Transcontinental Race No. 6 - TCR6 - #TCRN06 - 2018

Top news for hippy's mobile phone data provider.

Not really. The abuse they get online from coverage gaps is not insignificant....

Oooh yes, something I've been thinking about very recently. Who's share price shall I crash..

https://www.apidura.com/getting-started/train-ultra-distance-bikepacking-race/

Interesting article on the overall costs of ultra racing. My budget is certainly on the minimum end for sure!

http://ridefar.info/races/costs/

Congrats to all for getting a place. Didn’t enter this year but hope to see some of you again on a checkpoint!

Open to all... happy to lend some equipment for testing/use on the race. Got dynamo set of wheels with Supernova E3 Triple+ Sinewave, lots of chargers plus lots of apidura bags, sleeping stuff and other things

So a few hours ago I was wondering if a rack bag might be the way to go and thought I would make a quick mock-up in ms paint to decide which colour to get. Fell down the rabbit hole and I ended up creating My-First-Vision-Board™ which i present here for prosperity.
manifesting my vision into the universe /10. Would vision board again.

Anyone know a good reason to not use a rack bag? I already have the pannier rack so would probably keep that and think about swapping for a seatpost / saddle attached rack later on.

I'm hesitant to go for a saddle bag as I reckon the swing will be a small torture and no organisation.
The next choice would have been a full frame bag but figured that would act as a massive sail causing me to stack it the next time a crosswind came along.
What I think would work is a combination of rack bag and partial frame bag, leaving enough luggage space for snacks without ruining the handling. Trying to avoid having a handlebar bag.

Tl;dr Yellow Red or Black?

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Massively depends on what your aims are:

1) going super fa/t, then full frame back should pretty much carry everything with a camel back. You can also grab things whilst on the move.

2) the saddle bag isn’t as swingy as you’d expect but it is a pain unpacking it but a decent middle ground saving weight.

3) if you’ve got a decent painier set then use it. Much more cost effective and easier to locate stuff. Remember spare bolts though!

Frame bags don't appear to be a problem in cross winds. Big bar bags are, I know from experience.

There's no actual evidence that I've seen that apidura type saddle packs are aerodynamic. Rack packs are lower, stick out less, but the rack struts would cause drag. They are more accessible though. Im weighing up luggage options but will most likely use a rack pack.

http://www.cyclingabout.com/speed-difference-between-panniers-bikepacking-bags-aerodynamic-testing-results/

I'd have thought rack packs being lower actually an aero disadvantage because instead of being behind your arse, they're behind your legs/seatpost which means they would see more air.

I agree for taller riders but, for some of us, there's not a massive difference:

If I still had panniers I'd go and do some aero testing for you. :)

How secure is that style of saddle bag? Does it roll round much? Think that's what I'll go for out back :)

It's very secure and, if packed tightly, doesn't move much. It's good for storing things that you only need in the evening but not very good for stuff that you need during the day. It's perfect for stuff that you never use at all.

If you need to get something out you basically have to tip all your stuff out onto the road and then repack it. I went off mine on TCR 04 when I had tyre issues and was carrying my pump in that bag. I had to keep getting my pump out and it was a pain / timewaster. But I now carry my pump on the frame so less of an issue for me.

Is a Carradice a very bad choice? I am put off the Apidura type bags for all the reasons listed above.

Cheers. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I'll get there slowly ;)

No, not a crazy idea, it's probably less aero, a bit heavier, but easier to access. I was actually considering going back to using one!

you basically have to tip all your stuff out onto the road

I have never done this with my Revelate. I just hold it open and up with one hand and rummage with the other. Much like that time I helped deliver a baby...

I've used a Carradice twice in TCR. It's heavy, with a Bagman and probably less aero, though Barley isn't that big. Doesn't sway even if it isn't tightly packed, easy and quick access and easy to keep things organised in it, with the pockets and all.

Barley probably a bit small. I have a super which is a probably bit too big. Decisions decisions.

I had a 4,5l half frame bag, barley and a food pouch on the bar, that was enough for me.

I have never done this with my Revelate. I just hold it open and up with one hand and rummage with the other. Much like that time I helped deliver a baby...

Glad I'm not a midwife!
My issue might be that I have the small Apidura so there is not much to hold up while I rummage. But I always found that, after I took my sleeping pad out, everything else just fell out, so I had to take it off the bike and re-pack.

The Apidura stuff came from Tour Divide style off-road bikepacking where racks/bagmen tend to break. There it is a no-brainer, but the case isn't so compelling on road.

I've used a Carradice twice in TCR. It's heavy, with a Bagman and probably less aero, though Barley isn't that big. Doesn't sway even if it isn't tightly packed, easy and quick access and easy to keep things organised in it, with the pockets and all.

Barley could still be pretty aero. I think aero becomes an issue for the wider ones which stick out past your hips. Either way, it didn't stop you riding pretty fast!

If you hold the top up, is it not long enough to stop everything falling out?
I don't know how the Viscacha compares to the Small Apidura but it's probably bigger.

Any indication if Allegaert and Ibbett will be racing this year?