woodguy
Well-Known Member
My first big event on the Q45 was Biking Across Kansas. 650 bikes started, and I heard that about 80% finished Here is proof that I actually began at the Colorado State Line.
The week was hot - reached 100 degrees every day according to my Wahoo bike computer. The wind was never ending, and it seemed like a headwind every day. And there are a surprising number of hard hills to climb. On the most difficult day for me we climbed 2,000' and descended 2,800', but the hills were steep and that took it out of me even though I could rest on the downhills. Later in the week there were days with more uphill than down, but the roads had less steep inclines and I handled that much better.
My solution to the heat became leaving earlier. One day I even departed about an hour before dawn. There were plenty of other bikes out, but I just didn't like riding in the dark, so my default became leaving just as light was arriving. I also was very attentive to constant hydration, and taking advantage of every SAG stop. This seemed like a good solution for me because I biked every one of the 595 miles for the week.
The event is well organized, with high schools to stay in all week, plenty of food opportunities, and lots of support from the small towns we passed through or stopped in. If it wouldn't have been so hot, I would have visited a lot more of the little museums and sights along the way. My main goal became to get all the way without getting heat stroke
The Q45 performed well. I only threw the chain one time as I was coming into a little town and downshifting. I was a little concerned whether the 1 x 11 gearing would work for me on this ride, and I am happy to report that I don't plan to make any changes to it. Adding a front derailleur would get me heavier and I don't think I need the extra gears. I wasn't the fastest bike out there, but I passed more than passed me. There are a couple of things I plan to do to the bike before the next adventure: I left the standard 26" x 1.75" tires on for this ride, and I think a thinner road tire would cause less drag. I also want to try reclining the seat more. I did get some recumbutt pain, and I remember reading that the more reclined you are, the less that will occur.
I had the only Cruzbike on the ride, and it got a lot of interest. Don't know if it will result in any sales, but I talked to a lot of people about it. Everyone likes the way it looks, but most are scared of the front wheel drive. I told them that if I could learn it, anyone could. You just have to follow the steps to learning it.
And here is proof that I actually made it all the way.
The week was hot - reached 100 degrees every day according to my Wahoo bike computer. The wind was never ending, and it seemed like a headwind every day. And there are a surprising number of hard hills to climb. On the most difficult day for me we climbed 2,000' and descended 2,800', but the hills were steep and that took it out of me even though I could rest on the downhills. Later in the week there were days with more uphill than down, but the roads had less steep inclines and I handled that much better.
My solution to the heat became leaving earlier. One day I even departed about an hour before dawn. There were plenty of other bikes out, but I just didn't like riding in the dark, so my default became leaving just as light was arriving. I also was very attentive to constant hydration, and taking advantage of every SAG stop. This seemed like a good solution for me because I biked every one of the 595 miles for the week.
The event is well organized, with high schools to stay in all week, plenty of food opportunities, and lots of support from the small towns we passed through or stopped in. If it wouldn't have been so hot, I would have visited a lot more of the little museums and sights along the way. My main goal became to get all the way without getting heat stroke
The Q45 performed well. I only threw the chain one time as I was coming into a little town and downshifting. I was a little concerned whether the 1 x 11 gearing would work for me on this ride, and I am happy to report that I don't plan to make any changes to it. Adding a front derailleur would get me heavier and I don't think I need the extra gears. I wasn't the fastest bike out there, but I passed more than passed me. There are a couple of things I plan to do to the bike before the next adventure: I left the standard 26" x 1.75" tires on for this ride, and I think a thinner road tire would cause less drag. I also want to try reclining the seat more. I did get some recumbutt pain, and I remember reading that the more reclined you are, the less that will occur.
I had the only Cruzbike on the ride, and it got a lot of interest. Don't know if it will result in any sales, but I talked to a lot of people about it. Everyone likes the way it looks, but most are scared of the front wheel drive. I told them that if I could learn it, anyone could. You just have to follow the steps to learning it.
And here is proof that I actually made it all the way.
