The Gran Gravel 500 is a new 500 mile unsupported gravel event cooked up by Billy Rice to help raise cancer treatment funds for the St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan Texas. The ultra started at 5am 04/22 and if racers finished in time, they could then join in a multi-distance ride on 04/24.
A 500 mile unsupported event in April was perfect timing to shake down my Tour Divide rig and expose (the many) gaps in my preparation. SheilaT and I had somewhat opposing goals. For SheilaT, strictly a race. For me an epic training ride. For both of us, to do the best we could, complete the entire 500 mile distance, and if possible, finish by 5:00 pm on Sunday 04/24.
I just want to summary the highlights and takeaways - not do an extended race report.
Day 1 - College Station to somewhere in the Davy Crockett NF
Chilly start with temp in the high 50s. No jacket - too much trouble to have to stow early after warming up. Tyvek and arm warmers were fine.
Double paceline with escort first 20 miles then let the pack off to set our own pace.
The sunrise was a "this is why I ride moment". Fog close to the ground adding a beautiful contrast to the surrounding purple sun-kissed hills and trees. I took one shot of the moon setting. I hope SheilaT got some of the sunrise/fog.
Super pleased with 181 miles the 1st day. Goal was 200 but by midnight knew we needed sleep. Riding conditions were amazingly good given the epic flooding earlier in the week in nearby Houston. Sand roads that would have been deep and troublesome if dry, were fast rolling hard pack. One road still had standing water "lakes" but were rideable. Climbs were mostly long and rolling. I'm guessing 25% pavement (1 mandatory pavement re-route to avoid unridable mud road).
Sleep location was just off the road in the woods. We passed up an actual NF campsite just outside Groveton but deemed it way too early to stop. I used an SOL bivy with assorted clothes as my sleep kit. Was warm enough. Bivy is open at the head. A mesh would have been good - keep mosquitoes out.
--Dog barking in the distance the whole time were were down. A bird. A really loud, repetitive bird. I would have shot said bird. Pack of coyotes - crazy close by. Maybe managed an hour of good sleep. Should have gotten up and left. Ever hopeful?
Day 2
Rolled out in the dark. After a bit I remarked that the road surfaces had really changed. I don't think I would have made that 200 mark without it having been a 24hr push. The roads turned softer and very rutted from runoff really slowing progress especially in the dark.
Sun-up brought dryer roads but very different terrain. Gone were yesterday's fast rollers. Today was steep climb repetition. Tired from no sleep and maybe affected by the humid heat, it took us 10 hours to do 77 miles to Palestine - a very different pace than the day before.
Once in Palestine, I decided to stop. My saddle was trying to kill me. I'd been having trouble with it; know I need to change it; super tired of buying one to try and it not working. I've got a pile of saddles that suck.
Billy Rice came out and got me - a logistical saver. SheilaT carried on and is making her way in drizzle to Trinity as of this writing. She will finish. She's like that.
By the numbers:
I rode 258 miles in about 36 hours.
The route has 18k feet of total climbing. In the 1st 1/2 is 11k. Elevation stacked on the front end.
Chased by dogs - at least a dozen
Rabbit chases - 2
Frog -1
I have a couple of special powers. A car will always come by if I pee. Case in point - a spectacular pee fail early on Friday on a dirt road that I'll bet sees 1 car a week.
I find toys on the road. Most famous is Sharetha Barton. I should blog how I got her. Saturday we were riding the shoulder of a paved road and I saw a dirty, face down I don't even know what. I u-turned and grabbed him. He is Flat Stanley. I like the port/starboard wristband thing he's got.
Not an hour later on some back forest road, an orange pterodactyl. I gave him to SheilaT cuz he matches her new Niner.
Gear wrap-up:
Could not be happier with Klite. Need cache battery to buffer phone charging at low speed.
Saddle history: Terry Butterfly for 2011 TD. Paddled 2012, 2013. Got new Butterfly for 2014 TD. Mfg had changed something and at moderate distance, the center sags. Thought it was defective and got another, same thing. Tried Selle Italia Lady with same style - had same problem. Terry Liberator Race - don't remember the issue but did not work. Got a Bontrager lady something off ebay. Nice shape but hard as a rock. Specialized Lithia - comp model and super heavy so did not consider it a contender. May go back to it. Have been loaned a fizik Vesta to try.
Alpkit gas tank came in. It looks great. Can't wait to rig the charging wires in a more practical way.
Now, a nap.
I like Flat Stanley. He does need a bath though. :-)
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