Ultracycling

Today's issue is luggage: I reckon I'll need to carry up to 6 litres of water and a day to a day-and-half of food. Current thinking is 2 x 1 litre bottles, as for the TCR, plus 2 x 2 litre bladders.

I'll need at least an extra 4 litres of space for that over what I had on TCR plus probably another couple for food (and batteries!). That will most likely have to go behind me, either:

• upgrade to the biggest Apidura saddle pack, and strap a few extra bits off it if needed - probably the best option from handling point of view but not mega convenient
  
• lightweight rack with dry bag strapped to it - probably no heavier, aero not bad, handling not quite so good, not wonderful for access but quicker to get on/off and pack than Apidura
  
• light rack + one of those rack packs which has zip out panniers. Looks shit, a bit heavier, but better to access, and the pannier bits can zip away when I don't need the water carrying capacity.
  

Is this for a particular event? Sounds like a lot of water/kit.

Indian Pacific Wheel Race in Australia

Good luck in that race.
FYI take some electolyte pills and or buy electrolyte drink if you're sweating a lot.

And I'd get a frame bag. Keeps stuff accessible on the go.

Thanks
Yes, accessibility on the go is worth a lot.
Frame bag + bladder would be better from that PoV, and I might be able to get more than 2 litres of water in the frame + have a bit of space left over for other stuff.
What are the best frame bags?

Restrap made me a custom one.
I'd go custom as framebags should be the right size to the bike.

Ah, cool. Watch out for the locals. Aussies are bastards.

anyone experimented with something like SaltStick for ultra events?

Paul Buckley has one on his ultra bike, used on TCR, he seems to like it.
I was thinking about getting one. Allows you to keep your water being just water I suppose.

There's a launch event for Reza Pakravan's book at Stanfords (Stanfords, 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP, UK) tonight:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kapp-Cape-Never-Look-Earth/dp/1849539677

Lael Wilcox Departs Tecate on Baja Divide FKT Attempt
https://bajadivide.com/2017/03/02/lael-wilcox-departs-tecate-on-baja-divide-fkt-attempt/

http://www.thebicyclestory.com/2014/10/mike-curiak/

https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/bike-fit-speed-adventure-distance-rider-mike-halls-kinesis-racelight-gf_ti-v3-indy-pac.html

We've been chatting about kit in the IPWR thread, over yonder.

Oh, don't browse enough on here anymore to have found that...

I missed it for ages too.
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/299297/

ta, followed.

Lael sets the fastest time on the Baja Divide...
https://gypsybytrade.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/lael-wilcox-establishes-the-baja-divide-fkt-in-111302/

Shame she's not in Perth now, would be good to see how she went against other top riders.

My bet: she'd have smoked all the women and most of the guys.

Btw, if anyone's interested, there'll be an event going accross Finland in September. From the southermost point of Finland to the Barents sea. About 1800km, free route with three mandatory control points. It's not a race, basically like the Japanese odyssey I suppose. But probably there will still be some people racing. Mikko is organizing it.
https://www.randonneurs.fi/ruska-ride-across-finland-info-page/

this sounds so lovely. I am very tempted.

I'm debating getting a headtorch or an Exposure Joystick as a backup light/bivvy spot light.

Joystick is £100, 90g, 800 lumen, not sure of burn time

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Princeton-Tec-Byte-Head-Torch-White-Red-Maxbright-LED-Climbing-Flashlight-/361768463048?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

or

http://www.ultralitegear.com/black-diamond-spot-headlamp.html

What about headlamps? Is a Black Diamond Spot going to be able to light up corners on descents or shine into the bushes looking for bivvy spots? Or should I go for higher output?

http://eu.blackdiamondequipment.com/en/headlamps-and-lanterns

Neither option can not stay on my helmet - don't want no Shermers Neck. I'm not sure the Black Diamond/Petzl/Princeton are easy to get on while wearing a helmet

I love my Exposure diablo, can get days out of it on low setting which is plenty enough for most stuff.

diablo

Did you have any dramas with the extra weight on your lid? I was only going to use it at night and keep it on the bars during the day but it still concerns me a bit.

I've had another look at headlamp vs. Joystick and I'm erring towards the Joystick - it's brighter, not much heavier and can go on the bars when not on the lid.