Redlands Strada Rossa - March 19, 2016

My Strada Rossa tires came today... The WTB Nano in 700 x 40. They mounted easily and have been holding air all day, and I haven't even added sealant yet.

I see a long test/training ride in my future on Saturday.

 

I have been thinking about throwing this into an already busy month.

Thinking that 2.1 Maxxis Aspen / 2.1 Small Block 8 F&R on the Crests, ought to be light and fast rolling.

 

@Faust29 @mtnbikej Aspen, SB8, Nanos (regular and 40), Thunder Burt... those are all real fast tires that will be great. While a lot of dirt, it's almost all VERY hard pack and non-techy. You want to be able to roll fast no matter what. Tubeless is highly recommended.
I just got back from riding a bit of it, and was very happy with my Nano40s.

 

I thought about the small block 8, but I've wanted to try a "cross like" setup, and this seems like the perfect ride.

I have a small block 8 in the garage if you need one. I don't think it's a tubeless version, though...

 

Thanks, but I have the tires I need...they are not tubeless, but I have converted them in the past.

It will give me a chance to use them.

 

I'll be running Nano 40s on my RLT, for this.

 

Quickly becoming the official tire of the 2016 RSR!

 

I think we'll call this "Redlands Mode".

 

No stopping you now! What gearing you settle on?

 

After consulting with our resident single speed guru, I'm going to leave it as is (32 x 22) for the test run this weekend. I'm planning a mixed 60-70 miler.

 

Good plan... see how it feels over some miles!

 

Ok......40's didn't sound that narrow til you see them mounted up.

Should be fast and efficient.

 

cyclotourist,

Have the elevation profile for the 50K?

 

All of the other profiles are on IEBA's Facebook page too.

 

I'm in for the 63 on the BSB 9. Probably running 35mm Schwalbe G-Ones. Some friends have been running them everywhere and really like them.

 

Thanks, Eric. I think Mark also emailed out the profiles to all registrants. You can see the elevation is pretty constant and gradual for the first half.
The big concern right now is roadies getting in over their heads. The bikes aren't the problem, it's knowing how to ride skinny/slick tires in the dirt.
Also there will be at least one HAB & stream crossing section. If you're in roadie shoes you will not be happy!

@mtnbikej Regular Nano 2" would be great as well. Those are the original fast 29er tire!

@DBMX119 Rick, those G-Ones are THE HOT tire right now! Report back!

The 63 miler is a great course! Basically the same as the 100 mile, minus three sections. They're good dirt sections, though...

 

Yes, one of my all time favorites...had Nano's on my first 29er in 2004.

 

I really wanted to do the 100, but I'm doing the ride with a buddy who is not ready for that mileage! Maybe next year?!?!?!

 

The 100 miler is going to be a long day. Mentally it will be great though. It's the kind of course that IMHO will constantly be interesting. Beautiful territory, exploring, new places sort of thing are what get me pumped up in a ride.

 

@Cyclotourist & @bigringrider101 -

What pressures do you guys run on the 700c Nanos? I had my test run today and ran 45/50... Just wondering how low you guys go.

 

I run mine at about the same range you did. Anywhere between 40 and 50 psi. depending on the trails. Higher for asphalt and hard pack dirt, lower for rocky loose trail.

 

Thanks, Berni... They felt pretty good on my test run. It's just been a long time since I've run skinny tires on dirt!

 

Yeah, in that same range. A bit less up front. My buddy Philip put this together: http://www.biketinker.com/tire-pressure-calculator/ You can download the spreadsheet, or buy his app for it. I've found it to be right on.

 

I see the routes are up! I'm getting excited about this one... Maybe it's just the chance to get an Augie's espresso... And I see that the start is right there! That's good planning.

100 miler: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12361623

100K: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12362448

50K: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12362494


The 50K route looks very similar to the Sterrata route we did a couple months ago...

 

Well there you go! Releasing it a bit early, as we want people to look it over and figure out their capability for it. Don't want to hear any crying!!!
We've been lucky enough to change it up every year intentionally, trying to keep it fresh and interesting. Keeping many of the same sections (Crafton, Wildwood) but mixing them up in new ways. This year is a damn fine route if I do say so!

And check out that 100 miler... wow! My legs get sore just looking at it.

Good observation on the 50K... a lot of the Sterrata is on there. Sterrata had about five more miles at the end, mostly dirt, plus the run up through the wash in the beginning.

 

Ran into @OTHRider pre-riding some of it today... this is getting so much fun! Confirmed one section in Yucaipa I was wondering about... and what an improvement it will be! Three goatheads (Duke can confirm), so run sealant or liners or something! Totally had the wrong bike for it today as I was on my CX and should have just done road for the route I took. Anywho, everything is totally falling into place!

 

I won't have the chance to pre-ride, but I have been studying the Google Earth flyover of the route.

 

You've pre-rode a good chunk of it in Dec... just extrapolate from there!

 

Good, I'll just follow you.

 

If I see a bullwhip mounted on your bike, I'm packing up and going home.