Diary of a Randonneur – Episode 10, Part 3 – Unpacking from a multi-day Audax – Updated with video 12/05/2020
Update: 12/05/2020
As you can see above I was able to recover the video in the end.
Unfortunately I don’t think that the video version of Part 3 will ever see the light of day. I shot the video, spent a decent amount of time editing it and rendered it. As I was selecting the file to upload it to YouTube my computer blue screened and after the reboot I couldn’t see the drive that I do all my video work on anymore. It seems like the drive failed and with it has gone not just that video but the entire series. Honestly I’m not that bothered about the other episodes as they were finished, final versions uploaded and in my mind, done. It might have been nice to still have the footage to do a season round up later in the year, but I have lost so much finished work over the years for one reason or another I’m used to it. It’s the unfinished work or the stuff that I don’t have a final render of that bites, but hey ho.
Fortunately I had already made a start on this post in terms of there being a written kit list to accompany the video so at least I had the information to hand still. The video had quite a bit of detail about how I thought everything performed and what I would do differently next time, to much to reproduce in its entirety here. As a halfway house I decided to just write up a little bit about some specific bits of kit that for one reason or another stood out and warranted a highlight.
I also did a write up this trip GRIT, MAC AND CHEESE #BREVETPACKING – 800KM IN 4 DAYS (4X200KM DIYS).
Kit list
Clothing
BBB Hard Wear Overshoes
GripGrab Cycling Gaiter Rainy Weather Ankle Cuff
It’s always been the big joke about waterproof boots that the problem with them is the massive hole in the top that water still gets in. These ankle gaiters really do solve that problem. By sealing the top of the boot, rain running down your leg and into the cuff of your boot is a thing of the past. I’m planning on doing a proper review of these at some point but in short they work and I highly recommend them.
Northwave Raptor Arctic GTX Thermal Winter MTB Boot
2 x Cool Max socks
Endura Thermolite Leg Warmers
2 x Planet X Pro-Line 365X 3/4 Length Bib Knickers
I can’t in any good faith recommend these bibs. Up until this trip they had been fine. Comfortable and warm enough for most of my winter riding. However, the seam at the bottom of the zip at the front failed. This meant the zip came apart and the zipper fell off. As the front now didn’t have the zip to hold it closed strain was placed on the already failing seam which quickly got worse and then eventually tore the fabric. The more it all pulled apart the more uncomfortable the shorts got as they weren’t sitting right. Very disappointed with how long they lasted. Basically more cheap shite from Planet X.
ROCKRIDER ST900 Shorts
MT500 Waterproof Shorts
On One short-sleeved base layer
Morvello Sharp Mens Thermoactive Jersey
I hadn’t worn this top before this trip, which is a dangerous precedent to set, but actually it fared very well. I often find that close cut cycling jerseys that fit me around the body and chest will be to tight on the shoulders and arms but the cut of this top is just right. With a light base layer its good down to about 4 or 5 degrees, I guess lower on a brisk winter ride ride. Having a full length front zip means you can undo it as far as you need for ventilation. It seemed breathable enough and at no point did I find myself getting sweaty or it smelling even after several days use.
Galibier Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey
Planet X Arm Warmers
Endura Hummvee Plus Glove II
GripGrab Nordic Cycling Gloves
Morvello Digger Mens Haze Gilet
This is a great little wind gilet that is super packable and excellent as a quick pull on layer for a descent or just to get you through a couple of hours after the sunset. It was a fairly new piece of gear for me, something I picked up on a whim in the Morvello sale. At £18 I think will probably go on to be one of the best value for items I have ever bought.
Gore-Tex C7 Shakedry Jacket
Columbia OutDry Ex Reign Jacket
Rab Men’s Microlight Alpine Jacket
Stop Being Soft Cotton Cycle Cap
SANTIC Winter Cycling Cap
Tools and Spares
Chain Breaker
Hex Keys
Spoke Wrench
Tyre Levels
Pump
1 Set Break pads
2 x Quick Links
Mech Hanger
4 x Spokes (2 of each length used)
Hygiene and Medications
Anti-bacterial hand gel
Anti-bacterial soap
Not in my normal kit but as this was just at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic – before we really knew what was going to hit us – I decided to be cautious and took some with me.
Tooth Brush
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Indigestion tablets
Anti-bacterial wipes – I believe that these along with the chamois cream were an integral part to me maintaining a relatively comfortable under carriage for the duration of the trip.
Chamois Cream – Assos to start, and then some other random brand stuff from a bike shop… the only stuff they had.
Zero Hydration tabs
Daily Vitamins
Electronics & lighting
2 x Garmin Edge 800
Exposure Revo
Exposure Red eye
Exposure Tracer
Exposure Diablo
Beikell USB Plug Charger
Other
2 x Heavy duty zip-lock food bags
I always take 2 of these bags with me on multi day trips. mostly because when you need to resupply food on the road it will often come packaged in a way that doesn’t pack well in bike packing luggage. For example I’m very partial to picking up fresh pasta, normally ravioli, as it cooks very quickly and has lots of good carbs but it often comes in a awkwardly shaped plastic box that doesn’t pack well. I use the bags to decant whatever food I buy so that I can get rid of the packaging where there is a bin and so it’s fits better in my bags. On the first evening of this trip I was forced into eating at a pub so I bought pizza and only eat half. After letting the other half go cold, I put the slices in these food bags and eat the rest later once I got to my destination. On days 3 and 4 I also used one for the tubes of chamois I bought as I didn’t really trust the tube cap. Bags like these can have a multitude of uses and are always going to be part of my essential kit.
