Event host: The Spinistry

Length: 100k

Actual Length: 66mi

Duration: ~5:45 (I’m a slow, high-gravity rider, ok?!)

Before the ride:

I traveled from East Dallas out to the vineyards. As always, not entirely prepared for this ride. I was able to pick up some adventure sauce and get a “wholesome” meal at a local diner named McDonalds.

Upon arrival I was pleasantly surprised at the hills to climb in and around the vineyard. Which was contrary to my belief that the route was to be ‘flat and fast’, from a previous email.

Side note: the woman I briefly rode with, testing out a Moots, reminded me that cyclists lie.

Stepping out of my vehicle, I was blown away with the view, sun rising, heinous and the cooler temps. The cooler temps was tough to over come, but the sun cut through that pretty quick. The wind that’s a different story.

During the Ride:

I’d have to say this over all was a kickass route. Makes me happy there’s a place like that to escape to.

I felt bad for the few who ate their derailur’s in the first quarter mile, but that’s not off par for any gravel grinder.

Personally, I hate the start of any event. There’s usually not enough space and everyone is fighting to get past the next person… which causes issues. I’m a fan of isolation.

We created the hill and slowly started making our way to ‘windmill hill’, which is about 9% grade. Got some real speed on the way out. Immediately, there was gravel and dirt. Which was a surprise for Texas.

Mile 23 was the first checkpoint, I guess a better description is refill station, before the break point for the 50k distance. I tried to prepare better for this trip regarding nutrition and set myself to eat a PB&J at Mile 33/34 and have consumed 2 bottles of water by the checkpoint. I didn’t meet the first goal and only drank one bottle and chugged a second. Refilled and kept moving.

At this point I was having to do more math than expected. Somewhere in the beginning I had paused my Garmin F3HR and lost track of mileage. Somewhere I noticed that and turned it back on. So, I was off by 4.5–5miles the route. Which really isn’t a big deal, but slightly frustrating.

My biggest challenge along the route, as always, is nutrition. The night before I was looking at the GPX and realized there was 3.5–3.6k in climbing. So, I started cramping around mile 35. I took a pause ate my PB&J and some trail mix. Mile 45 is was awful cramping. Both hamstrings locked up on me while riding. And I pulled over to take a minute and scream into the wind.

A nice rider wasn’t too far behind me and asked if I was alright, I filled him in on the situation and he was so kind to provide me with some salt pills. I had never head of those before and they more or less helped me make it through the remainder of the event. That, and some GU. Had a couple of those left over from the Greenville Gravel Grinders: G3 event and ate that.

The remainder of the ride was painful, the salt tabs and GU only went so far. So, challenge accepted. I took the remainder of the time to work on breathing when climbing and my pace while climbing hills, which they seemed to only get bigger (pretty sure they actually were). Breathing and heart rate — taking lessons from yoga, I tried to pace my breath so my muscles would get enough oxygen. I also, not afraid to admit it, went to granny gear. In the lowest gear allowed me to pump the hills without building too much acid in my legs. These two combined made the event last longer but allowed me to finish.

End of the ride:

As noted above, the end of the ride was brutal. Excuse my French, an ass whipping. I wonder after every event what I could’ve Done better and how people are able to finish in such fast times. I don’t know if it’s my gear, nutrition or my training. I wasn’t able to stay around for post activities but, the

Kevin, if you ever ready this. You’re sadistic & it’s kind of expected. Thank you. Great ride, please don’t stop. You’ve built a great community, looking forward to more rides.

Details:

You can find more events by The Spinistry on their website TheSpinistry.net

Instagram: @thespinistry

My ride: Surly 61cm Disc Trucker

Extras: 43c Panaracers, full frame bag by Revelate Designs.

Nutrition: 1 PB & J tortilla, 1 Turkey wrap (unconsumed), GU, Trail Mix, Salt Pills from a new friend

Ride Bikes. Be Happy. The freedom to move.

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