It was 2:45 AM when I rolled out of bed.
A two-and-a-half hour drive ahead. Bike already racked. Oats prepped. Coffee piping hot in a travel mug. No start gun. No finish chute. Just me, a 200K gravel course in Western Massachusetts, and 14,000 feet of climbing through misty Jeep trails and hike-a-bike madness.
Not a race. Just a mission.
And these epic missions? They don’t come together with luck. They’re planned like a Navy SEAL op with a little help from ChatGPT and a bucket of spare SRAM batteries.
This blog is your blueprint to doing the same. Whether you’re dreaming of 100 solo miles or a mysterious 200K, here’s how to go epic—without going insane.
Step 1: Set the Stage Like a Pro (Not a Rookie)
Big adventures start weeks (or months) before the tires hit dirt. First thing I do? Get quiet buy-in from the people who make my life work: family, friends, maybe even my boss. Don’t pitch it like a race. Just float the idea. You’ll know if the time is right. Once you get the green light, lock it in.
Pro tip: Some gravel events let you register on-site with cash. That’s your fast pass to flexibility and less commitment anxiety.
Step 2: Lock Down the Logistics (Don’t Wing It)
This ride had everything: multiple aid stations, a six-page rider letter, and GPX files from another era. The moment I said “yes,” I:
- Downloaded the route files
- Added aid station info
- Made notes from past years
- Compiled it all into a single planning file
I even trained an Epic Ride GPT (yep, my AI twin) to walk me through a detailed ride checklist. It asks me everything from tire pressure to salt tabs. It’s like having a coach and quartermaster in your pocket.
Step 3: Pack Your Go-Day Kit the Day Before
Treat your pre-ride Friday like it’s race day. Bike on the car. Bags packed. Hydration bottles full. Fuel counted out and labeled.
Here’s what’s in my “Barrel of Adventure”:
- Spare tubes
- Mini pump + CO2
- Bacon strips for tire cuts
- Backup SRAM batteries
- Advil, chamois cream, extra socks
Food for every pit window + emergency fuel stash
Everything goes in waterproof bags, because Jeep trails + New England weather = chaos.
Step 4: Dial In Your Fuel Like It’s Race Day
If you’re riding 9+ hours, food isn’t optional—it’s strategy.
I use the Endurance Nation sweat test to dial in sodium and hydration needs. For Unbound, it saved me. For D2R2, it made the difference between “tough” and “tragic.”
Three pit stops? Great. But that means I have to carry enough to get between them—and that’s where salt, calories, and pacing win the day.
Step 5: Know Your Why
Somewhere around mile 85, the gravel road turned into a chunky descent so raw even the trees looked nervous. Legs screaming. Back tight. But I was smiling.
Why?
Because I wasn’t there to race. I was there to feel. To push. To explore. To remind myself that I can do hard things. That’s my “One Thing.” What’s yours?
Final Thoughts: The Bottom Line
Epic rides don’t just happen. They’re built. Step by step. With purpose, prep, and a reason that keeps you moving when the trail kicks back.
Want to Pull This Off Without Melting Down?
I built a little stunt double of myself inside ChatGPT to guide you. It’s free. It’s smart. It won’t forget your rain jacket.
Meet the Epic Ride GPT here and let’s get your next adventure rolling.
