STORMCHASER a Mid South experience

We’re stoked to share this ride report from @unlearnpavement that recounts his first ever Mid South attempt! I hope it captures some of the magic that we’re all looking for when we take on a challenging ride like this one.
When Mid South weekend kicked off in Stillwater back in March our team had one goal in mind, to make sure every participant had a Mid South level challenge to take on. By the time Saturday rolled around, everyone on our team was pretty wiped from the planning and implimentation of the distanced format. None of us were planning to ride the course, let alone tell a story like this. We didn’t see this story bubble to the surface until the wee hours before Saturday morning. Documenting this weekend was a lil bit of a challenge. My main goal was to photograph everyone that came out to ride. One guy chasing a group of riders around 100 miles of mud. It was kindof a beautiful disaster. My van got stuck more than once while shooting, and access to the best parts of the route were totally inaccessible by vehicle. (Which is why you see a good bit of drone footage) This edit came together after scraping together all the footage from our phones and cameras. It’s a lil rough around the edges, but hey, so are we. Hope you enjoy it!
I’ve gotta send a big warm hug to our good friend @Bryancouchman for swinging in like an angel with his 4Runner to drive me around and shoot what we could. His help made this edit possible!
We all know how much these rides mean to us, so it’s good to see Bobby get a little dose of that too! We’re so ready to have you ALL back to Stillwater to ride these roads together!
Cheers,
Josh

[@toddeyster7557]

I rode the 50mi (56mi) option this year and it was epic. I was so excited to see the chaise, it is usually near the end of the long course so I never expected I would see it (I am a 50 mi kind of guy). There was plenty of hike-a-bike starting at about mile 36, a terrifyingly slick down hill turned into OK peanutbutter on the way up out of the ravine. The best part was at about mile 48(?), I was beat, all alone, and came over a rise and there was a group of 15(?) people taking a break. I stopped, thinking it was a random water stop, and a guy yells out "Dude, you need a beer?". I have never heard anything so beautiful. This whole group was riding together and invited me to join them there rest of the way. It was so nice to have a tow in and make some new friends.

[@themidsouth]

That sounds exactly like the kind of hospitality you'd expect to find on the side of an Oklahoma dirt road!

[@cale76]

“It makes me wish I was strong.” is the thought I have literally every time I see a singlespeed.

[@themidsouth]

exactly!

[@derekdavis6508]

I can just see the calf locking up, I have terrible spasms.

[@peatyxxjxxx1494]

13:27 the second best reason to ride single speed. Not having to think about the bike makes you so much faster. The anxiety one has about the failure of multiple components that would end their ride causes most to not push as hard or to take more precaution when dealing with rough terrain. When all that’s gone you focus more on when and where to put the power down. I’m from the school of you can’t give people too many options because if you do they will overthink it and over complicate it. Bicycle industry is proof of this.

[@RamTruckSteeringFix]

Big Respect to all you finishers of this epic effort. Makes doing a paved century look like a breeze in comparison ! I'm just buying my first SS Gravel Bike a Fantom Uno. I already do a Road SS bike so this is not entirely unfamiliar ground for me, but having a Gravel SS will def break new ground. Today I road a hilly 30 mile club ride on my Langster SS in 48x18 = 77 gear inches. A bit much for the hills ! Am strongly considering buying a White Industries DOS - Double Freewheel in 17 + 19 to augment this new Gravel SS bike. If anyone reading this has this super high quality White Freewheel love to hear your take on it. I just seem like it's needed especially considering this new Fantom Uno SS had disc brakes & thus NO Flip Flop hub, which I had relied upon for gearing changes on my Langster. Great job guys. I'll sure consider joining your ride next year !

[@smouvemouves]

NIce recap summary of the MDS! I'm sold to attend the 2024 event! 💪🏾

[@scottatkins8381]

Awesome video of what looks like an epic day. Can't wait to do the Mid South again! Thanks for sharing Bobby!

[@sandswan]

Can't wait for this year. It's my first gravel race... well, "event". I'm in my mid-to-late 40's. The only person I'm hoping to beat is myself!

[@youngzoo5]

Would love to her more about the Stormchaser build, wheels, crank, chain ring, cogs, etc.

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

Great. Thanks for sharing

[@alanatkins3769]

Epic my dude! I can’t wait to get back there!

[@mozzyforest]

Stoked to have come across your channel dude bad! Really good stuff

[@ecast1500]

doing this on a single speed, I salute you

[@RichardAlbores]

"Oh, my hand cramped!" - Bobby (after giving the finger to the camera) - LOL

[@mikechajecki7323]

Great video and the ride looks bananas but the good kind.

[@bluegull1541]

Awesome!!!

[@elevatedpursuits3590]

i am having an out of body experience as i type this

[@ahnee1111]

Because you can. Sweet vid

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

Very nice.

[@keithmcgarvey8273]

Hi Bobby! I’m going to have to come down and check this one out! I still owe you a beer that I got from you at the Unbound finish line in 2021 around Midnight after I crossed the line. Cheers!

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Jeez KZbin, it took you 2 months for your algorithm to show me this! .....maybe you knew I'd be envious of the Yanks and those hilarious wild looking roads ....and you'd be right😆

[@peatyxxjxxx1494]

5:29 The best reason to ride single speed and why most people don’t. If you want to see what you are truly made of ride a single speed.

[@derekdavis6508]

My favorite on a ride is allsups chimi with chocolate milk, either puke or crap, usually it's a treat when you are done.

[@derekdavis6508]

I'm just an average commuter, I'd have to train for this, I go a few miles a day.

[@juanmigueldeleon4763]

Man what a beast!

[@jbratt]

I’ll be there next year for the 100. I’ll be able to register early because of the cancellation. I am guessing emails will be sent out when the early registration opens?

[@themidsouth]

Correct, we'll be in touch via email about 2022 registration! We can't wait to have you all here!!!

[@jbratt]

@@themidsouth thank you. 👍

[@kjwagoner]

What gearing did you use?

[@timothymadaras1613]

Is this a single speed race and when is it held and where?

[@themidsouth]

Hey Timothy! There is a SS category! March 11-12 in Stillwater, OK. Reg opens late October. :)

[@knicosaluria7613]

What gear ratio brother btw nice video

[@kris8165]

😂🤣😁

[@grantswiseman2164]

What bar bag was that you had on the stormchaser

[@themidsouth]

It's a great bag from Outer Shell.

[@vanhellsingjan4228]

Nie gravel, ale dobre sprevodovaný AllMTB s dobrými gumami je cesta 😁😉

[@K1989L]

I'd gear that bike down so I could ride as much as possible. No need to be strong when the gearing is right.

[@MulksBikes]

What's a "paint stick"???

[@themidsouth]

It's literally just a paint stir stick. It's perfect for clearing mud from the wheels and drivetrain. Sometimes even provided by the event or sponsors. There are probably hundreds of them embedded deep in the roadbeds around Stillwater.

[@MulksBikes]

@@themidsouth gotcha. Makes sense. Thanks for the explanation

[@apollochimp]

what the f*** did I just watch.