Coast to Coast - 100mi (Gravel Race) 2024

[@rodrigocampani4555]

Super strong ride Matt, congrats. Thanks for sharing. It was nice to see me struglling on your wheel for sometime time hahaha. I was second in your AG. Cheers.

[@mi-xc]

Thanks. Nice race yourself, in very tough conditions.

[@sw6493]

Matthew - Great video of the event! Gave me a stress response reliving it. I was the rider on your right early on with the second "Garmin."

[@mi-xc]

Thanks! Yeah, that was a tough day. Also an expensive day replacing all the parts.

[@mc48197]

Fantastic race. Great effort to chase back a few times. Super tough conditions. To our detriment, groad and two-track conditions in Manistee NF after Mile 35 or so were much worse than for you with more rain and more traffic for us. My grippy tires were great on the two-track, but an impediment on the soft groads. I was spent by Big M.

[@mi-xc]

It was bad when we went through I can’t imagine how much worse it was as the weather continued. We were lucky that we could at least ride all the sections.

[@Dubeau2008]

Testament to your perseverance. WITNESSS!

[@mi-xc]

Thanks. It was truly a race of just survival and keeping your bike in somewhat working condition.

[@jvsnotag]

Congratulations on the win in tough conditions!

[@mi-xc]

Thanks! Conditions were brutal but also fun. However my bike didn’t think so.

[@cmcz1207]

nice finish! What size tires were you running and what bike? This was my first race, first gravel race & first time riding 100 miles ever. I did finish though. Any tips on picking up speed other than riding a shit ton more? 🤣 edit: I also rode the course blind. Big M was sketchy with zero brakes.

[@mi-xc]

45mm tires on my Trek Checkpoint. For speed nothing is easy, but yeah, if you can increase your training volume that usually helps as long as you can recover properly.

[@richardwingard4011]

I am trying to increase my stamina when mountain biking, what kind of off bike training do you do? I saw in another video you completing Highland twice! I can barely do it one time! Impressive! Also, which bike do you typically use for XC?

[@mi-xc]

Best thing to do to improve stamina is to increase your weekly volume on the bike. Try to add in more volume by 1 hour of endurance each week. I don’t do anything off the bike except 2x strength training during winter (Base phase). I’m on a 2023 Scott Spark for XC.

[@johncrawford8481]

What advice would give you us 50-60 yr. cyclists who want to train for this type of race, I.e. type and brand of bike, fitness, how you train yourself?

[@mi-xc]

Bike: a gravel bike that can fit a minimum of 45mm tires. Personally I have a Trek Checkpoint. I have no complaints but there are many good bikes. Fitness: this comes down to volume. Building the amount of endurance/z2 hours you do weekly and monthly. Generally, the more volume you can do and recover from will be beneficial along with a couple days of high intensity workouts. How to train: structured training that periodizes your season. I’d recommend TrainerRoad. You can structure a Base, Build and Peak program spanning several months leading into a priority race. Structuring training in this manner will best prepare you. I’ve been with TrainerRoad for 7+ years, and although I’ve now altered my training to fit my needs, their approach has prepared me for years. I’ve seen huge improvements with their methodology and I’d recommend their “Master’s” programs.

[@johncrawford8481]

@@mi-xc Great advice and I will look into a more sustainable training regimen. Love your videos, best of health 👍