I had immobilizing cramps this year that put a stop to my DK200 effort. After watching this, I wish I would've walked a while and started up again, like you did last year. Congratulations on your awesome finish.
You’re honesty and diligence were what truly made this video man. I appreciate it. I’ve been training and training. The good thing is, I’ve got miles and miles of Iowa Gravel
@Ben Delaney Congratulations! Anyway you look at it that race is an amazing thing to accomplish. I would definitely call your accomplishment a win! Thank you and BikeRadar for sharing your experiences with this excellent video! I can’t stop myself from returning to rewatch it. With suspension bikes coming into the gravel sport will you be giving that a try? (Mountain biking suspension geek here.)
I think what draws people to this race really is the mental fortitude required to complete it. Who can resist?😀 I’ve got an old AMP front suspended ride (for those who know what this is) that would be a perfect retrofit as a DK competitor... maybe one day!
I had the same thing happen to me 63 miles into the Breck 100. I went from only being able to pedal with one leg due to cramps, then both legs gave out. After a few hours of walking and riding a few meters I made it back. Looks like biting off more than you can chew is some real shit!
You’ve definitely got the muscles and fitness but along with that comes a body that likes to consume, it’s good that you pay close attention to your fluids and foods, No need having a great engine if there’s nothing to fuel it!
Been using the Chase Vest for 2yrs now, and 350 gravel ride. One of the best pieces of kit! The Schwalbe G1....not so much, probably the worst idea. Dumb luck runs out.
That was a fantastic video! I live in Kansas and have ZERO desire to do the DK. Kudos to those who do, but that just does NOT look like any kind of a good time to me.
I need a tip for how to keep water for long endurance rides best way possible with no stop for refilling. If possible, attach bottles on fork in bikepacking style, timetrial double bottle mount behind saddle or camel bag? I see a lot of riders wearing a camel but I thought it's good to get rid of the weight on your body and keep the weight on your bike as much possible?
Ok, that looks quite tough to do! But having tubeless and still getting flats, then I think going with a clincher and tube set up would be easier and faster to change, no messy liquid to deal with?!
Yeah just practice riding the bike for 200 miles and practice meditation and you'll be fine. I think having fans cheering would help a lot. Race environment can be stressful though.
I'm a roadie embracing the gravel movement and would love to do the DK200, need to get some funds together as I'm from UK, but it's on my bucket list. Nice review, I've still no idea what tires I would use? Oh and why don't you try the Dirty Reiver in UK - April time in the not so sunny North East England?
I dunno about the tubeless thing. If you cut one of those, you’re doomed (unless you have a support team). Much rather take my chances with the Conti Hardshells. Never had a flat, not once in thousands of miles.
As a local Emporia rider I would say most of the long distance riders around here choose tubeless. We all carry a tube and something to use as a boot, but generally have fewer problems than using tubed tires.
Gotta love that type 2 fun. Brutal insanity! Would love to work my way up to a DK200 level of riding. No better time to start training then now I suppose?
Two years ago I read all these articles telling us tubeless was bad for this race because you’ll flat and can’t get it back up. How the misinformed times changed.
Everyone has their own tolerances and preferences, but at some point did you start thinking the carbon wonderbikes and components are too stiff for this? For example, the Enve stem and bars are ungodly stiff, and unless there is a bunch sprint, I can imagine being a lot more comfy on a more flexible rig. Say, a Potts titanium fork, stem and Zipp Contour SL bars that flex more and dissipate more. They aren't noodly like old quill stems, but I'd think it would flex around some of the sharp bumps that otherwise your tires have to survive, and would leave one less beat up.
You can make carbon components with a lot of flex in them, just choose correct equipment and that's it. Canyon even makes a suspension seatpost out of carbon fiber.
Great vid 👍😉 I've always had No Stans sealant in all my bikes , either tubes or tubeless and especially fat bikes ... we have quite a bit in them , probably 1/4 of the bottle goes in them and on tubes, works everytime and never goes down, the more in the better ...👍😉
very nice race report. do you think your tires were sufficient or would you go even bigger next time? im thinking of doing the DK200 as well, so id be curious about some gear recommodations.
Schwalbe Tires? Are you serious? I wonder if you lived to regret that. I have had nothing but trouble with those. Few years ago pre-production models made it out onto the market and were coming apart at the glue point. Literally bulging apart at the seam. I had two sets of tires fold that way. Never again. It was only after that we found out the problem with the tires. Went back to my trusty Contineltal. To me, the only tire to have on a bike. It smells like the real deal. It looks like the real deal and it does not fail. I took gatorskins on a 2k mile euro tour. Not one flat.
What a coincidence, I woke up trying to decide on getting the checkpoint and this vid pops up. Is it a good sign? Would you tell me if you would do that again on a checkpoint or would own one?
Since the shoes have holes on the bottom, the water usually drains pretty quickly, and the right kind of socks dry enough within an hour so that you don't really notice that they got wet. At least, it works for me, with Costco socks (3 pairs for $9) nothing fancy.
Unless you're trying to win the thing (and very few people are), I'm thinking a racing carbon hardtail 29er with relatively slick tires and a 100mm XC fork might be the ideal DK setup. I've never ridden it though.
Lots of Tour Divide racers use flat bars and the top finishers do 200 mile days for 2 weeks straight. The key is aero bars. I get that drops are better for pack racing though.
On the right day that setup would not be bad. But you never know what weather you will be dealt on any given day. That’s the challenge. You can only come over and give it a try. If you cant get to Emporia for the race, come on over and try riding the course anyway. The local bikeshops can point you in the right direction.
Love this combo video! Prep and actual race experience- some of the best content out there!
You were still smiling even when walking the cramps off! Great job.
I had immobilizing cramps this year that put a stop to my DK200 effort. After watching this, I wish I would've walked a while and started up again, like you did last year. Congratulations on your awesome finish.
Pickle juice is a race saver!
"Hey I should do Dirty Kanza, sounds cool !" One hour into the race : "What the hell is wrong with me?"
I'd like to see a video of what you learnt about component choices and what you might take next year.
Great video...... I’m from Ireland and you’ve made really want to do the DK200 ..... thank you for putting it in my head...... 👍🏻👏🏻
There is a similar race in the UK started by some guys that did the DK and wanting a similar race in Europe. I think it’s called the Dirty Reiver.
You’re honesty and diligence were what truly made this video man. I appreciate it. I’ve been training and training. The good thing is, I’ve got miles and miles of Iowa Gravel
So freaking awesome. Looks like tons of fun!
I've worked 3 years in a row as part of a support crew. This is a ton of fun even in that capacity.
Positive attitude for 200 miles is the most inhuman thing I've seen.
Awesome job man!!! Great video and amazing just to finish this thing!!!
Huhuuuuu! My favourite presenter Ben again :D Cool video!
How can someone not love Ben?
Very cool look with all black bike and camo bar tape. Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching from your friends at BikeRadar!
WOW. Thanks for that. Great vid and congratulations on completing the DK200.
Great sense of humor. Super job!!
Great video. Spot on!!! Love the cramps. Been there, done that.
Great video, Ben. Thanks!
Awesome video. Best cov of DK200 I've seen yet.
Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it!
Great video, nice content presented thoughtfully in 12min. Well done!
Great DK report, loved it.
@Ben Delaney
Congratulations! Anyway you look at it that race is an amazing thing to accomplish. I would definitely call your accomplishment a win! Thank you and BikeRadar for sharing your experiences with this excellent video! I can’t stop myself from returning to rewatch it. With suspension bikes coming into the gravel sport will you be giving that a try? (Mountain biking suspension geek here.)
Excellent description of the beat down aka DK200.
Great video! Stoked on 2020 DK!
Epic ride epic rant, great job Ben :)
The vet riders are right after your 100th mile it becomes a mind game. How deep can you navigate into your pain cave.
this was such a good view of this event, thanks
Well done Delaney!
I think what draws people to this race really is the mental fortitude required to complete it. Who can resist?😀 I’ve got an old AMP front suspended ride (for those who know what this is) that would be a perfect retrofit as a DK competitor... maybe one day!
best video on real gravel I've seen so far. thanks
I had the same thing happen to me 63 miles into the Breck 100. I went from only being able to pedal with one leg due to cramps, then both legs gave out. After a few hours of walking and riding a few meters I made it back. Looks like biting off more than you can chew is some real shit!
Excellent video. BD should do more of these more often.
You’ve definitely got the muscles and fitness but along with that comes a body that likes to consume, it’s good that you pay close attention to your fluids and foods, No need having a great engine if there’s nothing to fuel it!
Hey what a great inspiration you are, you got me more pumped up to meet my biking goals!
Great stuff. Thanks for producing that!
Right on! That was sweet, and great job!
Been using the Chase Vest for 2yrs now, and 350 gravel ride.
One of the best pieces of kit!
The Schwalbe G1....not so much, probably the worst idea. Dumb luck runs out.
Go, Anderson Cooper's younger brother!
Great video. Enjoyed it.
That was a fantastic video! I live in Kansas and have ZERO desire to do the DK. Kudos to those who do, but that just does NOT look like any kind of a good time to me.
Such a good video. Love the build up
Thanks, great video!
Another excellent Video Mr Delaney !!
Thank you, sir.
I need a tip for how to keep water for long endurance rides best way possible with no stop for refilling. If possible, attach bottles on fork in bikepacking style, timetrial double bottle mount behind saddle or camel bag? I see a lot of riders wearing a camel but I thought it's good to get rid of the weight on your body and keep the weight on your bike as much possible?
Great video Ben as always
Great show
So...what changes are you now contemplating (bike, tires, etc.)?
As a 52 year-old man, I rarely see another man with my hair style...until now.
Fantastic video.
Ok, that looks quite tough to do! But having tubeless and still getting flats, then I think going with a clincher and tube set up would be easier and faster to change, no messy liquid to deal with?!
The mind can be trained. It is not "either you have it or you don't"
Yeah just practice riding the bike for 200 miles and practice meditation and you'll be fine. I think having fans cheering would help a lot. Race environment can be stressful though.
This looks like an awesome challenge. Maybe when I retire and move somewhere warmer. #ihatewinter #snowsucks
Great stuff Ben
I'm a roadie embracing the gravel movement and would love to do the DK200, need to get some funds together as I'm from UK, but it's on my bucket list. Nice review, I've still no idea what tires I would use? Oh and why don't you try the Dirty Reiver in UK - April time in the not so sunny North East England?
Stevie Marco, the dirty reiver was actually inspired by the DK 200. After attending it the founders of the reiver started that one up.
I dunno about the tubeless thing. If you cut one of those, you’re doomed (unless you have a support team). Much rather take my chances with the Conti Hardshells. Never had a flat, not once in thousands of miles.
At which point you put in a tube in perhaps?
If you cut any tire you’re equally “doomed”. Actually you just put a bit of duct tape (which you have wrapped around your pump).
As a local Emporia rider I would say most of the long distance riders around here choose tubeless. We all carry a tube and something to use as a boot, but generally have fewer problems than using tubed tires.
Nice Mr D. DK addict from afar.
Gotta love that type 2 fun. Brutal insanity! Would love to work my way up to a DK200 level of riding. No better time to start training then now I suppose?
Great video!
Two years ago I read all these articles telling us tubeless was bad for this race because you’ll flat and can’t get it back up. How the misinformed times changed.
dried apricots one of my favorite ride foods:)
Can you tell us what antidepressants your taking to make you that happy
Amazing video
Great vid. I see you had a tool bidon under the downtube; was it ziptied in place or does the checkpoint frame have extra bosses there?
I'm afraid it's going to be muddy this year here in Kansas
I gotta say those gravel roads are pretty nice !! Brah u neva seen shitty roads till u come to Hawaii 😱😱🤪
I'm thinking a PBR ( pabst blue ribbon) tatt would help with winning ? or is that for Fixie Gravel riding only ?
awesome type 2 fun!
Everyone has their own tolerances and preferences, but at some point did you start thinking the carbon wonderbikes and components are too stiff for this? For example, the Enve stem and bars are ungodly stiff, and unless there is a bunch sprint, I can imagine being a lot more comfy on a more flexible rig. Say, a Potts titanium fork, stem and Zipp Contour SL bars that flex more and dissipate more. They aren't noodly like old quill stems, but I'd think it would flex around some of the sharp bumps that otherwise your tires have to survive, and would leave one less beat up.
You can make carbon components with a lot of flex in them, just choose correct equipment and that's it. Canyon even makes a suspension seatpost out of carbon fiber.
Very good!!!
Nice arm burn! I am old and now I use sun sleeves of varying thickness...always. Don't kill your skin. Good job on completing!
Great vid 👍😉 I've always had No Stans sealant in all my bikes , either tubes or tubeless and especially fat bikes ... we have quite a bit in them , probably 1/4 of the bottle goes in them and on tubes, works everytime and never goes down, the more in the better ...👍😉
Glad you enjoyed it Wayne!
very nice race report. do you think your tires were sufficient or would you go even bigger next time? im thinking of doing the DK200 as well, so id be curious about some gear recommodations.
Thank you. Here is my write-up on the gear: www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/trek-checkpoint-for-dirty-kanza-200-52395/
Try the Maxxis Ramblers next year 😉
Chapeau!
we may have different opinions of what is considered a newb tho :) officially a newb puts out about 1.2w per kg
How were the tires, what would you change about them?
Fantastic
A great race report. Thanks. My advice: do the shorter version first.
What is the average finishing time ? Can it all be done during daylight ???
did you beat that lady from GCN??
Considering she finished at night time... I think so
Were those tires the stock 35mm or the larger 40mm version?
Looks like fun (type 2 fun that is)
What if you used Marathon plus tour tires? Would you be getting flats???
Probably not but you'd be last lol
Schwalbe Tires? Are you serious? I wonder if you lived to regret that. I have had nothing but trouble with those. Few years ago pre-production models made it out onto the market and were coming apart at the glue point. Literally bulging apart at the seam. I had two sets of tires fold that way. Never again. It was only after that we found out the problem with the tires. Went back to my trusty Contineltal. To me, the only tire to have on a bike. It smells like the real deal. It looks like the real deal and it does not fail. I took gatorskins on a 2k mile euro tour. Not one flat.
Is your bike a checkpoint alloy?
I still haven't even found a saddle that's comfortable for more than 30 minutes, let alone 200miles.
Cool!
What a coincidence, I woke up trying to decide on getting the checkpoint and this vid pops up. Is it a good sign? Would you tell me if you would do that again on a checkpoint or would own one?
Checkpoint is an excellent bike for DK. Would absolutely do it again on that bike.... and would add a third bottle cage.
Ben needs to work on his squat
"Big bottles". And they're 750ml. Hilarious.
I usually ride with two 1000 ml bottles and sometimes I find them far from being enough.
Wet shoes and socks for such a long ride would suck but I feel even more sorry for those who fell in
Since the shoes have holes on the bottom, the water usually drains pretty quickly, and the right kind of socks dry enough within an hour so that you don't really notice that they got wet. At least, it works for me, with Costco socks (3 pairs for $9) nothing fancy.
where can i get that bar tape ?
Spotted a Salsa WarBird 2019. A Trek CheckPoint. A Specialized Diverge.
What kind of Pedals?
Some real food? RIP Rich Piana. REAL FOOD GODDAMN IT
hahaha those cramps comments hilarious!
for 200 miles I would change how you mount the number plate lol.
Didn't do the pickle juice did ya?
Not enough!
duck tape and super glue saved my DK200 2018
inb4 roadie Ben goes 1x with 40c tires
why don't you put mudguards? didn't knew having a dirty back was nice
Unless you're trying to win the thing (and very few people are), I'm thinking a racing carbon hardtail 29er with relatively slick tires and a 100mm XC fork might be the ideal DK setup. I've never ridden it though.
idk anyone who wants to spend 200 mi on flat bars
Mitchell Steindler good point
I've done a few 200 mile training rides. One had 50 miles of gravel. Nothing would be worse than a flat bar.
Lots of Tour Divide racers use flat bars and the top finishers do 200 mile days for 2 weeks straight. The key is aero bars. I get that drops are better for pack racing though.
On the right day that setup would not be bad. But you never know what weather you will be dealt on any given day. That’s the challenge. You can only come over and give it a try. If you cant get to Emporia for the race, come on over and try riding the course anyway. The local bikeshops can point you in the right direction.
Did you go Tubeless?