What stuff do you bring to a 5 day stage race
That's just how I roll. SO, you are probably thinking, just what is a fair bit of stuff? Well, read on and see for yourself!
Alice Springs is incredibly beautiful, yet the desert can be harsh on equipment, so I like to be prepared for anything that might occur. I do realise that by taking a credit card I could buy anything as required, but if that anything happens to be out of hours or just before I am about to roll out for the day, then I just do not have to stress.
Bike – yep, I bring my bike. That’s the whole point of coming to events like this! Evoc Bike bag.
On bike toolkit – contains multi tool, CO2 cartridge, mini pump, 2 x quicklinks, puncture repair patches, tyre levers
Race Kit – helmet, 2 pairs of shoes, 6 full kits, 10 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of gloves, riding glasses, spare lenses, fashion sunglasses (for poolside use), arm warmers, knee warmers, chamois cream, light warming embrocation
Nutrition – 10 bottles, protein shake, protein shaker, 3 tubs of Sukkie sports drink, 2 boxes of energy gels (probably 35 all up), other secret herbs and spices compliant with ASADA regulations of course…. Dopers suck!
Spares – 5 spare tyres, 2 slick tyres, 4 MTB tubes, 3 road tubes, 15 CO2 cartridges, 2 spare chains, 3 spare cables, 5 sets of brake pads, 4 quicklinks, spare SRAM XX1 derailleur, 1 metres of outer cable, spare pedals, 3 spare chainrings (different sizes just in case), carbon paste, chain lube, stans sealant, Avid hydraulic brake bleed kit, spare cleats, spare bolts for every single part on the bike, 10 fresh cleaning rags, large towel to protect hotel carpet, plastic tub for washing cleaning bike parts, electrical tape, rim tape, mr sheen – for cleaning the bike, chain lube, track pump, zip ties, hamster tape
Lights – Exposure Reflex handlebar light, Exposure Diablo Helmet light, red rear light, chargers for lights
Health and wellbeing – Voltaren Emugel (made from real emus), 3 rolls of RockTape, aspirin, Fixomul tape, toiletry bag
Sundry, yet essential items – Mobile phone, mobile phone charger, laptop, watch, wallet, gold coins for airline trolleys, Magellan bike computer, first aid kit, 3 shopping bags
Clothing – enough for the trip, shorts, shirts, jocks, socks, board shorts (budgie smugglers only for use in Europe – team rules), light team jumper, team branded cap,
Items bought when on site – kerosene (chain cleaning), bubble bath, shaving gel, tuna, salad, coconut water, rice cakes, muesli, bananas, Thai Green Chicken Curry!
So….that’s about it I think….Do I use it all? Of course not! But if I need it, it is there when I want it, and that is the point. Can you do a stage race with less than this? Of course! That’s the beauty of it. Different strokes for different folks and all that!
