What worked, what didn’t | DNF at Race Around Rwanda

[@MargeSimpson-ei3nn]

Glade you addressed preparation. For a 625 mile 5 day ride need to reach 500 mile/week in training on the bike you will use, on similar terrain. 61/82 finished so most prepared well. Proper prep will also solve fueling, neck pain, saddle sore (near wear new kit on a race!)...The local female rider Violetta Reza (78 hr) did big miles before hand. The male winning male Justinas Leveika did another race the week before (and won!). I would also use full hot waxed chain with a spare. Just no substitute for 2-3 months of conditioning. Lael Wilcox does 20 000 miles per year!

[@deblordoutdoors5783]

I’m unlikely to ever do an ultra, but found this really interesting nonetheless . I like getting into the minutia of things, so really enjoy this kind of breakdown. ☺️

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danielschaaf7523]

I live in Texas and have followed your videos for years. I was telling a friend of mine who lives in Seaford E Sussex, and whom I got interested in watching your videos, that I hoped you would do an epilogue on the failed ultra ride. And here it is! Excellent recap of what worked, what didn't, and what didn't get explained as the tour wound down to a DNF. Very well done and you covered the issues very well here. I've done plenty of Ultras in the states, in the last 20 years and I felt your pain. But despite the issues you kept your chin up and did your best to be positive - I like that about all your videos. Looking forward as always to your next adventures - always great videos, and none are ever boring in my opinion. Cheers for this!

[@jeztv9014]

Good update, like the honesty 👍😊 Re the Albion burner...most useful bit of kit I didn't know I needed 🥳

[@heldemel2035]

Fascinating! I can pretend I know all about racing ultras now whereas the reality is I mostly commute around Cardiff

[@veriest1]

I saw the burner thing in one of the videos so I’m really glad you mentioned it. When I saw it I couldn’t believe my eyes, I was like, “No! Yes! Why didn’t I think of that!” Anyway, loved the series! Keep up the good work!

[@dalethornington1527]

That race around Rwanda must have been quite challenging for the two of you. Big Kudos to the two of you for the strong effort! ❤❤👍👍

[@giellekefietst3999]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Definitely NOT boring at all.

[@donaldryder5534]

Really useful! I have a 1000 mile ride this summer and I took a bunch of notes.

[@chrisstrider]

This has been a great series

[@mona_explores]

Super helpful/useful/interesting!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

[@bettyourcampervan]

Well done to you both for giving it a bash 👍 i loved my time in Benin and Uganda......all the roads are red 🤣🤣❤️

[@wsbygt]

M o r n i n g ! Loved the insight and how you make ultra fondos look easy!

[@larsh8560]

What an epic adventure that was! And so many lessions learned. You will do even better next time you decide to do an ultra

[@timstoddart2998]

its not boring,you were amazing,well done both of you.

[@SoorAurora]

Enjoyed that, I think a good evaluation is really helpful. Thanks.

[@gratstagram]

I just love that your cat’s name is FENRIZ! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@markh9194]

Super, thanks for sharing your thoughts... Don't think I'll ever do an ultra but lots of useful tips to take away from your experience👍

[@glennwilliams5869]

Really useful review Juliet. Thank you for sharing 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Nice to hear, thanks Glenn. My pleasure

[@digerati808]

​@@JulietElliottsChannel Why did you put the bacon strips between the rim and tire, and did it work?

[@philmadhippy]

That was an interesting series to watch, it was a massive achievement to get that far well done.

[@Tom-mb7cf]

My biggest ultra tip is adding that GPX file to Google maps. It's great to see an overlay of the route, especially when looking for food, bike shops and accomodation.

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

yeah, that's what I meant by the Google map

[@boredalreadywiththis]

Kudos on the ride. Even with a DNF that's still an impressive ride. I'd definitely be interested in hearing more about the Garmin in a future video. That sounds like an interesting tweak they've made with that.

[@richardharris8538]

I admire your courage and perseverance, to say nothing of your indomitable spirit.

[@mattysrides]

Fascinating stuff - well done. I would love to do something like this one day...

[@HariMilburn]

ooh interesting with the aerobars! I am super pleased i took mine and always am when i do anything long distance even if there's chucky bits! Yes to dynaplugs! So thankful for mine!

[@miker4926]

Great series and very useful tips, well done what an epic challenge!

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Enjoyed your debrief, always good to learn from others , im doing my first endurance race in June so all the little tips invaluable . Im already anxious about the event 😅. Look forward to your next endurance adventure 👍😃

[@phoffen3829]

Really enjoyed the African adventure race. I am sure with a bit of fiddling, you can get the Garmin to work better for you. It is nice though, to have a phone as a backup, with Google on, even just for the bigger screen. None of them is as easy as a map on a kitchen table!

[@taniamasham114]

Thanks Juliet that was very interesting 👍

[@ellejay4497]

Not boring at all! Nice breakdown.

[@Trm72]

It was great series 🎉 👏👏👏

[@vicnichols3674]

Great effort well done. No harm done in stopping. Health and wellness come first. There will be other races. Loved updates best wishes for future.

[@peterhearnden7634]

Not boring at all, very insightful review of your adventure.. great video

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mistersmith158]

Lovely lovely lovely Juliet you learned a lot gained some confidence and had a good time win win win IMO Can't wait to see what you are up to next keep the videos coming sending you lots of love and good vibes from USA

[@knightwish1623]

On a long adventure ride would it not be an advantage to have a front wheel hub dynamo (if you could buy one) for the lights. You wouldn't need to charge the lights and you would have no fear of the lights dieing on you in the middle of the night. Agreed it would add a bit of extra weight but I don't think the ca 200g - 300g would make that much difference.

[@richardgate1571]

I use a dynamo and love it, no battery anxiety. But fast chargers are making battery lights more effective if you have access to cafes etc en route

[@Francesco_M.]

Perfectly fine video Juliet, there's nothing to worry about really! 😁 Just to get out of the rain forest unscathed is a masterwork in and of itself , at some point I began worrying about your safety more than anything else; You two sure you weren't down there to film a scene of The Last of Us? I am Legend 2 maybe, which will premiere in 2 years time 🌍 😄 That said, you will have gained such insights from that experience that the next time around you will be granted much benevolent luck and fare much better: I very much hope so! Have a much need rest, take care ! 🌞 =)

[@bryguy6509]

I've been waiting for this video!! Great summary and breakdown of things, I appreciate you taking the time to do a summary/lessons learned video. I have never done a trip beyond 40 miles, but I've got big plans such as KAW in the UK. I will take all of these things into account as I start my cycling vacations. Appreciate the insights. I can't wait to see where you head next.

[@christinacooper3954]

Kudos for what you both did achieve. Enjoyed your journey 👏👍🥳

[@flamencoguru]

Good stuff! I knew there were a bunch of lessons learned on this wonderful journey! That's the best part of perceived failures, they're a breeding ground for lessons and improvements! Congrats!

[@ArtDrawColour11]

I love the tech review and definitely not boring! How did your Rab jacket perform?

[@mandowebster8728]

Great video, thank you! Many of us are just trying to figure out how to complete something similar, so this information is really helpful in building confidence to try something “bigger”.

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gemmatredwell1734]

Great video Juliet, I'm almost tempted to try an ultra !!

[@gregperron9744]

Well done, thanks for sharing.

[@hmwelch99]

Most helpful, thank you. Was hoping you would do this.

[@juleskan4142]

More bikepacking videos please

[@giosamp]

Loved the coverage of the RAR! You and a friend of mine who did it as well inspired me to sign up for next year! Any chance you could share the Google Map Doc with the hotels, or maybe indicate where I could find it? Thanks!

[@bah5310]

Great video. What did you call your light jacket?

[@catherineodwyer27]

Great stuff.. loved watching this... can you tell me what make the pink jersey you loved is? Also, can you recommend a ladies MTB/gravel gilet. Thanks, keep up the awesome riding and videos

[@ROUVY]

Love that format. And you did great!💛

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Yay! Thank you!

[@kerrysupporter]

Very interesting 🤔

[@thezaneo]

Really enjoyed following your adventure. Any chance of a bike check video 🚲

[@davidweisz3338]

Question on spray sunscreens (which I have barely ever used) - I thought you were supposed to rub them in after spraying them on. Do you find they are sufficiently effective just from spraying on (even over that layer of dirt)?

[@richardgate1571]

Calypso sun cream from Aldi or Morrisons is a clear gel and fantastic. One application works all day. Worked for me on TCR perfectly, never burned.

[@Trailchaser-NE]

Excellent video Juliet - I've watched quite a few ultra videos and common DNF themes seems to be around sleep deprivation, riding at night (with sleep deprivation) and managing to eat/drink/fuel (or not) effectively on top of that. Is this something you can train for? Or is it something you can manage? What part does the mental preparation make - like if you've previously experienced running out of energy in the middle of the night while extremely tired - would that actually help - in other words would you be able to tell yourself "this is only temporary and I can get through this"? Personally I've seen people alongside me on long Audaxes, pack - when in reality they could have carried on if they stopped / ate / drank. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@cjohnson3836]

I think you can. Don't have a race background. But have spent a lot of time sleeping vulnerable in the backcountry. Watching race vids it seems to me a lot of people have sleep anxiety. You are already not sleeping much due to the nature of the race. But then to lose even more just lying awake unable to sleep makes it worse. Or, waking up at every sound. The good news is that its easy to train. Just camp enough to get over the psychological barrier of it.

[@richardgate1571]

I find riding through the first night generates sufficient sleep deprivation to make falling asleep when you want to, really easy. I use earplugs if needed and take a pillow to make sure I’m comfy. You need to determine your own sleep needs for a longer race, I find 4-6 hrs works for me over 2 weeks

[@cjohnson3836]

Nah freezing wet is absolutely correct. I don't think many people realize just how cold you can get just from being wet. I got hypothermia twice in a 6 day hike to summit a volcano in Ecuador. It was 20c (~70f). But record (for the time) rainfall. I absolutely could not get warm. Wet cold is the worst.

[@caveboy9988]

awesome. thanks juliet. amazingly useful. have just watched all the daily videos too. im just about to pull the pin and enter for next year. what was the phone coverage like?

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Do it, you won’t regret it. Phone signal is good apart from one small section

[@texnielsen6695]

Any info on that wind proof chest protector your partner used?

[@carolboreham5385]

What waterproof jacket did you use please? Doing LEJOG in September!

[@robinmacandrew103]

I’m interested… why Ride with GPS over Komoot?

[@markj4404]

An interesting watch thank you. Made me wonder - do races like this put much money into the local economy? Food, accommodation etc.

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Absolutely! Before, after and during the race

[@randallmiller3842]

Don’t worry, not boring at all

[@barryf1966]

Good update Juliet Assos shorts and chamois cream are great sure you used them before

[@JulietElliottsChannel]

Yes, thank you

[@D_isco_D_ancer]

One thing that I would like to know if there are medical aids that can prompt you up enough to finish an ultra like this if for example a knee pain happened. I feel that entering a ride like this one needs to be very flexible and adjust your goals multiple times. But if you are faced with a painful knee injury would it be a pain killer strong enough to help if one wants to keep going another 200 or 300 Km?

[@kennethhowell5291]

What are your racing speeds? You are a great rider.

[@johnmcnulty1129]

Good to hear the update on the actions of Joseph, when called upon. Good things will come his way ! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As opposed to the Fruit Bat's "afterbirth" who, after running you over on the motorbike, rode away not stopping to check you were OK Karma's a B....

[@johnb0101]

What gear range/setup did you have?

[@joanneleyva4942]

Juliet, please do a video that introduces your cats to your fans. Pretty please?

[@D_isco_D_ancer]

6:30 Its not boring.

[@BrianMaynardLetsDoThisThing]

How were the shokz

[@robingeorge9977]

👌👏

[@patrickburge4021]

I would amagin getting run over by a motor bike didn't help much either.