Trans Am Bike Race / TransAm / TABR

I'm packing a turbo trainer.

How's the equipment planning going?

I was out this weekend testing a slightly different bag setup (thanks @skinny). Seemed to work out ok so I've got another variation planned and then I'll need to order my full framebag to suit. Probably from Restrap or Wildcat. Not sure who else does them.

Just bought 2 10spd chains, 11-32T cassette and 2 11spd chains for my PX and the Kinesis because the chain on it is fucked and I left it too long on the cassette so I'll do both at once.

Um, I've toyed with the idea of a whole new bike but after last year's craziness I think I'll stick with the Kinesis.

Maybe some different wheels: https://www.lfgss.com/comments/13444802/

Extra food/drink carrying capacity. Not sure what else I'd change. Saddle is swapped already. :)

On saddles... Cyclefit did a pressure map of my Aliante as I was curious whether having stuck with it for so long it remained the best for me. Answer: Yes. But better than the answer was seeing exactly where weight is distributed, watching a shoe position change make a tiny correction to pressure distribution.

They were also saying how they were fitting out a TCR rider, but wouldn't say who it was.

Have you seen ISM's Adamo saddles? They don't need pressure mapping, there's only one spot you can sit on them and I still have the marks to know where that is. :)

I also have a Scherrit, Earth's Greatest Bike Fitter on speed dial though my position won't change much from TCR. The new saddle might've shifted me slightly and if I manage to lose any weight before June, maybe small tweaks will be made.

I'm debating helmets - heavy and aero vs. light and breathable. Probably going to go for lightweight and well vented.

I'm thinking of adding some gel (or maybe just thicker tape) to the drops since I'm there a bit when I'm not in the aerobars and I could do with some more hand comfort.

Disc brakes still annoy me - noisy feckin' things with too much lever throw. Have a few options for them but I don't have a bleed kit (yet) so can't do anything.

Heh, Cyclefit said they give the Adamo to those for whom "nothing else works", they're apparently magical for some people :)

The Aliante is still perfect for me.

Adamo are the best TT saddles in my experience.
The problem comes about when the TT is two weeks long...

Just looking at some of the distances to key points...

Newton Bike Shop, the sort of half way mark, is a 'TCR distance' into the event.

Faaark.

Trump Slump = cheaper hotels? :)

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/feb/28/us-tourism-experiences-a-trump-slump

"I visited McDonald's 22 times across 16 days for an average of $11.33. I spent an average of $44.56 per day on food, which comes to be about 30 cents per mile."

"$3040.21 or about 69 cents per mile"

http://milestoridebeforesleep.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/2014-trans-am-bike-race-race-report.html

Packing List:
http://milestoridebeforesleep.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/trans-am-bike-race-gear-list.html

What's a 'water key'?

What's a 'water key'?

It might be one of these things.

A guy in the Indy Pac facebook was recommending taking one for road houses when they take the tap handle off to stop scallys leaving the tap running. Actually it would have been handy in France on the first night of TCR as I found a tap with no handle at a garage there.
It's a lump of metal, but I was thinking of getting one.

If I'm that desperate for water I'll kick the fucking tap off the wall.

It is that, I can see it in his picture.
He took a foam roller! I'm looking forward to getting away from mine... I fucking hate that thing.

I sold my quadroller ages ago. I loosen my muscles now with a combination of large intakes of alcohol and regular trips to Amsterdam.

I'm pretty happy with what I took on TCR last year. I think I did pretty well for an unsupported noob.

Rob English looking quick, can't beat building yr own bike

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTfDMWCFNuS/

Damn that came out SWEET!

Anyone want an entry?
And the plane tickets?
And some bikes?

#takingupgolf

That's a tapered headset, must be 2"!

I don't know anything about headsets but it's a damn fat HT

Also the first time I seen these on a bike https://www.bikerumor.com/2016/08/19/first-look-parlee-ttir-disc-shields-calipers-first-major-disc-brake-triathlontt-bike/

It's a Parlee aero fork with a regular headset size...But as it has a crown shaped to match their aero headtube, Rob built a 'nose' onto the front of his headtube to blend better with the fork.

cool, thanks. wish him all the best, seems like a super nice and creative bloke

Just need to rebuild the bike, get over the flu and lose about 20kg in the next 6 month's training.

How's that going for you?

Don't think about the distance @hippy it will fry your brain, #justpedalfucker

I was supposed to be riding a 600 this weekend.

I've sat on the sofa hungover all day today.

Does that answer your question?

Self sabotage, kids. Try it at your own risk.

It's not the distance that worries me. I wanted to be competitive but now I feel pretty useless.