Sleeping
| Lightweight inflatable matt | |
| Bivvy bag | |
| Sleeping bag |
Clothes
| Bib shorts x 3 | |
| Jersey x 1 | |
| Base layer x 1 | |
| Socks x 2 | |
| Reflective gilet | Moderate temperature and improve visibility. I went for ventilated back and windproof front because of the heat. |
| Waterproof lightweight trousers | |
| Waterproof jacket | |
| Lightweight down jacket | |
| Leg warmers | |
| Arm warmers | |
| Arm warmers (sun) | Sun protection |
| Buff | Sun / cold |
| Cap | TCR Provided |
| Warm light hat | |
| Fingerless cycling gloves | These are the best I could find with plenty of padding to protect the hands on long rides and from vibrations. |
| Thin full-finger cycling gloves | |
| Latex gloves | Waterproof / fixing bike |
| SPD cycling MTB shoes | Comfier to walk in |
| Sunglasses | Clear and dark lenses |
| Toe covers | Cold |
| Towel | |
| Small light backpack | For groceries and extra food/water |
Medical
| Ibuprofen x 1 blister | |
| Imodium x 1 blister | |
| Paracetamol x 1 blister | |
| Neosporin x 1 | Saddle sores |
| Suncream x 1 mini bottle | More on the way |
| Vaseline x 1 metal tin | |
| Chamois cream x 1 container | |
| Plasters x 10 | |
| Tweezers x 1 | (ticks + instructions to remove them) |
| Electrolytes x 2containers | |
| Water purification tablets x 3 | Just in case |
Safety
| Helmet | Lightweight / good ventilation |
| Reflective gilet | Positioning of reflective strips is critical (think when you’re in the aero bars) |
| Dynamo front light | |
| Dynamo rear light | |
| Cateye BarEnd Light x 2 | Just extra if others fail or on dark nights |
| Head battery torch light | For nights, kit sorting, backup front light |
| Rear battery light x 2 | Rear battery light x 2 |
| Reflective red tape on the back of the frame | |
| Reflective tape on the wheels | |
| Tape reflective red strips on the back of the shoes | This works great as you don’t have to think about it, they are always there. Alternatively reflective bands on the ankles or socks work well too. |
Navigation & Electronics
| Wahoo ELEMNT GPS unit | |
| SIM card with mobile data for all of Europe | Doesn’t cover Serbia (non-EU), required to buy one there |
| Phone + waterproof cover | |
| Multi USB charger w/ 4 ports | EU adapter |
| Mini USB cable x 2 | Power bank & Wahoo (one plays spare too) |
| USB C cable | For the phone |
| Wired headphones x 2 | One is backup (luxury) |
| Di2 charger | |
| External battery bank | |
| Spare lithium AAA batteries x 3 | For headlamp, rear flashing lights and tracker |
| USB Charger |
Tools & spares
| Swiss army knife | Huntsman, allows to fix things and also eat certain foods |
| Needle | Very light, but can allow for fixing much |
| Allan keys multi-tool + chain tool | All in one. I have paid before for not having a chain tool with me. |
| Tyre changing levers x 2 | |
| Spare tubes x 3 | Tried tubeless before the race, but didn’t go well for me and also I don’t have the skills and experience to rely on it comfortably. |
| Tyre patches x 10 + glue | |
| Pump | |
| Duct tape | Wrap it around the pump to save space and have it handy |
| Electrical tape | Same as above |
| Quick chain link | |
| Chain oil tube | Clean and oil the chain every 500km to make it last. Tape the oil tube to the frame to save space. |
| Zip ties | |
| Spork | Love eating yogurts on the go or peanut butter. |
| Spare derailleur hanger | |
| Spare brake pads | |
| Polaris ties | Invaluable, strapped the oil tube, spare inner tubes and food to the bike. |
Personal hygiene (lol)
| Toothbrush | |
| Dental floss | Can be used for sewing too |
| Travel toothpaste | |
| Antibacterial wipes | |
| Small soap | Used for washing clothes in a sink too |
Documents
| Passport | |
| Driving license | |
| Route planned by day w/ distances between towns; w/ food stops available late/early; w/ sleep options available late/early | |
| Medical insurance | Yellow Jersey |
| Doctor’s notes x 2 | One stays with the organisers, one with me |
| Photograph everything onto my phone and then email it to myself, as well as having hard copies. Passport included. | |
| Bank cards (UK, EU) + fake one | Fake is if I happen to get mugged |
| Cash – Euro x 250, Bulgarian leva x 100 | Small change. Most countries in Eastern Europe would accept Euros in worst case. |
Luggage
| Saddle bag | Sleeping system and all the clothes go in here |
| Frame bag | Electronics, documents, creams go here for easy access. |
| Food pouch (top tube) | |
| Snack pouches x 2 | Most important ones on the go. Food went in to eat/drink on the ride. |
| Water bottles x 4 | 2 are on the frame, 2 on the forks. I had moments where the extra was useful, but could have done with better water stops instead. |
The bike
| Kinesis Ride The Distance frame | |
| Saddle | |
| Cane Creek eeSilk Seatpost | |
| Handlebars | |
| Ultegra Di2 groupset | |
| Wheels | |
| Tyres | |
| PD-520 pedals | |
| Absolute Black 30/46 chainrings set with postage included | |
| Redshift suspension stem | |
| Seatpost | |
| Aerobars |
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