TimothyH

Longer races? The longest I've done is 56 miles. Should I sign up for Pisgah Monster Cross at 72 miles? Doesn't seem to be that much of a difference, only longer.

Different areas? Maybe drive from North Georgia out to Colorado and experience some high altitude gravel and real mountains. Utah? White Rim Trail? It would be cool to ride above treeline or in the desert.

Bikepacking seems like a logical step. I've purchased a stove, some ti cookwear and am experimenting with it. I'll probably get a tent soon and bag or quilt over the winter. Should be fun.

Longer rides. Higher mountains? Trans Antarctica world record? First ascent of Mt. Everest by gravel bike?

What's your dream, goal, plan or "next?"


-Tim-

mstateglfr 

My next is to ride Cirrem in late February and do well. 100k race. Do well is subjective and based on whatever conditions happen to be that day since fit could be 25 and dry, 45 and wet, or 60 and windy.
who knows.

rosefarts

You actually just mentioned it. I'll be riding the White Rim on my gravel bike this March.

gus6464

BWR for me next year. All my current riding is training for that.

TimothyH

Green with envy right now.

So what kind of bike are you using? Rigid fork? My understanding is that it is a bit rough for a rigid fork, no?

How many days? Camping?

This is something I'm really, really interested in doing and would love to camp at White Crack. Would love to hear your plans and how it goes.


-Tim-

rosefarts

Ill do it on my steel cross bike with my steel fork.

I'm using 38mm Ramblers now, I expect that they'll wear out before then, I'll go a touch wider for the next pair. I don't mind walking the 2 miles of sand it supposedly has.

Currently, this bike mostly rides mountain bike trails, so I'll be used to the bumps. I've been out as far as Monster Tower and Washer Woman to climb, there's nothing of major concern up to that point.

I'll be riding it unsupported in a day.

I'm framing it as an opportunity for my parents to see my son and for my wife to get a break. They're going to meet me in Moab and camp and play with him while I ride.

Staying fit enough for a really hard century over the winter is probably the crux.

TimothyH

This is interesting and not what I had heard from others who had supposedly ridden it. Most of what I read indicated that a suspension was required but to be fair I think this is mostly from mountain bikers who might not even own rigid fork bikes.

I'd love a ride report, especially with regard to difficulty relative to a rigid bike. I'll send you a PM.

Good luck. It sounds like a great time.


-Tim-

BigC_82

In 2019 I like to get professional bike fit with my gravel bike. I like to do my first gravel imperial century. My bike is nearly complete to how I like it. As in 2020 I will be attempting Sancho 200 miles in Michigan. I just want keep exploring my local gravel roads.

gravelfan

Rock Cobbler in Bakersfield California on February 9th. Info from their registration site: Gravel Grinder? Sorta…

The World Famous Rock Cobbler is a stupidly hard ride bordering on a race. The Pebbler is less stupidly hard but still a true challenge. As always we are passionate and driven to showcase roads, dirt trails, gravel and a VERY challenging route not yet ridden, not yet tamed. The Cobbler will be roughly 85-95ish miles and 6800ft+ - of elevation consisting of county asphalt roads, trails, private land, a river, a creek and a brewery. The Pebbler will be 50ish miles and roughly 4000ft+ - of elevation. As is tradition the final routes are announced the week of the event. Both will be very hard but will be very fun, in a very Bakersfield Way.

The rides are designed for a cross/gravel bike with a file tread 700x34-38mm tire. A mountain bike will work. Don’t be stupid and bring a road bike. NO AERO BARS. You might do pushups, throw water balloons, laugh, cry, suck your thumb, meet Tacoman, ride thru a church and or swim…but you WILL hike with your bike and enjoy cussing us. More than once. WE HAVE FUN!

TimothyH

I'm pretty sure I need to do this by bike...


Pretty sure as in completely obsessed with thinking about it.

Anyone wanna go?


-Tim-

HTupolev

The touring bike I just built up isn't that much of a gravel bike. But I threw some Bon Jon Pass ELs on it, which I think means I'm obligated to go for a ride on the Olympic peninsula.

Happy Feet

How about the Kettle Valley Railway

Metieval

Hmmm what would you ride?

I am actually torn in 2 directions with the thought of "What is next?" .
Do I grab something light and fast RLT/Revolt/warbird. Or say a bit slower Bombtrack Beyond/Salsa Fargo drop bar rigid 29er or 27+ and actually see less in a day but have more comfort on bike and camping.

TimothyH

I'd ride my Niner. gravel bike.

https://www.pedalroom.com/bike/niner-rlt-9-rdo-33084

The RLT 9 RDO is not an uncomfortable bike. I would not hesitate to tour or bikepack on it. That's my plan.


-Tim-

chas58

You should be able to find something on this map of bikepacking routes. Lots of good stuff to choose from:

Bikepacking Routes - BIKEPACKING.com
Bikepacking Routes USA - BIKEPACKING.com

trailangel

I've walked up to 14.5K ft......up to 13.5K ft with a forty pound pack. Pretty sure I cannot do that ride today. Maybe in my dreams.
I would be off the bike pushing it after my "Great-Granny-Gear" failed me..
My recommendation is to sleep a night or two at about 8K ft or higher before attempting the climb.
If you lose you balance, altitude sickness is coming....if you barf, it's here...... if you are coughing up blood you are in trouble.

TimothyH

The road is one way from Black Bear Pass to the switchbacks. It is all downhill. You cannot ride up.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29232420

Altitude sickness is a concern. Thanks for the info. I was at Arapaho and Keystone back in the 90's and a friend got it. We got him down to Denver as fast as we could and he was fine.


-Tim-

Koyote

In the past few weeks, I have kind of seized on the Coast-to-Coast Gravel Grinder in Michigan as my next big goal. 210 miles, mostly gravel, some of it a bit messy. I'm thinking 2020 -- which gives me 1.5 years to build up with some longer gravel events.

I've done a 200-mile ride on pavement and it was tough -- when I was 45 years old. Now I'm 56, and feel like I need a big challenge. We'll see.

sjfoote081

More cyclocross! Hardest thing I've ever done...

Also want to do the complete Virginia Creeper Trail again starting in Abingdon and riding UP the mountain to WhiteTop and the North Carolina state line.

TimothyH

Yeah, Black Bear Pass.

Um, no. Changed my mind. I ain't riding this.

sjfoote081

Tim,

I really think you might enjoy the Virginia Creeper Trail. When ridden from Abingdon to the NC state line it is a little over 34 miles with the last 17 miles or so mostly uphill. After a stop at the top for refueling, those 17 miles down to Damascus VA are pretty enjoyable. Beautiful and changing scenery along the way as you pass thru some farms, tiny towns, beautiful meadows and then some old growth forest as you approach the summit, You can drive there from ATL in about 5 hours and there are plenty of places to stay in Abingdon. Here is a profile map:

Did I mention that it is all gravel and cinder?