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My current mindset is to go big the first day
Why? Negative splits work for long stuff too, not just Hour records...
hippy-
Just to make a good break at the start, there's probably 200 people racing this year, and it would be good to be ahead of a chunk of them, especially if it's wet and muddy. Also, and mainly, to set myself up for a routine of hitting town in the daytime, when stores/diners are open, and sleeping out in the wilderness between. This also has the benefit of being cheaper. As this is the most expensive free race in the world!
When I say 'go big' I don't mean fuck myself up. I mean just ride steady, and ride for a decent length of time (16-18 hours) get a shortish nights sleep then get going again. As I get more tired, I'll sleep better each night. I'm planning 5-6 hours per night.
turnpedal
No, most days I'll be able to hit a town. My current mindset is to go big the first day (get past 2 towns), about 170 miles, then cross the border into the US on day 2 and hit town midday. Then each day hit a town during the day (more chance of services being open) then ride out and wildcamp. There are some stretches, mainly the great basin in wyoming and the gila wilderness in new mexico where it's 250 ish miles with no services. And especially in the gila, i'll be carrying about 6L of water on me.
Mostly I'll try to carry enough food for a couple of days.