Trans Am Bike Race / TransAm / TABR

I've got a small Apiudura if you want to borrow it. But can't you just fold the Viscacha over a few more times, or does it not work like that?

Thanks for the offer. Gonna try Ortlieb first.

It does work like that but it's still kinda big. Like they say, if you have the space, you will fill it.

I'm not sure there's much advantage to using a smaller bag - slight aero and weight benefit but I'm probably overthinking it. I mean, if I was really concerned I'd ditch the feed bags which are like parachutes.

I'm not going tubeless. How bad are USA roads for shrapnel?

I've got a revelate pika if you want to swap for the race? I'm not in London, but could probably sort something.... when are you leaving!

Thanks for the offer. I'm going to pick up an Ortlieb Large (2.7L) and see if I can fit my stuff in it. If it fits, I'll test it on the weekend's ride and make a call about sizing then. Might still hit you up, I don't leave until May 29th.

Varies state by state. In CO the main annoyance is goathead thorns but they're seasonal and come in after summer I think. I got one on a path last autumn and one recently off road. No problems on the road bike all winter and so far in spring. I'm switching to tubeless for some upcoming gravelly rides only.

Just started snowing here. I reckon that'll be the last one this winter. The storm warning sounds nasty and it'll be dumping in the mountains but it's still "warm" spring snow - the roads will be clear tomorrow.

Thanks for the info. Didn't carry a spare tyre on the TCR but kept reading about metal shards and stuff on US roads which made me think perhaps I need to, especially given potential distance to next bike shop.

I hope it's more than -5 when I get there!

I think I mayy have one of those if you want to borrow

Thanks but I've already ordered it. I'll have a garage sale of bikepacking shit when I retire from road cycling (ie. about 7 days into TABR)

Was it here that somebody described multi-day unsupported rides as "A series of days in which you wake up hoping that someone has stolen your bicycle"

Not sure. I've certainly heard it mentioned and I've thought the same myself during the TCR.

No worries, is need a temporary swap though, as I am bikepacking home from Bristol on June 6th ;0)

I see Rob English is doing it, and has built a bike and luggage for it:

http://www.englishcycles.com/custombikes/robs-transam-race-bike/

Repost ^

Who cares about the bike - is he fast?

Yeah, of course.

I'll see how this Ort is for size and get back to one or more of you generous peeps if I decide to use something else.

Yes.

http://rob.bikerevuk.com/rob.html

"I toured across the US, New Zealand, Australia and Europe. And I raced a fair bit, with a reasonable amount of success. Highlights include four 12 hour mountain bike wins (3 in the UK, 1 in New Zealand), 7th in the British National Time Trial championship, 4th in the Hillclimb championship, podiums in France and Italy."

"the first bike with my name on it was my TT bike – which did make me faster (and has won seven state championships to date)"

http://rob.bikerevuk.com/racing/nissan07/hour07.html

Garmin USA maps or OSM USA maps... hmm...

I've used USA OSM maps in the car before and they kinda sucked but on the bike I don't really care about lane choice and shit like that.

I've raced against him, he beat me. Now that is fast.

He has no chance - there's WAAAAAY more breweries on this route than TCR...

Rob's bike is insane.

Was interested in the no-dynamo thing. Is that not something that will be an issue?

Yeah, that would bother me, but I know Rob will have carefully figured it out. I guess 36 hours of riding in the dark is all he is planning on. Either that or he has plans to recharge it at some point, hotel stop or something.

Was also wondering about no dynamo. But then I guess those really nice wheels just don't have one and he has a charging strategy in place.

I guess you could start carrying a couple of battery phone chargers, stow them in the bags, charge as you ride and discard them enroute when empty!?

If you knew Rob.........
the last thing he would do is throw something away!

Post them to yourself once they're dead :)