The Real Reason We Ride All-Night Ultra Events

This week’s episode of the Velo Podcast is all about riding long.

Factor’s new Sarana ultra-distance race bike made its first appearance at last weekend’s Traka gravel race in Girona, Spain, and Velo tech editor Logan Jones-Wilkins answers Levy’s questions about how it aims to combine speedy handling and all-day comfort. Its geometry leans more towards speed and agility than outright stability, but it also has room for 2.2″ tires and a carbon frame designed for vertical compliance and integrated frame bags, making the Sarana a novel endurance racing option, but did Factor go far enough?

And speaking of all-day (and all-night) adventures, Lisa Charlebois recounts her recent 600km / 373 mile ride at the Mendocino 600 that saw her on the move for over 20 hours while bagging 5,128 meters (16,824-feet) of climbing. Logan and Levy ask her about the pre-ride planning that goes into an effort like this, how she fueled herself while on the bike, and why she rode a steel frame equipped with some ultra-light carbon wheels and components. They also get into using a power meter to limit yourself, how being a trash panda is a superpower during ultra-distance events, and the deeper meaning of being on your bike for such a long time.

We also answer more reader questions about 32″ wheels and bikes not being too expensive.

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Intro
00:03:07 – Reader questions
00:12:59 – Factor Sarana gravel bike
00:28:22 – Lisa’s 600Km ride at the Mendocino Coast 600K