I too, am entering the DK 200 for the first time. I'm both terrified and thrilled. I went as support crew last year and instantly fell in love with this great event.
jimmydot wrote:This is a goal for me as well in 2014. will be my 1st time and don't think it will be gentle, but i am mentally prepared or just mental.
I think it's fair to say the first 100 miles is fitness; the second 100 miles is a mind game.
I am seriously thinking about taking on the Dirty in 2014, and am looking for advice/insight into training. I've done tons of centuries and several ultra-cross type events, but nothing this stupid. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
2013 was my first DK. It won't be my last. I began my training in earnest in mid January. I participated in as many gravel centuries as I could leading up to June 1st. One of our nearby gravel riders who rides for the Chamios Buttr team put on his first triple race series geared towards DK prepping all the locals. It was very instrumental in helping me figure out what worked and what didn't. While not a fast rider, I am strong. I crossed the line with a total time of 17hrs 55min. In hind sight I could have shaved an hour off of it just by keeping check point stops to a minimum. The Mind game I played with myself was constantly telling myself how far I had to go to the next check point, not the finish line. Fifty miles or less is easier on the mind than say 120 or 95 miles. I remember at around mile 125 - 130 practicing how I was going to cross the finish line. Pumping my fists? Arms spread out like a body builder? Do nothing? Any thing to take your mind off the enormity of the ride will help.
Hope for the best, but expect the worst. There were record cool temps this year. It was a gourgeous morning with temps in the low 60's. Then about 10:30 am the wind picked up out of the NW. Our route was directly into a 25 mph wind for the 80 + miles. Train for it and expect it to happen. Same goes for heat. The old saying in Kansas is, "Don't like the weather, wait a minute!"
I rolled the DK in 2013, and my biggest tips for a good finish time and enjoyment is....do not get caught in the aid station time warp. Also, even thought the course is marked, have a cue sheet holder and keep looking at it all day. It will keep you motivated and later in the race when there are less and less people out there it will keep you entertained and motivated. Also, sometimes there is a mis-marked turn or you will start to doubt if you missed a turn.
Just my thoughts, I am not the fastest rider by any means, but I had a great ride in 2013 of 14hr, 31min. Train on the flats, forget the long hills in CO, you are pedaling for 200 miles straight.
I "raced" DK200 in 2012 (20 hr finish). I had a great time, and I agree that faster checkpoint checkout is key - I probably could have shaved 90 minutes to 2 hours off my time if I had left them earlier.
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\nTires: I used some now-discontinued Schwalbe Marathon Extremes. This coming year I plan to run Clement MSOs (700x40).
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\nTraining: I was living in NYC at the time, so I rode a whole bunch, and also did some strength and cardio training. At least 80 miles one day, and lots of shorter rides each week between March and DK200.
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\nAnd it's super fun!
Some good information provided in this thread so far. Keep it coming. I know I am not the only one that wants to be as prepared as possible for this, even though I know you can't 100% prepare to deal with this unique cycling experience.
I am determined to finish this damn thing, because I know I can - and everyone who is telling me that I can't is wrong.
I rode the last three DK200s, last year on a singlespeed. It's an amazing event.
Advice? Make sure you've put in miles on a fully loaded bike. Otherwise, your bike feels like a tank on race day. The last 2 years I ran a drop bar, rigid 29er and couldn't have been happier. Zero flats and lots of comfort thanks to bigger volume tires. I ran 2" tires at 30psi.
The course is hilly and can be extremely windy. So having a decent low gear is important, to help save your legs early in the ride and to simply get over hills later in the day. On the other end, you simply don't need a huge gear. A cross compact crank with 46x36 is great. I also advise at least a 28 tooth in the back. 32 is even better. "Spin ze legs!"
My advice for the checkpoints is to never sit down. Keep moving. It's really tempting to take a break, but my motto is "slow miles are better than no miles." It's far better to ride easily, eat and drink than it is to park yourself in a comfy chair in the shade. It's an inertia game. Sit too long and it's hard to get rolling again. I make up bags and bottles for each checkpoint with an assortment of goodies. I quickly grab what I want and get moving. Typically I stuff a banana in my mouth as I load up.
Nutrition is tricky, but I'm a big fan of real food. I also focus on eating early in the ride. Never let yourself get hungry. Early in the day your guts aren't messed up, so eat as much as you can while pedaling along. As far as hydration, avoid plain water. Always have some electrolytes and sugar in your bottle. Otherwise you're only diluting the electrolytes in your system (not a good thing).
Most of all, be social and have fun! I could go on, but know that you'll learn a lot during your training and in the doing of Dirty Kanza.
From right now (Sunday morning, November 3) until the end of the day on Friday, November 8, share your great Dirty Kanza experiences, thoughts, tips, previous results, DK bikes, future goals/plans or pictures here in this "Dirty Kanza 200" forum.
We will throw all the entries into a virtual hat and pick TWO random winners. The winner of the Fix It Sticks will be announced on the Riding Gravel Facebook page on the morning of Saturday, November 9.
You are limited to 2 separate posts. We will not count any individual's post over that 2 limit to keep it fair for everyone.
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