FAQs
Can I do this race self-supported or do I need a support vehicle?
The 200+ mile race requires a rescue/support vehicle in the general area to pick you up if you drop out due to mechanical, injury, severe weather, etc. We do not have the staff and infrastructure to take on that responsibility for the entire field over the entire width of the peninsula, especially considering the possibility of a major weather event that strands, say, dozens or even hundreds of self-supported bikers spread out along the course.
We are excited to offer a paid ($150) shuttle and support option as a fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Learn more here.
For those with a crew, you do NOT need to meet up with them at checkpoints. You don’t ever have to see them for the entire race except the start and finish. You need a vehicle in the area as a rescue option, but your ride can in a way be fully self-supported and we’ll provide lots of beta on various convenience stores and other goodie stops along the way. We are highly recommend a maximum of 3 or 4 bikers to utilize the same rescue vehicle provided they are generally of the same speed.
You do NOT need a support crew to be in your vicinity for the 100 mile race, but you do need someone who can pick you up if you need to drop out. We will have a sweeper at the end of the field to make sure everyone makes it back safely.
What type of bike do you recommend?
Each bike type has advantage and disadvantages. The key questions are what are your goals for the race? Are you hoping for a top performance or is it more about just making it to the finish before the 21 hour cut-off? You do NOT need a specialty gravel or cyclocross race to perform well. Speeds are not a whole lot different for most riders. A mountain bike trades some weight and aerodynamics for a wider tire and more comfortable ride, important for an all-day event. In an ideal world, your mountain bike should have tires designed for gravel road racing but able to handle sand and rugged seasonal roads, a shock you can lock out, and weight reductions where possible. Read more here. www.micoasttocoast.com/2017/10/26/bike-tire-choices
How do I train for the Coast to Coast?
If you’re not familiar with TrainerRoad, they have a plan for the 200+ mile Dirty Kanza held 3 weeks after C2C that would work equally well. It emphasizes building a base for the majority of the time between now and the race (Sweet Spot Base I and II), adding power (Sustained Power Build) and a new Century Specialty phase to address specific C2C needs. This works best in conjunction with the $12/month TrainerRoad subscription/app (and NetFlix!) but you can use it for outdoor training too. Zwift is another popular online training service to check out. www.blog.trainerroad.com/how-to-train-for-dirty-kanza
Is there a cap or limit to the number of registrations?
Currently we’ve set the cap at 500 men (no restrictions on the number of women).