Transcontinental Race No. 5 - TCR5 - #TCRN05 - 2017

Stick on? How do they work? Sounds like the answer to all my prayers (except that I am both long and short sighted and have an astigmatism that means that my eyes are the shape of rugby balls)

They stick on using surface tension from a drop of water - IKYN.

See this thread on Yacf for all the info:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=83623.0

Mine worked OK on the IPWR. The one on the right lens dropped out after a few days but it wasn't strong enough anyway. Right lens is very curved so wasn't surprised it happened. The left one, which I mainly relied on, stayed in all the way.

Wasn't sure where to post this but this thread seemed appropriate.

From The Times today, 3 May 2017

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Thank you. Will look into these.

That's a good write up in the times. I went up to the memorial ceremony yesterday and there were a couple of journalists outside covering it.
There's still no news from the police in Australia regarding what actually happened. The may be an inquest next year, which seems a long time for the family to have to wait.

Just announced on Facebook that the race is definitely happening this year. Quite relieved, though I would have understood if they'd decided against it

Ya just got the email. Hope it continues beyond no.5 in one form or another

@gillies my sentiments exactly. let the route planning commence.

If one of you could just post me your completed route some time in July...

Finished three hours ago...

#MikesLastDot

So - bad/cold weather clothing.

Thinking about arm warmers, leg warmers, a insulated jacket and a water proof rain vest. Will that be sufficient?

Depends how much you feel the cold or more importantly how you function in cold conditions. Waterproof vest seems pointless though, you'll wet through to quickly and then it's only keeping the wind off, in which case you might as well have a windproof vest as they're generally smaller, lighter and cheaper.

I'm generally pretty warm on the bike, but don't get your point about the rain vest? It'll keep my core warm which is the important part.

How will it keep your core warm? By keeping the wind off? Any water will surely pour in through the arm holes (saturating your clothes quicker than if you had a jacket with sleeves), in which case you'd get the same benefit from a windproof vest.

Take a waterproof jacket.

I guess if it was torrential rain it'd do that. It's a tight fitting thing so wasn't imagining too much saturation through arm holes.

Prob just go with a jacket then, I suppose the pack size isn't much difference.

waterproof jacket, then some thin layer that is warm when wet - lightweight fleece or merino ls jersey

I have one of those rapha insulated jackets - definitely warm when wet. My jersey will also be (lightweight) merino

you should be fine then. could even leave the insulated jacket and take armwarmers only. depends how fast you intend to be riding!

Still considering leaving a sleeping bag and just taking the bivvy and mat - in which case the jacket will be used for sleeping too. I think either way, the insulated jacket will be coming as its pretty packable and its insurance in case of something going wrong - a mechanical stuck in the mountains, for example.

sleeping bag is much more efficient (space and weight-wise) at keeping you warm whilst at rest than a jacket.

understand if you like yours, but I think insulated jackets are a waste of time if you're going fast. you're not going to be sitting around waiting at any point, so a sleeping bag keeps you warm during your only rest periods. and as soon as you start cycling, insulated jackets overheat.

I can't wear a sleeping bag whilst cycling though :p

I could be wrong on this, but I think there'll be plenty of times where I'll be pedalling slowly, or on descents, not at all, at night time. Those are the times when the jacket will be handy.

I'm trying to avoid making the same mistake I've made the in the past where I go out on slow rides - assuming that what works for a quick tempo effort will be good for long/slow/steady rides. My body doesn't produce anywhere near the same kind of heat which means I need to wrap up a little warmer. Adding fatigue and nighttime/long descents/high elevation into this means an insulated jacket (especially a breathable one, designed for riding in) makes sense.

edit: I still might take the sleeping bag too. I'm going to see how I get on with the bag, the bivvy and the mat in a few weeks with 3 nights bikepacking in Scotland.

Last year I didn't have a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, insulated jacket or vest and was fine. A bivvy I did have. But indeed a bit risky.

Things I still have to do:
-Plan a route
-Plain tickets
-Insurance
-Doctors note
-Maybe a new bike
-Get everything at work ready enough to leave for a month
-Training

But otherwise I'm ready.

Things I still have to do:
-Plan a route ish
-Plain tickets
-Insurance
-Doctors note
-Maybe a new bike
-Get everything at work ready enough to leave for a month
-Training

I'm getting there.

Your clothing and equipment needs depending on your riding stratagey. So don't listen to anyone else, work out what your stratagey is, then work out what you need to make it work.

I'd suggest an insulated vest though. There can be times it's cold, and when you're tired you'll feel colder.