It's looking as if the DK200 could be wet this year -- rain forecast for several days before and during the race. (We will hope the forecast is wrong.) The DK is famous for "peanut butter" mud.
Now, for the barrage of questions:
What's the best tire or tire type for sticky mud? Does it matter? Do knobbies / semi-knobbies (like on the Rock n' Road) accumulate more mud? Would a few mm of added tire width help? What worked (if anything) at the Land Rush 100 this year? What are your experiences?
Got this question tweeted and gave a brief response. Here is more to that. I did the Land Run 100 this year and there was about 10 miles of mud or more in the first 25. The first thing to be concerned about is tire to frame clearance, as the mud will pack up if you don't have enough. Fortunately for me, I am using a repurposed 29er frame with a Niner fork so I have plenty of clearance. I posted a photo of my bike today, a Litespeed Unicoi 29er. I used and am going to use WTB Nano 700x40c set up tubeless. I have more of a MTB background then CX, so this appeals to me. I would also be sure you have enough of a gear spread to spin a high rpm, this will help you keep your momentum through the mud. At the Land Run I was running a 48/36 paired with 11/34. For DK200, I'm going to 46/34. With my setup I was one of the few people I saw cranking through the muck. I will tell you that whatever you do, try to avoid stopping in it. I did that at one brief point and collected more mud on the bike and my feet then I did while peddling. And that crap gets heavy then. Looking forward to DK, it will be my first time. Good luck!!
My first DK, too. Thanks for the advice. Makes perfect sense. And, since I'm riding a Niner RLT9, it's good news. I've got tons of clearance, front and rear, and I will be riding 50/34 - 11/32.
I'm hoping the weather forecast is wrong. 201.3 miles in the dry would be challenge enough.
I've actually had pretty good luck with the Kenda Happy Medium 40mm in mud and muck. The shallow, yet open tread clears pretty well, while more closed treads like the MSO 40mm clog up readily.
