CBaron

From what I've heard this (or something like it) is not a new occurrence. I believe I heard about it well over a year ago. -CJB

If we are throwing out suggestions than I say we head to Bentonville! Shorter drive, plenty of resources, great variety of riding. The only thing that it really falls short on is being "remote". -CJB

Lots of good info in this thread. I've got so much to say that I don't even know where to begin. I will say this...if you are not acutely working towards becoming fat-adapted via a Ketogenic way of eating, then you should primarily be focused on eating/consuming/fueling yourself the traditional way via glucose/carbs/sugars. Its simply how its done: your body needs it, requires it and wants to burn it. Figuring out the exact combo for yourself can take time but the basic formulas can be followed and tweaked with good results. I liked to go on super long rides and listen to my body's needs. I found that after consuming gels & gu bloks for a long portion of the ride, I liked to actually have something solid. It could be a PB&H(honey), or ideally a 7-11 personal size pecan pie. Love those things! Hydration-wise, I would run 1 bottle of water, and 1 bottle of overly saturated self-mixed gatoraid powder that I'd keep adding water to through the ride. If I was going deep into pain cave then at some point I'd top the gatoraid off with mtn dew. During races, I set my watch to do a 50 min countdown timer. I then skip the 1st alarm (at 50 min) and beginning with the 2nd alarm, I use it as a reminder to eat a gel about every 50 min. It took a good bit of experimentation to end up at this number. Don't let yourself get to "feeling hungry". If you end up there, you just went too long! The information below is from the point of view of someone who has actively and aggressively been working towards being a fat-adapted athlete: All that being said, I've been eating a Ketogenic style ever since January (with a 2 week break in July). On a daily basis, I regularly consume about only 25-35 net carbs a day (of which about 12-15 grams of those are sugars). On days before a big(ger) event, I do eat a small sweet potato the night before as a low-glycemic carb-up. This was my method for these 2 laps out at LGT and I did a door-to-door time of 6hr flat. https://www.strava.com/activities/1449950329 All of this ride was done consuming no more than 400 calories, of which only 150 of them came from the Stinger Waffle. The other 250 calories came from MCT oil. Likewise, I used this same methodology 2 weeks later at the Ouachita Challenge with good results. https://www.strava.com/activities/1471935804 At the OC I only consumed about 600 calories total, but 3/4 of them came from Hammergel. I've been doing this the first 1/2 of this year as a physiological experiment of sorts. Just to see how it all works. I REALLY like the day to day result of eating like this. Now on to the downsides: During my time as a Keto athlete (cyclist), I find that I regularly have a 'dead legs' sensation. My legs feel a little bit flat. But I can perform and get results even with this sensation. I find myself having PB/PRs and occasional KOM's. But I regularly don't feel fresh. So the most recent time of my Keto experiment has been trying to add in some targeted carbs just prior to my rides to see if this could help. Yes, yes it does. I've found that 1 Hammergel about 30-45 min prior to a ride can pretty much completely remove by dead-leg syndrome. Last week I did what amounted to a 2.4 mile 6 lap circuit race with a bunch of roadies. https://www.strava.com/activities/1788820876 I'm still experimenting with how to best harness this in combination with my endurance riding and events. But as the experiment goes forward, I'm still trying to find out what can work best for me. In closing, I will say that its not all be great either. This weekend I attempted a to ride my concept of an EB LGT-Parmer-Deception Prologue and crashed & burned badly. It was possibly one of the single worst days I've ever had on a bike. https://www.strava.com/activities/1797161605 I'm still trying to analyze what happened. But I can't deny that nutrition could have played a part in it of some sorts. And the heat...and my fitness...and my pride... In summary, I think you have to find what works best for you. And in order to do that you have to put in the time (on the bike) to have successes and failures. Most of my pre-Keto methodology had been pretty finely honed through much training/practice/racing. And to be honest, I'm not sold-out to Keto. I'm very willing to go back to that way of eating. I somewhat foresee a possible combo where I race on a glucose source and then live day-to-day on a low-carb lifestyle. But if I end up there, in retrospect it could have taken nearly a year to figure that out. Later -CJB

Your old man moaning at the end is golden stuff. I don't mean that in an inflammatory way ether. You get right back up on the horse! But you can tell you took a hit. I've always wanted to see the full speed version of this video. Of course the slow has cool effect, but I think more could be learned in regular speed. Later -CJB

When I got my Stache it came with a factory dropper post. I used it 4x's in a month of regular riding. I just simply didn't *need* it. In fact, it sorta messed up the way I like to ride techy stuff. But I'm (nearly a lone) wierdo like that. Dropper is for sale now. -CJB

Thanks a bunch to you all Albert! I'd like to buy beers for that crew. You all deserve it, that had to be some serious work. If everything get taken care of between Cedar Breaks and Sawyer, then it would get everything. The rest of the trail sections seemed fine to me. -CJB

Wow Al! Good on you guys for tackling that! I was just commenting in the DS event thread about this. It was (is) some of the worst tree-fall I'd ever seen in Austin. I'd even considered canceling the (unofficial) DS pre-ride next Monday because of it. I rode LGT (and more) yesterday and that area was a HUGE PIA to get through. Thanks! -CJB

Desert Nomad- Have you heard about the massive tree-fall near Crockett Gardens (and further up in direction of Sawyer)? Its some of the worst tree-fall I've seen in ATX. Looks like a down draft came through and knocked over some HUGE trees. Additionally, there may be 4-5(?) more trees that have fallen over as you head towards Sawyer. Each fallen area is separated by about 100 yds. Some are notable, some are just annoying. Thanks -CJB

Oh and to add a comment about your question regarding the best way to train for long distance. I know this is a 4 letter word around here...but riding the road bike can be a G-R-E-A-T way to build depth into your fitness. If I do any structured training, then its almost always done on a road bike. Additionally, getting out in a group of 30-40 riders who are on the gas, and you don't really know your way back (or have enough pride to not want to get dropped), then you'll dig amazingly deep into the pain-bank during those times. Much MUCH harder than I'd ever go on a MTB, and that does wonders for your overall level of fitness. -Cody "I like all bikes" Baron

IMHO one of the things you have to have really dialed in for the DS are your "touch points". You need to have the correct saddle, clothing, gloves (multiple pairs?), shoes, grips, etc.. -CJB

Thanks Tony for the kind words. However, I was just trying to be clear in that the content/ideas contained in this forum thread do no represent 'formal changes' to our beloved Enchilada Buffet. If this option comes to light, then it will only be for those who voluntarily desire to punish themselves. :) -CJB

Or maybe some nachos?!?

Please don't get me wrong. I think it is very wise and prudent to prepare and train properly. The better prepared you are the better of a day you will have. Its part of why I try to lead a handful of Thumper EB pre-rides leading up to the event. I REALLY want people to be more familiar with that trail and what they are getting in to. But what I also want to convey is that this IS NOT an event for the 'hardcore' riders only. I think riders who look towards the EB end up feeling its just sooooo big and soooooo out of reach. Its not and thats the example I want to show them. All that being said, we are now about 2 months away from the event date. If you are wanting to build real fitness beforehand, you cannot wait any longer. Its time to get training, NOW. -CJB

Thats the idea, but it would go at the beginning. The plan would be to begin around midnight before the EB at LGT. Make a lap of LGT, then ride down Parmer to Deception, then continue on along Parmer to WC. The goal would be to arrive for the start of the EB just before 6:30am. -CJB

I've got an iPhone 6S+ that can quite easily go-the-distance if I'm using Strava to track. But its in my pocket the whole time. I don't use it for directions and such. -CJB

Then I'd wager there is a 99.9% chance that you'll finish! Over the years, this type of attitude is the #1 determiner if someone can complete the EB. Its not how fit you are, or how technical you can ride, or whatever....it's an unrelenting motivation to NO QUIT. Those other things, they determine how you will feel in the days following the EB. The first year of the EB we had 2 guys who were work friends who had picked up riding MTB together. I think by the time the EB came along they had only been riding lipless pedals for a few months. We had another guy who was riding long(er) travel trail bike before that was 'en vogue'. After finishing, he said the longest ride he'd ever done was only 25 miles. He completed the EB on a 5"+ travel bike with chunky rubber (this was back in 08'). I could keep going, but you get the idea... -CJB

For almost 6-7 yrs Travis (SherpaXC) and I have been teasing with the concept of adding in LGT (and now more recently Deception) to the EB. But know this: I AM NO LONGER AFFILIATED WITH THE EB AND THUS HAVE ZERO INFLUENCE WITH THE OFFICIAL ROUTE. The general themes for the genesis of the EB were to create an event that introduces "epic" back country type riding inside the safe-zone of a city limits. Many people can't, or have not been able to, get away to epic riding locales that test their resolve and endurance. The EB was designed as that introduction for them. Additionally, a theme was to attempt something that you were not 100% sure that you could complete. I publicly stated, in the lead up to the 1st EB, that I had some reservations if we'd actually have finishers. In the end 17 ppl showed up and 14 ppl finished. I was flat-out wrong. The next year we extended the route through BCGB, added in St Eds park, included the nasty road climbs of Courtyard & Jester. That year we had 60 ppl show up and 52 finish. Once again, it was obviously not tough enough. Therefore in the following year(s) Travis and I began to discuss what could be next? In the end we ended up handing the EB over before we could implement some of these adjustments and these questions have been rolling around in my head ever since... Thanks -CJB

I've got to look at my calendar more closely, but as usual, I'm up for leading a Thumper-St Eds pre-ride. Would be great to do it on a Saturday. But I know my Saturdays are fairly busy at moment. I'm thinking a Thursday or two could be in the works. -CJB

I've also recently discovered that there are quite a few places to get water at the guard stations in each of the parks(?). Previously I thought the only spot to refill was Tejas. But thats not the case. Last year we did this same ride on Labor Day and I believe the temps were 71* when we started and I'm sure they were in the 90's when we finished. Everyone can start hydrating now. :) -CJB

AntonioGG for the win. -CJB

Here are the details of the pre-ride. I've been meaning to bring some of this over here, but I've just been too busy and lazy. http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/14-austin-voodoo/177227-monday-sept-3rd-lgt-unofficial-dragonslayer-pre-ride-call.html To directly answer your question, no we will not try to stay together. However, last year we had about 12 people and a good few ended up riding together. My group settle into a group of 4 riders (for 2 laps). I don't really know what to say about the heat. My initial reaction is to tell everyone that this is Texas, its been 90-100 for months so HTFU. But then again, I don't want to brow-beat anyone into doing something that is overly dangerous for themselves. So in the end, I'll say this....if you're planning to come and do 2 laps at the pre-ride, then I trust that you are not a rookie rider. This should mean that you should know yourself, your limitations and how to prepare. Eat, dress, ride accordingly. I myself, do fine in the heat, especially if I keep moving. You can always just do one lap, and that could very well be completed before noon. -CJB

If we are making suggestions for header photos, can I offer this up? We did a TF photo shoot about 10 yrs ago and wanted to capture something 'essentially Austin' and this was one of the shots. IMHO what it captures is pretty iconic to ATX riding.

This year marks the 10 yr anniversary of the EB. I was digging through the original EB thread (and a few that lead up to it) recently. I was impressed and inspired by how people jumped at the chance to challenge themselves. At the time it seemed nearly herculean! But here we are 10 yrs later and its very common knowledge that the EB is COMPLETELY doable by most mortals. So now I have to ask..."Does the 10th anniversary warrant a step up in challenge?" When I direct that question to my self, I have to say that they answer may just be..."YES". Gimme your thoughts? Thanks CJB

You guys need to come out for the (unofficial) DS pre-ride on Monday the 3rd, Labor Day. You can get a good idea as to what 2 or 3 laps will involve. Later, CJB

Not much really. A few names are different and its missing the add-ons due to the loss of trail from encroachment by the concrete path. -CJB