DK Checklists? Any to share?

Any previous participants have any gear/logistics/etc. checklists to share?
Things you really didn't want to forget or could have done without?

Starting to get (even more) obsessive as it gets closer.

John

jdhNC wrote:Any previous participants have any gear/logistics/etc. checklists to share?
Things you really didn't want to forget or could have done without?

Starting to get (even more) obsessive as it gets closer.

John

jdhNC Haven't done the race and not signed up for this year. I did read reports though of riders burping tires last year on the downhills because of running too low of tire pressure. You do want good cut proof tires also. I used Kenda Flintridge Pro at the Pony Express in Kansas but there are lots of tires out there.

Good luck
Zman

Just do what you do for other races really.  This ones no different then any of the others.  When I first did DK I brought the kitchen sink and never used any of it.  After 5 DK's now I do nothing more then other races.  I use the same equipment and use the same nutrition.  No need to over think it just ride and have fun.  Good Luck

Clear lenses or glasses for when the sun starts going down.

I finished after sundown last year and had to ride without my glasses.  There was a section of roads in the end that had tall grass on the sides of the roads.  That combined with my headlight attracted many bugs.  I had a few get in my eyes.

kriskexplorer wrote:Just do what you do for other races really.  This ones no different then any of the others.  When I first did DK I brought the kitchen sink and never used any of it.  After 5 DK's now I do nothing more then other races.  I use the same equipment and use the same nutrition.  No need to over think it just ride and have fun.  Good Luck

Same. I brought so much crap my first year I could've had a garage sale. Really you only need to plan for 50 miles at a time, not the whole 200 at once.

That said, I've started using a checklist for every race, just to be sure I don't forget something obvious like my helmet or something. Here's what I used recently, it was slightly tailored for the vagaries of that course and a couple new things I was testing out, but it gives a general idea:

Bike:

bike

tires (check air)

computer

remove cameras

clean bike

clean/lube chain

Swap cassette

 

gear:

shoes

socks

bibs

shirt

arm warmers

heart rate monitor

road ID

gloves

helmet

glasses

cap

camelbak

earbuds

3 water bottles

pump

chamois butter

sunblock

external battery (from Katie)

 

Off the bike

shoes

socks

undies

pants

shirt

jacket

toiletry kit

            floss

            toothpaste

            deodorant

            toothbrush

            razor

            shaving cream

            face stuff

            lip balm

            working hands

ibuprofen

Sleeping clothes

 

food

14 dates

2 protein bars

4 Skratch packets

pickle juice

electrolytes

 

Friday night shake

Saturday morning shake

Post ride shake

 

 

 

Zurichman wrote:
jdhNC Haven't done the race and not signed up for this year. I did read reports though of riders burping tires last year on the downhills because of running too low of tire pressure. You do want good cut proof tires also. I used Kenda Flintridge Pro at the Pony Express in Kansas but there are lots of tires out there.

Definitely true - there were a couple of spots where the "road" is very beat up or there's a little bit of water and larger stones at the bottom of the hill where you have to be careful or lucky with your line. On one ride last year on DK roads, I lost all my air in my tire and had to put a tube in. My pressure might have been a little low at the start, though.

kriskexplorer wrote:Just do what you do for other races really.  This ones no different then any of the others.  When I first did DK I brought the kitchen sink and never used any of it.  After 5 DK's now I do nothing more then other races.  I use the same equipment and use the same nutrition.  No need to over think it just ride and have fun.  Good Luck

I'm travelling from NC and have a lot of time invested in training and preperation. I mainly don't want to get there and then find out I forgot something that I didn't know I needed!  I'd hate to DNF due to something I could have forseen.   Other events I have ridden have been closer and shorter and I didn't really have to worry about not finishing.

I'm working on reducing what I plan on carrying since I'm sure I will be trying to add things at the last minute. My biggest concern is having a mechanical issue I can't overcome while riding.

I'm bringing wheels with GK SK 43's and Trigger 38's.  I have ridden a lot more miles on Triggers with no issues, but have an unspecific feeling that wider is better/safer, so still up in the air on which ones to run.  Never ridden that kind of terrain so... 

Planning on getting in to town a few days early so hopefully I can shake out any last minute issues then.

Thanks for the input everyone,
John

Only thing I can think of out of the norm is riding after dark. I wore a headlamp under my helmet to light the cockpit area only. That was helpful. As far as tires go use what you like I used 35’s and I now use 38’s with out any issues. I think of all the times I’ve ridden in the DK I’ve only had 2 flats which were pinch flats that I believe were caused more by the rim tape then anything. The weather is looking good so the course should be nice and dry but it is Kansas.

jdhNC wrote:Any previous participants have any gear/logistics/etc. checklists to share?
Things you really didn't want to forget or could have done without?

Starting to get (even more) obsessive as it gets closer.

John

John I went back and looked at my old post when I was getting ready for my Kansas ride. It is on page 29 now and is listed as tires for my Kansas ride. There are some riders on there that posted tires that they used for DK. Thought it might be some interest to you.

If I read it right one guy didn't like the SK'S but not sure. Hope that helps.

Zman

Zurichman wrote:

John I went back and looked at my old post when I was getting ready for my Kansas ride. It is on page 29 now and is listed as tires for my Kansas ride. There are some riders on there that posted tires that they used for DK. Thought it might be some interest to you.

If I read it right one guy didn't like the SK'S but not sure. Hope that helps.

Zman

I ran Gravelking SK 38’s last year and will again this year. Tubeless of course. Worked like a champ. In fact I used those same tires for gravelworlds since they were is such great shape. I actually switched them out just before Landrun this year.

I would also recommend bringing some extra tires.  I saw several folks who cut sidewalls and had issues.  I'd even consider bringing an extra tire with you on the ride.  the roads can be that bad.

Princeton Tec is the best headlamp in my arsenal and I recommend it to my Soldiers as well. There are two stages of red brightness, and in order to get to the two stages of white brightness, you have to long-press the button, which is great for tactical situations when you don't want to accidentally turn on white light.

EverBrite headlamps seem of fine quality for the price. I like the adjustability and secure fit of the three band units. Great to have two sets of batteries as well. I'll use them for emergencies so I think that will be fine. I took them hunting. Worked great. Love the multiple light settings and the ability to adjust how high or low you want the light directed.

I gave Miller glasses away to a few Afghan contractors on my base who had been welding with Foakleys on as eye seasoned. This supposed the men did not need to regulate their fashion of welding however had been capable of getting at the least a touch quantity of eye seasoned in preference to simply reasonably-priced sunglasses. I attempted them on earlier than I gave them away and that they labored great, I became capable of looking at the arc at the stick welder our contractors had been the use of with no pain, or headaches.

Don't forget tools, tubes and CO2 or a mini pump. Ted Kings last DK video he goes over some of the stuff he takes. He says a 3, 4 and 5 mm allen key. If you need any thing other than those 3 your day is probably going to be done anyway.

Shaun wrote:Don't forget tools, tubes and CO2 or a mini pump. Ted Kings last DK video he goes over some of the stuff he takes. He says a 3, 4 and 5 mm allen key. If you need any thing other than those 3 your day is probably going to be done anyway.

That depends on if you're there to win (like Ted) or there to finish, challenge yourself, and have a good time (like 90% of the riders). Needing to replace your derailleur hanger isn't a day ender if you're in the second camp.