Shattering the RAT 1000: Sleep Deprivation, Hallucinations, and an Epic FKT - 122

In ShiftLess Episode 122, we sit down with the man who redefined what’s possible on the unpaved backroads of Texas and New Mexico. Justin Cary joins us to break down his record-shattering FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the RAT 1000—a 1,000-mile ultra-endurance odyssey from Texarkana to Tucumcari.Starting 2.5 days after the grand depart, Justin treated the entire field as a "carrot," eventually crossing the finish line in a mind-bending 4 days and 21 minutes. We go deep into the unconventional (and arguably risky) strategy of "non-stop" racing, where sleep is measured in minutes and nutrition comes almost exclusively from a custom powder mix.Key highlights of this episode include:The "No-Sleep" Strategy: Justin details the reality of riding 1,000 miles with only ~3 hours of sleep, including the "dream state" hallucinations and the physical toll of pushing through freezing nights without proper gear.Mastering Ultra-Endurance Nutrition: How to survive on 100g of carbs per hour using only liquid powder and a few bags of Corn Nuts. Justin discusses his venture, Simple Cycling Nutrition, and how he manages salt intake with sodium citrate.The Gear of an FKT: A look at his Specialized Crux setup, why he sticks with flat pedals for world-class efforts, and the specific tire choice (S-Works Pathfinder 42s) that survived 1,000 miles of sand, thorns, and red rock without a single flat.Safety & Survival: The crew has a candid discussion about the risks of ultra-racing, from crawling through stopped trains to encountering mountain lions on the "Red Roads" near Turkey, Texas.What’s Next? From Unbound XL goals to the ultimate dream of an FKT attempt on the Tour Divide, we explore the evolution of an athlete who thrives on the edge of human capability.Basepacking & Scouting: How the logistics of The USA Trail and the philosophy of Basepacking are evolving to support the next generation of ultra-endurance riders.Whether you're a seasoned gravel racer or a fan of bikepacking adventures, this episode is a fascinating look at the grit, discipline, and occasional insanity required to conquer the unpaved world.To understand the scale of Justin's achievement, consider the comparison between a traditional touring pace and a record-setting FKT effort.Primary: Gravel Cycling, Gravel Racing, Bikepacking, Ultra-Endurance Cycling, Unpaved Cycling, RAT 1000, FKT (Fastest Known Time).Niche: The USA Trail, Basepacking, Specialized Crux, Simple Cycling Nutrition, Unbound XL, Tour Divide, Redshift Sports.RAT 1000 FKT Performance DataMetricTraditional Touring PaceJustin Cary's FKT (2025)Total Distance~1,000 Miles1,000.4 MilesTotal Elapsed Time7 – 10 Days4 Days, 0 Hours, 21 MinutesAvg. Daily Mileage100 – 140 Miles250 MilesSleep (Total)50 – 70 Hours~3 HoursMoving Speed Avg.10 – 12 mph11.3 mph (including stops)Export to SheetsKeywords for OptimizationReach out and touch us: [email protected]