Racing 50 MILES on a single-speed -- Emerald Epic in Steamboat Springs, CO

After Macky's Single-Speed National Championship win, we headed to Steamboat Springs, CO so Macky could tackle his longest single-speed race ever, the Emerald Epic 50!
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[@sydandmacky]

This video was sponsored by AfterShokz. Click the following link for a custom code and 15% off (the code will appear at the bottom of the screen after a few seconds): bit.ly/30pZCkE

[@osp1999]

Thank you for the info! You’re an inspiration, someday I’ll work up the courage to try SS.

[@DeanPattrick]

Been using these headphone ever since they first made them, even met the CEO at IFA the other year.

[@mark-c]

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole with purchasing AfterShokz headphones. I just ordered my third pair, two as gifts. Without your video, I would have never known about them. They have transformed my MTB rides. Thank you!

[@sydandmacky]

Glad you're enjoying them. We love ours!

[@sixate]

5th overall rocking a hardtail SS and no dropper is pretty amazing. Very impressive!

[@melissa7122]

Every time Macky ate some chews, my mind inserted the clip from the last race, "eating wins races!" 😂

[@greggr1591]

“This is the one technical spot on this trail” - and The Boss just dances through it. That’s why Mackey is the champ.

[@noelmarte2835]

This is better than any show on TV. Great job

[@garybell6410]

I see you riding through long grass to pass riders and I wince. I did this once and rode into a deep unseen hole in the long grass. I spent some time in the air, then 3 weeks in hospital waiting for ribs and lungs to repair. The bike ended up 10 metres past me, I was clipped in, and after hitting the hole I went over the bars and pulled the bike out of the hole. Apparently while I was passing the moon I unclipped from the bike and let it continue on its way. Amazing what the brain will do.

[@sydandmacky]

Yeah, it's always a bit scary passing in the grass, but necessary in this race...

[@garybell6410]

@@sq5 All's well, but on advice from the doctor, "Cycling is good but you are too old to fall off", I have toned down my riding.

[@ehdeereotutar6843]

It’s so awesome that you’re giving encouragement when passing the other riders! Kudos to you sir!

[@scvsmokee4188]

Wow Syd, one handed pump action and popping the bead on the rim 2:27

[@jkeiffer]

"Spectating is hard!" hahaha Loved that! Great job to both of you. Macky is so strong.

[@4961Studebaker]

Love this. Spectating is hard!

[@Tumid1]

Shout out to the 2nd place rider who let him pass when he (probably) thought he was in the lead....Class

[@sydandmacky]

Agreed!

[@mikemorris3028]

Really enjoy your race videos, my son had his first race as a sophomore in the Colorado High School league. It was a super fun experience seeing all the kids he has been training with race. Your videos show how far this sport can take you as a life long pursuit. Keep up the hard work and fun content!

[@jamisontobias2752]

I ordered the AfterShokz Aeropex after the last video that they sponsored. I absolutely love them when I ride, hike, mowing the grass, while at work etcetera..... I haver also recommended them to all my friends and family. Everyone loves them. Thanks for a great buy.

[@brentvincent4430]

Great video also love how considerate bikers are, you guys make me and my kids get out on our bikes daily!

[@ZenEndurance]

This was really fun to watch! I used to ride fixie/singlespeed for my training rides because it was so much fun. Did the MS150 on a SS road bike, even. Currently, my gravelbike doesn't have low enough gears and I have to slug it up steep stuff and I love it. Forces you to learn to pedal with better technique and more power, feeling more connected to the bike and terrain for sure. Cool video!

[@shaunroach7829]

What amazing content!!! As a abide single speeder that rides a fatbike all year long I love the SS content!!! Your an inspiration and motivator to the rest of us, to keep on trying to get faster and better. Great job on the this race and the Breck Epic!! Your content is fantastic great job 👍👍👍👍

[@sgdummy]

Watching this made me want to ride with you so I could see how fast you really are!? Then I remembered the last time I raced was like 20 years ago and I never even made it to expert class soooo maybe I'm not as fast as I'd like to think I am as I sit in my comfy chair watching KZbin. Seriously thought, great channel and I'm very impressed with your sportsmanship. Kudos to you sir and great riding!

[@celestecannon7588]

This is great! I've been doing this race for years and it was really fun to see your POV and flying down Little Moab! I will have to review right before next year.

[@joshuabear7735]

I raced at Big Sky in 2005 and the air quality was similar. I swear your voice sounded hoarse near the end. You absolutely shred!!!!!!

[@MTB_Rider_96]

Great finish! It took me 2 MTB races to realize I really hate racing. Mosely I hate racing compared to just riding for fun. It was the training that really got me. It so difficult to train while working a 50 hr a week job

[@pedalhound]

The c02 cartridge disappeared and now it's back! You are crushing it man!

[@empowerperformancetherapy366]

That initial climb is hard on the SS, but yeah.. overall great singlespeed course! Congrats for rocking it and continuing to showcase how badass SSers really are 😉

[@karlstine2065]

Your crew is so great.

[@mattcoalter1769]

As always you're amazing. We need a repair video for the dropper! Having the same problem moves but doesn't stay down.

[@sydandmacky]

We're trying to get ahold of the replacement part and then planning to do one!

[@OnTheRocks1987]

Always great to see the races and adventures you two go on, strong work and keep it up!

[@annkirton9918]

Emerald is my very favorite place to ride. Thanks for posting this.

[@jamesbailey9386]

Awesome Mackey! “Spectating is hard” love it!

[@PumpkinVillage]

That was pretty amazing. Good team work. Your the boss. Take care, Al

[@shreddymercury]

That race was so sweet. I raced it with my dad! It was weird how deceptively long it was.

[@coreymclernon]

Love Aftershokz! The best for mountain biking 👌🏽

[@alexmathews1719]

Amazing race! You're like the Energizer Bunny. Congrats!

[@colinisnowlostincolorado]

Always a pleasure watching you race, especially in first person at Pikes Peak Apex last year. Have a great preseason... What's in store for 2022?

[@ricomacpherson6845]

Congratulations on your race. And your sportsmanship out there as well

[@jennifergallant543]

You are lucky to have SYD in your corner this year bro...

[@whip113]

You capture SS racing so perfectly. It must be the most difficult category for a race organizer to seed into a start corral.

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

Another fantastic result, and great video :)! Congrats!!

[@meatmotorendurance]

Sneak verb -- move or go in a furtive or stealthy manner. For accuracy of statement sake, we need Macky racing in a full Ghille Suit to make this true.

[@GossieMTB]

I just did the NICA race at steamboat. super fun riding out there.

[@timst1983]

Thoroughly enjoyable viewing, well done 👍

[@jackiegammon2065]

Awesome job Macky! Thanks for sharing... what's next for the two of you?

[@mikespringer7894]

Awesome job. Some nice single track right there

[@Deanosaurous]

I've enjoyed your SS content more than anything else. Love riding single speed! And I did this course a few times, it's a good SS one.

[@Lughnerson]

It is very pure.

[@BoonMountainBike]

wow I just watch the whole thing. You passed a bunch of people. Thank you for sharing.

[@maestrop427]

Great video guys! Congrads on the win Macky you look really strong on the bike!

[@gguthinger]

Nice work on the tire change.

[@allydidier791]

Macky you are always the nicest person ever when you pass people :))

[@kennethcolbert2921]

You sir has got your self a very good woman better keep her happy and get her what ever she wants in life.

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

🏆That was fantastic guys Macky you are a BEAST CONGRATULATIONS again on another win!!! 🏆

[@DWCPodcast]

10:35 where did that co2 go? I am learning a lot about mountain biking from these videos. Great work.

[@tomliebau694]

You're are a very polite passer. Congrats!

[@razmtb5028]

as always, you're awesome Mackyyyyyy!!

[@charlesbarton96]

Macky goes full SSXC Dropper post won’t go up/down? Not for a second! Fulllll flat lander! Mr. N. Schurter less a few cogs ;)

[@mustclime5311]

As for the Aftershocks, I got the Aftershocks titanium(because I saw you were using the brand), the battery life is only about 2 hours on this model and you need to charge them right before use....fyi

[@alexmathews1719]

The Aeropex are much better than Titanium. I upgraded this year, the weight reduction and better audio is worth it. The longer battery life is nice to have to.

[@mustclime5311]

@@alexmathews1719 Yea, well, they claimed 6 hours use for the titanium....you get 2 hours. There is also no way to replace the rechargeable battery so when it is done, the unit is garbage. I will not be buying this brand again.

[@HairyMTB]

You have me very motivated to set my SS up for two riding again!

[@striife4823]

Absolutely outstanding job!

[@lagwall]

You are a crazy machine of a human

[@epagent6091]

MACKY! You my dear Sr. are a Beast!!!! 🤘🏽😎

[@havock1013]

I didn’t believe in monsters until I saw Mackey climbing on a single speed.

[@iuxks4464]

The h2o gas tank fell on the air alert😭😂

[@ashtondrake3407]

Macky's a machine!

[@b.r.3232]

Super job!!

[@skyerains2754]

Awesome Job! Syd i ran into your parents at Jakes Rocks yesterday, due to the jersey graphics i like that they were wearing. Macky what music gets you into the zone?

[@sydandmacky]

Haha! Awesome!

[@ellengerl9798]

Fun to meet you on the trail!

[@Shawn-wt4kh]

"Did I overdo it?" Nah, man. I seriously doubt your heart rate even cracked 160 for very long. With your superior fitness at such low heart rates, you could do these races all the time and not really suffer like the rest of us would have!

[@2scoops624]

Mackey, the single speed slayer!

[@mconnorsc]

@sydandmacky CRAMP suggestion, keep small restaurant pack of mustard with you. Cramp hits, take mustard and the cramp goes away. Test it at home next time one hits. It’s crazy, but it works. Also, thanks for the discount code. I lost my Aeropex this summer and now they’ve been replaced.

[@genewest8426]

That was awesome 👌 👏 😎

[@tsalesto]

Watching this reminded me why I quit doing XC when I was about 35. Now at 52, I'm again happy, running an EMTB :) You were correct with the gearing, so easy to blow out on the uphills with too hard a gear. Those races can be won or lost on the uphills for sure.

[@1pho3nixmatt]

You’re a monster. 🤣 Awesome job! Ever try pickle juice or mustard packets for cramps?

[@sydandmacky]

I haven't, but I hear it works well!

[@frankwinters3732]

SUPER show!

[@myroncunningham9042]

Dam mack man you go boyee, sweet

[@joshsmith3775]

Dude, you're a beast 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️

[@JasonLiske]

50.... meh.. as stated in a previous vlog - race the 24HOP SS in Tucson this winter. my old legs managed 17 laps & 280 miles and you can surely do more. It's burning man on bikes. Absolute fun 🙃

[@meatmotorendurance]

Whoa, Did Syd throw on those NEW tubeless with NO levers? #FINGERSOFSTEEL

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Jeez you mountain bikers are polite! Imagine the tour de France like that, mark Cavendish saying "sneak by in your left, thank you" 😆...ain't gonna happen

[@Magoo71]

Wow....Having your Girl- friend be you mechanic? Boy that is aces! My gal would hardly even recognize a Bike tool if stepped on it!

[@stackmanstack]

Felt like looked like you on 230km race 2015 can second overall. 3weeks recovery.

[@dianal.1279]

This single speed category seems like a horrible idea for your knees. Of course, you only get it when you're twice your age.😔 Loved the video! Thank you for sharing!🏆🌻🎉

[@docmccoy9813]

It doesn't seem like a horrible idea, it is. Cadence under 60 is not healthy. Surprisingly, not running a dropper post, seems like a big problem :)

[@kennethelliot8164]

It can be if you push too hard of gear instead of adapting to high cadence on the flats. I look at the steepest grade I intend to ride and work backwards to find pedal force required to move from a stop and keep that under half bodyweight. Worse case you're effectively climbing stairs all day

[@noelgutierrez01]

Felicidadez😀😀👍👍

[@win_on_3588]

Mackey great video or should I say great video Syd? Just a quick question... what do you carry that holds your music? I am assuming you do not carry your phone during a race or do you?

[@sydandmacky]

Yup, just my phone!

[@christhee68]

At 7:20 there was another guy in a Stars and Stripes Jersey. Different age group National Champion?

[@sydandmacky]

Yeah, he apparently won the 50-59 age group (not single-speed) and didn't realize that you're only supposed to wear it in the category you won it in...

[@charlesholland6851]

beast mode!!

[@nickcormode]

seems like you never see macky tailing someone for more than a minute. after that he just passes lol.

[@Lughnerson]

Monster Macky Mash.

[@mustclime5311]

Sometimes you are your own worst enemy. Sometimes not, but mostly you are.

[@perrystalsisworldofbiology767]

The puffing on the first big hill made my chest feel tight just watching it.

[@mikieson]

good job as usual.

[@michaeldowell8188]

Well done great race. What gear ratio do u run and what does your bike weight. Cheers.

[@sydandmacky]

I ran a 30x20 and the bike weighed 21.16lbs with the super light tires and solid post.

[@cgriggsiv]

Here is a suggestion for tires all of Victoria is fantastic and so is maxxis You have got to try and use drifters dual density you would be utterly amazed on the speeds you could achieve going downhill and uphill with inverted tires And with the dirt that you were on on this race those drifters dual densities would have been even better you still get grip and you get to speed of tires for road in a perfect combination

[@ne130dy]

Turn that single speed into a fixed gear and you will be the most hardcore dude ever!

[@gmanisrandom]

Do you have a set playlist or just all random music

[@sydandmacky]

I have a 14-hour playlist I created for Everesting last year!

[@smoothisfast6644]

Two questions. 1) Why no stem with an XC bike? 2) What are the rules for wearing the stars and strips? Any race? Only races in the U.S.?

[@sydandmacky]

1) I was planning to run a 70mm stem, but couldn't get ahold of one, so went with the 45mm I had. Just got a 70 though and am planning to swap it out. 2) You're only supposed to wear it in the category you won until the next year's National Championships. The other guy in my race who was wearing Stars and Stripes won the 50-55 National Champs so shouldn't technically have been wearing it for this race (since it was single-speed).

[@davidtt8372]

@@sydandmacky glad I found this explanation for the guy in the champ kit before I asked. Did you explain to him that he's not supposed to be wearing it like you had to explain the 15 minute break?

[@sydandmacky]

@David Trapp we did have a funny interaction after the race where he asked what category I got my Stars and Stripes in and I responded "uhhh, single-speed" 🤣

[@smoothisfast6644]

@@sydandmacky Thanks! Love your follower interactions.

[@Drogos79]

Congrats! Since eating wins races ....why gummies and bars instead of gels? Don't these absorb faster?

[@sydandmacky]

Yes, but I prefer solid food. Otherwise my stomach says I'm hungry even if I have consumed enough calories!

[@sapinva]

You could have done that on a road bike. Any prize should go to your mechanic/team, next level support.

[@cgriggsiv]

Said you did a damn good job young man damn good job and yes I think you did overdo it just a tad but damn good job at nonetheless you got more stamina and more heart than I do you'll get them next time again fantastic job holy s*** did you do damn good job

[@kylebruna142]

Can't believe you did this race with how bad the smoke was that day! Talk about unhealthy

[@heath6015]

@20:10 was that bike a belt drive SS?

[@sydandmacky]

Yup, there were a couple of them at the race.

[@jurgenimschoot1704]

What's the deal with the other chap wearing the stars and stripes in the SS category while Macky is the US SS champ?

[@franmcgowan4068]

Age group champ?

[@sydandmacky]

Yeah, he won the 50-55 XC, so technically shouldn't have been wearing it for SS...

[@jamisontobias2752]

Maybe he is just patriotic. I wear a toned down version as well as flag socks.

[@Gabesafish]

Why are single speeders faster on certain courses than geared? What is the advantage?

[@sydandmacky]

I don't think there are any courses that a single-speed is FASTER than gears. That being said, there are certain times that a single-speed is similarly fast (steady climbs in the 5-8% grade depending on your gearing) and since they're often lighter, that could be an advantage for that part of the course. But overall, a geared bike will still be faster.

[@Gabesafish]

@@sydandmacky maybe it’s just that Macky makes it look so easy!

[@oklahotb3217]

I am typically faster (which isn't saying much ) on my single speed than on a geared bike on some tracks because I get lazy with gears. You can't get lazy on a singles speed or you will get behind the gear and have to push that much harder to get up to speed when on a geared bike, you can dump to an easier gear to get back up to speed with less brute force. Since I can't get lazy or pay the price, I make sure to throw in more peddle strokes on sections where you can coast in order to stay on top of the gear so that translates into more speed. Single speed has improved my riding significantly because of that and made me stronger and I've incorporated that into riding my geared bikes. And yes, Macky does make it look easy. When he was huffing hard in the start passing all those people, that's what I sound like after a 45 second out of the saddle climb lol

[@Carftymk]

why do you sometimes stick your co2 inflator in your pocket for a few minutes before putting it back on?

[@franmcgowan4068]

So it doesn't fall off in the really rough sections.

[@sydandmacky]

Yeah, I popped it off for the 2nd descent because it was making a lot of noise and I was afraid it would fall off!

[@MarkLarson]

Do you remove your CO2 on the descents? Sometimes I see it and sometimes I don’t.

[@sydandmacky]

I popped it into my pocket on the second descent because it was rattling around and I was afraid it would fall off. Normally I just leave it on, but didn't want to lose it and it was bouncing around a lot because of the hardtail.

[@bikesnboards91]

Holy shit the amount of slugs you passed whoah