So, I managed to get an entry for the 2021 200k event.
This is my first time, any tips or advice.
Don't be finishing your wheel build the night before the start.
Ride a bike a few times in the 3 months before hand.
Don't carry so much food. Although he aware the food stations have been pretty sparse if you end up near the back.
Secure you water bottles they can and do come off.
It's further than you think so go easy to start because some of the hills are grim. And rou d the reservoir is tedious.
Have fun.
This is my first time, any tips or advice.
I was on the waiting list and just received a place! Signed up for the 200km and like you I haven’t done this (or anything remotely like this) before. I was supposed to be doing the Frontier 300 earlier in the year but it got cancelled and my training fizzled out after a few niggling injuries!
Secure you water bottles they can and do come off.
This. And secure any food in bags/jersey pockets. Last time I rode there were sections that looked like the verges were growing bottles, Haribo and Pepperami
Thank you. All valuable tips so far. Would I be ok on 38c gravelkings, with 36-42 gearing.
I did the DR on 38c Gravelkings, no issues with them as it's really just fireroad, fireroad and more fireroad. I was 1x11, 11-42 gearing. There are no killer climbs, just very long draggy climbs.
I'll echo what others have said already, keep your bottles secure and unless you are a superfit racer don't go off too fast. Watch out on the first bumpy descent as that seemed to catch alot of folk out. And that bit at 100 milesish around the lake seems to go on forever.
Have fun!
Take a few spare brake pads .
Take some Smidge.
Tubeless tubeless tubeless just incase you aren't. Or you'll be doing well to not get a few punctures.
When you get to the 130/200 cut off be honest with yourself the next 70km can be a descent into madness.
If you are riding with people don't abandon them. If you are on your own make friends.
I seem to have secured myself a place for this years event!
After breaking both my legs last year and getting fat, I started riding again in April. FTP was down to 188 from a 336 peak way back in the day 😬 But it’s coming back slowly.
Ironically I did ride my road bike around the reservoir whilst up there on holiday in May. Slowly 🤣 And thought what an incredibly place to do an epic ride (before I knew about DR).
Anyway- should be a great challenge although I didn’t realise quite how hilly it would be. Need to work on my descending skills if I’m not going to be out way into the night as I won’t be getting any KOM’s in current shape.
Any insights, tips or epic tales of previous events gratefully received.
Go hard from the start, pass all the fast guys then at 150km start to struggle and cramp up/bonk. fast guys come past then hang on in pain for the remainder.
Ok maybe don't do what I did!!
Ha that seems inevitable 🤣🤣👍🏻
Trying to work out if I really want to do it. Got a place (on the 200) last year (or was it the year before) that has carried over. Would be going on my own and its a bit of a trek. On the plus side I built up a Freeranger that rides really well, just put on 700x 45mm Pirelli tyres that ride nicely, and have done loads of training.