Dirty Kanza 200 | 2017 Race Start - 2nd Place in Age Group

[@kimrice394]

Great reading and navigation of such a large group. You earned every spot. Congrats on an awesome finish.

[@360velo]

Thank you.

[@FilipinoMartialArtsCanada]

This is very inspiring! Well done.

[@YellowfinCoachMatt]

can't believe how hard you guys went first hour

[@360velo]

ya - you need to be prepared to go really hard for the first 2 hours. The next 4 are tempo with hard surges on the hills. After that, people stop attacking the hills and it starts to become survival mode, but still pretty hard.

[@johnsmythe9449]

great job, hope you are entered for 2018!

[@360velo]

Here is the same video, but with my power data included: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npushahnn7h8eNE Lots of 400w surgest. They hit over and over. My NP was 262 for the first 6 hours. I was able to take it down after 6 hours. The groups were established and people started to slowly drop off. This race really is amazing. People really don't train for more than 8 hours, so guys don't know how their body will react in the last 1/4 of the race. I tried to conserve as much as possible in the first 8 hours so I could finish strong, which is what I did. I already reserved my hotel for 2018!

[@YellowfinCoachMatt]

hopefully i can get in next year

[@360velo]

Like everything in Kanza, you need to be prepared to "get in". Something like 2500 people are online for 1600 spots. The registration system crashes each year. You need to practice subscribing. The very second registration opens, you need to register. If you wait a few seconds too long, you won't get in. You need to register for a hotel now. I did months ago. Kanza is an amazing race and will test who you are as an athlete. I hope you get it. It's a race you will never forget.

[@uomorana71]

30:34 that's a good wheel to stay on and the view is excellent

[@benjiego22]

Would you recommend carrying a hydration backpack? I don’t think 2 water bottles would be enough for every 50+ miles checkpoint

[@erikgarfinkel3304]

Great job. What age group?

[@pascalbocherel7785]

Great result. Would you recommend to stick with a mechanical group set or Di2 will survive it? What is the ideal gearing? At start line, I noticed pretty much everything, from 2 chain rings to single, and rear cassette, 11x28, 11x32, and much larger ones.

[@360velo]

Thx! Mechanical for sure. I ran Di2 last year and destroyed it. I ripped the electronics out of the housing and then it got filled up with mud. I rode single speed for 50 miles until I could get it fixed. Also, the water crossings are high so electronic is not good for this event - IMO. This year I ran 11x32 in the back (SRAM). There are a few steep hills that I needed the 32 for. I'm tall (6'6") and weight 180, so I need the extra gearing. Lighter riders can get away with less. Also, lighter riders can run 1x. I tried out 1x this year and hated it. The jumps were too big for me to get enough high end for the hills. at 18 - 20mph I was either 70rpm or 90rpm. I hated that. It put too much torque on my knees. I ran the Open Cycle gravel bike with Panaracer 38s. I've spent an insane amount of time researching setups and tires, and I'm confident my setup was the best for me and my weight. Only change next year will be some 3T aero bars and 15,000 more miles of training in between!!!

[@georgeredbranch652]

No mountain bikes? A soft tail with rigid or air fork with just enough pressure in it to take out some of the vibration, and semi slicks. Why would this not be advantages in a race like this? Not disrespecting the bikes used, l reckon they are pretty sweet.

[@360velo]

Some do MTB. Others ride fat bikes. The MTBs have too much rolling resistance. You are better off going with a 40 tire than switching to MTB. The course is not rough enough. Rolling resistance in a 12+ hour race adds up a LOT. every gram / OZ counts in this race.

[@deanzacharias2547]

I"m surprised aero bars and flashing rear lights are allowed

[@360velo]

Ya - next year I'll have a solid aero bar setup. It's free speed. There are plenty of sections where aero bars can be used safely.

[@ejohnson95]

what % portion of the race might you guess that to be? Thanks, great job!

[@360velo]

This video is from the start to approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. The total race took me 11 hours and 49 minutes.

[@ejohnson95]

I'm sorry, I was wondering with respect to an aero bar set up. In hindsight what portion of the race you think you might have benefited from the aero bars. Thanks!!

[@360velo]

As you can see from this video there was not much opportunity in the beginning. But after the 1st rest stop (mile 50 or so). there are several stretches of road that are wide and pretty smooth. From hours 3 to 9 I tried my best to work as little as possible, but based on the group size I did my turn at the front. When I was up front aero bars would have helped to conserve. From hours 9 to 12 I was with one other rider and we were taking equal pulls. The roads were perfect for aero bars - smooth and straight (for the most part). I had a few mechanicals during this period (and one train stop), but when we were moving it was 21 to 22 on average. Being a taller rider, I need to work hard to save energy. I typically give up 30 watts to shorter riders in the wind. So over the next year I'm going to really focus on working the aero bars. If I were to ride DK solo, I suspect I could use them for at least 65% of the ride or more. Hope this helps.