Dana Ernst: Verde Valley Randonneé Q&A #5

✨ ⁠Support the Podcast⁠ ✨Today’s podcast features my good friend and man I consider the big brother I never had, Dana Ernst. We’re both attempting the Verde Valley Randonneé, a 250 mile/400 km mixed terrain ramble through the Verde Valley and Northern Arizona. In today’s episode, we’re going to take a deep dive into the VVR, looking at what we’ve learned from our past finishes, general strategy, and answer some questions we’ve received from fans.----------------https://www.instagram.com/dcernst/https://www.instagram.com/verdevalleyrandonnee/http://danaernst.com/VerdeValleyRandonnee/----------------Amazing Products/Companies I UseSquirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.comDispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike----------------https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: [email protected](00:00:00) Intro(00:00:58) Amazing Company & Product: Squirrel's Nut Butter(00:01:41) Amazing Company & Product: Kahtoola(00:02:04) Amazing Company & Product: Dispersed Bikepacking Gear(00:02:40) Different Ways You Can Support This Podcast(00:04:04) Podcast Intro(00:04:37) Verde Valley Randonneé Naming and Origins; Brevet Events(00:11:31) RUSA Permanents; VVR Attempts; Designated Photo Stops(00:14:52) Route Overview; Website; Instagram(00:17:44) Dylan's Last Attempt Getting Derailed(00:24:47) The Climb Into Jerome; Death Mud Potential; Least Favorite Part of Route(00:29:21) Mingus Mountain Ascent and Descent Into Cherry Road(00:32:07) Sleep Depravation and Forgetting Parts of The Route; More Mingus(00:34:47) How Does VVR Compare to Other Randonneuring Events? Descending Through Cherry To Camp Verde(00:38:46) Camp Verde Services and Resupply; McDonalds and Food Shame; Filibertos(00:43:07) Dana's Intention For Creating the Route; Hotel Availability; Jerome(00:47:13) Ascending from Camp Verde To Stoneman Lake; Logging Trucks; Magical Moments At Stoneman Lake(00:54:41) Dana's Last VVR Experience; Fastest Time and Wasting Time(00:59:17) Cool Stops in Jerome - Flat Iron Cafe and Haunted Hamburger(01:00:37) What's Dana's Biggest Change in Body, Strategy or Bike; Climbing and Descending; Grouping Up(01:05:58) Goal Time and Recalibrating Expectations Because of Injuries; Controlling Oneself and Not Overdoing; Being Disciplined in Training; Purpose(01:10:43) Getting Overwhelmed By Longer Events; Sleep Depravation; Hallucinations(01:18:27) Navigation and Tech on Bike; Watching Heart Rates and Power Meters; Radar and Safety with Cars(01:28:33) Listening To Music or Podcasts; Using Music as a Boost; Trainer Riding; To Do Lists; Hiking The Grand Canyon(01:36:50) Fan Questions: Whats the Best Tire Selection?(01:40:25) Fan Questions: Any Hike A Bike Sections?(01:41:24) Fan Questions: Any Washboard Roads and Suspension Required?(01:42:22) Fan Questions: Is 5 Liters of Water Enough?(01:46:28) Fan Questions: How Much Food To Carry and Are Town Stops Enough?(01:51:38) Fan Questions: Any Nighttime Riding and Sketchy Sections?(01:53:58) Fan Questions: What is the Best Time of Year to Ride?(01:56:38) Closing----------------#endurance #bikepacking