The Appalachian Journey – April 11, 2020

[Sunyata]

Hey forum friends! My friend Gordon (one of the co-founders of Croatan Buck-Fifty) has masterminded another event that is sure to be amazing and super fun.

The format is going to be a bit different, as you will need a partner. The thought is that the beautiful gravel roads of Floyd County, VA are best shared with a friend! The race will be run in a duo format, which means that you and your chosen partner start together, ride/race together, and finish together. Races like that are super fun (many big MTB stage races offer duo categories) since you share the entire experience with someone else. Three mileage options with routes that will leave you breathless in their beauty. Oh, and camping is free, but there are other options at the venue for those that might want a bit less rustic experience.

Check it out and I hope to see you all there! Registration opens Thursday at noon!

https://www.theappalachianjourney.com/

https://www.bikereg.com/the-appalachian-journey

Topic

[Judd]

This looks like a lot of fun and I’m most likely in. (Pending discussion with the missus) If it’s anything like Croatan is going to be a well run event.

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[Judd]

@Judd 193064 wrote:

This looks like a lot of fun and I’m most likely in. (Pending discussion with the missus) If it’s anything like Croatan is going to be a well run event.

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Mrs. Lumberjack and I are now signed up For the 65 mile route.

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[secstate]

I’m in for the 110 along with a neighbor I met on the GRUSK. It will be a great spring training goal for both of us — maybe I can rope him into Freezing Saddles this year to get the shared suffering off to an early start!

[drevil]

Are those prices for both people, or just for one person?

[Judd]

@drevil 193995 wrote:

Are those prices for both people, or just for one person?

I think it was per person when I signed up.

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[Emm]

Team Kiss my FLUTTERBEE!!! has been registered for the 65 mile route. With this and Croatan coming up, I’m now in the market for a carbon gravel bike…

And I can confirm–it’s per person on the registration. So I paid $160+fees to register Frank and myself for the 65 miler.

[CBGanimal]

I just registered my daughter and I for the 30+…her first organized ride and race ever! So excited!

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[josh]

@Emm 194059 wrote:

With this and Croatan coming up, I’m now in the market for a carbon gravel bike…

Just put some *thicc* and ~SuPpLe~ tires on your Renegade.

[Sunyata]

@Emm 194059 wrote:

With this and Croatan coming up, I’m now in the market for a carbon gravel bike…

I can not recommend the carbon Warbird highly enough. It has exceeded all of my expectations of a gravel bike. So much so, that when it became very apparent that my original Warbird was too small, I got another Warbird.

[Emm]

@Sunyata 194086 wrote:

I can not recommend the carbon Warbird highly enough. It has exceeded all of my expectations of a gravel bike. So much so, that when it became very apparent that my original Warbird was too small, I got another Warbird.

The Warbird, and the Giant Revolt Advanced (https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/revolt-advanced-0-2020) are currently at the top of my list. I tried the Warbird out when I got my renegade and thought it was really fun to ride. Birru recommended the Revolt, so I think that’s worth a serious look too. I’m not planning on making the purchase until after the holidays, so I’m going to try them both out over the next few weeks hopefully and mull over my decision…

[rcannon100]

@josh 194072 wrote:

Just put some *thicc* and ~SuPpLe~ tires on your Renegade.

I second that. I just got a supple Surly Straggler (700 x 45 tires which can also do 650b x 45). It is a damn fine bike for gravel. Renegade should be a great gravel bike. Check out this guys excellent reviews of supple gravel bikes http://www.pathlesspedaled.com/

That said…. I mean…. WARBIRD!! 😎

(you might also try the KONA Rove)

[Judd]

What’s people’s plans for crank and cassette sizes? My gravel bike currently has a 42 crank with a 12-36 10 speed cassette. It looks like the 65 mile route has about a 1,000 foot climb over 5 miles and then a 1,800 ish climb over 4-5 miles. It looks like an 11-42 is available for the cassette and I could go as low a 34T up front.

[Sunyata]

@Judd 194113 wrote:

What’s people’s plans for crank and cassette sizes? My gravel bike currently has a 42 crank with a 12-36 10 speed cassette. It looks like the 65 mile route has about a 1,000 foot climb over 5 miles and then a 1,800 ish climb over 4-5 miles. It looks like an 11-42 is available for the cassette and I could go as low a 34T up front.

Run what ya brung…

That being said, I have a 50/34 up front (chain ring sizes, not crank size, my crank is 172.5 ) and an 11-36 in the back. That set up has been perfect for just about everything. However, if I had a 1x, I would want a 42 up front and an 11-42 in the back. A 1:1 ratio should be plenty for all but the steepest grades. Although, I am a masher, not a spinner. If I was a spinner, I would probably go for a 38 up front and an 11-42 in the rear. Hope that helps.

[josh]

@Judd 194113 wrote:

What’s people’s plans for crank and cassette sizes? My gravel bike currently has a 42 crank with a 12-36 10 speed cassette. It looks like the 65 mile route has about a 1,000 foot climb over 5 miles and then a 1,800 ish climb over 4-5 miles. It looks like an 11-42 is available for the cassette and I could go as low a 34T up front.

38×17? 😮

But yeah I’d agree with Casey that a 1:1 ratio should be good for paved/gravel climbs that aren’t stupid steep if you’re not carrying stuff. I used a 34×11-42 for the Dirt Farm Hill Climb and it was nice for that, but it’d be way too spinny for the flats and descents.

[Sunyata]

@josh 194122 wrote:

38×17? 😮

But yeah I’d agree with Casey that a 1:1 ratio should be good for paved/gravel climbs that aren’t stupid steep if you’re not carrying stuff. I used a 34×11-42 for the Dirt Farm Hill Climb and it was nice for that, but it’d be way too spinny for the flats and descents.

Considering that I accidentally raced Ed Sander on a 40×17, I can attest that the Journey is totally doable on a 38×17.

#SoGladThereWasBourbonAtTheTop

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