A probably pointless discussion about watts/effort and bikes

[ripvanrando]

OP did ask about randonneuring and ultra endurance racing, not merely gravel.

He also asked if Jan was full of crap. I'll just say, go to any 24 hour race on pavement and see how many 42 or 48 mm wide tires there are in the top finishers or go to PBP and see how many of the Premieres are on fat "rando" tires. None. Zippo

Discussion about road tires for long distance hardly seems irrelevant given OP's second post.