Tushar Crusher - have you done it?

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by FL_MarkD

bcroslin, maybe you can get FL DOT to close down the Skyway to traffic so you can do some bridge repeats for training.

Sounds like a beautiful ride, but not for this flatlander.

I have a few friends that have ridden the Skyway fixed! FHP frowns upon that but apparently it's legal to ride because it's the shortest distance between St Pete and Bradenton.

Also, as a few others have mentioned, 46/30 works on 6800. I have a set on my CX bike.

[eippo1]

FYI, singed up for it but can't do it this year. Anyone want my entry?

[Wayne77]

Originally Posted by eippo1

FYI, singed up for it but can't do it this year. Anyone want my entry?

PM sent. I have a friend who would vey likely be interested

[Andy sti]

Great to see all the interest in this event. I raced last year and it was great. Looking forward to this one.

I used my carbon cross bike with a 34/46 and an 11-32 in the back. Worked well for me but the second climb really grinds ons. I cramped at one point and needed to get off my bike to stretch for a moment. The hour+ long climbs in your lowest gear get to ya. Ended up 2nd in my age and 12th overall. Planning the same bike and setup this year.

Was a fun day and I'm hoping to do well this year again.

This is a great pic that shows all the different bikes.


Zoned out on the second long climb.

[bcroslin]

Anyone have any tire recommendations?

Also, I was warned to run an 11-36 with 46/30 for the last climb.

[Andy sti]

Originally Posted by bcroslin

Anyone have any tire recommendations?

Also, I was warned to run an 11-36 with 46/30 for the last climb.

I used and am planning on using again the Challenge Gravel Grinder Race. They were great last year. I used Latex tubes and around 50ish psi.

The final climb up to the ski hill is crazy steep, especially after all the other climbing. Plus it's at 10,500 ft. Good part is it's paved but you're grovelling up it the whole way. It's short though.

[YesNdeed]

Ouch. Great ride in the Tushars today. Can't upload pics from Friday's short ride. Crashed and tumbled in the gravel, no major injuries, just a lot of gauze and antibacterial ointment. 5 hours and 10 minutes put me on the podium for my age group. Anyone else here? How'd it go?

[bcroslin]

Awesome. I unfortunately/ fortunately booked a big job for tomorrow so I had to sell my entry. I had a Moots Route lined up to ride as well. Killed me to cancel my plans but the mortgage must be paid.

[YesNdeed]

Originally Posted by bcroslin

Awesome. I unfortunately/ fortunately booked a big job for tomorrow so I had to sell my entry. I had a Moots Route lined up to ride as well. Killed need to cancel my plans but the mortgage must be paid.

Some things are more important! Hopefully you recovered all or most of the entry fee. If you haven't done it before, it's beautiful mountain country and has been a nice place to hide out in the Aspens for a few days. We rented a condo near the ski area, which made for an easy return from the finish. For future reference, don't do what I did and wind up using a 34 chainring and 11/28 cassette (miscommunication...snafu ). At LEAST a 30t cassette is recommended. I used Specialized Trigger tubeless 700x33 tires, no complaints.

[Andy sti]

Originally Posted by YesNdeed

Ouch. Great ride in the Tushars today. Can't upload pics from Friday's short ride. Crashed and tumbled in the gravel, no major injuries, just a lot of gauze and antibacterial ointment. 5 hours and 10 minutes put me on the podium for my age group. Anyone else here? How'd it go?

Nice job! I won the 45+ group. Beautiful day!

[YesNdeed]

Originally Posted by Andy sti

Nice job! I won the 45+ group. Beautiful day!

Woohoo! Nice result. My friend/teammate was up front in that group until a giant sidewall tear put him out. He asks what bike bike were you on?

[Andy sti]

Originally Posted by YesNdeed

Woohoo! Nice result. My friend/teammate was up front in that group until a giant sidewall tear put him out. He asks what bike bike were you on?

Sorry for the late response, we have been on vacation camping since the race. I was ridding a Chinese carbon cross bike with canti brakes. Worked perfectly.

[YesNdeed]