Transcontinental Race No. 7 - TCR7 - #TCRN07 - 2019

I actually have grown to like my bell.
It gets smiles, I think as it’s in contrast to the bike setup style.

I’m burning cash at the moment.
Still to get;
Tyres
Hi-vis
Suncream
Lipbalm
Additional drive chain battery
Small dry bags
Rabies vac x2

As for illness sorry to hear that, I’ve started taking multi vits something I’m really not a fan of but so inexpensive to prevent what ifs should I get ill.
How concerned are you?

Oh and I also bought a new chain which ill probably only have on for 3 weeks!!

I haven't been buying much stuff at all really. I got a new helmet because my old one was missing a big piece of foam after being crashed into while bike was parked at old office.

Bought a 46T to swap out the 50T so it's more like last year's setup.

Bought energy drink powder but that's for local riding. I don't travel with it any more.

Bought some more SP/Supernova clips since I gave my spare away during RATN.

I already have spare chains and stuff but a new one will go on before Transpyrenees and then another new one before TCR so I'll need to get another spare. I wonder if I stick with the 46T if I'll still need to buy the 118 link version or if I can get away with the normal 114 ones? I think 46x36T was the limit for 114 so probably still need spare 118s. Still not sure about shoes - I wanted SPDs but that's not likely to be happening soon enough so I'll end up using the same shoes as last year which for some reason now hurt my feet, even though I've raced in the same shoes for years now. #wtf

Oh yeah, I bought new tyres.

How concerned are you?

Not very, I expect it's nothing, but should get it checked out as it has lingered. Has stopped me from doing much training though (or given me an excuse not to, at least).

Other things I have bought this week:
wrist splint
TBE vaccine

Will probably buy another pair of shoes now.

Will probably buy another pair of shoes now.

I also bought a new chain which ill probably only have on for 3 weeks!!

Welcome to my world. It's why I only buy the cheapest KMC I can find.

Two current Facebook group trends seem to be people dropping out and mansplaining.

Yeah worried as the cheap one for the 3 weeks is 114...

Worried it's not long enough? I don't get it?

Yeah, although only running 46-36..?

Depends on the bike but I never needed longer than 114 on my setup until I stuck the 40T cassette on.

I guess you are now in a permanent state of mobilisation for this stuff so you actually don't need any extra stuff any more.

I won't be taking energy powder with me this time. I used it for TCR and IndyPac and it was handy to have the calories but I reckon it contributed to my mouth being full of ulcers after 3 or 4 days of each.

Trans Pyrenees is before TCR? So you are probably not even mainly focusing on TCR yet. Wow!

Shame about the SPDs but you want them to be right before using them. You probably know this already, and it's expensive, but you can get custom-made midfoot SPDs done by some company in the US (d2Shoe). Also Biomac in Germany seem to do them:
https://www.joefrielsblog.com/2014/11/midsole-cleats-and-pedals.html
http://www.biomac.biz

I've got 46T ring so am looking forward to being able to use the shorter chains - although the 42T cassette might screw that up...

TBF they are probably long term trends, certainly the last one is!
Who has dropped out? Maybe I'll go and have a read at lunch time

I guess you are now in a permanent state of mobilisation for this stuff so you actually don't need any extra stuff any more.

I'm always replacing worn or broken stuff and often tweaking setup for conditions but the basics remain the same.

Trans Pyrenees is before TCR? So you are probably not even mainly focusing on TCR yet.

I'm not even focusing on TransP yet! Much of my attention has been these 600s. Thankfully TrP is a fixed route and I'm not really racing it so I've just worried about booking transport over and back and that's the extent of it so far.

I was in discussion with the shoe people years ago and they're useless. Well biomac is and the other company I looked at went bust or something.

"$750 without orthotics" for D2s

I haven't even seen a startlist.

Isn't one yet

Just bought two pairs of shoes.

I assume you're testing both, rather than carrying both during the race?

Yes, am testing five pairs. Not sure which I'll use. TBH I've probably gone a bit mad over this and will find there is not much difference between them and that any of them would do. But, at least, I won't need to buy any trainers for a few years.

Tomorrow will be a long spanner session trying to get stem, extensions, seat post and drivetrain changed, and get frame bag and bladder setup ready to try out. Also get light mounts sorted out before final night ride to test them next weekend.

You using trainers and flat pedals?

I still haven't put my dynamo lights on the new bike. Want to get that done before TransP next week but I might end up using the Exposure again.

You're doing transp and TCR hippy?

Yes I'm 99% certain I will do. I like my new midfoot speedplays but not for walking and I've not done more than 200km in them. Have a slight concern that I'd get hot spots from a pretty small contact area between the carbon sole and the plate. Of course you will know all about this - maybe it's not an issue.

and Transiberica.

#BatteryBoy