15,000 calories should do it 👍 Also those GP5000 being a 90kg lump myself don't have reinforced sidewalls and I found susceptible to pinch flats. I use the Conti Grand Prix GT tyres same as GP4000 rubber plus side wall protection meant for me no punctures. Have fun.
I can't wait for this one Mark. I think this will be the hardest thing you have done to date. Whilst the 100km ultra didn't go to well due to lack of prep...you had a lot of running in the locker prior. This is a monumental step up from a few zwift rides and gravel outings. Your cardio/fitness won't fail you, it's just if you can endure the discomfort. Wishing you all the best and if you pull this off you are an absolute Don!
@@Panurus_biarmicus you are comparing apples to oranges here. Of course there is discomfort in a 100km run...but mark has a lot more running experience and accumulated muscle memory to adapt to it, he is a relative beginner at cycling...and the type of discomfort is very different. With running you can stop...stretch, even alter your running stride...form. not so easy on a bike where you are locked in. Marks hard as nails so of course he will do it.
I've taken up long distance cycling during the time I've been watching your channel over the last couple of years. I did my first 100 mile ride in early 2022, and my first 150 last weekend. The biggest advice I can think to give you is to think carefully about the lessons you learned early on in your ultra-running days and think about how to apply them to cycling. Every time I press on to a new max distance, I find new issues and limiters that I need to understand and overcome. Your setup looks sound. As others have said, I encourage learning how to ride and feel comfortable in the aero bars for as much time as possible. Over 200 miles, the energy saving will be significant. As with running, nutrition and hydration are going to be major considerations...but on a bike it's a lot more awkward to eat and drink. I definitely suggest practice with this element. You're dead right about "little niggles at 45 minutes". You definitely want time in the saddle to get used to how 10+ hours in the saddle feels....any sort of discomfort there can end up ending your ride. Really looking forward to seeing this adventure!
Make sure you do several rides on the road tyres before the event as a) the bike will handle differently and b) tubeless tyres take a few rides to bed in and hold pressure. I’d also make sure to do at least a couple of 100 miles rides in training. Having done multiple 200mile + rides things hurt in places after 6 hours + that you didn’t know would hurt so a chance to find this out and fix before the event
I've done CTS a couple of times and loved it, it's a great ride. My advice would be not to get carried away at the start (find a pace you're comfy at) and to make sure you eat, eat, eat throughout the ride. I know you said you weren't bothered about the weight, but I know a hill where I'm willing to bet you'll wish you had less weight to carry up it! ;) Anyway, good luck and enjoy it!
I've done 200 milers twice and my main takeaways are: take as few breaks as possible, it really adds up over the distance, learn to eat on the bike and nibble away regularly, take some real savoury food cos you'll get sick of gels and protein bars (peanut butter, philadelphia and cherry tomato bagels are my fave). Our lights all ran out on one ride, so preserve these or have the means to recharge. Chamois creme obvs, apply very liberally!
Mark, sounds like a perfect excuse to play “Highway to the Danger Zone” on loop for 16 hours….. And as someone who has ridden that distance, you’ll need all the 80’s montage motivation you can get!
Regarding your gear, I have a Garmin Varia radar light and I love it but do note that the battery isn’t going to last 12hr+. I'd look into a couple things 1) use a separate light with long battery during the day, switch to Garmin at night 2) tape, zip tie or velcro a charge cable from your Garmin Varia to your frame bag so you can easily plug it into a battery pack.
I thought about this issue at the spot in the video, but forgot to comment. Definitely make sure to keep the vario on light-off mode (only when appropriate and if allowed on the course) to save the battery life.
I’m a cycle mechanic and keen cyclist. I would also take a Park emergency tire repair kit. It’s essentially a sticky plastic card that goes inside tire to stop tube coming out of bigger holes. I’ve used these on a few occasions and they are very good. For that size tire, cut one in half before you pack in the bike. Also, on a ride that long 2 spare rubes & a tubeless repair kit. As for gravel bike being good for you, I agree. Being comfortable means you will ride better & for longer. I no longer have a light weight carbon everything road bike but instead have a high end gravel bike. It’s comfortable, does everything (with suitable tires) & is much better on the crappy UK roads!
200 miles is no joke. Best of luck to you! Remember, the the aero bars are faster (or easier at the same speed); if you can, make them your default option. Over 200 miles, holding an aero position could save you some big time (30 min?). Also, the “time in the wind” is a big driver for that savings; the longer you are on the corse, the more the aero more the savings, even if you’re moving “slowly”
Mark - great set up. Chase the Sun is the best ride I have ever taken part in. You will love it. Great Facebook community around the event with hints and tips. Just don’t stop too often or for too long.
Best tubeless advice: 'Stay Hard' Always test your tubeless repair strategy BEFORE the event. Might want to take: Tubeless plugs, CO2, pump, 2nd inner tube, patches, chamois cream... Also, suggest 35mm tyres as a min, but 32mm with redshift could work.
Interesting setup. I have never ridden more than 60 in a day where the biggest issues were pain in my neck from the lean forward and my tailbone from the seat. If that give in the seat and slightly wider seat work as well as it looked, that will be less of an issue but in 200 miles probably still matter. The pain in the neck might be more of an individual thing because other riders I have talked with often complained about shoulder joint or or lower back pain which I did not experience at all even though I have on much shorter but radically more aggressive downhill rides. Electrolyte balance is always extremely important in long events but I think your experience will be able to handle that well enough. The worst pain I ever experienced was after a 40 mile run in hilly terrain where I had not ran more than 7 miles in a few years and was simply under-trained. The fasciitis and piriformis were so inflamed I could barely walk for a couple of days, the morning after I was literally crawling on the floor between the bathroom and the bedroom and 200 miles is significantly more than a couple hours on a training bike so that will be interesting to see how your body adapts or doesn't.
My contribution is…. Start eating right at the outset - you want to keep those carbs coming in so you don’t deplete your glycogen stores so quickly. And strictly aerobic intensity all day. That’s my learning out of 2 12-hour and 2 24-hour rides. Totally anecdotally, I found that when daylight is fading, swapping to clear shades (or just remove your sunnies) pushed back against the feeling of fatigue. You want daylight in your eyes to trick your system into not preparing to sleep.
Great video as always. I would add bar tape & AXS wireless blips to your aero bars so you can shift gears in the aero position. And practise on aero bars so you get used to the narrow stance/ twitchy steering, relaxing & not pulling with triceps, and riding with knees closer to your chest.
Some essentials I have in my saddle bag after years of road side repairs: a bike multitool, tyre levers, small bottle of super glue (can repair a punctured tube or ripped tyre in seconds), zip ties, SRAM powerlock chain link, small pocket knife, and a pair of surgical gloves.
I had a 30 mile route that I rode about twice a week in Los Angeles, usually late at night because too much traffic (cars and people) and heat during the day. i'd knock it out in a couple of hours and come home chuffed with myself. One day I decided I should do a century. I didn't state a metric century or "real" century, just century. Woke up the day of, got my gels, nutrition, and hydration sorted and took off. Started off alright. I went on the same route because I was familiar with it. it ended up being a metric century (62 miles, 100 kilometers) but that ride took me all day and it was the worst thing I had ever decided to do up to that point. Because I was unaccustomed to the heat during the day I was drained of all energy within the hour, my throat was burning, my lungs felt like they were on fire and it was sheer grit and determina ..., um ... stupidity, that compelled me to finish that ride. My normal night ride, 30 miles, 2 hours. That ride, 62 miles, 7 and a 1/2 hours. A long ride is a completely different animal than your usual sprint. i hope you're ready for it. Best of luck.
It absolutely pissed it down last year towards the end of the event and was reallllly cold going through cheddar gorge, specially if like me you where still riding up it after sunset. Make sure you've got a decent rain jacket 😎
I don’t know how this race is, but if you start in a group, make sure you have experience riding in a group, learning all the unwritten rules and etiquette can keep you safe, and help you go faster. Also for 200 miles, you want the beginning to feel almost too slow. Check out Dylan Johnson, he has a lot of videos on pacing these types of events.
Bike fit is probably the best addition youv'e made, you'll be able to transfer that to any other bike . I used to divide my long rides into shorter rides based on feed stops, these events they are usually around 35-40 miles apart
…great set-up Mark…twas a fun session! Aero bars could do with a tweek though, roll those extensions inwards slightly (ie so the tips are closer together) to follow the natural rotation of your wrists/hands when relaxed…then reset the pads flat, and also rotate them to angle them onwards slightly…makes a big difference to comfort
@@DC-lu5qs so when mark attended for the fitting it was a bog standard gravel set-up. During the fitting the benefit of tri bars etc was discussed and recommendations to suitable brands/shapes and spec etc made. Since then Mark has obviously gone away and purchased the bars and fitted them himself…I have not seen him or the bike since they where fitted. See my comments/recommendations above.
@@markharvey1041 completely missed the first sentence where it is made clear that you are the pro in question :) My layman's impression has been that the current thinking is that raising the front of the bars closer to face level is more aero beneficial. And, for me, considerably more comfortable than the flat arrangement.
Same bike, same seat post, same English roads, and pot holes totally agree, and yes good fitting bib shorts, although after 16hrs might as well be coarse grit sand paper... really hope you enjoy this, so feel like doing more...
Hi Mark, glad to see you’ve got a road set of tyres, but think about getting a second set of wheels. That what I run, so you just need to swap out the wheel set and not faf around with the tyre sealant. Also add some bar tape to the bar ends for extra grip. If it rains those exposed bar ends are going to be slippery.
I’m doing Chase the Sun North. Cautiously optimistic given I’ve done lots of 100+ mile rides already this year. If the bike setup shown in the video is post-bikefit, I’m a bit concerned; Your bars are horrifically wide, and the saddle tilted very oddly. Also a little concerned about the gearing - you’ll be cruising at speed much if the time (all being well). Re clothing, 2 things you didn’t mention that are #1 and #2 giro clothes for early starts or changeable weather are arm warmers & a windproof gilet. They pack small so easy to takenoff, but are a godsend and really versatile. I recommend the Torm arm warmers, which come in sizes - essential for people with muscle. And I really like Sportful Fiandre NoRain vests.
I have recently found your channel and started watching your videos. I am just now, in the last few weeks, getting started on my journey to get back in shape. I want to get back to running again but I have had knee issues so I am starting back by biking to get a base level of fitness and to hopefully lose some weight to help the knees when I get back to running. I really enjoy your videos and I have been watching a lot of your older zwift ones as I am getting started on zwift. Watching your videos helps keep me motivated to keep going and to stick with it. Looking forward to more uploads soon and I hope you do well and are able to complete your Chase the Sun event.
In case you are not fully ready for the full length try and do it from Brantley. I did half of the race starting from Bramley, south of Reading, unofficially without entering, nice and local for me. I joined my club mates Swallowfield VC. I took as little gear as possible with me barred a raincoat which I ended up needing towards the end. Good luck!
Good luck Mark. Race against the Sun has been an event on my bucket list for a a few years. Love the tweaks to the rig. Comfort over aero wins the day I reckon. Hope you get to see that sun drop with a smile on your face.
The aero bars will not only be a different position for comfort, but they'll make a HUGE difference to your efficiency. Apparently they save up to 30 - 40 watts depending on your speed and wind speed. I did 204 miles having only been cycling, or doing any cardio for that matter for 18 months. It was tough, mostly because my shoes were too narrow and caused a lot of pain. But I did it with an average speed of 17 mph. So I know you'll smash it. 👍🙂
You might save watts for being in the aero but you lose watts in pedal efficiency when in that position. I hope Mark and his fitter took the aero bars into consideration. I ride a TT bike in the aero position and couldn’t imagine riding an Ironman on that saddle. I ride an ISM noseless saddle and it keeps the pressure off the perineal area
@@NockOn1 I ride a Specialized Roubaix Elite with TT bars, and haven't found any difference in my ability to sustain high power. I use a noseless saddle too.
I love that you’re doing this challenge! I think it’s commendable to throw yourself at big challenges, there’s always things to learn from them. Having crossed the US by bike, I have one suggestion: use a hydration bladder. It’s nice to be able to sip without much fuss, and while bottles are easy in many ways, it requires a bit of finesse to reach down, drink, put back, and maintain pace. Looking forward to seeing the video of this challenge, best of luck!
You got this. Lean on your ultra experience because you will be in some really dark places on a double. Don’t go out the door too hard (a power meter is really helpful for pacing strategy if you can pick one up and get familiar). Try to jump in a few local club or shop rides for some group experience. You’ll really want some experience riding on a wheel and your moto experience will let you pick it up quicker than most. Unlike Zwift, just remember you can’t smash right thru the rider in front (well, you can but it usually ends badly). Best of luck and enjoy yourself.
Suspension seat post, awesome. My Mrs has the redshift, I have the cane creek carbon version on our road bikes. Made a massive difference to my back. We both have the redshift stem, no noticeable loss of power, very noticeable increase in comfort.
I just did a North to South ride in Taiwan a few weeks ago that was about 350km. The absolute most important bit of kit you need to have ready is a trusty cycling bib. TEST YOUR BIB SHORTS for many hours in a single sitting! Pedal on the trainer, not even for a workout effort. Just having your weight on that seat in those bib shorts for multiple hours will change how they ride, stretch, feel, and rub. I'm not sure how much LONG riding you've done on your training days, but bib shorts with a bad shammy or even a medium quality one will ruin any major distance ride. I've got several different sets of riding pants, a Rapha, a Santini, a junko from Giant, and a GRC. The cheapo ones from Giant are my daily pair that I don't mind throwing in the dryer. They're only good for up to 90 minutes of riding. The Rapha and Santini make it to about 3 hours before getting into uncomfortable territory. The only one that is comfortable no matter the distance is the GRC set. Do your ass a favor and test out your bib shorts on a 5-6 hour trainer ride before your race. Wouldn't want you needing enough vaseline to get on a watch list again.
All the best, Mark. I did round Norfolk a few years ago, 200 miles 13 hours on the bike. What did I learn not to say how hard it can be lol its only 70 more miles than my max ride. Lots of anti Chafing cream to hand every stop whice I did every 50 miles just to stretch and get more fluids on the bike, dont know ifs there's any stops at half way (bag drop) but if there is good place to restock your stuff so you don't have to carry lots with you, I set may watch to bleep evey 15 mins frist bleep drink second bleep eat I found it every easy to finish lots of rides with almost all of my drink left and not eaten anything. Best of all, enjoy it. Have a laugh.
Huge change in tire size. Consider 38mm road tires. There's a chance you won't like the stability of 32s. I found my cornering and confidence went way up going to larger volume tires. Your rims may also not shape well with the skinny tires since they fit well with the 40+ range. 2 cents you didn't ask for..
I suggest to take a Restrap tyre boot or similar for any sidewall or tread tears. Also a spare battery for the AXS as you’re 1x so cannot swap derailleur batteries if one dies. Best of luck.
Good luck 🤞. Biggest bit of advice I can give is to ensure your nutrition and fluids are not overlooked (I have reminders set to pop up on my wahoo) Hope to see you on the start line 👍
Mark, I heard that Will Tennyson successfully completed this challenge while ALSO consuming 25,000 calories of vegan donuts AND stopping to beat a couple of GCN presenters in a rowing challenge. Food for thought.
Love the bike and good luck with the race (its always a race). I was looking thinking the saddle looks too nose-down, then you mentioned that your triceps fatigue which is a classic symptom of a saddle that is too nose down. I dont know if you have had a bike fit but it might be something to look at. It wont bother you on an hour ride but over a full day - you want it to be right!
Good luck! Tempting me to try a similar coast to coast... Double bib shorts for extra support on an endurance ride (although don't have to be £255 each!)
Mark it’s the perfect bike for a 200 mile ride. Great video, I also do ultra long bike rides . It’s about comfort, comfort,comfort and comfort. I’m happy to share more info if you want. Good luck
Best of luck Mark and I'm sure we'll see a video with lots of drama.😄 I'd also have recommended the GP5000 32mm. I have the 28mm variety mounted on some nice 52/63mm deep carbon wheels and the sound & ride feel is just amazing. Cuts through air like a dream.
I ride centuries pretty often, that said 205 miles is gonna be tough! I feel like the discomfort will be something you will just have to mentally get past. The biggest thing I’m not seeing mentioned here is training your gut, your gonna need a lot of fuel for a ride that long and it can be very difficult to put down that amount of carbs while riding. Making sure what ever gels and stuff you currently use while running play nice with the gut while cycling will be important as well as getting the gut used to the quantity needed.
Good plan to swap the tires, but no need to go with narrow 32mm ones. Rene Herse and a few others make 42mm road tires that have the same or better rolling resistance as skinny tires and are more comfy on less than perfect roads. Best of luck and enjoy the ride!
I'm doing my first ever 100 mile cycle next month and while training, I have realised nutrition is most important for me. Getting that fuel in before I need it has always been a bit foreign to me, but the results speak for themselves. I'm sure you've got that nailed Mark, but I thought I'd share anyway as it's been huge for me. I've got eating and drinking prompts on my Garmin head unit set up which are a big help.
You are just like you should be. Very entertaining, technically well prepared, eloquent and with a nice, dry sense of humour 👍👍👍. Train hard, stay safe!
Ya wahoo wont make it alone so battery source required. Possible change of kit as things can get salty! Get comfortable with some 4-5 hr rides, time in saddle not distance or speed. 10 days out string together 3 80 milers over 3 or 4 days to get your legs use to loading. Work out the calories and take them with you. Dont push any of the hills as you will be over-watting anyway against course average going up hill. Use the wahoo map/gradient screen to view the upcoming terrain so yo can decide whether you should carry speed over rollers or settle in for a steady uphill plod. Set an alarm on the wahoo/garmin for eat drink and stand every 20 mins. Only burn matches in the last 10 miles. Just enjoy the journey. It is not so difficult, but fuel fuel fuel from the get go.
Longest I've ridden is 100miles. I didn't have loads of kit beyond food and a jacket, but if I were to be out longer I'd defiantly be going down the comfort route rather than aero speed. I think the lightness of the bike will help offset the frame bag and kit, that little bit extra kit/food will be a real game changer IMO. Sometimes a little comfort goes a long way!
been doing a lot of long distance cyckling. you look ready. I lubricated my trouses everytime for long distance. will prevent a bad behind. for short distance it dont matter but when over 12 hours it do I think. good ride
Yeah 205 miles is no joke, speaking as someone with a couple of centuries (which nearly killed me) under my belt, this is going to be a big test! I think I heard this as a general rule of thumb, that a century ride is equivalent to a marathon distance run, which kind of adds up, so you are well into ultra-marathon exertion for a 205 mile ride. Good luck! My focus has turned from cycling firmly into running so far this year, mainly thanks to your channel!
Looking forward to this one! If i can make a suggestion it would be work up your trip length and get used to the hours in. After 5 + hours things start to feel less comfortable. Aslo fueling would be easiest to mess up. Need to have thise carbs and electrolytes coming in regularly.
If it's any consolation I had a similar amount of experience on a bike and entered a 120 mile race/sportive from Belfast to Dublin. It was an intense day out but doable. I'd compare the distance to a marathon on a bike. Best tip I'd give is enjoy the ride ...make modest goals and adjust as necessary. Take chaff precautions seriously! Best of Luck 😀
I reckon you’ve took a really sensible approach to this Mark, I’ve only ever done one 200 mile ride so probably not qualified to make suggestions but what I found was that I didn’t eat enough “real” food and after 10 hours I couldn’t face another gel or carb drink. If I did another ride like this I would aim to somehow take more substantial food with me, of course this comes with its own challenges but you do have some frame bags 👍
I did my first 150 miler last weekend after a dozen or so previous 100s. And, I _definitely_ experienced this at almost exactly the same time. Roughly 10h in, my body rebelled from constant stream of carb drinks. I didn't throw up or have cramps, but I was queasy/nauseated the remaining 3 hours (yes, it took me 13 hours to do 150 miles :) )
Another great video and I'll be keeping my eye out for you on the day! This will be my first time doing CTS and training hasn't really gone to plan so far.
Carry a spare battery for the rear mech, otherwise it will be a compulsory stop and charge or stick it out in one gear for the rest of the ride, marginal gains ftw ;)
As a long distance cycling myself my guess would be at the 95th or at 145, those are the points where many people I know (including myself at the beginning) would be fighting their minds to keep going. 😅 It could be later though. Last week I failed a 250 miles audax at the 218 mile, my mind just gave out, as did my bicycle, if I could have rested a couple of hours and fixed some of those issued I could have completed the race.
All the best my cycling buddy done the Irish one last year and he had to abandon due to being to cold and under fuelled but he is doing it again this year 😁
Hi Mark. I did the C2C in a day ride a few years ago and really want to do CTS so best of luck to ya. Any discomfort after a 3 hour ride needs addressing as it will be hell after 9 hrs and could cause injury. Can't wait for your video of the ride.
Inspirational stuff this channel, and cycling is my first love so this one is particularly inspiring! I really need to get off my fat behind and lose some weight and get back out on my bike! Good luck Mark 💪
All looks good to me, but then my last bike cost me £30 (2nd,3rd or 4th hand), over 25 years ago. I did manage quite a few mile on the thing before it fell apart ! All the very best with the training and the eventual race. Looking forward to it all, from the comfort of my sofa, obviously 🤣 Great content as always
Nothing if not ambitious. A century is no joke. But a double century? Good luck. Good job getting your bike comfort dialed up beforehand. I am intrigued by the seat post.
Nice, in Sweden in June there is a 315km "race" I´m attending as a cycling noob as well. Going to do some century rides in the coming weekends to prepare. What makes me feel like it´s possible is that hundreds of retired "old" people do it too every year so surely I´ll get through. But the saying is, you should have 1000km in your legs for the year before you do the race.
@@bingoberra18 It might be worth having a chat with them to learn a few tricks. Either way, just make sure you get your position dialled in for comfort. Then focus on nutrition and pacing. After that it's all about the experience :)
Did you look at the Diverge STR when you were buying? Maybe you wouldn't have needed the 3rd party seat post? Whatever the case, looking forward to hearing how you do on the race!
I have always had bad luck with traditional tubes as spares, they seem to always have leaks. Get some TPU tubes as spares and some TPU patch kits, I use Pirelli Cinaturato Smartube. Yes they cost more, a lot more, but they are worth it.
Something that almost never gets included in bike kit are: mirrors. Perhaps because many are poor design/quality. But a great pair of end of bar mirrors (e.g. IRBM Italian Road Bike Mirror for Road Bicycle, which I use) have been incredibly useful for me on long rides. I think an argument against is that they don't look cool (not true) and stop riders looking over their shoulders, which is arguably the best way to check for traffic approaching from behind (as it is for motorbikes). But it's also not true. I do both. But having mirrors at the end of the handlebars means I can pretty constantly check what's coming my way just by momentarily glancing down, without having to turn my head and take a hand off the handlebar to look round properly. With a discreet pair of mirrors I see approaching vehicles long before a bike radar registers it (double so at night due to approaching headlights being visible from a long way back) - just as the mirrors on my motorbike do. It means I'm prepared for passing vehicles without being surprised by them. I've often wondered why they don't come as standard for road bikes. Best of luck for the race.
