TransAm 2016 - www.transambikerace.com

I know. Ran them after bending the shiv ones.

"a competitor may cache food or equipment resupply at US Post Offices only, care of general delivery"

But I'm sure I watched that bike shop Newton read out how to send them stuff? Is that breaking the rules then? Their facilities are available to all racers so I'm not sure how that works according to the rules?

http://www.newtonbikeshop.com/transambikerace.php

"Their facilities are available to all racers " Therefore its in the ethos of the rules, as I understand them. Objections to outside support are on the basis that it gives an unfair advantage -particularly to local competitors.
Although its all a bit ad hoc, the organisers decision is final/ Rule 1 is no bitching about the rules etc.
Adds to its charm in my opinion.

If sending to US Post Offices, do so from the US. If you send stuff from abroad, you could find that your goods are subject to duty, or worse, carted off to an examination centre where there are scrutinised for a few weeks and then sent on long after you have gone.

I just want clarity. I don't want to break their rules.

I wouldn't even know what to send in advance. Might be easier to just go ad-hoc and fix anything along the way.

If you have a particular brand of energy supplement or chamois creme; or a change of clothing (include packaging to send dirty stuff on to the finish...)

Chain. Tyres. Tracker batteries. New bib shorts. Socks. Your favourite inner tubes. Your favourite snacks.

Fair enough- at this stage I agree, can over plan these things. I will however check what parts are less available in Murica. Assume most places nowadays can deal with Di2, that's my only real concern.

Wouldn't spare a single worry for di2. Not worth the time. Its rock solid.

I'm not swapping a chain half way through, it's only 3000k. Tyres maybe, but I could just buy when necessary. I don't wear bibs and I'm not sure about changing them half way. Better to just have them melt into your festering skin I reckon. Tubes - shop, Snacks? I'll be eating all manner of shit so I'm not sure sending a cherry ripe would do much good other than psych boost.

So long as you can charge it.
Jesse ran his di2 externally to make it easier to fix but I'm not sure that's necessary. Internally is more protected too.

Did first "training session" on Saturday. Quite pleased at level of fitness post PBP. Planning on a couple of silly o clock in the morning speed sessions in the week, then a 300k weekend ride. Spinning and running when the weather gets chilly.

My training will start soon...

Eat dozen pancakes, drink 2L of milk, 2x20 @ FTP until I can do it without vomiting.

I only say change them as you chamois might disintegrate. Also if you're using chamois cream, unless you can wash them properly, it will not clean out. Also they'll stretch so your balls aren't so well supported.

You asked what you could send ahead. I didn't say you needed too for all of it. But those bits are about what's worthwhile.

I'd happily send my favourite brand of tyres ahead. Plus a nice snack in the box for a mental boost.

hippy, you might lose weight and so a smaller sized skinsuit could be an idea ;-)

Good point. I'm sure my new Assos shorts have got saggier - maybe that was just my PBP gooch though. I reckon the old Assos F1.Mille shorts are tougher. Wish I could get new ones of those. That's why I was toying with buying a Castelli pair and seeing what they are like.

Lose weight? you're a funny guy!

(I had salad for breakfast and salad for lunch, my life is basically over)

Would bars like these not be a good idea? Maybe not as full on areo as proper bars, but they'd get your body in a pretty aero position, give regular road bar use for non-aero positioned riding and seem to offer a lot of scope to move and fidgit in the aero position rather than having many days of weight resting on the same spot of your forearms. Maybe more hand positions that could be used too.

Pads don't move separate to the tops though so if they were in my road bar position, the aerobar position would be wrong and vice versa.

Are you allowed to cache an entire bike? Say after the Rockies could you have your TT bike ready to zoom across Kansas, Missouri and Kentucky?

It's not explicitly against the rules but I wouldn't do it as it's against the spirit of the race. http://transambikerace.com/rules/

"Shipping/receiving supplies (to the course): In the name of equal opportunity for international riders and to minimize the ‘footprint’, challengers are encouraged to race as reliant as possible on commercial services along the route."

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/canyon-ultimate-cf-slx-disc-gets-versatile-45144/

Race geo, discs, 30mm tyre clearance

Nice- I'm looking at either Canyon or Argon.

I want whatever someone else will pay for...