2.5 hours were on tap. Not really tempo but harder than endurance. I did lose about 20 minutes of data as I stopped at Fisher Farms for a couple laps where Neal Boyd was setting up for tonight’s mountain bike race. Tomorrow is recovery, Friday is one last pre-ride and pit setup!

On long rides I use gels, every 30 minutes on rides over 3 hours. On races under 3 hours I use it as well to keep my legs turning over well. On the longer rides I carry a flask or two of gel instead of single packages. The single packages are wasteful and can get expensive.

For the past 4 years I’ve used Hammer Gel’s hard plastic flask. I’m excited to see how the new(ish) Soft Flask from Hydrapak works out. I’ll be able to roll up the bottom to get the last drops of gel and it packs up smaller after use instead of taking up a ton of room in my pocket or bag.

Do you use gel? How do you carry it?

I can say I have never seen anyone ride a trail like this guy does…

I warned you about my babbling of the upcoming 24 hour race this coming weekend in Wilkesboro, NC. I have warned you it may not make sense and the babbling will help me prepare and go brain numb of the madness I’ll be putting myself through.

Ultimate Goals of the Burn 24 Hour

• Keep moving forward. Whatever that means, whenever it means, find the soul to move forward by pedaling or by foot. Keep moving.
• Stay hydrated. 90º on Saturday, humid, sticky and lots of climbing. Hydration, ice and maybe some ice pops!
  
• Don’t get hungry and then cranky. Whatever that means, do it. If I crave a latte in the middle of the night from the coffee guy setup, do it. Chicken nuggets from Wendy’s? Do it. Don’t go overboard and hurl, but stay fed and motivated to do laps. I plan on using food as motivation. “Two more laps and you can have that latte.”
• I don’t want to know where my competition is. It doesn’t matter. First, last, middle. The competition is with myself this year. Keep going around in circles.
• 15 laps seems doable. Average of hour and half laps. Last year I did 8 laps, one of my laps took like 9 hours. I slept, I sat and I didn’t keep going. Doubling last year is a goal but it is at the end of this list for a reason.

For the past few years I have heard the spectrum of reviews on Chrome’s shoes. Chrome, known first for their made in the US bags that started in Colorado. Now the company is based out of San Francisco and has probably 3/4 of their line made over seas. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just putting some back story out there.

Back to Chrome’s shoes

Chrome has been making “bike specific” sneakers for a few years now. Gum bottom or SPD ready, these shoes were made for those that live on their bike and want to look the part. Available in three different series, the PRO Series has the SPD compatible clip-in, the Pedal Series has a fiberglass sole for better pedaling, and the All City Series with stronger uppers and not so stiff sole.

Earlier this month Chrome released a new shoe into their All City Series it is also their first WOMENS shoe, the Dolores. Read the preview by clicking read more..!

Meet the Chrome Dolores

MSRP: $70
Colors: Black and gray
Fitting: If you have a wide toe box you may want to go up a size or be prepared for these shoes not to fit. I normally wear a Euro 42, or womens 9.5/10. The box I was sent is a 11.5 but on their website it doesn’t show that large of a size. I’ve emailed to get direct specifics.

*note: the shoes fit me fine as a 11.5 womens, I normally ride a 10. 

This shoe has a Cordura fabric, much like what you’ll find on messenger bags, gum bottom and a super low profile front toe box to fit in toe cages better. You can wear the shoes with or without shoe laces, and two pairs of shoe laces are provided. One black and one white. Currently I’m wearing one shoe without laces and the other with! (Stylish I know.)

I’m super glad that Chrome sent me the gray pair as black shoes really aren’t my fancy. I’ll be trying these out in the next week commuting with my Ergon pedals as well as putting some toe straps back on my fixie. Until then, check out the shoes online!

This product was provided at no cost for review by Chrome. I was not paid or bribed for this review or my opinion.

If I wasn’t already beating myself up in the woods for Memorial Day I may be tempted to drag the wifey up to Richmond, VA to witness and photo the North American Cycle Courier Championships. If you are remotely in the area it is worth checking out, even if you aren’t a fixie friend, messengers (and their cult groups) are able to some crazy things on their bikes.

As seen in Liberty Bikes in Asheville

Over the next few days I’ll be posting rambling post, maybe gear setup thoughts and simply going a bit bonkers prior to my 24 solo race next weekend at Burn 24 in Wilkesboro, NC. (Ladies sign up, I need people to ride with in the middle of the night!)