60 miles. Don't recall the elevations. There were a couple steep climbs, but nothing insane.
My sick aspirations have me wanting to complete some winter ultra bike rides. Now, being in Indiana we can have a decent winter, but nothing like Wisconsin (Tuscobia 160) or Minnesota (Arrowhead 135). In order for me to attempt Tuscobia 160, the ride I want to complete before I even consider Arrowhead 135, I need some "winter riding experience" per organizers. I decided on Triple D in Iowa.
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| My Pugsley the night before the ride. |
The only bit of information I remember from the pre-ride meeting the night before is ice, ice, ice, glare ice. Not good considering I didn't have studded tires this day. Had I known of the ice I would've used studded tires.
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| The start |
Not much snow, but there was plenty of ice. My clothing choice worked well, my bike choice was fine, but I really wish I used studded tires. I hit the ground at least 4 times, 2 times very hard. Thankfully I walked away with only a couple of large bruises and cuts on my elbows, knees, and hands. Nothing broken.
My plan was to only stop at controls to get my name signed in and get back on the bike. I didn't want to stop for food or water refills. The only food I brought were Larabars, which I ate one every hour. This plan worked out well for me, I never was too hungry. For water I used my Camelbak under my shell with the hose through the inside of my sleeve. This worked well, water never froze and I was able to keep completely hydrated. I also wanted to finish in the daylight. There, to me, could have been some tricky routing in Dubuque at night.
I finished in the top 15. With about 15minutes out of a top 10. I can't help to wonder if I could have broke the top 10 with studded tires... I think I could have. It was slow going on the icy sections without studs.
The Bike:
2015 Surly Pugsley
Revelate Frame bag
Seat bag
Bar Mitts
Headlight and a blinky rear light.
GPS
Riding clothes:
I never added or removed, except for gloves, anything.
Balaclava and cotton cycle cap.
Wicking short sleeve shirt with a Patagonia soft shell jacket. A little sweat with a couple zipper adjustments.
Bike shorts and Craft pants.
Thin wool gloves and Bar Mitts.
Base sock vapor layer (bread bag) wool sock, 5.10 shoes, and Neos. Feet were good.
Spare clothes:
Long sleeve wool shirt.
Spare thin wool gloves and spare fleece windproof gloves.
Spare balaclava and cotton cycle cap
Fleece band.
Spare base sock and wool sock
Food:
6 Larabars.
Tools:
2 spare tubes.
My regular tools in my seat bag.
Pump and gauge.
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