Chequamegon Fat Tire advice

[rlover]

I am thinking about putting an application in for the Cheq fat tire this year. I was wondering if anyone out there that has done this event would have some advice on which tires to use and any other info that would be useful. I do not plan on being in the front of the pack or anything like that, but doing for fun more than anything else. I would think if it is raining or wet you would want something aggressive, but if it has drier conditions, what can you get away with?

Thanks

[gubawatts]

Hello, I guess my reply is a bit late, but thought I'd tell you what I know.

I rode the 40 last year for the first time, had a blast... I'm a sport level rider, finished 498th out of 1700overall, just to give you an idea where I'm at, (definitely not at the front). I used Bontrager Jones XR, (not tubeless), they're 2.2's I believe. They worked great, last year was a very dry year, so there was no mud, and only a couple water holes that could be ridden around.. there was some deep, loose sand though.

I would avoid very wide or very narrow tires, and don't go extreme in either direction on the air pressure, too much and the ride will be very harsh, and tiring, too soft and you'll pinch flat on the numerous baby head rocks (I think I saw someone fixing a flat at least every mile along the course last year).

Chain lube is something to be aware of... last year since it was so dry, it wasn't an issue, but if it is somewhat wet, then a wet lube is a good choice as repeated washings from water holes combined with sand from the roads will cause chain suck.

[rlover]

Thanks for the info. I did put in an application and now I will wait and see. I do some mountain biking, but never in an event....kinda of got talked into this. I can usually average 17 to 19 mph on my road bike riding alone over rolling terrian for some fairly long distances. I just do not want to suck too bad over there if I get drawn.

[soreyes]

Sorry for a late reply. I rode the 40 twice. Once in 95 and then again in 96. 95 was the first bike race I had ever been involved with. I had previously ridden on road in 80 mile group tours, so I figured 40 would be reasonable.

95 was insane. I mean really muddy and 20x more intense than I had expected. By the time I got to any sections of the trail, 1000+ riders had torn into it. I was not using my odo so that I would not focus on the distance. At one point I felt like I must have gone about 15 miles or so. Then I got to a sign that said 5 or 7 (can't remember). Well it went on and on (and on). My bikes gears were completely dysfunctional early into the race. There were points that the mudholes were so deep and long that I was riding with a submerged drivetrain for a quarter mile at a time. My chain was so coated in mud that I looked down and it resembled a thin stream of poop. It didn't matter that I could no longer shift (except moving the chain by hand) because I was barely able to push up most of the hills.

They had home made donut holes at the stops along the way. I remember that during the race and towards the end I was sitting on the ground against a tree with donut holes wrapped in my shirt - just eating. At that point I saw a couple leave the rest stop with a tandem. They were carrying it because the back wheel was just spokes hanging off a hub. That motivated me to get to the end. They had passed me. It was over 5 hours.

The next year I had a lot more physical prep, 3 chains, etc, etc. I finished over an hour quicker. It was also extremely muddy and hard on the bike, but I think it was less nuts than 95.

After that I moved out west. I thought I might go back and try it again sometime. Not so far. In retrospect both years were awesome. I camped at KOA and it was a lot of fun meeting other bikers from all over the place.