Manatees Roar into the 20s! CLOSED (Page 37)

You may also dislike drinking gritty water ;-) I know when I ride in Umstead, water bottles end up covered in grit, including the parts that you drink from. That being said, water bottles would certainly be easier to refill at aid stations. I'll shut up now and await response from our gravel and mtb contingent.

Thanks for all the info! So, just how do you carry that couch?

Doh, i hadn't considered that point! 

I thought that was what Steve was for!

That couch pic is an example of well earned bragging rights!!! #chasethechaise Well done Anne, that is one of the cooler items I have seen. I am trying to replicate that with something else at Piggy's at our world renowned, unofficial SAG and party stop. We have upped our game the past two years with a live band in the woods one year and the addition of a variety of adult beverages. We only pulled off the band for one year, as the land manager claims to have received complaints (from who, the pigs?) and put the end to that Tomfoolery.

Rumor has it that a certain chaise is being retired????

I've done both vest and bottles at different times. Bottles are fine if you have mastered the "Squeeze and squirt" method. I haven't. My current setup is minimal, so a single old school aluminum cage works fine for me. I have a medium Topeak bag that I switch between the road and gravel bikes at the moment, with tubes, CO2, ID, boot, cash, and tire levers. My preferred setup would be a seat bag as above along with four bottles as Anne mentioned. I do have a fanny pack that has made it's way into the rotation. It carries a LOT of stuff inside (phone, small first aid kit, Go-Pro, windbreaker and lights if necessary, etc) and has two side holders for bottles. I can go 3 deep on bottles and two of them stay relatively clean.

I will give a shoutout to the vest. I use a cheap Amazon running vest, which has a 2 liter bladder in it and a ton of front pockets for gels, handkerchief, tools, etc. It is much easier to drink from for me, but it is also hotter on my back, so it is a no go for long distance in the summer. Or this week.

Racing Manatees!!!

February 22-23
Nancy - Augusta University 10K on Saturday
Jim, Ann-Marie. Janyne - Tour of Sufferlandria (wraps up on Sunday!)

Dooo eeettt!!!

Is anyone else racing?

Go Nancy! Survive the ToS 3!

congratulations! How frustrating to have a mismeasured course though. Great improvement over 2 years too!!

Thanks for representing the Manatees so well! 

P.S. She wore her shirt!!!

The first ride with the new gravel bike is in the books! What a fun bike!! While its rider isn't fast, the bike is and is super comfortable - at least for the 15-mile maiden ride. I forgot to put the water bottle in the cage, so I can't say whether or not a gritty drink will be an issue  The trail was around a lake with typical Florida scenery of lots of gators, birds of all variety, and vegetation you don't get elsewhere. The part i rode was dead flat, but there is a section that has hills, so that's on tap for my next outing. I think this is going to be a lot of fun!