It's build time!

It's been a busy couple of months since I was in Asheville at CX nationals. I still look at that as a really awesome time, and future national events will definitely be on my radar. Since then, I spent a week or so recovering with complete rest and have been working on building endurance ever since. Cross doesn't require massive weeks of 250-300+ miles, so I forgot how big weeks make me want to eat anything in sight and sleep a lot. The great thing is that I am already noticing really positive changes, and I'm really hopeful to be strong for the Dirty Kanza. My initial goal was to podium in my age group, and that certainly still stands. However, I'm starting to wonder if a podium finish might be possible in the overall standings. It may be (and probably is) a long shot considering the heavy weights that show up to race this event, but I'm already feeling good enough to think that a really good day might make that possible. Having said all of that, an event like DK can throw a lot of surprises at a rider (i.e. the mud last year), so assumptions are not safe. But I am hoping for some beautiful weather!

Speaking of DK, after much debate I decided to go with a new setup for the race. My initial plan considered the idea of converting my SS back to gears, but having a SS sitting around and ready to roll is just too convenient sometimes. So I ended up buying a new Felt F3X with the main purpose of making it my gravel bike. It feels weird to think I have a bike specifically focused on my gravel endeavors, but it sure is convenient! I've got some more work to do on it with honing in the fit and figuring out my wheel/tire situation, but I've ridden it on a training ride and I think it will be great. I'll have more pictures of it as I get it completed, but the picture below shows the awesome carbon weave it has. On higher end bikes Felt is using what it calls TeXtreme carbon fiber, and I'll be honest in saying I don't really know what that means. But it is gorgeous! More to come soon as the bike gets completed and I start doing some of my early season gravel events...