Things I learned while training for & racing Dirty Kanza last year...

1. Comfort is king. Weight & aerodynamics don't mean shit if you're hurting before the halfway point. Anywhere you touch the bike (feet, butt & hands) needs to be as comfortable as possible. I would recommend a full cycling chamois, plenty of lube, and not wearing a Camelbak. Get a frame bag that will hold a 3L bladder instead. Not only will the weight of a Camelbak on your back get old, it will also get hot. For your hands, either use thick/cushy tape or double wrap your bars. Wear padded gloves. Find a saddle that disappears. For me, that was a Brooks Cambium C17. (I wasn't on a tri bike, though. Thank God!) Run the widest/cushiest tires that you can.

2. Stay on top of your nutrition & pacing. You will pay for even the slightest mistakes. Eat & drink on a regular schedule, whether you're hungry/thirsty or not. Have options for nutrition. You will get sick of everything eventually.

3. Give yourself options for hand position. Your ride won't be as grueling as Dirty Kanza, since it's on pavement, but your wrists, neck & shoulders are still going to get tired/sore. I have aerobars on my gravel bike. Not necessarily for aerodynamics, but just for a place to rest my wrists & hands.

4. Stand up & stretch before you need to. Your back is going to get tight. Delay that as long as possible.

5. Bring a pump & plenty of tubes/patches/boots. Do not rely on CO2. Shit happens.

Well that's that then. 185-ish miles, 2 stops 11.15 hours according to Strava and the worst pain was in the feet, I need wider shoes it seems. According to Polar's Training Load calculator I'm supposed to avoid any activity till the end of Tuesday, and I am totally fine with that. Major props to my riding buddy Ridge, without whom, I would definitely have called it quits around mile 140. By the way, those state trails through Minnesota are NICE.