Audaxs, what to bring

Firstly I hope there isnt a similar thread to this, couldnt find it anyway..

Now I will(I hope) be doing my first audax next month and of course I have chosen to do it fixed, two reasons: 1 I dont own a geared bike 2 So many people have told me I cant do it fixed I have to try.
It is the Wicklow 200(Ireland), it is a one day event which is what gets me thinking on what I need to and dont need to bring, if it was longer I would have no problem knowing what to pack.
Since I havent done much long distance rides before my carrying equipment is limited to a small(ish) saddlebag and a messenger bag(ruled out for this).
Also nutrition for the day would have to be included.

I dont think im the only one wondering these things so your input would be appreciated.

Wicklow 200!
I rode over a bunch of those last week and the locals spoke highly of this event.
I actually thought it was a sportive not an audax?

Yeah.. it has feed stops: http://www.wicklow200.ie/2009/help.shtml#r6

http://www.wicklow200.ie/2009/help.shtml#r7

You can carry a lot in a cycling jersey (food, phone, pump) and in my saddle pack I tend to have two tubes (tyre levers, maybe patch kit if you need them).

You're doing it on fixed?!! Fucking hell mate, you must have balls of steel.

I've ridden it twice, great event over a tough course. Last time was during the 2002 World Cup and Ireland went out to Spain on penalties. Riding through Tallaght right after that was fun.

You will want the following;

The usual selection of tools including allen keys, tire levers, two spare inners, puncture repair kit and a decent pump.
A water bottle in a cage on the bike.
Your wallet with some money in it and a credit card.
Your mobile phone.
Somewhere safe to store your control card.

That's the real essentials. I'd also advice carrying a small amount of food without to get you to the next town/control.

A thin waterproof jacket would be worthwhile having if there's any chance of rain, shoe covers if there's a risk of a downpour.

Never done an Audax but ridden several 200 km rides, one on my own, only stopped in one petrol station so carried all the food for the day bar one drink of milk. Normal basic tool kit + two tubes for me.

Food dried fruit and soreen, one sand which and a banana, bought some drinks along the way.

Don't eat too much dried fruit though as found it gave me the shits, I had to have two emergency nature poos. You should be able to grab something more bung like at the food stations though like pasta or beans on toast.

My reading fail

Wicklow 200!
I rode over a bunch of those last week and the locals spoke highly of this event.
I actually thought it was a sportive not an audax?

It probably is....Im not really the person to ask, which you can see.
Yeah its meant to be a great event, looking forward to it.

• sudocream
  

As I recall the feed stops were well stocked and nicely spaced so you should be able to carry emergency rations only and get most of your food from them.

You're doing it on fixed?!! Fucking hell mate, you must have balls of steel.

I've ridden it twice, great event over a tough course. Last time was during the 2002 World Cup and Ireland went out to Spain on penalties. Riding through Tallaght right after that was fun.

Hahah Tallaght, fun?
I could well have balls of steel, havent checked recently...Plus I currently dont even own a back brake...Haha

There's some long climbs I got over them ok but I was geared (I'd ridden 800k in the previous 4 days though). Doing them fixed would be evil.

Hahah Tallaght, fun?
I could well have balls of steel, havent checked recently...Plus I currently dont even own a back brake...Haha

If it's wet (and remember this is Ireland we are talking about) this could equal serious fail.

Yeah I will see if I can get a loan of one..

Food wise would I be ok with say some jellys for energy and maybe a bar or two? For between stops of course.

How would I carry the rainjacket when not wearing it? I assume that alone would be fine for warmth during the cycle.
I was thinking of taping a inner tube or two to the headtube between the downtube and toptube?
Also I have only one bottle stay which should take my pump(with mounts) and waterbottle cage.
So I could get my tools, phone and wallet into my saddlebag.

Experiment with folding up your jacket and strapping it to your seat post with an old toe clip or two.. It's worked for me in the past but took some tweaking to get the correct position.

I was thinking top tube but whatever works.

I always just wrap the jacket around itself and stuff it into middle jersey pocket with pump.
Phone, cc, etc in left pocket, food in right.

Thanks all,

Now if the fekin weather would clear up I could get some training in hah.

+1 lol!

Stock up on loads of pasta the night before, even a little in the morning. Cook it 'al dente'.

stein, good luck! I have been over the course (though not ridden it... i will leave that to the mighty legs of the hippy) it's stunning but will test your metle.
let us know how you go! :)

Yeah I will do.... If I get an entry, they closed the entry deadline early and I dont have a pass.
I know I could just cycle it without an entry but that means no food or water at the stops, and im a fat bastard when it comes to eating.
So on the off chance one of you know someone with a pass for the day that no longer wants it, give me a shout and I will pay them in full for it.

Update, Sunday is the big day, I have been promised a pass which I might have to collect on the day.
Yesterday I went on a long enough ride, nothing too strenuous, went from north Dublin to Dundrum to meet a friend.
Went on to Enniskerry,
we set off twards the sally gap, a long slow climb up to the base of the sally gap climb, took a break before it.
It was hard work climbing but with a good few breaks it was hard but not a killer.
The descents were fun with only a front brake, bit sketchy at times.
Another hard climb out of there(to shrahmore I think)
I left Dublin at about 4oc and it was still very hot, I dread reaching one of the climbs in the midday sun this Sunday.
The weather is to be good, which is good since my rain jacket just disappeared recently.
Doing about 130k on Wednesday and then rest and prepair

I think I might be able for it.(dont hold me by this)

Good luck Stein. If my experiences of the Wicklow 200 are anything to go by you'll not have to worry about heat, just rain. ;p

I look forward to hearing how you got on.