#61
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fatter tires make the ride more enjoyable for all of the reasons eric mentioned, BUT!!! this ride is so good, and so much fun that you should not skip it just because you dont have a "gravel bike", if your bike can only fit 28's - it's still OK to come out and have fun. go slower and enjoy! by all means, if you can fit fatter rubber, especially if this is your first time out here, but the big tires and low gears on and c'mon out!
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http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/ |
#62
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sorry if anything i said sounded exclusionary...its absolutely rideable on a road bike |
#63
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you did not, i was just clarifying, and reminding people - no excuses!
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http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/ |
#64
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I think the bottom line like so much with biking is it’s really about doing it and not what you’re doing it on. I’ve not met anyone who regretted doing it on whatever they’re on. It’s an amazing ride.
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#65
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Same setup for me this year. Same as last year and doing the 100k again. Just not enough riding time for anything longer. Riding on 40mm mostly because I have nerve damage in my arm and need the extra cush. |
#66
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Some folks have a distain for discussions about tire selection, particularly in regards to D2. I don't hold this grudge. For the most part the discussions are productive, at the least they are entertaining. Okay...…
The first year I did 180K D2 I used 28mm tires. They were the maximum volume that my frame at that time allowed. I survived, and enjoyed every kilometer of the ride. I've since sporadically done the 100K, and at each edition I used different tires. I mostly increased the volume over the years. Most certainly the ride of any length can be successfully achieved with any volume tire, but there are some considerations. At some point during the event you will be letting your machine roll down a descent when you will encounter some heavy washboard. Let me tell you, skinny tires suck when this happens. Your head will detach from the balance of your body when you hit this stuff. It has happened to me. If you are a tentative descender, larger volume tires will improve your confidence. Letting the machine roll is helpful to smooth out the rough spots, and larger rubber maintains more stability when this occurs. All of these courses are long slogs, even the 100K. I've found that larger rubber reduces fatigue. The less the machine chatters, the more energy you will have to turn pedals. I also believe that larger tires mitigate punctures. There was one year when I saw a rider, maybe two, who had Vittoria Pave tires mounted. Maybe they thought D2 was like riding Paris Roubaix? In any event, I don't think they made it twenty miles into their ride before they had exhausted their supply of tubes. I chuckled softly to myself. Finally, at some point it will rain on D2 day. There, I said it. It hasn't yet, but it will at some point. You will most certainly want copiously large casings attached to your rims when the inevitable rainy day descends on D2. Despite everything written above, I've marveled at some of the race machines with skinny tires attached to them that have successfully negotiated D2, and with aplomb. My hat is always off to those folks. Last edited by merckx; 08-02-2018 at 12:38 PM. |
#67
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I am not doing it this year. But the last two times I did it, I went with 35mm Panaracer pasela. That was the restriction imposed by my bike.
If I were to do it again, there's absolutely no question in my mind, I will bring one of the other bikes that can take a fatter tire and my tire of choice would be gravel king 40 or 42 mm SK.
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#68
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I like climbing a lot, because I really like going downhill, FAST. But, to support what @AngryScientist said, those are the widest tires my bike can fit and so that's what i ride and still had a blast. Last edited by MisterMurray; 08-02-2018 at 12:53 PM. |
#69
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Gah...there goes my 5 year streak of absolutely perfect weather.
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#70
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To the contrary-I look forward to it as a tradition. Not that i've anything new to add, other than reporting what I'm using. It's interesting how the conversations have evolved over the years. Not all that long ago more than a few people were advocating for skinny tires as being better on gravel generally.
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#71
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But seriously, ride what you have but you will be better off on bigger tires. |
#72
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I'm signed up for the first time this year. I grew up in Western Massachusetts, but never biked seriously while I still lived there. I signed up for the 180k, but I'm a little scared, and contemplating dropping down to the 160k.
For those who have done it before, if I don't know anybody out there going in, are there enough people around that I'll have company, or will I end up riding alone for 12 hours? |
#73
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The 180 is a challenge for sure, an all-day adventure and just as tough as you think, but very do-able with the right gearing, nutrition and hydration. There is also usually a bail out route at least at the lunch stop, if not a few other places along the way. It's only really important that you stay on your registered route until lunch (due to food distribution) but after that you can kinda do whatever you want. Very common for people to combine 2 routes based on how they feel and who they may end up meeting along the way. Bottom line though, you can't miss with either the 160 or 180, or any route for that matter, they are all fantastic. |
#74
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#75
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Marciero pal, are you and your hot S.O. riding on a tandem again this year?
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