Consumed with the TNGA
I have to admit I’m obsessing some….OK, a lot. The TNGA has my attention suddenly and won’t let go.
TNGA is unlike any race I’ve ever done on a few levels. First is the distance and terrain: 350 mile of (mostly) dirt and 56,000 feet of vertical gain. It’s a bigun’. Yes there are bigger and longer events out there aplenty, but this is the biggest and longest race I’ve tackled and that makes it something for me to obsess over. I’ve eyed some of these other events with a mild curiosity, but when someone brings a challenge like this to my back yard I just have to go for it…….and by go for it I mean really go for it. I’m not going out there to see if I can finish. This is a race and I plan to treat it like one even if I’m alone 99% of the time.
The terrain and distance create their own issues. One is navigation. The route is not marked, though it is published and GPS files are available. The only navigation racing I’ve done is the PMBAR, but I’ve always been finished within 10 hours and the 2 (out of 3) times I’ve done it I didn’t have to do the route setting. This one could go on for a few days (I’m thinking two, but I’m still looking into it). Wrong turns in the North Georgia Mountains can be costly in both time and energy. I’ll be studying maps, reconnoitering a few sections and investing in a GPS.
Another challenge is gear….as in how much to carry or what is essential and what is extra weight. I’ve never even been bikepacking before, so this is all new to me. 24 hour race involve a pit crew and minimal weight on the bike and rider, hundies have some additional considerations that are covered by a good multi-tool and a pump. Food may be scarce, sleeping will have to happen at some point (maybe), fresh water is limited and mechanical support is non existent. Luckily I work with a company that makes some well suited products and I’ve already begun testing some. I’ve already nailed down the Mini 20 Pro, Rescue Box and Race Rocket Pump. I also recently tested the Dyna Pack which was a little out of it’s league on the technical descents (I took is down Bear Creek, Pinhoti 1 & 2, & Windy Gap to shake it down), but may still make the cut with a slight modification. I also rode with the Bikamper for the extra weight on the bars. Having the counterbalance to the loaded down Dyna Pack was actually an improvement and much easier to over come on the climbs than expected. There will be more testing. I’m hoping to have the new Air BackPack for testing next week.
As for a bike, well I already have the best dern machine on the planet. I seriously could not have picked out a better build if wanted to. I also know it’s dialed in to the millimeter because that’s what I do (when I’m not doing ten other things).
Nutrition is a whole can of worms that I’m still working on. I know what I need nutrition wise, it’s just how to get it along the way that’s difficult. I’m sure I’ll carry a bunch of some variety of sports drinks because I function well on them & they are dense (both calories and space). I’m still researching what’s going to be available along the route and then I’ll need to figure out the hours of these businesses. There is the option of having someone meet me along the route (which is legal in this event), but I’m not sure I’ll have someone to fulfill those duties or if they are necessary. The places where support is allowed is also where I’ll have easy access to food and water, so we’ll see.
Strategy is the last one which also plays into the others. Do I pack uber-minimal and risk getting caught in a less than ideal situation unprepared? Do I bring along some nonessentials that may save my arse or at least hours of delay. How about pacing? Do I blister the pace, but sleep longer or just set it in diesel mode and grind out out for two days straight?
What I am working on now is riding with weight no matter what it is to get used to it. I’ve notice is takes more upper body and core strength to ride with the weight on the singletrack and it is certainly taking it’s poll on my legs on the climbs. On the other hand I’m quickly figuring out how to use on the descents to gain more momentum. My nutrition is dialed, I know how to tune my bike to account for the added weight, my pedaling mechanics are the best they’ve ever been, my fitness is OK, and I have time to obsess. This weekend Namrita and I are going to ride the Shallowford Bridge to Mulberry Gap (P2) section. It should be about 45-50 miles. I’ll load up the gear again for the training weight and maybe try some different Topeak gear for giggles. More to come….