Audax rides

I refuse McDonalds.

Knowing what spares to pack is an interesting exercise I reckon.

• I /did/ have magic links with me last weekend for the first time ever
  
• I did not have a spare tyre, though I did stop for a guy in the middle of nowhere who had had a blowout that removed the bead from his tyre, so he was looking for a spare.
  
• When cleaning my bike the next day I discovered that my crank was coming loose. I had not been carrying an allen key sufficiently large to sort that if it had worsended.
  
  

I also really need to sort out lights if I decide to enter PBP

I realised halfway around the 400 that I'd forgotten my multi-tool. Lucky nothing rattled off!

Bit worried about the 600k because it's not going to have anyone else riding it (well not many) so it truly will be self-sufficient. I'm not sure if I should carry spare tyre, spare links and more tools or if I should forget it and pack if it all goes tits up. I can always ride it next week or do another one.

My saddle pack is already at capacity and I don't really want to buy a larger one but I guess I might need to if I do PBP 'non-racing' without a team. Argh! Stupid options!

I could definitely do with carrying some warmer clothes though - got a bit chilly on the 400 at night. Maybe I should look for one of those silly large saddle packs you audaxers love so much :) Will look great on a carbon tt bike :)

Ziptie a spare tyre to the outside of your existing saddle pack. Carry warmer clothes in jersey pockets.

Carbon + Carradice: http://www.greenbank.org/misc/IMG_1267_small.jpg

(That was my setup for the K&SW 600. Audaxing with a PowerTap too.)

I have a stupid alpkit saddlebag thing that at least is pointing in the same direction as the bike. It wobbled like hell tough last weekend, I must read the instructions that come with it.

My only problem with packing it all in if it goes wrong is that packing it in might be an utter ballache to get back to the start.

I'm of the travel light ride far persuasion.
Just managed to get onto BCM! Will now keep my Compact on after last Sundays Fred.

That'll work with the tyre, ta.

Jersey pockets are usually full of food so if I start in warmer kit I end up stuffing it in the front of my gillet or jersey which isn't that comfortable when bent over on a TT bike.

Nice kitchen.

This was my 400 setup:

You don't ride far if you break something you can't fix though.

I've seen a folding zip tied to a seat post, which looked neat. Id rather carry a small knife and material for a boot though.

True, so I err on the side of caution prior- replacing tyres/ chains earlier than I probably need to, just to minimise risk.

Those bidons look a tight fit! I've sacrificed one of mine for a screw top which gives me water/dirt proof storage.

I have a Carradice handlebar bag that I don't use, as it makes my bike look like too "Raleigh Shopper" which is a pity as the map case is ideal for route cards. I still haven't found a way of carrying the route neatly to supplement my temperamental Garmin- going to try printing onto plastic stickers.

Not really, they're 750s. I often run 2 x 1L bottles for training rides - I had to use a lower cage on the seattube for them though.

I have a bar bag from when I toured but it's not so hot with aerobars...

I'd be pissing like a horse with 2 x 1L.

Id rather carry a small knife and material for a boot though.

I gave my spare tyre to someone on the BCM, they had a massive blowout that couldn't have been booted (they were carrying a boot). It got them to the finish and luckily I didn't need the tyre myself. I used a rackpack back then, more space for shite though (digs up BCM pics): http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b187/vicechair/BCM600%202009/P5150493.jpg

Being near the back of the field on an Audax means I can rarely rely on someone behind me helping me. I'd rather carry more stuff than DNF due to a mechanical.

Topeak Fuel Tank (Large): http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-fuel-tank-bag-large/ means I don't have to carry as much in my pockets as before. More food goes in that than in a normal tri-bag.

You don't have to drink them all at once you know..

400km and I heard a nightingale!

Where's the tri bag from. Looks as though it has a pocket on top for route cards?

Can't use racks and stuff (and don't want to) but a larger bento box/bag might be useful. Might get in the way of my knees though, not sure.

(mental note to remember to try and keep ahead of the altruistic Greenbank if ever on same audax)

Freezing is healthy.

I have a fuel pod thingy and it upsets me because it doesn't stay upright. It doesn't really get in the way of my knees, but it constantly threatens to.

Do you have room to strap layers between/under the aero bars in a small (1-2L) drybag or similar?

Possibly. The extended battery is usually under one of them. Do you have a drybag in mind?