Fettling again

A bit of a transition week spent recovering from the 50 mile tt on Sunday and thinking ahead to LWL on Saturday. After the TT I found some issues with the Argon which needing sorting (a cable too tight; bars had slipped) so that was another hour tweaking.

Yesterday I went out and bought some bits for LWL, namely a new, small handlebar bag. The only problem was I found that a strap to attach it to the headset is too small, so it's going to flap about a lot. I think with the time I have left, I'm going to probably go without, which I'm sure will be fine. It will just mean carrying food in my seat pack which won't be as readily accessible. Other than that, just got to sort out my Garmin route for the very last leg, clean the Van Nic and then, hopefully, I'm good to go.

I'm pretty sure things will go wrong at some point but I'm also pretty sure I can sort most issues out. I'm looking forward to it, a lot, and even the weather seems to be set fair. Happy days.

Audax Kit

I've started getting all the bits and bobs I'm going to take on the audax with me. To be honest, this is overkill as I regularly do 80-100 mile rides with little more than a couple of spare tubes, a bottle and a cash point card, but with longer events on the horizon it seems prudent to pack for a longer event and see how this works for me.

Gilet / lightweight top / lucky DW snood / base layer / 2 tubes (plus 1 in a back pocket) / tyre levers (plus one in back pocket) / multitool / spare link / puncture repair kit / ibuprofen / spare front light / charger and mini-usb lead / cable ties / cafe lock / waterproof case for my phone. Also not in the picture I have packed my waterproof jacket which packs fairly small.

Still a few bits needed - pack of AAA spare batteries / front light which can velcro to my helmet for when it gets dark to read my Garmin. This shouldn't be an issue for the Amesbury Amble, but will be for longer events. Also need to organise a way of carrying some spare chain lube / chamois cream / sun cream.

So I've bagged it all up as follows. All my clothes except my waterproof jacket is in the Wimbledon bag. The top tube bag contains the charger pack, lock, phone. There's not really any room for food but I will carry bars and sarnies in my back pockets, as I have always done. The blue bag contains all my spare tubes and levers. The green bag contains the multi-tool / spare links / ibuprofen / cable ties.

All that comfortably fits into the Alpkit bag and there's still room for me to put my mini pump and leggings in there. I'm going to sort out how best to attach it under the seat on Friday, but tomorrow I've got a long ride planned with Simon so I will check that the Garmin 800 charges ok from the charge pack.

Audax Checklist

when I plan longer distance events I tend to overdo it as far as equipment is concerned. None more so than the DW when I came back with boxes full of food that we were never, ever going to finish eating . A 300km audax is significantly longer than any other road ride I have done but it’s not really long. My 12hr time trials don’t really count as food and drink is handed up and navigation simply isn’t an issue. The point of Audax is that it’s a self supported ride and the rider is meant to be self reliant and able to deal with most eventualities on their own. The start of my Audax is at 6am so, in theory, I should be able to finish in daylight, barring mechanicals and stops that are too long at the controls.

My basic thinking to tackle the event is this;

• Battery operated front light so if I need one later on, I’m not worrying about charging. Also means I can buy batteries at a shop or garage if needs be. 
• I will have a few rear lights running throughout the event. I like to have a rear light on even during the day. 
• I will navigate using the supplied route card (going old school) instead of using my Garmin, so I will need to fashion a route card holder for my bars. I will load the route on my Garmin and have it on the bike but more to record than navigate. I have not used my Garmin 800 much and want to get more used to it before relying on it.
• I will have my top tube bag with a phone and nibbles and I’m going to buy a lightweight Alpkit dry bag for behind my seat. I think a front handlebar bag as well as a saddle bag is overkill for a 300, but we’ll see.

Kit to carry

• 2 bottles
• X3 spare tubes and a repair kit
• Multi tool
• Spare chain links
• Chain oil
• Chamois cream
• Phone
• Portable Battery charger and lead
• Spare base layer
• Gilet
• Garmin 800
• Skull cap
• Spare food (mainly savoury) but not much. 

Once I get the route card sent through I can think about planning out eating and drinking to coincide with the controls but I know that I can fairly comfortably keep the food going in, even when on the move. I’m going to try to keep kit down to a minimum but it will be weather dependent and if the ‘ Beast from the east: vol. 3’ does materialise then I won’t hesitate to take plenty of spare clothing. 

New wheels

I've been using the Van Nic for everything over the last 6 months and while I love riding it, I've regretted getting rid of my old trek which was my trusty commuter hack and winter trainer. When the Ranger was sold my plan was to use it to fund a new winter / commuter bike and use the Van Nic on the turbo and Sunday rides. After doing some research I fancied entering the mysterious world of single speed / fixed hub riding, so decided on trying to get myself either a steel framed Pompino or a Specialised Langster. I missed out on a Pompino but I managed to get my hands on this little beauty yesterday; a 56cm Langster in matt black.



It's hardly been used and is in a very good condition. Even better, it was for sale in the same county and country as where I live, so I didn't need to drive the length of the country to collect it. I am going to turn it into my commuter hack, so mudguards, lights and spd pedals need to go on. I'll get used to it for a bit and then have a go at turning the flip-flop hub around and  trying it fixed. Boxhill might be interesting in one gear but I need to work on my leg strength anyway. happy days.

Details

Our Garmin is now installed in front of Adam's cockpit.

I think a piece of tape tactically placed over the 'distance travelled' display will be needed so as not to drive Adam nuts, constantly seeing how far we've still got to go.

We now have our confirmed entry and we've got one of the 30 slots for Good Friday check-in, so we should be able to get away super early on Saturday.

Dad has been and recce'd the paddle that we are due to do next week and reports that some of the roads around the access points are closed from this week and will continue to be so for 12 weeks. It could make it a bit interesting but at least we can make our mistakes next weekend.

I managed to get a late night ergo interval session  for an hour earlier this week and last night I got out for another interval paddle up to Molesey and back. I think my improved technique is showing as I pb'd the time for this paddle. Managed to hit another fishing line about 20 metres from the Royal, again completely unlit and again managed to unhook myself. The fisherman was a complete twit.

After my paddle I spent an enjoyable 30 minutes with epoxy resin and grp tape putting in another bolt to hold on my seat in order that there is no chance of them moving when portaging and I plan to also install our safety bags under there so that our dry bag can be much smaller. Details, details.....