Gravel Race Up Spruce Knob

[hozn]

I’m doing it this year (finally!).

For logistical reasons I’m contemplating of doing it on my road bike (28mm tires) — terrible idea?

@reji 179098 wrote:

I have 50/34 and 11-32 and my RD is currently maxed at 37 teeth. Since I need a new RD and cassette, I’m looking for suggestions on what gearing to target for GRUSK and future gravelly adventures.

I assume that’s 37t of chain wrap (not max cog size)? — Is this Shimano? 11-speed?

I’d probably go with a Shimano 11sp MTB rear derailleur and get a Shiftmate 8 (http://www.jtekengineering.com/shiftmate/shiftmate-compatibility-charts-choices/). Then presumably you could run an 11-36t Shimano cassette. — Or, heck, an 11-40t or 11-42t cassette! That’s some really, really low gearing.

Edit: In practice you might be limited to 11-36t with the double up front; you’d need to check the chain wrap for those MTB derailleurs. While you can certainly support the big teeth, you might not find a derailleur that can wrap enough chain to support a wide range cassette and a double with that large a gap in front.

[josh]

@hozn 179100 wrote:

I’m doing it this year (finally!).

For logistical reasons I’m contemplating of doing it on my road bike (28mm tires) — terrible idea?

I assume you’ve seen this, but the organizers say

Road bikes are not ideal, but if that is all you have, we recommend tough 28mm tires, but it’s going to be squirrely in some sections.

The Compass Barlow Pass tires I ordered came in yesterday, so I’m finally getting around to getting the wheels I bought off you ready to use. Thinking that’s the setup I’ll probably use for this.

[hozn]

@josh 179101 wrote:

I assume you’ve seen this, but the organizers say

The Compass Barlow Pass tires I ordered came in yesterday, so I’m finally getting around to getting the wheels I bought off you ready to use. Thinking that’s the setup I’ll probably use for this.

Yeah, I do remember reading that at some point — I guess I’ll just take their word for it! I keep going back and forth; I need to fly out with my gravel bike / travel bike the next day, so I’d kinda like to pack it ahead of time. I’ll be coming off of a week off the bike (vacation), so I’m not really hoping to try to stay with the lead group — i.e. I’m not going to be upset if I lose time on the descents. The grass doubletrack sounds fun on a road bike!

Nice! — that was actually my alternative plan too: put my Barlow Pass on my travel bike — and then just break it down / pack it up after the race before driving home.

[reji]

@hozn 179100 wrote:

I’m doing it this year (finally!). I assume that’s 37t of chain wrap (not max cog size)? — Is this Shimano? 11-speed?

Yes, it’s a Shimano 11-speed. Thanks for the advice!

[TwoWheelsDC]

@hozn 179100 wrote:

I’m doing it this year (finally!).

For logistical reasons I’m contemplating of doing it on my road bike (28mm tires) — terrible idea?

Last year, it rained the night before, but even with that the gravel was not bad and mostly solid and smooth. Given your skills and setup, you could be okay. There was one downhill section toward the beginning though, that my G-Ones really struggled with….it’s basically a fast descent on wet grass where the soil is soft and muddy, and if you’re toward the back, it’ll be super rutted from the front riders. Slicks would be very sketchy.

[dkel]

@TwoWheelsDC 179108 wrote:

….it’s basically a fast descent on wet grass where the soil is soft and muddy, and if you’re toward the back, it’ll be super rutted from the front riders. Slicks would be very sketchy.

Just yell “kaplah!” You’ll be fine.

[hozn]

Ha – I knew that Learn Klingon book would someday pay off!

Yeah, I am leaning toward the road bike for simplifying my weekend, but the grass doubletrack on slicks does sound sketchy. I will do my best to remember to be toward the front at that section if I do that!

[josh]

Anyone driving out there with free space for a dude and his bike?

[rcannon100]

So ah….. how was the ride REJI?

[josh]

@TwoWheelsDC 179108 wrote:

Last year, it rained the night before, but even with that the gravel was not bad and mostly solid and smooth. Given your skills and setup, you could be okay. There was one downhill section toward the beginning though, that my G-Ones really struggled with….it’s basically a fast descent on wet grass where the soil is soft and muddy, and if you’re toward the back, it’ll be super rutted from the front riders. Slicks would be very sketchy.

Can now confirm. I think it rained briefly on Friday during the day, but was generally pretty dry. I still wiped out. I was using fairly-worn 34c WTB Exposures (not the Compass tires I was thinking of using), but I think going slower probably would’ve been a better solution.

[reji]

@rcannon100 179390 wrote:

So ah….. how was the ride REJI?

It was awesome and everyone with a Renegade (Emm and Komorebi) or a tandem (Judd) should do it next year!

[rcannon100]

@reji 179400 wrote:

It was awesome and everyone with a Renegade (Emm and Komorebi) or a tandem (Judd) should do it next year!

Anything else interesting happen???

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18116[/ATTACH]

[reji]

@rcannon100 179402 wrote:

Anything else interesting happen???

Lots! Sunyata crushed it! Josh crushed his helmet on the grassy doubletrack! QuikAF’s tire actively disengaged itself from the rim (yikes!) Oh, and some old lady with toe clips managed to find her way to the podium.

[Sunyata]

I think everyone that was there had a great day on the bike! The weather was fantastic, the route was gorgeous, there were cows and sheep, some punishing chunky gravel, delicious beer was served, and I got to see so many wonderful friends do so well at their first gravel race! (And unfortunately, a few friends that had to DNF due to crashes or mechanicals, but they still had fun!)

The look on Reji’s face when I told her she was on the podium was priceless! I would just like to say for the record that I told her she would crush it!

Now… I expect the rest of you to sign up and race next year. It truly is an awesome event!

[Tania]

I’m in for next year provided the women’s weekend at Snowshoe isn’t the same weekend. Again.

DH > gravel.

[Author]

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