2014 TNGA Advice

[DirtyBear]

As some of you have probably seen in the Introduction area and the "Ride Across Texas", I'm new to this site. Long days at work daydreaming about the upcoming TNGA adventure has brought me here, and I'm glad to have found this bunch.

Without going over the backstory again, might as well dive into the meat and potatoes. I'm registered for this years TNGA and have been training for a couple months. Has anyone on here competed in the race, and/or have any advice for this kind of race? I'm coming in cold in relation to bikepack racing, but have turned myself from an XC to a 24 hour and endurance racer over the past year. I realize it's far from comparable, given that the 24 and endurance hour races I've competed in are multiple loops and offer support rather than point to point and self supported.

I'm doing what I can to prepare myself both physically and mentally for this race, and I'd like to be as competitive as possible. Any horror stories are welcome, and actually encouraged, as well.

[mbeardsl]

Lots of threads in here that will sometimes link to blogs.  Slap TNGA into the search bar in the top right corner and dig in!

[sherpaxc]

Welcome.  There is a wealth of info on here.  I got nothing for TNGA but have done plenty otherwise.  My biggest piece of advice is to just get out and do it.  People spend a lot of time thinking about gear/equipment but rarely actually go out and use it.  Slap some stuff together and go do some overnighters.  You'll learn more in 1 night than you'll ever learn sitting in front of the computer.

Have fun with it.  That's the whole point.

[DirtyBear]

Thanks for the direction mbeardsl. Found a great collection of articles by Scott Thigpen on his 2012 TNGA adventure. It's a great read, both entertaining and informative. Nicely done Scott.

Sherpaxc, I'll be sure to get out and test myself along with various loads of equipment. Slowly piecing together my arsenal, and have a few overnight trips planned for the coming months. Being in Dallas Texas at the moment, I won't have nearly the amount of elevation change that could prepare me for the TNGA, but riding any terrain is better than not riding at all.