Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

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  • Another kit pick... 95% there


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  • Well organised!
    That last 5% is the hard bit though..

  • Very cool.

    How come you decided on a skinsuit? Won't it compromise flexibility/comfort/practicality?

  • I find them a lot comfier as there's no bib shorts pressure on my shoulders. I also gets a slightly better fit with less movement.

    It's a little less practical but it's got a front zip and 3 jersey pockets but I do miss completely undoing my jersey on a hot day and letting it flap away

    But also aero gainz

  • I wondered that. Skinsuit can be comfortable but I'd miss the pockets, toilet breaks aren't so straightforward and I still think I want a spare pair of shorts...

  • How are you going to mount 5 bottles?

  • Where on the route will you want to carry 4+ litres of water? In the Balkans it will be hot but also pretty hilly, no?

  • I don't think there's anywhere really I need to have 5 bottles but it's nice to stop less. Last year I took 1.5 litres and I'd say I stopped once every 2/3 hours for water. If I only have to stop every 6/9 hours then that's a fair amount of time saved (I reckon just under an hour/day). Obviously there's the increased weight of the system but only for a short while will I be carrying it all before it gets drunk.

    @inappropriate_bike two on the back behind the seat, 1 on the seat post and 2 at the front under the tri bars

  • It's an interesting strategy - the camel approach!

    I've done a couple of 12 hour TTs carrying 4l of water (energy drink) and only stopping once (<45 seconds stationary on my last one). The weight penalty on flattish roads was hardly noticeable, when riding or in my power / speed numbers. But I'm not sure I'd do it in the mountains.

    I'm taking 2 x 1 litre and can attach an extra 0.75 l, but have to stop the bike to access it (mounted under downtube between front wheel and BB).

  • Dumb question... I always imagined people took 2nd sets of clothing or something.

    Is this just a "ride and sweat, and stink like a packhorse, and just have a shower at the end where fresh clothes will be waiting" thing?

  • I'm planning on taking a spare pair of shorts but I think I'm in a small minority (and I did speak to someone the other week who said he took spare shorts last year and didn't use them).

    No clothes waiting, but I'm expecting there will be a shop or market at the end where I can treat myself to a new, clean arrival outfit!

  • Last year I had just one kit and it was fine, I washed it every 3-4 days in a hotel sink/shower.

    My main concern was an infection caused by saddle sores so whenever I had a shower I cleaned that area really really well. I also had anti-bacterial cream which I probably applied twice a day.

  • Single kit for me too. Abrasive salt build-up is my biggest concern. I was tempted to go with a skin suit too but the pad on mine isn't quite as good as the shorts I'll now be using. I'll probably be glad of that when I'm sat on the porcelain throne. Having the loaded pockets hang down on/around the floor is always a struggle.

  • Sudacreme is good for preventing sores.
    One advantage of a 2nd pair of bibs is that you can double up with the top pair inside out in the event of a sore hole.
    Don't forget sun arm sleeves or whatever they are called, its going to get hot.
    Worth getting a bidon with a foil liner to keep water cool, additionally fill up bidons with ice from fast food restaurants drinks dispensers.

  • 5 bottles?

    Her chamois cream?

    I'm still last minute panic buying. I won't even have time to fit most of it :)

  • That's why I tried a San Remo speedsuit. It didn't work.

    If anyone would like a San Remo speedsuit, it has done one ride.

    One 700k ride.

  • Few different strategies - ultralight would be one set of kit. I'm taking two sets of shorts, making sure each has a different chamois design so that if there's horrible chaffing from one, i can swap into another. Also allows one to clean and dry while wearing the other and they're only a couple of hundred grams.

  • Or you could post some clothes from Belgium to the hotel. Sure there were details on the 5th Checkpoint website.

  • There's risk using ice isn't there? Some of these places are using not so clean water (this is assuming I make it past say Switzerland).

  • Gin has antimicrobial properties, I hear

  • Her was one of the only creams to come in a squeazy bottle rather than a bulky tub.

    Why weren't you a fan of the speed suit?

  • Of all the alcohols it could be it has to be the only one that I don't drink only drink under duress.

  • It was too tight I think (which is annoying because I'm sure one that same size fit lovely a year before). Probably fine for 300k but after 600 I was hurtin'.

  • Good point. Forgotten about that.
    One extra thing to do though, and I quite like the idea of just getting some random clothes out of the bazaar...

  • I'm not likely to be posting anything. I'm taking a pair of Gore mtb shorts as well so will just go commando in them until someone arrests me or I find clothes.

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Transcontinental Race (London - Istanbul) - #TCRNo4

Posted by Avatar for hippy @hippy

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