Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/19/2021 02:27 PM |
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Rain in forecast for the Rift? That is always a bit of a downer but it comes with area.
Very hot dry and dusty here too (and lots of forest fires although not where I'm going). Conversely my folks in NL are in region with major flooding and deaths; although they are on higher ground and OK. Crazy times.
Just to get to Gold Bridge will be an adventure. An HC climb in 4x4 on mountain gravel road. And that 4 hrs from a major metropolis. This is beauty of BC. Wild is never far away. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/19/2021 02:42 PM |
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Rain in forecast for the Rift? That is always a bit of a downer but it comes with area.
the forecast is remarkably consistent for the whole week...high 40's for a low, mid-50's for a high, 50-80% chance of rain every day.
race day is 80% chance of rain, high 55*, low 48*. (luckily the low happens at 3:40 AM when the sun comes up.... |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/19/2021 02:51 PM |
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| I had to look at an actual weather forecast to translate this into SI numbers. Cool temps - perfect for riding. Minimal difference between day and night temps. Chance of rain every day but amounts look small enough that I would not bother with rain protection. Typical forecast we have here in spring and fall along coast. Maybe also a bit like Newfoundland, coldest summer I've ever spent LOL. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/19/2021 03:01 PM |
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Yeah, I get the sense that it is very much a PNW type or precipitation vs a steady rain.
I'll have my Goretex ShakeDry jacket in my Burrito Bag in case I need it....and may end up using my Castelli Perfetto jersey for race day. Seems like it would be the perfect jersey for those conditions.
I am basically bringing every piece of kit I have with me, anyway....LOL! |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/19/2021 03:08 PM |
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Wise choice. The thing with those types of forecasts is they can be wildly off in either direction. It could be a soaker or it could be sunny.
The reason for this incidentally is lack of solid control data to west (i.e.. no weather stations on the ocean) to feed into forecasts. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 07/19/2021 08:53 PM |
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| Awesome CK, got get it! |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/22/2021 06:20 PM |
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I can’t say enough awesome things about Iceland….way too much to detail in a post here.
Since arriving Wednesday, we have done several hikes (most short) seen amazing waterfalls and hot springs, black sand beaches, glaciers and more.
Got the bikes together this afternoon and went for a short shakeout ride…..the gravel here is gonna be tough!!!
If anyone wants, you can see lots of pics and more details on my IG account…@ velobouf |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/22/2021 06:45 PM |
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Just post a pic of the handlebar bag on your bike already.
Pics on the Strava look great. Enjoy the race. Try not to race and just look at wheels in front of you. Look around and enjoy the scenery. Gravel enjoyment is proportional to time spent on course. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/22/2021 07:07 PM |
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Ps. Welcome to the real rough gravel. I suspect it’s much like BC “gravel”. Riding on bedrock.
Pps anyone wanting to check out my gravel adventures: https://www.instagram.com/tales_brave_ulysses/
Bonus points if you get the IG handle reference. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 07/23/2021 10:44 AM |
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Holy crap this will be epic!
Almost too bad it's a race. A course like this will just beg you to stop, drink in the scenery, and take some photos.
Good luck. Maybe scuff up those new tires a bit so they won't slither around on wet rocks and gravel. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/23/2021 05:11 PM |
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We have all agreed that we are staying together (4 of us) and we aren’t “racing”. I told my buddies “look, I can d*ck sizes any day here at home…I wanna enjoy riding out there with you guys and take it all in.”
We plan to keep a solid pace, but no need to have out tongues in our spokes the whole time…..and if great pic opportunities come up, we’ll stop.
Weather was sub-optimal today….wind, rain and mid-50’s, but it was still an awesome ride and we all ended with smiles on our faces. Good prep for tomorrow.
Can’t wait!! |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/23/2021 06:31 PM |
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In a parallel universe we’ve arrived in Gold Bridge after crossing Hurley Pass into remote lands. Will be riding tomorrow as well out to historical Relay Creek Cabin. Bikes were covered in deep dust after 70k on gravel roads. Spectacular views. Photos will appear on the Insta and Strava.
Have fun CK. Good plan.
https://isurvivedthehurley.com/ |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 07/23/2021 08:56 PM |
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| Geology nerd question. Iceland rocks should be volcanic and one would think very grippy. Is that true? |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/23/2021 09:33 PM |
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LSD. Iceland is basaltic lava type associated with mid ocean spreading ridges. Arising deep from earth mantle.
West coast volcanoes are more pyroclastic with source being subduction of tectonic plates.
Don’t know if these differ in terms of traction but as geohahards they’re massively different. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/24/2021 06:44 PM |
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What a truly epic event……I can’t say enough great things about Iceland in general and The Rift specifically.
Incredibly tough challenge….the gravel is every bit as challenging as Unbound in many areas (but not as sharp), the views are stunning and the whole event should be a must-do.
I’ll try and post a longer review / recap later this week…… but you can see some pics on my IG account.
I took a pretty good header at high speed on a descent around mile 40….I hit some soft sand in the right side and it tossed me off the road and I landed on my head / shoulder. I had double vision when I got up but my buddies were up ahead and they had no idea I went down……so I gently worked my down the descent closing one eye at a time. Caught up with one of my buddies who went on to tell the other 2. Pushed my bike up the next climb and my vision was starting to straighten out. We set out to get me to the next aid station where I was gonna DNF, but within about 20 minutes I was fine. Likely a mild concussion, but I had no other symptoms so we soldiered on.
The whole 2nd half of the race was into a stiff headwind with more than a fair amount of cold rain. The weather today was definitely the worst since we have been in Iceland and it made a tough race that much tougher.
And my god,the unrelenting stutter bumps on the second half of the course!!! Brutal.
If anyone wants a epic adventure, The Rift and a trip to Iceland is the way to go. Simply fantastic |
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