. Folks want some reassurances that past participation and goal seeking will be recognized. The DK200 is saying that they will do this in some manner. It's a sticky wicket that I feel might be a landmine unless their process is transparent and expectations are set up in advance. That is yet to be seen. Folks want to know that they can get in as a group, so the DK has had to instigate a policy for that as well. 

Then there is the "easy button" everyone wants to be able to push. The biggest deal the DK200 has to rekon with is "aid" for riders out on the course. People want regular "aid stations", such as you might find in running events, which, in my opinion, waters down the challenge of the DK200. Look.....honestly, there are tougher courses. Take Gravel Worlds, for instance. Take what was "Odin's Revenge". That was way, way tougher. I'm sure other events are as well, and many, if not all of them have no outside support allowed. But that doesn't stop the folks from demanding aid stations, and at $200.00 a pop for the 200 miler, they are going to expect some "bennies" on their investment into the event. 

Changes. Many of us don't really like them, but they are one of the only guarantees in life. I suspect that the DK200 will sell out once again and after a year no one will be ruffling any feathers about this change anymore. It will just be the way it is now. People get twisted and angry up front but generally speaking, this goes away in the end. 

 But the constantly changing entry fee and calls for more benefits from riders are probably going to come to a head at some point. Obviously, the DK200 cannot expect to continue to increase the entry fee in such a dramatic fashion unless there are some features that are coming with it. Otherwise, I would predict some blow-back from participants, and honestly, that has already happened to a degree. Of course, this is all just my conjecturing and opinionated opinioning on things, so take it for what it's worth.

Rolling With The Changes

From my "DK My Way" ride last June

Registration season is in full swing it seems. Trans Iowa v14 registration went live yesterday, the Dirty Kanza 200 registration details, which weren't supposed to have been put out until the 10th, but some eager gravel related site slipped up, (No- not RidingGravel.com) went out yesterday, and some mountain bike events opened up registration for next year's events as well.

This post will focus mostly on what is happening with the DK200's affairs as I see them. so........

NOTE: Large doses of "my opinion" will be handed out in gloppy dollops today. You've been forewarned.....

 

First and foremost, all of what you and I have witnessed over the past five years in regard to the Dirty Kanza 200 is due to the event's successes. Those successes are because of the riders. Yes, the demand, (in other words, the riders who want to come to Kansas every June to ride) has caused all of the changes you have seen in recent years with this event. The changes are reactions to this higher demand. So, anyone who balks at the price of entry, the new lottery system in place for choosing riders, or has any beef with not having full support stations or what have you has to keep in mind that nothing would have changed at all had the demand remained the same or went lower. 

 

 The beauty of the Flint Hills is stunning

So, if you don't like it, then simply don't participate. Vote with your dollars. Otherwise, in my opinion, any grousing folks do is a moot point. The DK Promotions team are not the "bad guys" in this. They are just keeping their heads above the water and reaping a bit of benefit in doing so. I would suggest that if the "dollar per mile" entry fee for the 200 is too rich for you, then your decision is simple. It isn't like there are no other gravel events in Kansas, or the Mid-west, or the nation. No, there are over 400 other events to choose from.  

Those chasing the "grail cup" for 5 DK200 finishes may have a beef with this new way of doing things, but the DK Promotions folks are saying that they are taking those folks into consideration for spots in their lottery process. So, that shouldn't be at issue if the DK folks can make that work. 

Changes are tough for many of us, and the DK200 has been changing every year for.......well a while now. It seems that nothing stays the same with that event from year to year. Maybe this is their problem. A public relations issue. Perhaps. I really think it boils down to something else which I have noted over the course of 13 years of putting on Trans Iowa. 

In my opinion, the issue is that participants want things to be easier and guaranteed. Especially when the event is set up in such a way that chance occurrences, weather, or other factors beyond the control of anyone can play a huge role in the outcome of a participant. Take the lottery that the DK200 is going to instigate. Folks want some reassurances that past participation and goal seeking will be recognized. The DK200 is saying that they will do this in some manner. It's a sticky wicket that I feel might be a landmine unless their process is transparent and expectations are set up in advance. That is yet to be seen. Folks want to know that they can get in as a group, so the DK has had to instigate a policy for that as well. 

Then there is the "easy button" everyone wants to be able to push. The biggest deal the DK200 has to rekon with is "aid" for riders out on the course. People want regular "aid stations", such as you might find in running events, which, in my opinion, waters down the challenge of the DK200. Look.....honestly, there are tougher courses. Take Gravel Worlds, for instance. Take what was "Odin's Revenge". That was way, way tougher. I'm sure other events are as well, and many, if not all of them have no outside support allowed. But that doesn't stop the folks from demanding aid stations, and at $200.00 a pop for the 200 miler, they are going to expect some "bennies" on their investment into the event. 

Changes. Many of us don't really like them, but they are one of the only guarantees in life. I suspect that the DK200 will sell out once again and after a year no one will be ruffling any feathers about this change anymore. It will just be the way it is now. People get twisted and angry up front but generally speaking, this goes away in the end. 

 But the constantly changing entry fee and calls for more benefits from riders are probably going to come to a head at some point. Obviously, the DK200 cannot expect to continue to increase the entry fee in such a dramatic fashion unless there are some features that are coming with it. Otherwise, I would predict some blow-back from participants, and honestly, that has already happened to a degree. Of course, this is all just my conjecturing and opinionated opinioning on things, so take it for what it's worth.

DK My Way: Barns For Jason

Of course I ran across a few barns in the 103 miles I rode in Kansas. So, while I did not get images of every single one I saw, this is most of them, incredibly. There aren't that many barns in the Flint Hills! At least, not where I have ridden. Here are the ones from the 2017 ride there......

The Alegawaho Memorial Park includes ruins from the Kaw Nation's presence here. 

 

I thought I would take this opportunity to update my trip story. I posted the image to the left here Saturday and I have finally figured out the mystery behind it. The answer came from the sign attached to the stone ruins above. I did not know whether or not the above image was a barn, so I Googled the name "Alegawaho" and found out that the stone monument I saw and this stone ruin was from a time when the government of the US had built this agency building and some stone huts for the Kaw Tribe in 1862. The monument marks the remains of a Kaw tribe member that were exposed due to erosion of a nearby stream bed. It is called the "Kanza Monument". It was erected by the citizens of Council Grove in 1925 as a way to bear tribute and memory to the presence of the Kaw people in this area.

The road I was on went through the 168 acres of the Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park which was dedicated by the Kaw Nation in 2002. The Kaw Nation requests that no approach closer than a walking trail that is there be made to the memorial as it is considered sacred ground.

I recall when I saw the monument that there was a round pavilion in the valley below on the opposite side of the road that was marked as a Kaw Nation site. Then the feeling that something special was here came over me and even more so when I saw the agency building's ruins. Now I know why that was.

Just thought I should set the record straight here on that, and my dedication to barns seemed to be a good place for this. Hope you enjoyed that bit of history and the barns I saw of note during my ride in Kansas this year.

DK My Way: Barns For Jason

Of course I ran across a few barns in the 103 miles I rode in Kansas. So, while I did not get images of every single one I saw, this is most of them, incredibly. There aren't that many barns in the Flint Hills! At least, not where I have ridden. Here are the ones from the 2017 ride there......

The Alegawaho Memorial Park includes ruins from the Kaw Nation's presence here. 

 

I thought I would take this opportunity to update my trip story. I posted the image to the left here Saturday and I have finally figured out the mystery behind it. The answer came from the sign attached to the stone ruins above. I did not know whether or not the above image was a barn, so I Googled the name "Alegawaho" and found out that the stone monument I saw and this stone ruin was from a time when the government of the US had built this agency building and some stone huts for the Kaw Tribe in 1862. The monument marks the remains of a Kaw tribe member that were exposed due to erosion of a nearby stream bed. It is called the "Kanza Monument". It was erected by the citizens of Council Grove in 1925 as a way to bear tribute and memory to the presence of the Kaw people in this area.

The road I was on went through the 168 acres of the Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park which was dedicated by the Kaw Nation in 2002. The Kaw Nation requests that no approach closer than a walking trail that is there be made to the memorial as it is considered sacred ground.

I recall when I saw the monument that there was a round pavilion in the valley below on the opposite side of the road that was marked as a Kaw Nation site. Then the feeling that something special was here came over me and even more so when I saw the agency building's ruins. Now I know why that was.

Just thought I should set the record straight here on that, and my dedication to barns seemed to be a good place for this. Hope you enjoyed that bit of history and the barns I saw of note during my ride in Kansas this year.

DK My Way: Gear And Comments

The Gen I Fargo in Americus

The gear and clothing I used for the century ride in Kansas was spot on, for the most part. I wanted to detail what I used and what was good or not so good here, in case anyone wanted a reference and ideas on what to do for a ride in the Flint Hills.

First of all, it has been my experience down there that water, specifically having enough of it, is a big challenge to riding the Flint Hills. There are some pretty remote places down there with no chances for resupply of water. Added to this is the fact that, generally speaking, the area is windy and somewhat arid. This has the effect of sucking your moisture out of you without you realizing it. Staying hydrated, in my opinion, is mission number one when setting up for a self supported ride in the Flint Hills.

The Gen I Fargo is a bicycle that has a lot of braze ons for water bottle cages. This along with the Wolf Tooth B Rad System afforded me the opportunity to carry six water bottles of water. I could have gone with seven, but the lowest, down tube mounted bottle I reserved for my tool kit. I'll talk about the B Rad System in more detail in a separate review, but (spoiler alert), it works. I was glad I got that before the trip.

The capabilities of the B Rad equipped Gen I Fargo allowed me to get by without a hydration back pack. I carried nothing at all on my back except a few odd things in jersey pockets. This allowed me to not have to suffer the beat down of 3 liters of water on my back over Kansan gravel roads. I had plenty of water, but given the conditions this time, I wasn't really tested in this.

You can see my Bike Bag Dude "Chaff" bag hanging in the front of my bike here.

The Bike Bag Dude's Chaff Bags have been a staple of my set ups over the past 5 years or so now. I would not ever do a long, extended tour or day ride without at least one of these on my bicycle.

This time I used the single Chaff Bag I took for tube and tool storage, along with the convenience of having a quick place to shove used almond butter packets and other trash. I attached this bag to my Bar Yak System.

The Bar Yak System I use is a combination of the load bars, aero carbon bar ends with a titanium cross bar, and the Pergrine Arm Rests. I also attached the Q; Pro cue sheet holder to the load bars. The cue sheet holder is awesome and probably something I should have had a long time ago. The Bar Yak arm rests and aero bar end set up allows me to relieve hand pressure and prevent numbness. Obviously it is more aero as well. The load bars are a great place to strap an under the bar roll or, as in my case, the Chaff Bag. I even mount my light off the Ti cross bar, so there is that bit of versatility to take advantage of here as well.

I did not use a frame bag or traditional "under the top tube" half bag/tank bag/triangle sort of deal this time. First, it really doesn't work to have that and all the water bottles on the bike. Secondly, I was trying to minimize my kit. I did use my Bike Bag Dude Garage top tube "fuel tank style" bag. I also used a just acquired Carousel Designs top tube bag that is most like a "Jerry Can" from Revelate, but kind of different. In the Garage Bag I stowed food, a few small tools, lip balm, and other items I wanted quick access to. In the Carousel Designs bag I stowed my Lezyne mini pump and all my maps I needed.

Luxy Bar, Gevenalle shifters, Bar Yak, Terrene Honali tires, and my Trelock Control Ion light are seen here.

I did not use a saddle/seat tube mounted bag, although I brought one by Banjo Brothers in the event I thought I might need to carry rain gear. The improved forecast ixnayed that choice from the final set up.

I also swapped out my BodyFloat seat post for my Salsa Cycles Ti Regulator post. I did that mostly so I had the option to run a saddle/seat post mounted bag, but in the end I think it worked out well in terms of comfort. It isn't as compliant as the BodyFloat, but it feels better when climbing because it isn't as compliant as the BodyFloat post. I missed the BodyFloat on the copious amounts of washboard road, but other than that, no. The saddle was changed to a WTB Pure, by the way. A Brooks Cambium will get put on at some point.

The Terrene Honali tires were really nice. See my RidingGravel.com review here. 

Clothing was my new RidingGravel.com kit with a Bontrager base layer tank underneath. Thin wool socks, 8"ers, and my Shimano three strap mtb shoes were on my feet. On my head I had a Twin Six cycling hat and my Bontrager helmet. Eyewear was from Oakley.

Nutrition was basically Epic pemmican bars and Justin's Almond Butter packets.I did have some salty chips and the Budweiser. I used Gu energy electrolyte tabs since I forgot my Elete at home. I drank 11 bottles of water throughout the ride.

Comments: Mentally I used a couple "mantras" on this ride. One was "Shift early-shift often." I said this at the beginning of almost every hill. I have a tendency to mash, so I used this little phrase as a way to remind myself to shift and spin. The other was "Enjoy the ride". Sounds simple, but this helped when I found myself suffering, or going too hard. If I was hurting, I tried to focus on things around me that brought me joy or put a smile on my face. If I was going too hard, it was a way that I could limit my output and be more attentive to burning up too many matches.

I also allowed myself to take as many images as I wanted to. This was about enjoyment, not racing. I wanted to take in as much as I could on this ride. That said, when I got back, had showered, and had walked down to the start line, there werestill riders coming in for their DK100 Half Pint finish. So, maybe I should start "racing" the way I rode the DK My Way!

DK My Way: Gear And Comments

The Gen I Fargo in Americus

The gear and clothing I used for the century ride in Kansas was spot on, for the most part. I wanted to detail what I used and what was good or not so good here, in case anyone wanted a reference and ideas on what to do for a ride in the Flint Hills.

First of all, it has been my experience down there that water, specifically having enough of it, is a big challenge to riding the Flint Hills. There are some pretty remote places down there with no chances for resupply of water. Added to this is the fact that, generally speaking, the area is windy and somewhat arid. This has the effect of sucking your moisture out of you without you realizing it. Staying hydrated, in my opinion, is mission number one when setting up for a self supported ride in the Flint Hills.

The Gen I Fargo is a bicycle that has a lot of braze ons for water bottle cages. This along with the Wolf Tooth B Rad System afforded me the opportunity to carry six water bottles of water. I could have gone with seven, but the lowest, down tube mounted bottle I reserved for my tool kit. I'll talk about the B Rad System in more detail in a separate review, but (spoiler alert), it works. I was glad I got that before the trip.

The capabilities of the B Rad equipped Gen I Fargo allowed me to get by without a hydration back pack. I carried nothing at all on my back except a few odd things in jersey pockets. This allowed me to not have to suffer the beat down of 3 liters of water on my back over Kansan gravel roads. I had plenty of water, but given the conditions this time, I wasn't really tested in this.

You can see my Bike Bag Dude "Chaff" bag hanging in the front of my bike here.

The Bike Bag Dude's Chaff Bags have been a staple of my set ups over the past 5 years or so now. I would not ever do a long, extended tour or day ride without at least one of these on my bicycle.

This time I used the single Chaff Bag I took for tube and tool storage, along with the convenience of having a quick place to shove used almond butter packets and other trash. I attached this bag to my Bar Yak System.

The Bar Yak System I use is a combination of the load bars, aero carbon bar ends with a titanium cross bar, and the Pergrine Arm Rests. I also attached the Q; Pro cue sheet holder to the load bars. The cue sheet holder is awesome and probably something I should have had a long time ago. The Bar Yak arm rests and aero bar end set up allows me to relieve hand pressure and prevent numbness. Obviously it is more aero as well. The load bars are a great place to strap an under the bar roll or, as in my case, the Chaff Bag. I even mount my light off the Ti cross bar, so there is that bit of versatility to take advantage of here as well.

I did not use a frame bag or traditional "under the top tube" half bag/tank bag/triangle sort of deal this time. First, it really doesn't work to have that and all the water bottles on the bike. Secondly, I was trying to minimize my kit. I did use my Bike Bag Dude Garage top tube "fuel tank style" bag. I also used a just acquired Carousel Designs top tube bag that is most like a "Jerry Can" from Revelate, but kind of different. In the Garage Bag I stowed food, a few small tools, lip balm, and other items I wanted quick access to. In the Carousel Designs bag I stowed my Lezyne mini pump and all my maps I needed.

Luxy Bar, Gevenalle shifters, Bar Yak, Terrene Honali tires, and my Trelock Control Ion light are seen here.

I did not use a saddle/seat tube mounted bag, although I brought one by Banjo Brothers in the event I thought I might need to carry rain gear. The improved forecast ixnayed that choice from the final set up.

I also swapped out my BodyFloat seat post for my Salsa Cycles Ti Regulator post. I did that mostly so I had the option to run a saddle/seat post mounted bag, but in the end I think it worked out well in terms of comfort. It isn't as compliant as the BodyFloat, but it feels better when climbing because it isn't as compliant as the BodyFloat post. I missed the BodyFloat on the copious amounts of washboard road, but other than that, no. The saddle was changed to a WTB Pure, by the way. A Brooks Cambium will get put on at some point.

The Terrene Honali tires were really nice. See my RidingGravel.com review here. 

Clothing was my new RidingGravel.com kit with a Bontrager base layer tank underneath. Thin wool socks, 8"ers, and my Shimano three strap mtb shoes were on my feet. On my head I had a Twin Six cycling hat and my Bontrager helmet. Eyewear was from Oakley.

Nutrition was basically Epic pemmican bars and Justin's Almond Butter packets.I did have some salty chips and the Budweiser. I used Gu energy electrolyte tabs since I forgot my Elete at home. I drank 11 bottles of water throughout the ride.

Comments: Mentally I used a couple "mantras" on this ride. One was "Shift early-shift often." I said this at the beginning of almost every hill. I have a tendency to mash, so I used this little phrase as a way to remind myself to shift and spin. The other was "Enjoy the ride". Sounds simple, but this helped when I found myself suffering, or going too hard. If I was hurting, I tried to focus on things around me that brought me joy or put a smile on my face. If I was going too hard, it was a way that I could limit my output and be more attentive to burning up too many matches.

I also allowed myself to take as many images as I wanted to. This was about enjoyment, not racing. I wanted to take in as much as I could on this ride. That said, when I got back, had showered, and had walked down to the start line, there werestill riders coming in for their DK100 Half Pint finish. So, maybe I should start "racing" the way I rode the DK My Way!

DK My Way:Tall Boy In Americus

I passed this strange looking remnant. Looked like a fire place, but I'm not sure.

Once I had assured myself that I had lost the unwelcome stranger, I turned my sights to going toward Americus. At this point, I had pretty much ascertained that I would hit 100 miles before I got back to the university in Emporia. All I had to do was to pedal the last 25 miles or so and I'd be home free. The last goal I had was to hit Americus and have a beer in the same spot I had the year before. It sounded like a piece of cake, but I didn't know that there was going to be even more drama and adventure in the last leg.

The stranger back in Council Grove said I wouldn't find much for gravel "out that way", but I certainly did. Actually, it was some of the best I had ridden all day long. There were some tough climbs, amazing views, and a minimum maintenance road that proved to be a challenge that even the DK200 riders didn't have this year.

You might notice through all of these "DK My Way" posts that I haven't mentioned much about the weather. That is because it had been a non-factor. Just when it felt like it was about to get hot, the clouds would thicken. Just when the breezes became a headwind to contend with, the wind would suddenly die down. It was uncanny. It probably was, and will forever be, the best weather I will experience riding in the Flint Hills.

Typical Flint Hills view from a hill top. This was shortly before getting to Americus.

Most structures in the Flint Hills are not made from wood, which makes the area have a very different feel from that of Iowa.

Once I came out of the higher ranch country and closer to Americus, the land got flatter. It was here that I passed the small burgh of Dunlap and carried on South and East toward my destination with Americus. On my way I came across a fairly long stretch of MMR that ended up becoming quite a trial.

The last MMR of the day started out fast and dry.

Then it got worse!

Muddy roads in Kansas mean the same thing that they do in Iowa: Hike-a-bike time!  You just do not ride into that wet dirt and mud unless you are ready to shear off a derailleur and make your bike weigh twice as much with the packed in mud you accumulate. I hiked around the first mud hole, then another. Finally, I came across a stretch of road that was sticky and led down to a low water crossing that was dry. However, the dirt leading to the approaches was total muck and mire.

I tried not to get my Terrene Honali tires too muddy, but even judicious test rolling to see how the dirt/mud mixture might be like caused a lot of mud to pack up on the tires. I didn't press the issue, but a clean up would be required once I knew I had cleared the mud and wet dirt. Fortunately, my good friend Mike Johnson had supplied me with his homemade mud scraper tool which worked really well.

This special mud scraper is made from a BBQ skewer! 

Another cemetery. This one is straight West of Americus, Kansas.

As I scraped the mud from the tires, it started to rain! It was still pretty Sunny, and the clouds didn't seem heavy, but it was coming down hard enough that I could see a grey haze up the road. I had another half mile of dirt to cover before I got to gravel, so I skipped working on my shoes and pedaled like mad in case the dirt got sticky and I would have to dismount and walk.

No need to worry too much, and of course, it stopped raining the moment I reached the gravel again. Wouldn't ya know?! So, that was fun and made for a different experience than I had been expecting. Now it was just time to grind out several flat miles to Americus and then have a beer.

Beer time in Americus

I reached the sullen, semi-deserted town with a run down Casey's convenience store. Inside I found a small, limited selection of beer. Uggh..... I realized I am pretty spoiled when it comes to beer these days. Well, a tallboy can of Bud "heavy" would have to suffice. It could be worse.....

Not many moments after I took the image of my beer I was reminded of how fortunate I had been. I received the following text at 3:44pm.

"I'm down town at the finish line."

I thought that was a curious place for Tony to be, but I had lost all sense of time as I traveled. Had I noted the time of day, I would have realized that there was no way on Earth that Tony would have finished at that time of day. Not 200 miles. I answered with the following.....

"Okay, I am in Americus. I've got about 7.5 miles to go. Having a Bud heavy at Casey's"

So, Tony fired back that his bike was trashed and his helmet was toast. It was only then that I realized something was amiss. I then snapped to. Oh no! Was Tony wandering around with a concussion? How badly was he hurt? Now I was worried and wanted to get back to town, clean up, and find him. All I could think of was that Tony was wandering around aimlessly and no one was looking after him.

The total for the day.

So, I pressed onward toward Emporia on mostly flat gravel. There were a lot of cars going to and fro. Many with out of state plates. I assumed that perhaps these were support folks looking out for their riders coming in. Hard to say, but there wasn't any other reason for all those cars going outbound, and the course came in just to the East of town, not far from where I was.

Just about 200 yards before I hit the first pavement coming back to town my computer ticked over to 100 miles. I was happy, but no time to celebrate. I headed back through town from the West on 15th and then on to Emporia State's campus and to the residence halls. The ride was over. A quick image of the computer and then I was off to get a shower and go find Tony.

I went down town and found Tony and he was banged up for sure, but he was definitely okay. We ate some food and then hung out until about 11:30pm to greet finishers and chat with those who we knew down there. Then we cashed it in for the night to get up the next day early for the awards ceremonies.

I'll do a postscript on the ride, but at the end of the day, I was tired, ready to get off the bike, but I was super happy with my century. I felt great for the most part, I had a lot of fun, and I met all my goals. The weather was perfect. I kind of wish it hadn't been then I would have had a bit harder test. But as it stood, I had nothing to be upset about.

Next: Gear And Comments

DK My Way:Tall Boy In Americus

I passed this strange looking remnant. Looked like a fire place, but I'm not sure.

Once I had assured myself that I had lost the unwelcome stranger, I turned my sights to going toward Americus. At this point, I had pretty much ascertained that I would hit 100 miles before I got back to the university in Emporia. All I had to do was to pedal the last 25 miles or so and I'd be home free. The last goal I had was to hit Americus and have a beer in the same spot I had the year before. It sounded like a piece of cake, but I didn't know that there was going to be even more drama and adventure in the last leg.

The stranger back in Council Grove said I wouldn't find much for gravel "out that way", but I certainly did. Actually, it was some of the best I had ridden all day long. There were some tough climbs, amazing views, and a minimum maintenance road that proved to be a challenge that even the DK200 riders didn't have this year.

You might notice through all of these "DK My Way" posts that I haven't mentioned much about the weather. That is because it had been a non-factor. Just when it felt like it was about to get hot, the clouds would thicken. Just when the breezes became a headwind to contend with, the wind would suddenly die down. It was uncanny. It probably was, and will forever be, the best weather I will experience riding in the Flint Hills.

Typical Flint Hills view from a hill top. This was shortly before getting to Americus.

Most structures in the Flint Hills are not made from wood, which makes the area have a very different feel from that of Iowa.

Once I came out of the higher ranch country and closer to Americus, the land got flatter. It was here that I passed the small burgh of Dunlap and carried on South and East toward my destination with Americus. On my way I came across a fairly long stretch of MMR that ended up becoming quite a trial.

The last MMR of the day started out fast and dry.

Then it got worse!

Muddy roads in Kansas mean the same thing that they do in Iowa: Hike-a-bike time!  You just do not ride into that wet dirt and mud unless you are ready to shear off a derailleur and make your bike weigh twice as much with the packed in mud you accumulate. I hiked around the first mud hole, then another. Finally, I came across a stretch of road that was sticky and led down to a low water crossing that was dry. However, the dirt leading to the approaches was total muck and mire.

I tried not to get my Terrene Honali tires too muddy, but even judicious test rolling to see how the dirt/mud mixture might be like caused a lot of mud to pack up on the tires. I didn't press the issue, but a clean up would be required once I knew I had cleared the mud and wet dirt. Fortunately, my good friend Mike Johnson had supplied me with his homemade mud scraper tool which worked really well.

This special mud scraper is made from a BBQ skewer! 

Another cemetery. This one is straight West of Americus, Kansas.

As I scraped the mud from the tires, it started to rain! It was still pretty Sunny, and the clouds didn't seem heavy, but it was coming down hard enough that I could see a grey haze up the road. I had another half mile of dirt to cover before I got to gravel, so I skipped working on my shoes and pedaled like mad in case the dirt got sticky and I would have to dismount and walk.

No need to worry too much, and of course, it stopped raining the moment I reached the gravel again. Wouldn't ya know?! So, that was fun and made for a different experience than I had been expecting. Now it was just time to grind out several flat miles to Americus and then have a beer.

Beer time in Americus

I reached the sullen, semi-deserted town with a run down Casey's convenience store. Inside I found a small, limited selection of beer. Uggh..... I realized I am pretty spoiled when it comes to beer these days. Well, a tallboy can of Bud "heavy" would have to suffice. It could be worse.....

Not many moments after I took the image of my beer I was reminded of how fortunate I had been. I received the following text at 3:44pm.

"I'm down town at the finish line."

I thought that was a curious place for Tony to be, but I had lost all sense of time as I traveled. Had I noted the time of day, I would have realized that there was no way on Earth that Tony would have finished at that time of day. Not 200 miles. I answered with the following.....

"Okay, I am in Americus. I've got about 7.5 miles to go. Having a Bud heavy at Casey's"

So, Tony fired back that his bike was trashed and his helmet was toast. It was only then that I realized something was amiss. I then snapped to. Oh no! Was Tony wandering around with a concussion? How badly was he hurt? Now I was worried and wanted to get back to town, clean up, and find him. All I could think of was that Tony was wandering around aimlessly and no one was looking after him.

The total for the day.

So, I pressed onward toward Emporia on mostly flat gravel. There were a lot of cars going to and fro. Many with out of state plates. I assumed that perhaps these were support folks looking out for their riders coming in. Hard to say, but there wasn't any other reason for all those cars going outbound, and the course came in just to the East of town, not far from where I was.

Just about 200 yards before I hit the first pavement coming back to town my computer ticked over to 100 miles. I was happy, but no time to celebrate. I headed back through town from the West on 15th and then on to Emporia State's campus and to the residence halls. The ride was over. A quick image of the computer and then I was off to get a shower and go find Tony.

I went down town and found Tony and he was banged up for sure, but he was definitely okay. We ate some food and then hung out until about 11:30pm to greet finishers and chat with those who we knew down there. Then we cashed it in for the night to get up the next day early for the awards ceremonies.

I'll do a postscript on the ride, but at the end of the day, I was tired, ready to get off the bike, but I was super happy with my century. I felt great for the most part, I had a lot of fun, and I met all my goals. The weather was perfect. I kind of wish it hadn't been then I would have had a bit harder test. But as it stood, I had nothing to be upset about.

Next: Gear And Comments