The night before :: CUREage Ride 2024 (Day 0)

We will be meeting up with some local media at Lurie Children's at 7am. we ride out at 8am, heading into Indiana and onward into Michigan.

22 riders — some of whom have done this charity ride since its inception 6 years ago. Seven of us from Google, including colleagues from Chicagoland, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, California, and Minnesota.

Some of us are parents of cancer survivors and some are parents who lost children to cancer.

We even have a 2020 Olympic silver medalist who himself is a cancer survivor and a Cal's Angels recipient.

————

I rearranged my bags for tomorrow morning, which is a ritual I've done when I travel for work for at least a decade. It's therapeutic, and it helps me streamline the morning. It's especially important for a smooth departure. I'm walking about 10 blocks tomorrow AM with a bike and three bags, so I'm switching into my cycling shoes when I get there.

My setup:

• Otso Waheela C — with HED Cycling Vanquish Performance V62 carbon fiber wheels and Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR tires. I'm running a Shimano GRX800 (2x12) wired gravel groupset, with upgraded Shimano rotors and a Dura-Ace chain, and 2 Whisky Parts carbon fiber bottle cages. (I switched from a gravel wheel a few weeks ago as this route is entirely paved trail and roads. I'll see how it goes on 32mm tires versus my usual 45mm Schwalbe G-One AllRound.) Nota bene: Otso is a Minnesota company (same folks behind Wolf Tooth Components), HED is also a Minnesota company, making wheels in Roseville, MN for 40 years. Whisky Parts is too, but I believe both their stuff and Otso's frame are made overseas, whereas the HED wheels are handmade carbon fiber in Minnesota.

• Fidlock magnetic underseat tool bag, with Park Tool tire hooks, a Crank Brothers M20 multitool, 2 CO2 cartridges, a MucOff plug kit

• RouteWerks handlebar bag — this is a staple on my solo, unsupported gravel rides. I have a Hammerhead Karoo 3 mount on top, and inside I typically have Sabre Red mace for errant road dogs, an Opinel knife, sunscreen, lip balm, my Pixel 9 Pro XL, sunglasses wipes, my wallet, some cleaning wipes, a protein bar, and a microfiber cloth. I use this bag so much. I don't care about the added weight or aerodynamics, especially on rides that are not races. It's super useful and I highly recommend it. I can also strap my gloves on top, or mount my Garmin Varia headlight when needed. This week I bought Suunto Wing bone-conducting headphones to try, and so far they're fascinating. Verdict TBD so I'll report back on them.

• Garmin Varia RTL515 — this is a radar-enabled tail light, which gives my Hammerhead head unit and my Garmin Fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar watch a notification when cars are behind me.

• Sprintech drop bar mirror — this is a new add-on, made in Switzerland. It's nice to be able to see behind me, for other riders and to peer at cars. Several folks on my gravel rides had it and recommended I get one.

• My kit: POC Octal x MIPS gravel helmet, Tifosi polarized glasses (not photochromic; I do have clear lenses if it gets darker but I don't typically use them on the road, mostly on the trail). Assos x Whoop bibs (most comfortable chamois and great shoulder straps). We are outfitted with 2 Jackroo "fondo" fit jerseys. I have Quoc Gran Tourer XC gravel cycling shoes, with dual ratchet connectors, using Shimano SPD-M540 pedals and cleats. 

Other: I've got Quoc merino blend wool socks, Assos arm warmers and knee warmers, Quoc GoreTex overshoes, a Pearl Izumi yellow rain jacket, Pearl Izumi padded fingerless gloves and Handup gloves, a neck buff, thermal long sleeve undershirt, and some cycling caps depending on the weather the morning before the ride. I'll pack any of these accessories in my "jump bag" if I need them, or need to shed them at the stops along the way.

• Snacks/hydration/electrolytes — I'm packing more than I need, but that's the Eagle Scout way ("Be Prepared"). I've got 2 CamelBak 26oz insulated bottles: one with plain water and one with Liquid IV golden cherry electrolytes. Some folks double up the sachets but I don't want to overdue the electrolytes, especially since all my snacks have some, and I have Salt Stick electrolyte tabs in my handlebar bag. I'm carrying a few ClifBloks gummies, one with caffeine, one with 2x sodium, and one sour apple. I have 2 SIS liquid carbohydrates isotonic energy sachets, 2 Justin peanut butter, 2 Daelmans stroopwaffels, and a Gu Energy electrolyte sachet (this one is caffeine free). My setup is to put the electrolyte water in the front bottle cage, plain water in the back. I put caffeinated snacks in my left jersey pocket, non-caffeinated ones in the middle, and I leave the right pocket for trash and unfinished snacks. I'll put the stroopwaffels and peanut butter in the handlebar bag so they don't get melty or runny. I suppose they're fine in the right pocket but I'm giving my logic.

The route for tomorrow — Day 1 :: (109.9mi) Chicago, IL to Benton Harbor, MI