James Thinks

writing is a kind of thinking

The famous sponsored riders on rides like TCR seem to take so little with them, but for safety and reliability, I've packed a little more.

The Trans Pyrenees Race involves more climbing than most, so this should be a reason to keep kit minimal and weight down. However, all the climbing involves a wider variety of weather. In dry conditions, the temperature drops 1 deg C for every 100m climbed, so I want to make sure I can continue safely even when the weather closes in.

Some riders carry less clothing than me, but take a bivvy bag to allow overnight camping in a wide variety of locations. I am opting for hotels which limits my options for overnight stops, but makes the bike a little lighter.

Rather than endurance racing tyres which I think most people will use, I've chosen Schwable Marathon Greenguard fast touring tyres which I hope will give me reliability with enough speed. They're the reason I'm only packing one spare inner tube.

All the kit on the bike

Fully laden road bike in front of brick wall Everything packed onto the bike, little of it sticking out to the sides for reduced drag.

Aerobar dry bag

Waterproof clothing laid out on patio

  • Voile strap
  • Small carabiner
  • Paramo Velez waterproof jacket with hood
  • Endura waterproof winter gloves
  • Gore waterproof trousers
  • Showers Pass waterproof overshoes

Blackburn top tube bag

Small items laid on patio

  • Wet wipes
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Small cloth and elastic to cover water bottle when filling
  • Plastic spoon/knife
  • Water purification tablets
  • Hydration salt tablets
  • Antacids
  • 2 Huel bars
  • (not pictured) small sun cream tube

Apidura top tube bag, mounted against seatpost

No photo, but this bag contains my phone, waterproof phone case and a face mask.

Apirdura frame bag

Small items laid on patio

  • LifeStraw to filter water
  • 2 Huel bars
  • Zip tie
  • Toilet paper
  • Space blanket
  • Mini-USB GPS power cable
  • Fenix HM23 1xAA head torch (can be attached to helmet)
  • Cloth for wiping chain
  • Spare gear cable
  • RAV power backup battery 6700mAh
  • Squire combination lock

Apidura expedition saddle bag, 14L

Large collection of clothing and food on patio

  • Patagonia thin fleece with hood
  • Spare cycling shorts
  • Thin balaclava
  • Spare buff
  • Briefs for off the bike
  • First aid kit
  • More toilet paper
  • Gerber knife and pliers
  • Endura merino socks
  • Helly Hansen long sleeved base layer
  • Gore arm warmers
  • Leg warmers
  • Small foldable backpack
  • ProViz reflective belt
  • Protein bars, 3 Misfits, 3 PhD Smart
  • 2 Huel bars
  • Phone charging cable
  • USB splitter cable
  • USB phone-GPS cable
  • Spare rear light, 1xAA
  • AA battery charger
  • Spare AA batteries for lights and GPS
  • EU USB charger 2.1/1Amp + cables
  • Chamois cream
  • Sudocrem, in case I don't have permission to crem ;-)
  • Toothbrush and solid toothpaste tabs
  • Micropore tape
  • Supplements - Spirulina and vegan omega 3
  • Ear plugs
  • Medical creams
  • Emergency painkillers (Ibuprofen and Paracetemol)

Top of saddle bag with elastic straps

  • Clothes peg
  • Reflective ankle bands

Tools laid out on light surface

Topeak bottle cage repair kit, mounted below downtube

  • Topeak micro rocket pump
  • 2 tyre levers
  • Chain oil
  • Small velcro straps
  • Spare inner tube
  • Spoke key
  • Self adhesive patch kit
  • Tweezers to remove sharp bits from tyres
  • Latex gloves
  • Puncture repair kit
  • Spare chain link (inside repair kit)
  • Multi-tool
  • Fabric tape
  • Zip ties

Other kit stored on bike or self

  • 2 spokes (290mm) for front wheel or rear non-drive side
  • Fenix LD-22 front light, 2xAA
  • Garmin eTrex 30 GPS, 2xAA
  • Polar map trap for route notes
  • Plastic wallet on lanyard for documents and money

Category: Cycling
Tags: tpr2, race, bicycle, bags, kit, packing, equipment, snacks, food
Mugshot of James cycling on a road in the sunshine.

James Bradbury

I write about whatever is on my mind. I do so mostly to help me think more clearly. If other people find it interesting that's good too. :-)

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Temperature drops 1 deg C for every 100m climbed