Gravel Worlds '16- WW4M: Nutrition And Gear Review

The nutrition during my 2016 Gravel Worlds ride was  99% these items

This post will detail my nutrition and a word or three about gear that I haven't already said much about. The "WW4M" in the title stands for "What Works For Me". This should point out to you that what I am about to detail here may not work for you or anyone else. However; I hope that these ideas might help out someone reading to fine tune their own endurance riding nutrition strategy.

On The Bike Food: If you have been reading along here this Summer you already know that I battled a stomach shut down during my Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational attempt and that I had to stop after a little over 109 miles. Well, I tracked that back to a heavy amount of sugary processed food in the form of a cookie sandwich I ate earlier in the day. I decided after that I wasn't going to utilize any processed sugary crapola like Gatorade or foods from convenience stores in my nutritional strategies for Gravel Worlds.

Fortunately, my friend Tony had shared with me several times about some items he relied upon. So, I decided to follow suit. I obviously was witnessing what it was doing and it was working for him. I did not know if it would work for me at all, and Gravel Worlds was my test ground. I didn't try some of this before at all, and none of it while riding a bike. Dumb? Maybe. Maybe I got away with it because I didn't know I shouldn't! But I think in reality it was more that I had seen the results with Tony and figured I could benefit as well.

• Flattened Bananas- This actually was a suggestion by a Trans Iowa rider that wasn't able to process any convenience store fare and rode in T.I.v12 on these. They are a Trader Joe's item, and he sent me a couple packages of the stuff after T.I.v12. I opened one package and used food scissors to cut the flattened mass into ribbons and then placed those into sandwich bags for easy on bike eating. 
• Justin's Almond Butter packets- I found these at a local grocer's natural food aisle and Tony is a big fan of these. 190 calories in each packet. They can be a bit hard to consume because unless you kneed them up inside the packet before opening one they can be a bit dry and thick on one end where the oils separate out from the solids. Make sure you down this with water! But other than that, they work. Not the most pleasant deal, but not terrible either. 
• Epic Bison and Uncured Bacon meat bars- These are a natural foods aisle score and another thing Tony uses.Not easy to rip open the original packaging while riding, so you may want to pre-open these or better yet, repackage them. This is a form of pemmican, which Native Americans used as an energy source.  
• Elete electrolytic add in- I have been a fan of Elete for over a decade now after learning about it from my former co-worker and 24 hour solo racer, Jeff Kerkove.  This is a clear-ish liquid that you mix in with water and it keeps your electrolytes in balance. I've never cramped while using this, and it is super easy to pack along and to administer to your water as you are on a ride. 

The Fargo Gen I as used at Gravel Worlds

The Gear: I won't go on about the Fargo, but I did pick the bike due to the Luxy Bar and my left shoulder issue. I also had the Revelate Tangle Bag, (an old, outdated version)on the bike which held some maintenance items if needed and a rain/wind breaker in case the weather went sour or if I had to ride after dark. An old Velocity aluminum water bottle cage, (made in Australia), allowed for a lowered water bottle position due to the design of the cage, which can be adjusted. I was able to pack four large water bottles due to this. The bottle under the down tube carried repair bits, tools, tire levers, a roll of black electrical tape, and a chain tool.

I used a Trelock 950 headlight, a Grateful Red Planet Bike tail light, and Bike Bag Dude Chaff Bags and Garage Bag for storing food, a few more tools, and my cameras. Shifters are Gevenalle with 9 speed Ultegra levers. Long pull levers close up ancient Avid BB-7 calipers on a front Avid rotor and a rear Ashima rotor. Tires and wheels are the same I've had since the Kanza ride. Teravail Sparwoods and Sun-Ringle' Black Flags. The Sparwoods were a mixed bag at Gravel Worlds. There was good and bad things, but I am still not impressed enough to keep them on for anything other than hard, solid based or sandy conditions where they seem to excel.

The one item which I felt was well worth its price, for my ride anyway, was the Cirrus Cycles Body Float seat post. It is a sprung post which is designed to take the edge off bumps and absorb the smaller chatter. It does that so seamlessly when set up properly that I don't even notice it. However; I did notice that I didn't have any issues with washboard surfaces out there. Let me tell you- there was a LOT of washboard out on that course. Many riders were getting jostled around and losing speed when they hit this but I could keep pedaling uninterrupted and not lose speed. I noted this several times during the day. In fact, so did other riders. I heard several comments from other riders on how active the post was as they passed me.

Grinding the final miles into Lincoln. Image by Kevin Fox

Conclusions: The new nutritional idea was a grand slam. No issues with fueling at all, with the exception of one element. That would be my falling asleep/battling sleep issues. I was noting that soda pop seemed to kill this issue. Coke, regular grocery store lime soda, regular grocery store cola, it didn't seem to matter. I suspect it was the kind of sugar that I was getting versus what kind of soda it was. Hmm.... Going to have to work on that part.

There were two other things I ate outside of the basic plan. Beef jerky and one gel that was chocolate and had caffeine, which I was trying as a "wake me up" gel. I cannot recall if it worked though! Ha! That said, I am trying to keep what works here and I will test this out on my next long ride which I hope to do just for fun soon.

On the gear side the wool jersey, base layer, Louis Garneau bibs, and my new, gifted to me Omaha Jackrabbit Hundy hat made by Walz, (Thanks Scott Redd!!) were all flawless. Interesting factoid- I didn't like wearing sun glasses that day. Something about it pestered me in the wrong way, so I ditched them for most of the ride. The Gen I Fargo? Well, no words need to be said there. The Body Float post was awesome. I am super happy I used it.

Okay, any questions? Feel free to hit me up with those in the comments or via e-mail.

Gravel Worlds '16- WW4M: Nutrition And Gear Review

The nutrition during my 2016 Gravel Worlds ride was  99% these items

This post will detail my nutrition and a word or three about gear that I haven't already said much about. The "WW4M" in the title stands for "What Works For Me". This should point out to you that what I am about to detail here may not work for you or anyone else. However; I hope that these ideas might help out someone reading to fine tune their own endurance riding nutrition strategy.

On The Bike Food: If you have been reading along here this Summer you already know that I battled a stomach shut down during my Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational attempt and that I had to stop after a little over 109 miles. Well, I tracked that back to a heavy amount of sugary processed food in the form of a cookie sandwich I ate earlier in the day. I decided after that I wasn't going to utilize any processed sugary crapola like Gatorade or foods from convenience stores in my nutritional strategies for Gravel Worlds.

Fortunately, my friend Tony had shared with me several times about some items he relied upon. So, I decided to follow suit. I obviously was witnessing what it was doing and it was working for him. I did not know if it would work for me at all, and Gravel Worlds was my test ground. I didn't try some of this before at all, and none of it while riding a bike. Dumb? Maybe. Maybe I got away with it because I didn't know I shouldn't! But I think in reality it was more that I had seen the results with Tony and figured I could benefit as well.

• Flattened Bananas- This actually was a suggestion by a Trans Iowa rider that wasn't able to process any convenience store fare and rode in T.I.v12 on these. They are a Trader Joe's item, and he sent me a couple packages of the stuff after T.I.v12. I opened one package and used food scissors to cut the flattened mass into ribbons and then placed those into sandwich bags for easy on bike eating. 
• Justin's Almond Butter packets- I found these at a local grocer's natural food aisle and Tony is a big fan of these. 190 calories in each packet. They can be a bit hard to consume because unless you kneed them up inside the packet before opening one they can be a bit dry and thick on one end where the oils separate out from the solids. Make sure you down this with water! But other than that, they work. Not the most pleasant deal, but not terrible either. 
• Epic Bison and Uncured Bacon meat bars- These are a natural foods aisle score and another thing Tony uses.Not easy to rip open the original packaging while riding, so you may want to pre-open these or better yet, repackage them. This is a form of pemmican, which Native Americans used as an energy source.  
• Elete electrolytic add in- I have been a fan of Elete for over a decade now after learning about it from my former co-worker and 24 hour solo racer, Jeff Kerkove.  This is a clear-ish liquid that you mix in with water and it keeps your electrolytes in balance. I've never cramped while using this, and it is super easy to pack along and to administer to your water as you are on a ride. 

The Fargo Gen I as used at Gravel Worlds

The Gear: I won't go on about the Fargo, but I did pick the bike due to the Luxy Bar and my left shoulder issue. I also had the Revelate Tangle Bag, (an old, outdated version)on the bike which held some maintenance items if needed and a rain/wind breaker in case the weather went sour or if I had to ride after dark. An old Velocity aluminum water bottle cage, (made in Australia), allowed for a lowered water bottle position due to the design of the cage, which can be adjusted. I was able to pack four large water bottles due to this. The bottle under the down tube carried repair bits, tools, tire levers, a roll of black electrical tape, and a chain tool.

I used a Trelock 950 headlight, a Grateful Red Planet Bike tail light, and Bike Bag Dude Chaff Bags and Garage Bag for storing food, a few more tools, and my cameras. Shifters are Gevenalle with 9 speed Ultegra levers. Long pull levers close up ancient Avid BB-7 calipers on a front Avid rotor and a rear Ashima rotor. Tires and wheels are the same I've had since the Kanza ride. Teravail Sparwoods and Sun-Ringle' Black Flags. The Sparwoods were a mixed bag at Gravel Worlds. There was good and bad things, but I am still not impressed enough to keep them on for anything other than hard, solid based or sandy conditions where they seem to excel.

The one item which I felt was well worth its price, for my ride anyway, was the Cirrus Cycles Body Float seat post. It is a sprung post which is designed to take the edge off bumps and absorb the smaller chatter. It does that so seamlessly when set up properly that I don't even notice it. However; I did notice that I didn't have any issues with washboard surfaces out there. Let me tell you- there was a LOT of washboard out on that course. Many riders were getting jostled around and losing speed when they hit this but I could keep pedaling uninterrupted and not lose speed. I noted this several times during the day. In fact, so did other riders. I heard several comments from other riders on how active the post was as they passed me.

Grinding the final miles into Lincoln. Image by Kevin Fox

Conclusions: The new nutritional idea was a grand slam. No issues with fueling at all, with the exception of one element. That would be my falling asleep/battling sleep issues. I was noting that soda pop seemed to kill this issue. Coke, regular grocery store lime soda, regular grocery store cola, it didn't seem to matter. I suspect it was the kind of sugar that I was getting versus what kind of soda it was. Hmm.... Going to have to work on that part.

There were two other things I ate outside of the basic plan. Beef jerky and one gel that was chocolate and had caffeine, which I was trying as a "wake me up" gel. I cannot recall if it worked though! Ha! That said, I am trying to keep what works here and I will test this out on my next long ride which I hope to do just for fun soon.

On the gear side the wool jersey, base layer, Louis Garneau bibs, and my new, gifted to me Omaha Jackrabbit Hundy hat made by Walz, (Thanks Scott Redd!!) were all flawless. Interesting factoid- I didn't like wearing sun glasses that day. Something about it pestered me in the wrong way, so I ditched them for most of the ride. The Gen I Fargo? Well, no words need to be said there. The Body Float post was awesome. I am super happy I used it.

Okay, any questions? Feel free to hit me up with those in the comments or via e-mail.

Kanza Ride: Final Thoughts

This means so much to those who finish the DK200- My friend Tony signing the banner at the finish line.

I hope everyone enjoyed the recap of my ride around the Kanza Countryside and I also hope that it was apparent that I still think the DK200 is a great event, but that other reasons to ride down there exist and should be explored by many. Just limiting yourself to the event is short-changing yourself in terms of really getting into the area. I had a great trip, and hanging out before and afterward at the DK200 was definitely a highlight for me. Obviously, the "Kanza Ride" was awesome, and something I would sure like to repeat in the future.

If you are interested in riding in the Flint Hills, the DK Promotions site has ten "Iconic Routes" already mapped out for you to try from easy to advanced. Click HERE to see those and don't be afraid to go to the KDOT site and download your own maps if you really want an adventure like I had. I'd recommend staying in Emporia at any of the nice motels they have and plan on hitting up Commercial and Market Streets for some shopping and for restaurants and pubs which are every bit as good as anywhere else at a bargain price.

I thought I'd touch on a few things here that have sprouted up in the week past the event. Many of you may know that a certain, high profile rider, was disqualified for breaking a rule or two during the event. The Dirty Kanza 200 made no bones about the fact that they would DQ any rider who had a support vehicle on course outside of the designated checkpoint areas where crews could meet their riders and aid them. Well, this certain rider's vehicle with their company's name on the side was out on the course so it wasn't hard to figure out who that vehicle was supporting. A rider filed a complaint, and the rest was history, or so you would think.

It's up to the rider to make the right choices.

However; glossing over the fact that he was DQ'ed for an obvious infraction, this rider tried to drive the conversation to one about aid stations, the lack thereof, and how this somehow makes the playing field "unfair". Look, I put one of these events on, have for over a decade, and so here is what I have to say about this deal.

First of all, no one is making you spend your money to come to the Dirty Kamza 200. You are free to go, or not go. However; once you have paid your entry fee, and plan on being there, it may be a wise thing to, ya know......familiarize yourself with the way the event is run. Don't tell me you didn't have time to figure that out. Most people could easily read the DK200's "Rider's Bible" in 15 minutes or less. Me? It takes me longer because I read slow, but I could read it anytime. So could you. Not knowing the rules pretty much puts you in a very compromised position. Not only that, but the DQ'ed rider is a college graduate, a CEO of his own company, and was required to read the Rider's Bible when he registered, just like everyone else in the event. Plus, this rider's support people were on course and taking images for this rider. Gee.......didn't seem like there was an issue figuring that part out. But you don't know the rules? Something is fishy there.

Secondly, every rider that partakes of that event down there has a lot of decisions to make. How much water do I need to get from the start to the first checkpoint? How much food do I need? That answer is different for everyone, so you should know that going in, and you should understand that the DK200 is not an event that coddles the participants with "aid stations". Why? Because it is the way gravel events like this have set themselves up to be- challenges to overcome. Guess what? You could make bad decisions and end up having to quit, or suffer some other consequences based upon your decisions. It's all up to you. Go out there with less water than you need and guess what? You'll have issues with dehydration. Most of the riders I witnessed coming across the line at the finish obviously "got the memo" as they had hydration packs or five water bottles, or both, on their bikes. So, it can be done. You just have to be smart.

It's a hard and unforgiving land. But overcoming the obstacles is not impossible.

The rider that got DQ'ed tried to turn the conversation to "vagueness in the application of rules" and the way to "fix" it was to have neutral aid and mechanical assistance for all riders. That's untenable and would gut the event of what makes it appealing to 2000 riders every year.

 The very nature of these events seem to be in question. The thing is, adding neutral aid stations isn't in the DNA of the Dirty Kanza, nor for Trans Iowa, or many other grassroots, non-sanctioned, non-affiliated-to-anything events. It would seem that this irks or makes some people used to seamless, fully supported, "rider's needs" focused events uncomfortable. Guess what? If that is an issue for you, maybe these events are not for you. Giving any of these events what would amount to a triathlon or running event structure with aid stations and neutral support would fundamentally make the DK200 or Trans Iowa, or anything like those events into......well, something other than what they are. Something that a lot of people are trying to avoid. You know......the thing that the DK200 doesn't have that makes people want to do it. 

For a more direct, hard hitting viewpoint on this, see Chad Ament's take here. 

Finally, I cannot help but wonder a few things about the Dirty Kanza and its future. Plus, I have an announcement at the end.

Done! The challenge overcome has potentially life changing effects for many. Even without aid stations!

First off, I think making the pre-race meeting mandatory is a must do for any event like this. In the case of the DK200, I wonder if the RFID chip on the number plate couldn't be used as a way to verify folks came to the meeting. Make them walk through a scanning area at the Grenada Theater, and if afterward anyone's chip didn't scan, you turn off that number and they don't get scored. Make folks aware of that, and I bet you'll get near 100% attendance.

Secondly- The whole water hand up deal is absolutely a no-brainer. You gotta go 50-ish miles, and if you think you are "joe-racer" and are going to do that on two water bottles, you are ill informed. I do not think adding aid stations is a good idea here. They tried that in 2015 and it was goofy. It didn't work. Besides, it would make people rely more on the event and less on themselves, thus changing the entire nature of the event. (See previous thoughts above)

As for hand ups from the locals, many may not be aware that this has happened since the first DK200. I know, I got some water in this manner that first year. The rules are a bit confusing concerning that point. In my opinion, it is fair play if locals are handing up water. The DK200 probably should address that point, but these are open roads and go by private property. I don't see how that can be regulated, so I think you have to let that go. I allow competitors to ask for water on route at residences at Trans Iowa, but like the DK200, I do not allow support from non-resident, support people tied to a racer, nor can their vehicles be on course. The Boo vehicle was on course. That's a DQ right there according to DK200 rules which are clearly written in regard to that point. The rest of the dust up is a moot point after that.

The announcement is that I won't be riding in the DK200 next year, I'll be supporting some folks in it. That's right, my RidingGravel.com partner, Ben, and I will be offering to be a few folks support crew for the '17 edition of the DK200. Details will be released at a later date, but we were fed up with all the drama surrounding this DQ thing and decided to take action in a positive way.

We're also trying to come up with some ideas on a gathering, possibly, and how we're going to do a donation to a local Emporia charity. Anyway, we figured positivity and action will be better for all concerned, and this is a small way for us to give back to the gravel grinding scene we love. This isn't like any other form of cycling. It is grassroots, and it runs on personal freedom to choose and to overcome or fail as a result of those choices. You don't need a team, you don't need to win, be an age group podium finisher, or top finisher to "win" at an event like the Dirty Kanza. Just ask my friend Tony, who is stoked to have finished and wants to go back next year. When I saw him cross the finish line before mid-night, he sure looked like a winner to me.

See ya down in Kansas in 2017 around the first weekend in June.......

Kanza Ride: Final Thoughts

This means so much to those who finish the DK200- My friend Tony signing the banner at the finish line.

I hope everyone enjoyed the recap of my ride around the Kanza Countryside and I also hope that it was apparent that I still think the DK200 is a great event, but that other reasons to ride down there exist and should be explored by many. Just limiting yourself to the event is short-changing yourself in terms of really getting into the area. I had a great trip, and hanging out before and afterward at the DK200 was definitely a highlight for me. Obviously, the "Kanza Ride" was awesome, and something I would sure like to repeat in the future.

If you are interested in riding in the Flint Hills, the DK Promotions site has ten "Iconic Routes" already mapped out for you to try from easy to advanced. Click HERE to see those and don't be afraid to go to the KDOT site and download your own maps if you really want an adventure like I had. I'd recommend staying in Emporia at any of the nice motels they have and plan on hitting up Commercial and Market Streets for some shopping and for restaurants and pubs which are every bit as good as anywhere else at a bargain price.

I thought I'd touch on a few things here that have sprouted up in the week past the event. Many of you may know that a certain, high profile rider, was disqualified for breaking a rule or two during the event. The Dirty Kanza 200 made no bones about the fact that they would DQ any rider who had a support vehicle on course outside of the designated checkpoint areas where crews could meet their riders and aid them. Well, this certain rider's vehicle with their company's name on the side was out on the course so it wasn't hard to figure out who that vehicle was supporting. A rider filed a complaint, and the rest was history, or so you would think.

It's up to the rider to make the right choices.

However; glossing over the fact that he was DQ'ed for an obvious infraction, this rider tried to drive the conversation to one about aid stations, the lack thereof, and how this somehow makes the playing field "unfair". Look, I put one of these events on, have for over a decade, and so here is what I have to say about this deal.

First of all, no one is making you spend your money to come to the Dirty Kamza 200. You are free to go, or not go. However; once you have paid your entry fee, and plan on being there, it may be a wise thing to, ya know......familiarize yourself with the way the event is run. Don't tell me you didn't have time to figure that out. Most people could easily read the DK200's "Rider's Bible" in 15 minutes or less. Me? It takes me longer because I read slow, but I could read it anytime. So could you. Not knowing the rules pretty much puts you in a very compromised position. Not only that, but the DQ'ed rider is a college graduate, a CEO of his own company, and was required to read the Rider's Bible when he registered, just like everyone else in the event. Plus, this rider's support people were on course and taking images for this rider. Gee.......didn't seem like there was an issue figuring that part out. But you don't know the rules? Something is fishy there.

Secondly, every rider that partakes of that event down there has a lot of decisions to make. How much water do I need to get from the start to the first checkpoint? How much food do I need? That answer is different for everyone, so you should know that going in, and you should understand that the DK200 is not an event that coddles the participants with "aid stations". Why? Because it is the way gravel events like this have set themselves up to be- challenges to overcome. Guess what? You could make bad decisions and end up having to quit, or suffer some other consequences based upon your decisions. It's all up to you. Go out there with less water than you need and guess what? You'll have issues with dehydration. Most of the riders I witnessed coming across the line at the finish obviously "got the memo" as they had hydration packs or five water bottles, or both, on their bikes. So, it can be done. You just have to be smart.

It's a hard and unforgiving land. But overcoming the obstacles is not impossible.

The rider that got DQ'ed tried to turn the conversation to "vagueness in the application of rules" and the way to "fix" it was to have neutral aid and mechanical assistance for all riders. That's untenable and would gut the event of what makes it appealing to 2000 riders every year.

 The very nature of these events seem to be in question. The thing is, adding neutral aid stations isn't in the DNA of the Dirty Kanza, nor for Trans Iowa, or many other grassroots, non-sanctioned, non-affiliated-to-anything events. It would seem that this irks or makes some people used to seamless, fully supported, "rider's needs" focused events uncomfortable. Guess what? If that is an issue for you, maybe these events are not for you. Giving any of these events what would amount to a triathlon or running event structure with aid stations and neutral support would fundamentally make the DK200 or Trans Iowa, or anything like those events into......well, something other than what they are. Something that a lot of people are trying to avoid. You know......the thing that the DK200 doesn't have that makes people want to do it. 

For a more direct, hard hitting viewpoint on this, see Chad Ament's take here. 

Finally, I cannot help but wonder a few things about the Dirty Kanza and its future. Plus, I have an announcement at the end.

Done! The challenge overcome has potentially life changing effects for many. Even without aid stations!

First off, I think making the pre-race meeting mandatory is a must do for any event like this. In the case of the DK200, I wonder if the RFID chip on the number plate couldn't be used as a way to verify folks came to the meeting. Make them walk through a scanning area at the Grenada Theater, and if afterward anyone's chip didn't scan, you turn off that number and they don't get scored. Make folks aware of that, and I bet you'll get near 100% attendance.

Secondly- The whole water hand up deal is absolutely a no-brainer. You gotta go 50-ish miles, and if you think you are "joe-racer" and are going to do that on two water bottles, you are ill informed. I do not think adding aid stations is a good idea here. They tried that in 2015 and it was goofy. It didn't work. Besides, it would make people rely more on the event and less on themselves, thus changing the entire nature of the event. (See previous thoughts above)

As for hand ups from the locals, many may not be aware that this has happened since the first DK200. I know, I got some water in this manner that first year. The rules are a bit confusing concerning that point. In my opinion, it is fair play if locals are handing up water. The DK200 probably should address that point, but these are open roads and go by private property. I don't see how that can be regulated, so I think you have to let that go. I allow competitors to ask for water on route at residences at Trans Iowa, but like the DK200, I do not allow support from non-resident, support people tied to a racer, nor can their vehicles be on course. The Boo vehicle was on course. That's a DQ right there according to DK200 rules which are clearly written in regard to that point. The rest of the dust up is a moot point after that.

The announcement is that I won't be riding in the DK200 next year, I'll be supporting some folks in it. That's right, my RidingGravel.com partner, Ben, and I will be offering to be a few folks support crew for the '17 edition of the DK200. Details will be released at a later date, but we were fed up with all the drama surrounding this DQ thing and decided to take action in a positive way.

We're also trying to come up with some ideas on a gathering, possibly, and how we're going to do a donation to a local Emporia charity. Anyway, we figured positivity and action will be better for all concerned, and this is a small way for us to give back to the gravel grinding scene we love. This isn't like any other form of cycling. It is grassroots, and it runs on personal freedom to choose and to overcome or fail as a result of those choices. You don't need a team, you don't need to win, be an age group podium finisher, or top finisher to "win" at an event like the Dirty Kanza. Just ask my friend Tony, who is stoked to have finished and wants to go back next year. When I saw him cross the finish line before mid-night, he sure looked like a winner to me.

See ya down in Kansas in 2017 around the first weekend in June.......

The Kanza Ride: Sailing To Americus

Going with the wind and eventually getting to flatter terrain sustained me to Americus

Leaving the Chalk area, I found more steep hills and although the road going South was aided by a mighty tailwind, the steepness of the gradients was such that I was working really hard to crest each hill. It was that or maybe I wasn't eating enough. Well.....yeah. I wasn't eating enough, actually! It finally caught up to me and I stopped twice in the space of two miles before realizing I just needed to eat something and get caught up on nutrition before carrying onward. So, I sat under a small outcropping of trees on the roadside and ate a substantial amount of food, then gave it about 15 minutes or so to get into my blood and get my motor running like it should be. That worked out well. I felt like a million bucks once I got back on the bike. Lesson learned, (again!), that I must eat continually. I guess I was too distracted and forgot for a while.

My route descended Southward until I crossed Highway 56 again, and once I did, at a village called Bushong, I found that the hills immediately stopped and the terrain went very flat again. That was okay, as I was running low on supplies and big hills would have made stretching them to the next resupply rather difficult. It also reinforced my decision to not try and reach for Eskridge, but I really want to come back sometime with a better plan and do a ride there in that area.

Small villages like Bushong have water towers that look more like weird missles than water towers.

Ruins, empty streets, and few buildings. This was nearly a ghost town.

This structure looked to be in great shape, but obviously it wasn't in use.

The village of Bushong was an odd place. There were lots of empty lots, and I found what probably was the main street of commerce there at one time, but now there were only a couple restored buildings and some ruins of what looked like a former bank. Later on, I found out that it was a bit more odd than one might think. Bushong took its name from the catcher of the St. Loius Browns baseball club, A.J. "Doc" Bushong, who played on the winning team in the 1886 World Series. The Missouri Pacific Railroad, which established the town, renamed several of their towns after the names of players from the Browns' club in honor of the World Championship win. Bushong is the only town left which has kept the name given by the railroad after the '86 series win. It was also the site of the location of one of the first generations of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.So........maybe that water tower thingie is really..........naw! Couldn't be!

There were ten miles straight South of this after Bushong.

I left Bushong via a dirt road, which somehow seemed appropriate, and then went straight South for ten miles. The terrain was so flat, and the wind so strong, that I coasted for a mile. At one point a dog came tearing around a building with a full head of steam after me, but with this wind, it had no chance. I'll give the mutt credit though, he chased me for half a mile. Dog sprints after nearly bonking earlier. What a ride!

The water tower of Americus breaks the horizon line amongst a few trees.

Shade, a tall cool one, and a crate to sit on. Heavenly!

I reached Americus and the familiar confines of a Casey's General Store. I purchased some "real food" and drink, went outside, and found a nice little setting to consume my goods. A colorful transplant to the area from SoCal pulled up and chatted with me for a bit. Seems he is starting a new chapter in life in Americus. Americus? The city named after Amerigo Vespucci wasn't anything to write home about, but seeing as it is only a handful of miles to Emporia from there, perhaps it serves as a bedroom community these days. Anyway, That was an interesting stop, but I needed to get back to Emporia soon. The ride was coming to an end, since I figured that I might get back and showered up in time to see the winner of the Dirty Kanza cross the finish line.

Flanked by corn fields Southeast of Americus.

The last several miles looked like this for the most part before I returned to Emporia.

I reached the city a bit after two in the afternoon. There were riders all over from the finish of the "Half Pint" race, which was a 100 miles. I did darn near 75 miles, just falling a few tenths short, but I would wager that I had more fun.

It was an outstanding ride, and I would really like to do more exploring around there, see more tiny villages, and discover more things rarely seen by anyone but a few locals. To my mind, this is gravel grinding, riding for the adventure and the fun of it. Not that placing yourself into a big challenge to see if you can figure out how to overcome it and stretch your limits isn't a good thing too. It is. Things like the Dirty Kanza 200 and Trans Iowa are the stuff that has changed lives and spurred folks on to bigger things that they maybe didn't ever think they could try. That goes for more than just cycling, by the way.

However; I think, and have always thought, that bicycle riding was about fun, adventure, and seeing what is over the next hill. Discovery, if you will, on a machine that is so efficient, simple, and capable, that not using a bicycle to explore the countryside with is just a damn foolish notion. Not only that, but the speed you end up going at is perfect. Not so slow that you don't cover a lot of ground, but not so fast that you miss 90% of what you are driving by either. I covered just shy of 75 miles, had most of the day left over to hang out at the DK200 finish line, and saw so much that I count it as the best day of the year so far.

So, did I find what I was missing during all those Dirty Kanza rides I tried? Yeah......I think I did. I found a different side to the Flint Hills area that is hard to soak in unless you slow down and take notice of it. Let it sink in, instead of racing it. Both things are good- the challenge and the adventure, the chasing after a goal and the discovery of new things. But after doing this little adventure, I want more of that too. I'll be back to this area again. Maybe to try another Dirty Kanza, but for sure to try another adventure.

The Kanza Ride: Sailing To Americus

Going with the wind and eventually getting to flatter terrain sustained me to Americus

Leaving the Chalk area, I found more steep hills and although the road going South was aided by a mighty tailwind, the steepness of the gradients was such that I was working really hard to crest each hill. It was that or maybe I wasn't eating enough. Well.....yeah. I wasn't eating enough, actually! It finally caught up to me and I stopped twice in the space of two miles before realizing I just needed to eat something and get caught up on nutrition before carrying onward. So, I sat under a small outcropping of trees on the roadside and ate a substantial amount of food, then gave it about 15 minutes or so to get into my blood and get my motor running like it should be. That worked out well. I felt like a million bucks once I got back on the bike. Lesson learned, (again!), that I must eat continually. I guess I was too distracted and forgot for a while.

My route descended Southward until I crossed Highway 56 again, and once I did, at a village called Bushong, I found that the hills immediately stopped and the terrain went very flat again. That was okay, as I was running low on supplies and big hills would have made stretching them to the next resupply rather difficult. It also reinforced my decision to not try and reach for Eskridge, but I really want to come back sometime with a better plan and do a ride there in that area.

Small villages like Bushong have water towers that look more like weird missles than water towers.

Ruins, empty streets, and few buildings. This was nearly a ghost town.

This structure looked to be in great shape, but obviously it wasn't in use.

The village of Bushong was an odd place. There were lots of empty lots, and I found what probably was the main street of commerce there at one time, but now there were only a couple restored buildings and some ruins of what looked like a former bank. Later on, I found out that it was a bit more odd than one might think. Bushong took its name from the catcher of the St. Loius Browns baseball club, A.J. "Doc" Bushong, who played on the winning team in the 1886 World Series. The Missouri Pacific Railroad, which established the town, renamed several of their towns after the names of players from the Browns' club in honor of the World Championship win. Bushong is the only town left which has kept the name given by the railroad after the '86 series win. It was also the site of the location of one of the first generations of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.So........maybe that water tower thingie is really..........naw! Couldn't be!

There were ten miles straight South of this after Bushong.

I left Bushong via a dirt road, which somehow seemed appropriate, and then went straight South for ten miles. The terrain was so flat, and the wind so strong, that I coasted for a mile. At one point a dog came tearing around a building with a full head of steam after me, but with this wind, it had no chance. I'll give the mutt credit though, he chased me for half a mile. Dog sprints after nearly bonking earlier. What a ride!

The water tower of Americus breaks the horizon line amongst a few trees.

Shade, a tall cool one, and a crate to sit on. Heavenly!

I reached Americus and the familiar confines of a Casey's General Store. I purchased some "real food" and drink, went outside, and found a nice little setting to consume my goods. A colorful transplant to the area from SoCal pulled up and chatted with me for a bit. Seems he is starting a new chapter in life in Americus. Americus? The city named after Amerigo Vespucci wasn't anything to write home about, but seeing as it is only a handful of miles to Emporia from there, perhaps it serves as a bedroom community these days. Anyway, That was an interesting stop, but I needed to get back to Emporia soon. The ride was coming to an end, since I figured that I might get back and showered up in time to see the winner of the Dirty Kanza cross the finish line.

Flanked by corn fields Southeast of Americus.

The last several miles looked like this for the most part before I returned to Emporia.

I reached the city a bit after two in the afternoon. There were riders all over from the finish of the "Half Pint" race, which was a 100 miles. I did darn near 75 miles, just falling a few tenths short, but I would wager that I had more fun.

It was an outstanding ride, and I would really like to do more exploring around there, see more tiny villages, and discover more things rarely seen by anyone but a few locals. To my mind, this is gravel grinding, riding for the adventure and the fun of it. Not that placing yourself into a big challenge to see if you can figure out how to overcome it and stretch your limits isn't a good thing too. It is. Things like the Dirty Kanza 200 and Trans Iowa are the stuff that has changed lives and spurred folks on to bigger things that they maybe didn't ever think they could try. That goes for more than just cycling, by the way.

However; I think, and have always thought, that bicycle riding was about fun, adventure, and seeing what is over the next hill. Discovery, if you will, on a machine that is so efficient, simple, and capable, that not using a bicycle to explore the countryside with is just a damn foolish notion. Not only that, but the speed you end up going at is perfect. Not so slow that you don't cover a lot of ground, but not so fast that you miss 90% of what you are driving by either. I covered just shy of 75 miles, had most of the day left over to hang out at the DK200 finish line, and saw so much that I count it as the best day of the year so far.

So, did I find what I was missing during all those Dirty Kanza rides I tried? Yeah......I think I did. I found a different side to the Flint Hills area that is hard to soak in unless you slow down and take notice of it. Let it sink in, instead of racing it. Both things are good- the challenge and the adventure, the chasing after a goal and the discovery of new things. But after doing this little adventure, I want more of that too. I'll be back to this area again. Maybe to try another Dirty Kanza, but for sure to try another adventure.

The Kanza Ride: Chalk District 3

The road I was on was called "Barbwire Road", and it was strewn with chunky, loose gravel. It was not easy to ride on this stuff, but the Fargo Gen I was cruising over this stuff better than any of my skinnier tire gravel bikes could. The new Teravail Sparwoods were pretty impressive out here as well. So, I was doing as well as I could hope for with my rig and with my current food and water situation. Now if we could turn the North wind down a notch or two!

The perfect bike for roads like these.

Barns for Jason

I was pushing pretty hard going North now due to the very strong winds. At one point, I was climbing a hill when I heard a dog barking. There was a farm on my right, and I knew there was no way to avoid or to outrun any dog that may want to give chase. The barking was getting nearer, so I dismounted, put the bike between myself and the farm, and waited to see what I was up against.

There were actually four dogs, but three were of such ancient age and wisdom that they were letting the younger dog do all of the barking at this point. One, a thickly haired, yellowish dog of medium size was walking with a limp. It must have had a hip problem. Well, the younger dog was curious, slightly wary, but full of mischief, so it immediately bounded around my bike and started to jump up on me as if it wanted to play. Barking incessantly, this dog was full of energy. The other three let out an occasional bark as the fit took them, but were mostly content to sniff my bike and myself, probably hoping to get some of my food I had in my bags, which I am sure they were able to smell.

Well, this was odd, and I didn't know how long it might take till they lost their interest and let me pass. Then the owner called out. I find that as soon as that happens dogs tend to break into protection mode. Sure enough, the youngest dog went on the defensive. The other dogs went back into the yard. They knew the drill. After much cajoling of the younger dog by the owner, and an apology from her, I was free to continue Northward.

The roads were steeper in Wabaunsee County. This is Des Moines Road looking East.

Flowers for Kristi on the decision making corner.

I finally reached the corner where I had promised to myself that I had to make a hard decision on whether to try to get to Eskridge, which was 19 more miles out, or to start making my way back toward Emporia. I had it on good authority that if I got to Eskridge I might get water at the gas station. I didn't have any other food or water options after that for many miles. Like about 20 plus miles. That would mean I would have to go a good 45 miles without a resupply of food and possibly water.

I had limited supplies of water on board the Fargo yet, but no where near 40 plus miles worth. I saw a route that would be about 23 miles to Americus and I knew that there was a Casey's General Store there. Okay, decision made. I would cut my stay in Wabaunsee County short and turn back South after a traverse Eastward through the Southwestern end of Wabaunsee County. But not before I went one more mile North. With the raging wind, that would be no easy task, so I sat there for a bit gathering energy to get going again.

Looking Southeastward with Des Moines Road running on ahead.

Traversing Wabaunsee County Eastward. The wind was a devilment by this point, even from an angle. 

The road was set with some long climbs to steep pitches up and over rollers. The cross wind was hard to navigate due to my full frame bag. Going downhill fast was a handful! By this time of the day my legs were getting tired and I was feeling the effort. Still, I was riding well and I felt great. I hit a steep downhill and then a creek with an immediate uphill that was so steep I almost had to resort to the granny gear. I was looking to make the crest, as there it got less steep, and when I did, something came into view that made me feel as though I should stop for a bit. Not because I needed to rest, but because there was something about this place. Something calling me to stop.......

Was this a school house, a residence, or....? All I could see was the sign which said "Chalk Dist 3"

 

A white building in good shape with a placard under the topmost window which said "Chalk Dist 3". I had no idea what this building was, but it was adjacent to a cemetery, up on a tall hill, and in the middle of nowhere. I later found out that this was a small village in the late 1800's, but what it was all about, I don't know and I certainly didn't know anything beyond what I was seeing when I was there that day.

The crazy rollers coming from the West that I rode to get here.

I sat down next to my bike along the wire cemetery fence. I wondered about this spot. As I glanced over my shoulder at the headstones, I wondered who these monuments represented. What were these people's hopes and dreams when they came here long ago? Why here? There was nothing to recommend the place to a settler. The land was not suitable for tilling, being so rocky. There were no manufacturing opportunities, no transportation hubs, and no cultural ties to this area. The white settlers had supplanted the Kanza tribe, and they in turn had come from the East years before. This land swallowed them all up. Now all that was left were place names honoring the Native Americans and these headstones. The land had beaten them back. Turned them back to dust.

The Earth of this place was calling faintly. I felt it. I could just close my eyes and release, but not today. This wasn't my time nor my place. I didn't belong there. I was just a wanderer. I needed to move on....... Suddenly all I heard was the rushing wind in the grass.

Next: Sailing To Americus

The Kanza Ride: Chalk District 3

The road I was on was called "Barbwire Road", and it was strewn with chunky, loose gravel. It was not easy to ride on this stuff, but the Fargo Gen I was cruising over this stuff better than any of my skinnier tire gravel bikes could. The new Teravail Sparwoods were pretty impressive out here as well. So, I was doing as well as I could hope for with my rig and with my current food and water situation. Now if we could turn the North wind down a notch or two!

The perfect bike for roads like these.

Barns for Jason

I was pushing pretty hard going North now due to the very strong winds. At one point, I was climbing a hill when I heard a dog barking. There was a farm on my right, and I knew there was no way to avoid or to outrun any dog that may want to give chase. The barking was getting nearer, so I dismounted, put the bike between myself and the farm, and waited to see what I was up against.

There were actually four dogs, but three were of such ancient age and wisdom that they were letting the younger dog do all of the barking at this point. One, a thickly haired, yellowish dog of medium size was walking with a limp. It must have had a hip problem. Well, the younger dog was curious, slightly wary, but full of mischief, so it immediately bounded around my bike and started to jump up on me as if it wanted to play. Barking incessantly, this dog was full of energy. The other three let out an occasional bark as the fit took them, but were mostly content to sniff my bike and myself, probably hoping to get some of my food I had in my bags, which I am sure they were able to smell.

Well, this was odd, and I didn't know how long it might take till they lost their interest and let me pass. Then the owner called out. I find that as soon as that happens dogs tend to break into protection mode. Sure enough, the youngest dog went on the defensive. The other dogs went back into the yard. They knew the drill. After much cajoling of the younger dog by the owner, and an apology from her, I was free to continue Northward.

The roads were steeper in Wabaunsee County. This is Des Moines Road looking East.

Flowers for Kristi on the decision making corner.

I finally reached the corner where I had promised to myself that I had to make a hard decision on whether to try to get to Eskridge, which was 19 more miles out, or to start making my way back toward Emporia. I had it on good authority that if I got to Eskridge I might get water at the gas station. I didn't have any other food or water options after that for many miles. Like about 20 plus miles. That would mean I would have to go a good 45 miles without a resupply of food and possibly water.

I had limited supplies of water on board the Fargo yet, but no where near 40 plus miles worth. I saw a route that would be about 23 miles to Americus and I knew that there was a Casey's General Store there. Okay, decision made. I would cut my stay in Wabaunsee County short and turn back South after a traverse Eastward through the Southwestern end of Wabaunsee County. But not before I went one more mile North. With the raging wind, that would be no easy task, so I sat there for a bit gathering energy to get going again.

Looking Southeastward with Des Moines Road running on ahead.

Traversing Wabaunsee County Eastward. The wind was a devilment by this point, even from an angle. 

The road was set with some long climbs to steep pitches up and over rollers. The cross wind was hard to navigate due to my full frame bag. Going downhill fast was a handful! By this time of the day my legs were getting tired and I was feeling the effort. Still, I was riding well and I felt great. I hit a steep downhill and then a creek with an immediate uphill that was so steep I almost had to resort to the granny gear. I was looking to make the crest, as there it got less steep, and when I did, something came into view that made me feel as though I should stop for a bit. Not because I needed to rest, but because there was something about this place. Something calling me to stop.......

Was this a school house, a residence, or....? All I could see was the sign which said "Chalk Dist 3"

 

A white building in good shape with a placard under the topmost window which said "Chalk Dist 3". I had no idea what this building was, but it was adjacent to a cemetery, up on a tall hill, and in the middle of nowhere. I later found out that this was a small village in the late 1800's, but what it was all about, I don't know and I certainly didn't know anything beyond what I was seeing when I was there that day.

The crazy rollers coming from the West that I rode to get here.

I sat down next to my bike along the wire cemetery fence. I wondered about this spot. As I glanced over my shoulder at the headstones, I wondered who these monuments represented. What were these people's hopes and dreams when they came here long ago? Why here? There was nothing to recommend the place to a settler. The land was not suitable for tilling, being so rocky. There were no manufacturing opportunities, no transportation hubs, and no cultural ties to this area. The white settlers had supplanted the Kanza tribe, and they in turn had come from the East years before. This land swallowed them all up. Now all that was left were place names honoring the Native Americans and these headstones. The land had beaten them back. Turned them back to dust.

The Earth of this place was calling faintly. I felt it. I could just close my eyes and release, but not today. This wasn't my time nor my place. I didn't belong there. I was just a wanderer. I needed to move on....... Suddenly all I heard was the rushing wind in the grass.

Next: Sailing To Americus