Trans Am Bike Race / TransAm / TABR

Are you racing yet @hippy?
I was out riding all day yesterday, suddenly remembered the transam this morning... When I checked the tracker just now it was showing you in second place?

Ha... Just saw its not even started yet! Doh! :)

Let's treat it as a premonition! :)

Spare tyre

Too easy.

Park Tool tyre boots are about the size of a credit card. Probably too late to pick a couple up though.

Considering your overall pack weight, 170g doesn't represent much and a fucked tyre could end your race out in the sticks.

Have you posted any pictures of your race bike and kit anywhere @hippy?

I have a Park tyre boot and I carry heavy duty tape too.

I haven't finalised it yet, I'm hardly gonna be taking photos :P

Here's the bike...

Packing. I fly tomorrow. Race starts next Sat.

Mmmmmmmm.... Looks tasty! :)

You gonna change tyres at Newton?

Fair enough.

I was going to suggest carrying a lightweight, less durable tyre to get you to civilisation, but I see from elsewhere, that that's what you're thinking.

My feet are getting sore. Can I stop soon?

hippy wants to stop soon. HTFU, hippy!

Yep

Stop trackstanding, so technically, start moving again.

170 grams for a bit of insurance.

I'm the worrying sort so that'd be a no brainer - if it's pissing down I want to change the tube and get moving again ASAP. Also, I guess not so relevant since you're self-supported anyway but there can be very long stretches with no cellphone coverage. This is a big mostly empty country. Edit: tyre != tube, duh :|

Spare tyre or no spare tyre?

I've only ever had tyre failure twice, once on TCR and then again on Ipwr. Both were sidewall punctures, one tubeless, one with tubes. Both times I was able to patch the tyre up and ride 1000+km on it. So I still wouldn't take a spare. Just make sure you have plenty of patches and something to make a boot with.

Yeah, I've only ever had one go on an audax out west.

Added a plastic fiver to my kit, just in case. :)

Don't know what the fuck is in there but the bike and box is 30kg. This is going to be expensive.

Why don't you just use a cardboard box? You're using Al frame, aren't you, so it shouldn't come to any harm.
My box for Australia was under 25 kg so no extra cost. And I just chucked it away so no need to transport to the other end. I did mail some stuff, like my computer and some clothes, but that was only $25 or so.

Post on Flyertalk and ask if anyone with a frequent flier card will be on your flight and willing to help.

Many people can check in 3x32kg bags for free...

If it's arranged in advance with someone who can check your references it's not sketchy.

Two reasons: I own a bike box. My bike has more chance of surviving in a proper box.

I'll remember that for the future. Ta.

I've got the weight down a bit so they might be ok with it.

My bike has more chance of surviving in a proper box.

But we're talking something like 99.9% vs 99.8% or something.
But it's a bit late to change now!

I don't trust your maths, battery guy. :P