Looking for a group to ride the 100 mile road (or gravel hybrid, if a group already exists) this weekend. Trying to break my sub-5 hour century mark on the road, which I know I can do, but probably not do alone, but with a coordinated paceline it shouldn't be too bad. If it's the gravel version maybe sub 6 hours? Don't have a great sense of that course. Post here or DM me if interested.
I’m curious if folks have suggestions for cross country MTB routes within 1 hour of the metro. I know plenty of good gravel, but nothing really rough enough to justify an MTB. Even 40% MTB/60% gravel would be a win. RWGPS suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks.
EDIT: I’m aware of all the local single track parks, and although some could maybe be called XC, I can only do the blue loop at Leb so many times before I go insane. I’m looking for something where I can do 40-60 miles. North shore is great for this, but that’s not a day trip.
I post this not to complain or brag, but only to see if anyone can top it. We’ve got productive, unproductive, maintaining, strained, overreaching, and peaking all in the last 4 weeks.
I don’t put a ton of stock into this but I was training for a double century, so what you’re seeing is a lot of long Z2 rides, which tends to make Garmin think my VO2 max is declining. The “overreaching” is the day after the ride itself. Also my HRV is just generally low so it doesn’t take a lot to push it into “unbalanced”, opening up the “strained” status.
I'm in search of a relatively light tent for use in the BWCA, but that is also relatively large. Background: We (2 adults 2 kids) used to use a Kelty 4 person backpacking tent, but as the kids have grown this doesn't quite work anymore, now that they have full sized pads. Last couple years we have used our car camping REI Kingdom 4, which is great, and has a footprint of roughly 100x100. However it's damn near 20lbs, and doesn't pack down well - it comes in it's own backpack type bag that is probably 30x15x8 or so. We typically put all our sleeping stuff (pads, bags, and tent) into a single large portage pack, but this stupid tent doesn't really fit and creates another item we have to portage. Is anyone aware of a 100x100 (roughly, can't be much small, can be larger) tent that is somewhat lighter (a little important) and packs down small (more important).
Best Idea is currently the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 6P - huge tent and a reasonable weight, but I'm worried won' pack small. Would also add we're lookin for under $300 or so; if it's more than that we'll just haul the big boi we've already got. Thanks.
EDIT TO ADD: The kids are big enough for full size sleeping pads, but still want to be with mom and dad in the tent in the wilderness, so we're sticking with one tent for now.
You can only wear cycling kit from a single manufacturer for the rest of your life. You may choose however you like (assume cost is a factor, or not, range of offerings, etc). Who are you picking?
I'll admit I don't have enough experience with certain parties to say, but I'd be fine with Ostroy or Giordana - both have good quality, range of equipment, and I've liked what I've had. Honorable mention to Bontrager - they're great for cold weather gear.
Curious what people would throw out as some of the hardest cycling events available to amateurs? Road/gravel/MTB all OK. Criteria:
Must be at least reasonably available to the general public (lottery/qualification events OK)
Must be generally thought of as a one-day race/ride
Potential entries:
Unbound 200 (the 350 violates rule 2 above; it also has a 50-75% DNF rate)
Leadville 100
Triple Bypass
L'Etape du Tour
Others?
I'll admit the jersey matched, tiny fingerless gloves used by tour riders look pretty slick. However, gloves are enough of a functional item for me that I can't be bothered to make any fashion sacrifices for them. I need 1) cooling 2) reasonable but not excessive padding and 3) a thumb based wiping rag. Finding all three in a brand that fits is harder than expected! My go-to is a $20 pair of Plant Bike crocheted gloves, fits all my criteria but wears out every year. I bought some Demarchi $50 ones that I thought looked slick and better quality, but upon receipt the fit wasn't great and (despite the images) there's not really a thumb wiper; quality is solid though.
Stayed recently. This one flies below the radar a bit IMO; doesn't have the convivence of a Jay Cooke or Gooseberry, or the scenery of a Split Rock or Tettegouche. However, the campground itself is quite nice; facilities are in good conditions, sites are nicely spaced (lots of variability on this point but nothing awful). Biggest downside is if you're in a spot close to 61, you can hear it at night, however it's not particularly busy that far north.
Bonus - there are a ton of hiking trails right there, and hiking up the Cascade River is pretty scenic - you don't get the huge vistas of the big lake but that river has cut a nice gorge through the rocks. Freebie idea - grab your dinner and head down to the few picnic tables / firepits on the lake side of 61; they're not reservable but often open. Overall 8/10.
Context: going in soon at Lake One. Looking at the map - if we head east there’s gotta be 30 campsites on this lake? Maybe they’re sheltered (stayed on Ensign before and didn’t hate it) but this kinda looks like a mess. Thinking we’ll head W/SW down Kawishiwi or something like that. Thanks.
Inspired by another thread on here - what's your pick for the best coming of age musical? A few suggestions to get you started:
Heathers, Dear Evan Hansen, Be More Chill, Kimberly Akimbo, I suppose Mean Girls fits the theme.
I submit Rent doesn't count (they're too old/that's not really the focus) same for West Side Story (there's no real maturation of the characters here). But as always, you may disagree.
Background: I got a new gravel bike a few years ago - pretty well spec'd; I asked the shop guys what they'd upgrade and the first thing they said was "well this is a pretty basic saddle". I didn't do anything with it, and never really had any issues - have done multiple gravel centuries and other long rides with it with no real saddle specific issues (I mean stuff would hurt, but after 8 hours stuff is going to hurt).
However I'm training for a double century, and and this "new saddle" thought came bubbling back up. After a bit (but not a ton) of research I settled on the Fizik Tempo Argo R1 as a pretty universally acclaimed endurance saddle. However after a few short rides, this thing is hard! Turns out I think I like a nice soft saddle. Should I give this thing a bit of time for my body to settle in (I've read saddles don't really "break in") or go back to way I know?
Sidebar: It'd be great to get more of these going around here.
We stayed at the Grand Marais city campground right off 61. We're always tent campers, we were in one of the 300 sites, a bit away from the main area. Sites are good, and in a nice slightly secluded and wooded area; unfortunately they are right on top of one another - would be a lot better with 30% fewer sites. Lots of water access, but only port-a-potties near the sites, but not at all a long walk to the proper bathrooms. Also pretty easy access to the lake, which is nice.
Was worried you'd hear traffic from 61, but that wasn't really an issue. However Saturday night we heard music coming from [somewhere], not in the campground, going until damn close to midnight. A little surprised the community allowed this, I'm guessing it was coming from the Up Yonder Grill but don't want to slander them unfairly.
It is very nice to have a campground that feels wooded and rural, but you can still walk into town if needed. Overall I'd give it a 7/10 (deducts for the bathrooms and proximity to other sites) WITHOUT THE MUSIC, and 4/10 with it. Not sure if that's a regular occurrence or not - if folks know please chime in!
Coming into town in a few weeks - I'm wondering if folks have suggestions for a good coworking space for a day. I am willing to pay. All I really need is wi-fi, a place to sit, and the ability to make/take a few calls. Would prefer not to sit in my car outside the Two Harbors McDonalds again. Thanks.
Anyone got tricks for removing a tubeless valve stem, roadside, in the case where everything else has failed and you're got to put the backup tube into service. I've never had to do this, but I typically crank the nut down pretty good, and am extremely unsure if I could get it off without a wrench. Assume I've got a decent multi-tool to work with.
I sure hope the last square makes it clear this post is a joke.
Just got a used M/L sized Trek Supercaliber, and while the saddle position/cranks feel fine, at 6-0 I feel a little off. It's currently got a 70mm -13 degree stem. I don't really do much technical riding, I'm really in this for comfort on long XC rides and honestly being upright feels worse than being hunched over. Am I nuts/any other ideas? I tried inner bar ends on a different MTB but really did not like that.
I'm mildly surprised this doesn't happen more often - not so much due to canoe loss, but to severe injuries. My nightmare is a fall with bad leg injury deep in an area with no cell service. I want folks to be self reliant but am glad something like this exists.
"Two Minnesotans trapped in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness were hoisted into a helicopter in a bold nighttime maneuver last week by a team that has become increasingly vital to rescue efforts across the state.
The Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) found the canoeists — stranded and soaked after their canoe capsized in frigid waters — and slung rope from hundreds of feet above to reach the pair and bring them to an airport dozens of miles away.
Both canoeists were uninjured and are expected to be OK."
Gift Link: https://www.startribune.com/article/601846773?utm_source=gift
Coming for Memorial Day, staying in Sister Bay. Trying to decide whether to bring gravel bike or road bike. Preference is for gravel, but my brief research has indicated there doesn't appear to be much around. I'm looking to do 80-100 miles and am OK if less than half of it is on gravel as long as I can stay away from cars. Or you can just tell me to bring the road bike! Thanks.