Ultracycling

Of course, why didn't I think of that!

I was dead happy I rode an MTB, with 2.4" tyres. I rode with a guy a lot who was on a CX bike (Trek Boone), and he was happy enough with it, but he suffered on the rocky bits, and the washboard (we all suffer by degrees on washboard).

I didn't need aero-bars, or fast road tyres. I was cruising happily at 15-20mph on the pavement and hardpacked gravel on the level using Conti XKings.

Really the most important thing is a good saddle. I tried 4 different saddles in the 18 months leading up to the race, settled on an SDG BelAir. Not that pretty, but man, it's so comfortable.

Thanks @gabes I think MTB is the way I'm going, I've bought a second hand Salsa El Mariarchi and going to play with gearing. SS risks killing my knees and Harry Rowland has warned me off IGH.
So 1 x 11, a short cage RD looks to be the way forward and di2 means that there should be no mud fouling cable issues.
Because Im shallow and they look cool as fuck Im putting a Jeff Jones H bar on. Saddle will be a leather brooks for the same reason. My arse is tough as iron now so not worried about saddle issues, also tempted to not wear padded shorts as I think having a dirty sponge next to my arse will cause more problems than solve.

having a dirty sponge next to my arse will cause more problems than solve

MTB / shy shorts should solve any issues there, no?

Not sure, seems quite simple. Let us know when you've decided a start date/time.

Yeah, the default is lycra, but its quite shit in hot conditions, and there's no need for aero. Think Lael had it right, with her non cycling attire.

You should expect arse issues. If it rains like 2014, you will have them. My mate Andy did, it rained solidly the first 7/8 days, nothing you do will avoid the sores. I trained without padded shorts, got a good leathery patch on both sit bones. I rode in padded shorts, and used Sudocrem (antisepctic properties) and I didn't really have any issues. You still need to have a good hygiene routine. Though sudocrem allows some slack on this. I didn't shower for 8 days on one stretch, but still used some wet wipes on my junk every couple of days.

I ran 1x10, got mud in my chain at Josephine Falls on day 1, put the mech cage into the rear wheel. Bent the hanger. Had 3 gears all the way until I got to Helena to get the replacement dropout posted to the bike shop by Paragon Machine Works.

My mate had rohloff, it was fine, even though the seal broke early on and it drained a fair bit of oil. His biggest issue was the childrens bike chain he bought at Walmart in Grants, NM. It snapped about 10 times from Hachita to the border!

Cheers again @gabes. I'm a big fan of Sudocrem too.
Sounds like you had a lucky escape- rear derailleur getting sucked into the back wheel can be nasty.
The Salsa although heavy (wish I could find the Ti variant) can easily be modified thanks to its rear drop out adaptor plate - that maybe the answer, run SS for the super muddy sections then bolt the RD back on for the gravel.

You're not going to want to bother taking the mech on off, trust me. My mistake was trying to pedal through some incredibly sticky mud. Should have walked and cleaned the chain.

.. I have a lot to learn I guess. Still I have lots of time.

I sweat like a bastard no matter what. I'd prefer to have the kit close to my skin and try for wicking rather than tshirts which get damp and heavy and then chaff like a bastard. I've had bleeding nipples on more than one occasion from baggy tops. Don't do turbo session in tshirt then go for a run in same sopping tshirt, especially if you have bitch tits.

You weren't carrying a spare derailer hanger? Even I did that on the TCR and that's 99% road. I was going to finish it no matter what though so I overpacked.

No! It really was the only thing I forgot to pack :( and besides, the mech was bent too. So when I got to Helena it was new dropout and new mech

I reckon I will still carry one because they're so small and light and deraillers are easy to bend back into working/sort-of-working shape whereas you're fucked (well, bad SS) with no hanger.

What did you do? Bodge SS?

I always carry a spare hanger. Like an innertube.

I bent the mech back as much as I was willing to, without it snapping! And could use the middle three gears. It was shitty.

3 gears? Luxury! Back in my day we had to tether rope to the bike and drag it along with our teeth, what with our arms already carrying our food supplies for the whole month...

I usually run such tractor tyres I don't even bother with spares tubes.

I see Jesse is sending an invite out to all the ultra superstars to compete in the inaugural PWR. Sounds like Steffan is in.

Does he know which way the route goes?

^ Harsh

I've suffered enough navigational issues in my time to make light of everyone else's.

Did you see the Tour of Norway (I think) where they sent the peloton the wrong way? It happens to the pros and they have a marked course with lead cars and shit. Haha. He'll be looking for redemption in Oz :)

Yeah, must be eating him up, poor fucker.

Remember, everything is funny, when it happens to someone else.

http://www.ridingultras.com/events/