Nobody is disappointed in you guys. People like myself love watching your videos to watch your 2 wheeled adventures unfold. Thanks for sharing and keeping it 100.

Nice honest video. I’m with those advocating for 100 in 2019 and 200 in 2020. I’d think you’d want to do 200 a few times in training before trying it at DK. Great effort, both of you!

Honestly, failing with grace is as important as anything else. I really appreciate your honesty, transparency, and attitudes throughout all this. Despite the heartbreak of DNF, I’ve felt inspired by your experience anyway, so keep up the great work 😀

That was a great video. Gravel is tough. Gravel and sun are depleting. Gravel, sun, and wind make you hate riding. Doing all that for 100+ miles is really, really hard. Consider yourselves amazing to be able to do so much. Be less concerned with what you didn't do and amazed at what you did.

Thank you for sharing your ride, thoughts and emotions. Your #couchtokanza series was an total success. Congrats!

Guys, you have absolutely nothing to feel bad about. I’m sure with the passage of time you’re feeling better about it. Really appreciate your honesty.

New favorite channel. Raw honesty. Humble. Real. Love it.

I failed to finish The Hondo last year in similar terrain. I knew from that I would attempt the DK100 instead of the DK200. Kansas is a harsh environment to ride in. The wind demoralizes you then the hills of the Great Plains finish you off. Imagine, the pioneer settlers rode and walked though that on their way to a better life out west. We all have it in us, but not every day. My Hondo DNF also made me revamp every aspect of the DK training plan. I changed to a lighter bike, switched to Camel Bak water, purchased tight fitting clothes that do not flap, practiced drinking on schedule and taking salts and carbohydrates by the clock. I do painful interval training. I ride up and down those miserable hills. I ride against 30 mph wind all the time. I live here in south Kansas. The landscape is beautiful, but it’s not highly populated for a reason, just like the mountain peaks are not densely populated. Nature is harsh. I love you guys. Thank you for putting your videos out there. I saw you on the ride-you had pulled over. I didn’t stop to chat. Geoff

Thank you for this video and how honest it was! You guys should be proud of what you were able to accomplish.

What a great team you guys are! Definitely not disappointed in your efforts, and do love the free and open comments which sort-of put the audience in your shoes. Look forward to watching your DK next year! Thanks for another great video.

You two are just lovely, authentic, and humble people. Thank you for sharing your story.

You two did a great job documenting this journey. It was such a wonderful joy following this adventure✌😊👍🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️

Honest and humble... a breath of fresh air in cycle reporting... appreciated!

You two are both amazing. Thank's for sharing this huge challenge. You didn't let anyone down. You should be very proud of what you accomplished. Stay safe.

Great job you two! Thanks for taking us along on the ride with you.

Russ and Laura, I really enjoyed watching this whole process. I think you should be proud of how far you've come since earlier this year!! Keep up the great work!

Fantastic job! It was a great pleasure to witness your buildup and struggles with the infamous Dirty Kanza! Thanks for bringing us along on the journey! Kudos to you both for putting yourselves out there. Sorry you didn't make the 200 miles. But Its almost more inspiring to see you back in the AirBnB room sipping whiskey, reflecting on your epic adventure, and being gracious in defeat. What a great example to follow one’s dreams wherever they may lead. You two are brilliant (and adorable)! Come on 50,000 views! I’m hoping for a round two, and next time may the wind be at your back!

Nothing to hide from. An honest and steady effort all the way through. Next year is a new year;)

Russ and Laura, much props for sharing your journey through this experience with the KZread Universe. Honesty with yourselves and us viewers goes much *further* than pushing til you're broken. Seriously inspirational to see C2K through the months and can't wait to see what the channel has to offer next. Keep on grinding!

Thanks for sharing this adventure. I do not feel let down at all - you kept us in the loop, you helped us grow alongside. Félicitations.

Thanks you two for making it real. My heart bleeds for you both having to suffer as much as you did. I did, however, enjoy every minute of the journey you took us on. Hats off for having a go at a real tough ride.

Great job, both of you!! No shame in doing your best, and I can believe you both did with the cards dealt to you! It was a monumental effort and something to be proud of! I enjoyed watching your journey and will continue to follow with or without a second attempt. You guys ROCK!

Honest and humbling and respected. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work.

Absolutely the most honest DK review ever. In 2013 I was just on the other side of your equation and finished just under the final cutoff. Good job you guys. Do it again!!!!

Two thumbs up, for doing the training and the ride and doing it publicly. Also, this is my favorite video so far.

This is why I love this channel and am a supporter...the honesty in all things! A lot of instagram feeds and such from a lot of racers feel like press releases and it gets in your head. This video is amazing and I appreciate the brutal honesty. Once some time has passed you will be able to see what you did accomplish more clearly. Focus on that, for your SECOND race ever to be DK200 is a huge challenge and you both rocked it! Thank you for sharing this with us all in such an open way. It is very helpful to be able to feel that camaraderie with others who are trying stuff that pushes us out of our comfort zones.

I had to watch this episode again since my own experience last Saturday was very similar. You guys are so good. Absolutely, you crushed it. 100 miles of that wind, heat, terrain is something to be proud of. Congratulations.

Wow, you guys are just wonderful, real people. Thank you for sharing your experience, you did great in my book!

Awesome series, awesome everything! You two are awesome and I love everything your post!

Well done both of you - courage and honesty is in short supply at the moment. Take time to recover and then plan your next moves. I personally, will watch this 50,000 times just so that you have to do it again. Take care. Much love.

Thank you for sharing PLP adventures like this series of videos and all the experience of your journey to DK with us. You're an inspiration to so many - your authenticity, character and willingness to take on a massively challenging task is wonderful. Very few people would be willing to take on such a challenge, much less share all the ups & downs of the process with the world. Please keep doing what you're doing - it helps the rest of us mere mortals learn alongside you, feeling a sense of camaraderie & OK-ness no matter what the outcome of an event is. "Perfection can be the enemy of good enough" and by extension good enough is a ton better than not trying (esp. new things). Proud of you guys. Wishing you the best in all your adventures.

I have watched this episode many times , you both are hero’s in my mind. You worked hard to get there and gave it all you had on that day . Cheers !! ❤❤

Good job guys! Great videos, good coverage of the event, excellent try! First try, now you know what to expect for next year. GO GET IT! Thank you for covering it for those of us that couldn't make it.

55k views, looks like you’re doing it again!

You are both such lovely "real" people. Some things we just can't control, such as the weather or even how we feel. This is a real story. What happened, happened. You both shared this physical and emotional experience with each other and with your viewers. What a fantastic achievement. Thank You for all that you do!

I learned a great deal watching your journey. You inspired me to get back on the bike after being hit by a truck. The honest emotional connection you have with your viewers is your forever win!

I just love you two and want to give you a big hug so much. Great job on the video. You are so amazing.

Great video! Failure is a hard pill to swallow but creates some of the best motivation to get better. Rest up, start training, you got this!

You guys are great. The best part of your channel IMO is that you put out content that reflects your passions and you're honest about your experiences. Most of the time that's really fun, obviously it can't always be. Couch to Kanza was a Herculean task. Doing it publicly was incredibly risky and courageous. Bravo for making the effort.

You two are amazing how you work together and care about each other.

Full success! Love that you did this - first time is always learning. You should totally give it another go!

Good job you guys. You don't have anything to be ashamed of. You worked hard and did the best you could. DK is seriously a reality check. You have definitely learned from the experience, and you should take that into the event next time. :)

@miporsche

6 жыл бұрын

Agree!

Give it another go! See what a difference a year makes!

Thank you for this. An excellent, truthful, honest video. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROFESSIONALISM. Most people couldn't be this host or realistic.

In a world that seems so focused on competition, I am ambivalent about races. But I think you have to feel good about your honest and conscientious effort. Thanks for taking us all along with you. You are both an inspiration.

Ya'll are AWESOME!!! I love watching you guys because you remind me of a younger version of me and my husband. We are not fast, we just love the adventure of riding a bike. But a challenge like DK is so enticing. I'm so impressed with the effort and work ya'll have put in with your training. I would love to see ya'll have another go at it, I think with more time training ya'll can do it!! "You can do it!"

Well done , you made a gallant effort.Your vids are noteworthy for their honesty and I share your disappointment. It's good to share the highs and lows and learn from the experience. Here's to many more great films and thanks regards Philip

You guys did amazing job! And remember (as I’m sure you already know), every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow from the amazing opportunity you got to do! Congratulations again, and now you know how to better kick ass on your next challenge! Keep pedaling forward! Keep up the great job guys!!!

Russ and Laura, I was just running some of your videos as I sit here in my COVID-19 survival bunker (my house) and while I'd seen this one before it came up again. I appreciate the raw honesty of this whole series and this video. I understand not finishing was a big disappointment, but I really respect that you took a big risk, set a goal, and followed after it, and didn't varnish over the truth. To me, it gives your entire approach and your KZread channel a lot of credibility.

I have watched this video a few times. Thank you for being open and honest. Learn from your mistakes and continue training, but have FUN. Work out your challenges, together. Help each other out both mental and physically. Well done and keep the rubber side down. :)

Great job. We need to see the good and the bad . So many videos sugar coat everything, but you have brought reality to an event from start to finish, and then giving us this reiteration in detail. Much appreciated! In a way, I'd call this a very successful video compilation.

Great effort guys! Been following you since I came across your Brompton days content. Thanks for keeping it real!

The experience was incredible for you. Time will prove that. No harm done, no one got hurt. You pushed yourself far past what you have ever done. Strong work and go for next year, as long as you enjoy the riding along the way!

Congrats folks! This was an awesome series!

This was my 3rd year in a row and perhaps the hardest one to finish. I enjoyed your series and meeting you Friday in Emporia. Your observations about the Kanza are spot on. You' ve captured the essence. It's tough. Hope you keep going and try again. The feeling of completing is unbelievable and counteracts the very real pain of getting there. Don't give up.

You guys are amazing….thank you for sharing!!

You guys are awesome! I love that you went out there and challenged yourselves. 🚲

@PathLessPedaledTV

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! That was tough physically and emotionally.

Huge kudos to you both for picking a nice bike hard goal, throwing yourselves at it, and seeing what happened. My heart really goes out to you both as I had a similar experience in my first AZTR attempt this year - realized very soon it was way way harder than I thought, and probably wasn't going to finish. Failing to meet your own expectations is hard, but doing so in public is even harder. Thanks for being honest and sharing your journey.

Kudos... there are many people that wouldn't be able to do as much as you did. Enjoy very much your videos. Thanks for sharing.

The only failure would be not trying! Kudos to you both! Not everyone is made to be a gladiator but going through the training and experience is just an amazing thing. Thank you for sharing love your channel.

Proud of you guys! Great JOB! Better to have tried then not tried at all. Thanks for sharing. You did GREAT.

Great video i really enjoyed both of them, thanks for sharing.

Well done guys, nothing to be ashamed off, go for the 100 next time so you get the victory you deserve and we get to watch you do it. You are a great couple and I loved the honest but still fun approach to this video. Take care.

Hugs and love to you both. You guys are heros. Failure is only an ingredient to bis success. Great effort and courage guys.

This is one of the most honest videos of a goal unreached I've ever watched. The lessons shared will inspire others and hopefully motivate yourself. It would have been easy to not share this with the world, hiding it from everyone, but you didn't. You made a VERY unselfish video. You should be proud. It was a great effort and a great video.

Thank you for sharing this experience. You guys are awesome.

10K + views already.....looking good for next year. I enjoyed your video and the others I’ve seen, very refreshing, real life honest impressions of your experiences with bikes . Keep them rolling in. Chris

Great job! Thank you for sharing!

I would like to thank you for your honest video. You guys did great no matter the outcome. 100 miles under those conditions is an accomplishment for any rider... I am a big fan of your channel. And enjoy both of your enthusiasm. Keep riding! And dont ever back down from a challenge!

My favorite video you've ever made!! I've read nothing but nice comments of people you inspired and people who RELATE to this story. They reason we love musicians like Paul Simon or actors like Daniel Day Lewis is that they are master story tellers. You kept taking the camera out even when you felt like puking! This will be your most watched video because you guys let us see your fear, disappointment and mixed emotions. Very well done all around. I haven't even checked to see who won the race or in how much time, because I don't care, but you guys made this real. I did the TAT (via motorcycle)a few years back and I had sponsorships, a book deal and we finished but got off route a lot for various reasons. I wrote the book but never did anything with it. I felt like I failed or wimped out. very mixed emotions ..for years. I think you just inspired me to publish it. If I was in your shoes I would go home, unplug the computer, phone, grab your bike, your bourbon and your fishing rod and go bike packing for a couple days and ride as short of distances as you want, don't film anything and just breath. You deserve it.

Great effort. Keep having fun... that's the most important part.

Great video and thanks for the honesty. Riding the length of Vermont this September and your videos have been very inspirational in getting out there. I say go for another. Ran 3 marathons, couldn't finish the last one due to injury. To this day I still feel like I should of got back on that horse and gave it another shot. Take care and God bless you both, Al

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This was a very emotional video and I commend you both for your willingness to put it out there for us. No judgement here. Only support. I hope you see more and more of the positive side over the coming weeks.

@rrrseajay

6 жыл бұрын

I have debated adding this comment. Only a PSA not criticism. The time spent at the expo in 80+ heat /humidity was not conducive to pre race body conservation. Fun but perhaps a tactical error.

Though you may not have completed the race, you both still went out there and did it! Keep your heads up, and next year you will be prepared, and know what to expect. Thank you for the great videos!

Weather you choose to try again or not, what an amazing experience you’ve had. It’s far better to take on the challenge and not finish than not even try. Congratulations on toeing the line and going for it.

Well done.....one of your best videos!

Much respect to you and everyone who attempts and even finishes the 200. Do the 100 next year and take your time and enjoy the ride. Enjoy the scenery. Doing the 100 gives you ample time to take it all in. Enjoy riding through the finish line. It’s an amazing experience to do that. You truly feel like a rockstar when Emporia welcomes you in with cowbells ringing. Hope to see you again next year.

Glad I found your videos. REAL. Great information and honest.

You still did better than the other 99.8% riding the couch this weekend. Kudos to both of you. Very well edited and moving video.

You guys did awesome! Thanks for bringing us along on the Journey. Now lets get back to awesome reviews, cool bike trips and fishing! :D

Well done for trying! You learn more from your losses than your victories. Be proud of your attempt, there is no shame in honest endeavour. It’s good for your viewers to see that all attempts don’t end in success. I love Kilian Journet’s philosophy on failed attempts at climbing mountains, it gives you the ultimate reason to go back! Respect for your honesty. Come to Wales and see our wonderful rolling green hills!

An awesome video! An encouragement for the average rider! Thanks guys. That’s why I love your videos - always entertaining, always true! We have a race in South Africa called the Trans Baviaans - it is a a 230km gravel ride (with some single track and mountain trails). It looks like very similar terrain to what you rode. I rode it last year and struggled so much! The last time I had suffered that much was during my basic training in the military! Thanks again for the video!

What a wonderful, real story. You guys rock!

Wow. So insightful and honest! Thanks for this.

Amazing effort! Looking forward to stumbling into your other event videos.

You are both to be commended for putting this out for all of us to see and follow along. Besides all the hard training and preparation work you put into this. Bravo! Give it a couple weeks, and you will be able to objectively look back and decide if you want to try again. You have my vote of confidence to give it another shot! The conditions were obviously not in your favor, so don't let it get you down... I am inspired to attempt it myself (if I can get in), but probably not until 2020. Maybe I'll see you guys then?? Also, I would be interested to hear more about what you think worked well, and what didn't in terms of gear, bikes, etc... Thanks so much!

I was waiting for this video! I'm super proud of you two! Being honest with yourself and knowing when to pull the plug is important. I had to pull the plug on a tour last year when my body told me to stop. In time, you'll be stoked to do the DK again. Now you know what to expect! :)

Great video, thanks for all the details about the race.

Such a great video! It really captures what’s so difficult and yet wonderful about this ride. The weather, the wind, the sun, the relentless rolling hills. I’ve done the 100 twice and learned a lot. I recommend doing the 100 first for anyone considering the 200. I also know the feeling of not completing a goal - LAND RUN! But that’s what makes these challenges such an epic endeavor. You have to lose a few to make the wins even more sweet. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope to see you out there next year. You guys are an inspiration.

You folks are an inspiration. Seeing you folks train and struggle yet still want to try again makes one want to train and try it. Like the idea people say of dk100 in 2019 and 200 in 2020. You guys did awesome and had very upbeat attitude despite all the challenges. Very fun to watch. Go 4 it next year and have fun!

@PathLessPedaledTV

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! That means a lot.

Great Video!! - Thank you for putting your adventure out there for all to see. I hope if you get the opportunity to run the event again you take it. Catch some fish on the way home!

Great video. Great series of videos on couch2kanza. I like both of your open, honest commentaries. Now you know what a bad year is like and can train to finish under those conditions. If the conditions are better (not so hot and less wind) that is gravy. You guys didn’t finish but you certainly didn’t fail. Chapeau! I commented on one of your earlier videos that these things are much more mental than physical....that is hard to train under ideal conditions. Drink some whisky, fish some fish stuff and keep the supple side down.

great series, great video. I appreciate the honest assessment. I finished the Oregon Outback last week, and I trained all of 2018 to do it, not knowing if I really could finish the ride. I did it, and I wish I had documented the progression and the ride like you guys have. I really appreciate the level of dedication and commitment it takes to not only go for the ride, but to capture it on video, edit it, present it like you have. So kudos to you both. I'm a fan of your stuff, and we'll probably see you on the trail! I had a fishing guide couple in Maupin name drop your videos when I asked about fly fishing on the Deschutes while riding through on a training ride. Small world, big ripples.

Thanks for posting the truth of 2k . Keep going guys nice 👍 work and nice video.

Nothing wrong with failing, not trying is the real issue. Congrats on pushing yourself in training and stepping up for a huge challenge, respect!

Newbie of the channel, watching this late. But I just have to say this: thanks for being so human, so gracefully guys❤️.

Well done on a great effort both in the training and on the day. Just keep going with the dream and go back next year harder, faster, wiser. You will get there. Nothing worth doing comes easily.

Thanks for sharing your experience. You gave it a good try and pushed yourself harder than you have done before....I think that is pretty cool.....

I know what it's like to fail and get broken heart :( I did Peaks Challenge Falls Creek event in Australia in 2015, 235km with 4000m+ elevation and did not finish. I spent thousands of dollars in training, plane tickets, etc. I didn't get over it even until 6 months later. In the end, I re-trained and I have even now managed to complete the whole series 3 x Peaks Challenges in 2016 and 2017. SO YES, DO IT AGAIN GUYS :)

Well, I for one am impressed. Your disappointment comes through, but as someone who couldn't do even 100 at this point, I'm very impressed with what you have done and look to you for inspiration. Please keep up the great work!