• This is going to be #5.
• A good time will be had.
• This year I won’t have any support lined up, just like the last 4 years.
• That’s kind of on purpose, more of a habit at this point.
• The Salsa Warbird is perfect this year. See list below….

1. Lauf Fork
2. Ultegra Hydro
3. HED Ardennes
4. Bontrager CX0
5. Specialized Ruby saddle
6. Lizard Skins bar tape
7. Outershell Drawcord Handlebar Bag*

8. 

9. Try really hard to not worry about what “place” I am in.
10. Ride DK in a way that makes me happy, makes me proud.
11. My legs are back under me, after 2 years of floundering*, they feel strong.

    

12. Other things I am pumped about…
    • meeting more people.
    • riding with 200 women.
    • 200 women.
    • dear sweet jesus 200 women.
    • makes me so happy.
    • that’s nearly all I care about.
13. But really, I want to put my head down and slam out 200 miles. Take all the energy, pain, grit, and motivation that Landrun and Almanzo lit under my butt and set it off.

below

*The Outershell bag is messing with my mental game. The little bag was bought for my Marrakesh, it wasn’t supposed to go on the “fast” bike. But then I started doing the Monday Night Gravel ride and I needed to start bringing more snacks, (maybe) Crocs®, cameras, boomboxes, ammo for slingshots, fireworks (hasn’t happened yet, is a great idea), you know. I have the energy from that ride….the Monday Night Gravel. Stolen from District Bicycles, who stole it from someone else, because they know the importance of having a ride like that.

Got a little sidetracked there.

Dirty Kanza is a testing grounds. Every single year I learn something, most of the time the lessons aren’t easy, but so worth it. My 5th time around the Flint Hills could end up being the hardest 200 miles I ever ride, but dang I am excited to bring a bag full o’ TREASURES.