This year (2014) will be my 3rd attempt to just get in via Ted's post card Lottery. Canada post delivery is never certain…gotta wonder if the past attempts even got to Iowa…I hate Canada Post.
Latest Trans Iowa V10 course details: October 27, 2013
First off, if you are anywhere near Des Moines Iowa on December 7th, there will be a clinic that will address all of this and more at Tacopocalypse, (a restaurant), in downtown Des Moines starting at 5:30pm.
But if you cannot make it, I suggest that you find a bicycle you are comfortable on for long, long hours in the saddle. Tires need to be big enough to be comfortable and to deal with varying levels of gravel and dirt roads. I suggest the 38-42mm range as being ideal, but by no means is that a hard and fast rule. Riders in the past have finished in the top ten on 29"er tires as well as 28mm tires, but just be aware that the skinnier you go- the more you'll flat and the more you'll hurt.
Gear for a lot of climbing! Nothing long- but lots of 10%-15% grades over and over again. After you've been riding for 20 hours and the wind is blowing, you may want that lower gear!
Be prepared to carry enough food and water to get by for 120 miles at a crack.
Be prepared for temperatures in the 50's-70's during the day and from the mid 20's to the upper 30's at night. It could be very windy, it could snow, it might rain. It could be very sunny and you may get a sun burn. Prepare for any and all circumstances.
Gear for a lot of climbing! Nothing long- but lots of 10%-15% grades over and over again.
Be prepared for temperatures in the 50's-70's during the day and from the mid 20's to the upper 30's at night. It could be very windy, it could snow, it might rain. It could be very sunny and you may get a sun burn. Prepare for any and all circumstances.
LOL, pretty much sums up gravel riding in Iowa ALL OF THE TIME!! Love it!
Less than 2 weeks to the start of V11. Guitar Ted says, "I have taken several comments made in recent years to compile what I think is going to be a very different course than I have devised before." Anyone feel like taking some wild guesses at what he has in store for us? Are your bikes and bodies ready?
