Going Long and Hard.

[Steve Vai]

View attachment 142758
Great looking bike for sure, but the rack is a bit peasant-esque. Came here for diamond encrusted or at least gold plated. Disappointed.

I am running the baller Ortlieb Panniers.

 

[pygmypony]

So. I have vacation time to burn up before Thanksgiving. I've been planning a ton of routes and such to fill up a week of riding. I have 10 days but don't plan on riding the whole time as I'll need 2 travel days. 8 days riding. It wouldn't be my style if it weren't 800+ miles and 80k of Elevation, so, here.

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Plan is to do the Shenandoah and down portion of the Trans VA Gravel route, then head across to the Blue Ridge to go North.

wowza...

 

[Steve Vai]

wowza...

Have any free days coming up?

 

[pygmypony]

Have any free days coming up?

not until Nov 20!

 

[Steve Vai]

Hm. I'll be mostly back by then. Maybe somewhere around Skyline drive. If I'm making good time I want to take a recovery day in Floyd, I love that little town.

 

[pygmypony]

Hm. I'll be mostly back by then. Maybe somewhere around Skyline drive. If I'm making good time I want to take a recovery day in Floyd, I love that little town.

there's a chance i'll be heading down to Asheville NC on the 20th for some riding that weekend....not crazy for me to tack on an extra day for some riding on the 19th...i'll hit you up direct as the dates get closer to see if there's a possibility there.

 

[Steve Vai]

Sweet. I would be around the Blue Ridge Music Center then. That place is cool too.

 

[Steve Vai]

ITI gear. Garmin #4.

 

[Steve Vai]

Super intense planning. NOT.

 

[Tbof]

Just wondering on your long rides how often do you eat and drink ? Thanks

 

[Steve Vai]

Just wondering on your long rides how often do you eat and drink ? Thanks

I'll usually do a 24oz bottle every 2 hours. I have the ability to carry 6 bottles plus a Nalgene so I'm good for 12-15 hours without a refill.

 

[Tbof]

What about food intake ? Thanks

 

[Steve Vai]

iDK. I don't really plan it out. If I'm using Half Evil I can do 200k without eating. If I'm using Scratch I eat a Bonk Breaker and maybe a Gu every hour. If I'm doing a Multi Day I usually only eat at stops and not on the bike. Every situation is different.

 

[one piece crank]

Sounds like a great trip, Jim-V-style. The Shennandoah Valley is one of my fovorite parts of the country.

 

[Steve Vai]

Sounds like a great trip, Jim-V-style. The Shennandoah Valley is one of my fovorite parts of the country.

Mine too. I've done Skyline and the BRP a few times now. It's always awesome. Also why I've put a relatively light 100 miles per day cap as to enjoy the area.

 

[one piece crank]

I

Mine too. I've done Skyline and the BRP a few times now. It's always awesome. Also why I've put a relatively light 100 miles per day cap as to enjoy the area.

Back in the 80's I cut my teeth mountain biking there. So many great places to ride, from the Shennandoah's to Dolly Sodds.

 

[Steve Vai]

Trans VA Gear. There's basically 2 stores in the first 400+ miles so I'll be riding legitimately self-supported. Will more than likely pack my Windburner and bring a full pannier worth of Oatmeal and Dinner Fixings. They marked water sources on the map so I've transferred those into my cheat sheet.

 

[serviceguy]

Trans VA Gear. There's basically 2 stores in the first 400+ miles so I'll be riding legitimately self-supported. Will more than likely pack my Windburner and bring a full pannier worth of Oatmeal and Dinner Fixings. They marked water sources on the map so I've transferred those into my cheat sheet.

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Are you carrying one of those water filtration systems? If so, which one?

 

[Steve Vai]

Are you carrying one of those water filtration systems? If so, which one?

That's what that is. MSR Trailshot.

 

[Steve Vai]