Leadville 100 Debrief, RAT 1000 Logistics, & Unpaved Survival | Ep. 107

In Episode 107 of ShiftLess, the grit of unpaved bicycle culture meets the precision of ultra endurance unpaved cycling. Kevin and Brad are joined by the one and only DJ Caleb and Leadville 100 finisher Justin Cary for a deep dive into what it takes to survive the most iconic high-altitude race in America and prepare for the 1,000-mile RAT (Red River Across Texas).From the "Breaking Bad" science of DIY nutrition to the psychological warfare of bug-infested campsites, we cover the real-world logistics of the nomadic cyclist. We also tackle the growing movement of Basepacking—using your vehicle as a mobile hub for deeper exploration—and provide updates on the physical verification of The USA Trail, the transcontinental route defining the next era of bikepacking.In this episode, we discuss:Leadville 100 Debrief: Justin Cary breaks down how he shaved 45 minutes off his time, his 100g carbs-per-hour nutrition strategy, and why a dropper post and Fox 120mm fork are game-changers for Colorado descents.The RAT 1000 Logistics: Navigating the 8-day stage schedule, the dangers of filtering water from AG runoff, and why your saddlebag aesthetics might be sabotaging your gear list.Bikepacking Gear & Tech: A critical look at the Coros Dura solar head unit, the new Garmin Edge MTB specific GPS, and why "Blue Loctite" might be the reason your GoPro fell off mid-race.Bug Defense & Survival: The "Artificial Dragonfly" experiment, fly trap stenches, and the "Vanilla Rama" air freshener conspiracy.Trail Culture & Maintenance: The launch of Denton Trails (501c3) and a sobering look at the neglected state of the Canyon Falls trails.The Crash Cycle: A double-crash report from North Shore, discussing trail erosion and the importance of titanium frames (like the Chumba Stella) when things go sideways.Whether you're prepping for your first gravel race or planning a cross-country bikepacking expedition, this episode delivers the unfiltered truth about life on the unpaved road.Nutrition: Justin’s 60/40 Maltodextrin/Fructose mix ($1.20/hour vs. $6.00/hour commercial gels).The USA Trail: Ongoing 4,000+ mile physical verification updates.Basepacking: The ultimate strategy for vehicle-supported cycling adventures.“It’s not an adventure until something goes wrong.” — Go ride your bike.Keyword Overview for OptimizationFeatureKey Focus AreasPrimary TopicsGravel cycling, gravel racing, bikepackingRace DebriefLeadville 100, RAT 1000, UnboundNew InitiativesThe USA Trail, BasepackingTraining FocusHeat acclimation, Zone 2 training, DIY nutritionKey Takeaways & Tech StatsReach out and touch us: [email protected] episode 107 of Shiftless, the crew delve into a range of topics from mountain bike crashes and tire choices to the ongoing Tour Divide. Special guest DJ Caleb joins the conversation, contributing stories and insights on various subjects including heat acclimation strategies, trail maintenance, and prepping for the Race Across Texas (RAT). The hosts discuss the challenges of long-distance bike packing and share their gear preferences, shedding light on the importance of proper planning and community support in the world of cycling.00:00 Introduction and Episode Milestone01:22 Welcoming DJ Caleb02:17 Fly Problems and Solutions04:10 Dragonfly Fishing Hack09:20 Mountain Biking Mishaps28:37 Garmin and Bike Tech Talk41:22 Tour Divide and Unbound Discussion50:29 Safety and Rest in Bikepacking51:11 Lyle Wilcox's Challenger51:53 Robin Gi's Strategy53:47 New Bike Gear: OTSO Fenrir55:58 Packing for the RAT01:05:26 Stage Racing and RAT Logistics01:24:47 Trail Maintenance and Community Involvement01:34:59 Heat Acclimation and Training