Finally, summer like weather has reached the Twin Cities. It has felt like an eternity, awaiting more stable and readily available single track rides on the mountain bike. Since the snow left in February, there have been very few days where the majority of trails are open for riding around the metro area. In the meantime, plenty of gravel riding, a little racing, and a lot of commuting to work has been done.
For those unaware, I am taking a forced break from trail running this year after a prolonged ankle injury to my Talus after January's race out East. Given how much I have taken to enjoying the gravel and mountain bike scene, it may be more prolonged than expected. Couple thoughts on that.
A few weeks ago, I was able to partake in the Mammoth Gravel Classic. It traced 103 miles on super remote gravel from Saint Croix Falls, MN north to Webster, WI before turning back towards the starting point. It was truly a gorgeous course, going through double track untraveled roads, large expanses of wild life preserves, and the countryside. For anyone that hasn't done that race, pen it in for next year.
Overall, I was super excited about a couple things.
For those unaware, I am taking a forced break from trail running this year after a prolonged ankle injury to my Talus after January's race out East. Given how much I have taken to enjoying the gravel and mountain bike scene, it may be more prolonged than expected. Couple thoughts on that.
- Until recently, I didn't realize how much running was burning me out. I longed for new adventures, something that better matched my schedule / surroundings. In short, cycling has afforded that.
- There is nothing more amazing than being able to bike commute. Real short, traffic sucks and commuting affords less frustration, good weekday base miles, and no added family interference.
- New learning - although I was still learning new things on the trail, there is something fresh about being a noob with little expectation. Also, cruising quick gravel and pinning it between trees carries a lot more adrenaline. Maybe that is the bigger take away.
- Lutsen 69'er - June
- Tatanka100 - July
- Breck Epic 6-Day Stage Race - August
- Heck of the North - October
A few weeks ago, I was able to partake in the Mammoth Gravel Classic. It traced 103 miles on super remote gravel from Saint Croix Falls, MN north to Webster, WI before turning back towards the starting point. It was truly a gorgeous course, going through double track untraveled roads, large expanses of wild life preserves, and the countryside. For anyone that hasn't done that race, pen it in for next year.
Overall, I was super excited about a couple things.
- My diet is working! A while ago, I changed a few things to mostly eliminate wheat and turn 75% of my diet into healthy fats (hello avocado, dark chocolate and almond butter). I was surprised by how even my energy stores were all day, even though this ride was 25 miles longer than my longest ride to date for the year. I'll expand more on this in a later post.
- Nutrition on the bike - I took down a couple bottles of Hammer Perpeteum, some anti-fatigue caps, roughly 5 Hammer gels, and 2 whole avocados. The avocados were new, but definitely evened out the carbs I took it which worked quite well on the bike.
- Fitness - the whole endurance cycling thing is new, so I need to learn where my limits are. I felt like I could have pushed a bit harder than I did, but was super happy with the outcome all things considered.