Due to an injury on March 14th, discussed here, the last couple months of my Dirty Kanza training was done on a smart trainer, using the Zwift virtual training app.

The Dirty Kanza is an ultra-endurance cycling event held every year over the Flint Hills of Kansas.

The plan was pretty simple. Focus on time and power rather than distance or speed. The goal, twelve hours in the saddle, at whatever wattage could be mustered, 75% of the expected duration to complete the 206 mile course, in a single day. Every week go a bit longer on the long day. Work up to the peak, May 13th. Afterwards, taper down, sprinkle in some real rides on pavement and gravel and prepare for the event on June 2nd.

Here’s the training plan in Strava (hours):

How’d it go? Still in the Breakfast Club (back of the pack) but shaved a bit off last year’s time. It was another tough year, featuring stiff headwinds during the last half of the ride. Out of 1,016 starters, 746 finished.

The official time:

The ride on Strava: