Road to Kanza

Heading into the unknown is an experience that is less common as we get older. Familiarity replaces new adventures. We get used to the comforts of our bubble. F*ck the bubble. Maybe that’s why I entered the Dirty Kanza 200 lottery. For the challenge set forth by that number. Those roads. This weekend. Or maybe it was the peer pressure. Either way, I’m now arriving at the start line, with a lot of preparation but still, 86 miles of unknown. {120 has been my longest ride to date. On a TT bike in So Cal.}

I’m feeling ready. There, I said it. Now I can believe it. After a really hard winter and dwelling in the flattest land known to man, I still managed to get the work done. When looking back to last year, although I’ve often felt behind, I’m right where I need to be. The approach to the fitness has been drastically different, but the result is here. “Race” ready.

As with my first Ironman, this isn’t really a race. It’s a personal trial that ends at a finish line 206 miles down the road. With a little bit of grace and a whole lotta grit, I will cross that line with a smile on my face, just as I did 8 years ago in Utah.

I’ll have ridden 3,000 miles this year in preparation for a little gravel adventure in the Flint Hills of Kansas. At least half of those miles were ridden in temps below 40 degrees. And as we can’t do anything about the forecast on race day, I can’t help but be a little nervous about the heat and winds predicted. I’ve learned to get comfortable being uncomfortable, but we’ll be at the other end of the weather spectrum on Saturday.

Ruby slippers are packed (purple Giro VR90s)

I’ve got my Ti(n)man friend: (Mosaic XT-1, Sram eTap HRD 50/34 11/32, Quarq power meter, Enve cockpit, handbuilt HED Belgian/White Ind wheelset with the WTB Ridder 700×37 tires, + handmade saddle and feed bags)

Bringing along my own courage and heart {and mechanic – thank you Bobby!! and a whole lotta crap! I forgot how ridiculous endurance events are! Freaking bags in bags!} And with a little help from the Wizard of Oz {race day gods} I’ll end up at the finish line in Emporia. There’s no place like home.

{Dirty} Kanza.