Hi Guys, following is a kit list for the coast to coast. This is not a definitive kit list, it is just what I am going to be taking and can recommend, obviously if you would be more comfy doing things another way, I shall not take offence! J
I have not mentioned specifics e.g, map, compass, GPS, etc, just the basic rider kit list.
I think the easiest way to start is top of the body down to the feet, then the luggage.
A Helmet. For me personally, this is a must. Something airy and comfy with the protection required. If you have spill on the bike, broken wrists, arms etc are a 6 week healing problem, but a broken head tends to be terminal. They are not a legal requirement for any type of cycling, but for the price of them these days, there really is no excuse.
Riding/sunglasses. For comfort really, a bit of relief from the (hopefully very bright!) sun. Also good for stopping your eyes watering when riding downhill/quickly/into wind.
A lightweight “Buff”. A kind of tube scarf thing. Pop it in your bag, you’ll probably never use it. It weighs nothing, and if the wind starts to blow, your ears will be really glad you’ve got it!
Base layer top. Sports T-shirt/technical fabric kind of thing. A moisture wicking material that moves sweat away from the body, keep the body warm if needed, and helps to regulate body temperature a little. You can spend as much as you like, but personally I’ve found cheap base layers work as well as expensive ones. All very much of a muchness. Long or short sleeve, full zip or half zip, what ever is your personal preference.
A comfy top. T-shirt for riding in, again, technical material is better, but hopefully it will be warm enough just for 1 layer on top!
Waterproof jacket. Something light, and that packs down very small into your bag. I have a cheap as chips rain jacket, just the job to get me through a shower. (Again I hope the weather remembers its supposed to be near summertime!)
Riding Gloves. Again fingerless or full fingered, whichever you are happiest with. Lightweight and airy, they don’t offer much in the way of protection if you were to fall off, but they are not designed for that. These are to stop the blisters that come with longer periods of riding. I think it is worth noting that it is worth getting a proper pair of riding specific gloves, that you have tried on and are happy with the fit. The padding is in all the right places, and if you are not comfy or in pain with blisters, 50 miles a day will seem like torture. They don’t cost a fortune (don’t think I’ve spent more than £20 on any, including winter waterproof pairs), defiantly recommended.
Padded undershorts. If you bring anything on this list, make it this one! A padded under short will make everything more bearable. Blisters and sores “down there” are not fun. Personally I will be taking 2 pairs as if like me you sweat quite a bit when exercising, salt crystals can form, and if there is any blistering, it is really unpleasant. Wear a pair, wash a pair. Your body will thank you from the heart of its bottom!
Shorts/Trousers. This is up to you. Whatever is comfy for you. I recommend lightweight and quick drying. Apart from that, be comfy!
Socks-again a preference thing. Comfy, sports socks, heavy outdoor socks your choice. A pair for each day I’m taking.
Shoes. Same as socks. Be comfy, but remember you will have them on all day for 3 days.
Gear.
1.Luggage- personally I would suggest staying away from panniers, they make a bike heavier and clumsy whilst manoeuvring. That said, if you are used to panniers, go that way, but I find a good fitting back pack is better . Try it on to make sure it fits you well and is comfortable, remember you will be wearing it all day and not all packs fit everybody well (chest straps are always a bonus). Check body contact points, areas of nipping etc. I would suggest that a pack be as small as possible (which helps reduce weight) whilst being capable of carrying all your chosen kit easily (stuffed packs are horrid to ride with). Basic comfy day pack through to hydration packs (with on board bladder- Camelbak, Dakine etc) your choice, just be comfy. Possibly get a rain cover for your pack too? It is English weather after all!
2.Inner tubes. I can recommend taking at least one in your pack. We’ll be riding together, so if anybody is unlucky enough to get a 2 flats, we should be OK. These can be bought cheaply from anywhere, online, bike shops, supermarkets etc. Unless you are going for the puncture proofed tubes (Slime, Dr.Sludge etc) tubes are really pretty much all the same. I can recommend Slime tubes, I changed mine to Slime 1 year ago, not one puncture since. Make sure you buy the same type as what is already on your bike, the 2 main types are Shraeder valve (car type) and Presta valve. I only mention it because a Schraeder valve won’t fit a Presta valve wheel rim.
3. Tyre levers. Cheap as chips, you need them to change tyres, and when you are riding your bike in the future, you will need them at some point.
4. A chain link to match your chain is a must too. A broken chain is game over if it can’t be fixed. A spare link and pin, a power link kit etc, just pop something in your pack that can fix your chain should it break. (Remember to match your chain-e.g 8-speed gears and chain needs an 8 speed link, 9 speed-a 9 speed link etc.) Couple of quid online/in shops, they weigh nothing, and hopefully we won’t need to use it.
5.A gear cable. Again, one to match your bike. I only ever carry 1, and so far I’ve never needed it, but I’m happy knowing if a cable snaps, I’m not stuck. Online (Wiggle, Chainreactioncycles etc) or shops, only a couple of quid.
6. Tools. You can get cycle specific ones(Crank Brothers, Alien etc), but anything with a few tools that match your bikes fitments/hardware. Even a small bag of Allen keys could get you out of a jam. I’m taking my tool box for any bigger problems(hopefully in the van!!) but again, after the C2C ,in the future, chances are at some point, you will need them.
7. Chamois cream. This again is preference and a personal choice. These creams are formulated to ease areas of soreness around the saddle contact points. Some folks use Sudocreme etc, I use a chamois cream, for me its better. Around a fiver from bike shops/Internet if you want some.
8. Energy! Some food stuffs to keep you going. Flapjacks, fruit loafs, jelly sweets, isotonic drinks etc all work a treat. Again these can all be bought, I make my own flapjacks, and for a good isotonic drink, 50% pure unsweetened juice, 50% water and a good pinch of salt. Cheap and just as effective! J Take water if you do not opt for any energy drinks. I don’t know how much fluid each rider will need, but to try and gauge it, I will be carrying 3 litres on the first day, and increase/decrease as necessary for the following 2 days.
9. Evening clothes. Totally up to you! For somebody with my poor taste in fashion, I definitely should not be telling you how to dress! Don’t forget your overnight kit too!
Bikes.
Take a spare set of brake blocks/pads-just in case.
Your bike should be ready for this ride. If it is new, get the dealer you bought it from to service it before we go. Usually dealers give you a “free 6 week service” when you buy it. Remember that new bike gear cables will need to stretch and settle, as will brake cables (unless you are running hydraulics) etc. It is no fun trying to cycle up a hill with skipping gears. If I can help at all with any bike, please just let me know, if the bike is new it would be best getting done at the dealer, just to protect your warranty.
I think that’s everything folks, if I have forgotten anything, please add on, and I will see to it that I am adequately beaten!
Cheers Guys,
Tim. (2)
I have not mentioned specifics e.g, map, compass, GPS, etc, just the basic rider kit list.
I think the easiest way to start is top of the body down to the feet, then the luggage.
A Helmet. For me personally, this is a must. Something airy and comfy with the protection required. If you have spill on the bike, broken wrists, arms etc are a 6 week healing problem, but a broken head tends to be terminal. They are not a legal requirement for any type of cycling, but for the price of them these days, there really is no excuse.
Riding/sunglasses. For comfort really, a bit of relief from the (hopefully very bright!) sun. Also good for stopping your eyes watering when riding downhill/quickly/into wind.
A lightweight “Buff”. A kind of tube scarf thing. Pop it in your bag, you’ll probably never use it. It weighs nothing, and if the wind starts to blow, your ears will be really glad you’ve got it!
Base layer top. Sports T-shirt/technical fabric kind of thing. A moisture wicking material that moves sweat away from the body, keep the body warm if needed, and helps to regulate body temperature a little. You can spend as much as you like, but personally I’ve found cheap base layers work as well as expensive ones. All very much of a muchness. Long or short sleeve, full zip or half zip, what ever is your personal preference.
A comfy top. T-shirt for riding in, again, technical material is better, but hopefully it will be warm enough just for 1 layer on top!
Waterproof jacket. Something light, and that packs down very small into your bag. I have a cheap as chips rain jacket, just the job to get me through a shower. (Again I hope the weather remembers its supposed to be near summertime!)
Riding Gloves. Again fingerless or full fingered, whichever you are happiest with. Lightweight and airy, they don’t offer much in the way of protection if you were to fall off, but they are not designed for that. These are to stop the blisters that come with longer periods of riding. I think it is worth noting that it is worth getting a proper pair of riding specific gloves, that you have tried on and are happy with the fit. The padding is in all the right places, and if you are not comfy or in pain with blisters, 50 miles a day will seem like torture. They don’t cost a fortune (don’t think I’ve spent more than £20 on any, including winter waterproof pairs), defiantly recommended.
Padded undershorts. If you bring anything on this list, make it this one! A padded under short will make everything more bearable. Blisters and sores “down there” are not fun. Personally I will be taking 2 pairs as if like me you sweat quite a bit when exercising, salt crystals can form, and if there is any blistering, it is really unpleasant. Wear a pair, wash a pair. Your body will thank you from the heart of its bottom!
Shorts/Trousers. This is up to you. Whatever is comfy for you. I recommend lightweight and quick drying. Apart from that, be comfy!
Socks-again a preference thing. Comfy, sports socks, heavy outdoor socks your choice. A pair for each day I’m taking.
Shoes. Same as socks. Be comfy, but remember you will have them on all day for 3 days.
Gear.
1.Luggage- personally I would suggest staying away from panniers, they make a bike heavier and clumsy whilst manoeuvring. That said, if you are used to panniers, go that way, but I find a good fitting back pack is better . Try it on to make sure it fits you well and is comfortable, remember you will be wearing it all day and not all packs fit everybody well (chest straps are always a bonus). Check body contact points, areas of nipping etc. I would suggest that a pack be as small as possible (which helps reduce weight) whilst being capable of carrying all your chosen kit easily (stuffed packs are horrid to ride with). Basic comfy day pack through to hydration packs (with on board bladder- Camelbak, Dakine etc) your choice, just be comfy. Possibly get a rain cover for your pack too? It is English weather after all!
2.Inner tubes. I can recommend taking at least one in your pack. We’ll be riding together, so if anybody is unlucky enough to get a 2 flats, we should be OK. These can be bought cheaply from anywhere, online, bike shops, supermarkets etc. Unless you are going for the puncture proofed tubes (Slime, Dr.Sludge etc) tubes are really pretty much all the same. I can recommend Slime tubes, I changed mine to Slime 1 year ago, not one puncture since. Make sure you buy the same type as what is already on your bike, the 2 main types are Shraeder valve (car type) and Presta valve. I only mention it because a Schraeder valve won’t fit a Presta valve wheel rim.
3. Tyre levers. Cheap as chips, you need them to change tyres, and when you are riding your bike in the future, you will need them at some point.
4. A chain link to match your chain is a must too. A broken chain is game over if it can’t be fixed. A spare link and pin, a power link kit etc, just pop something in your pack that can fix your chain should it break. (Remember to match your chain-e.g 8-speed gears and chain needs an 8 speed link, 9 speed-a 9 speed link etc.) Couple of quid online/in shops, they weigh nothing, and hopefully we won’t need to use it.
5.A gear cable. Again, one to match your bike. I only ever carry 1, and so far I’ve never needed it, but I’m happy knowing if a cable snaps, I’m not stuck. Online (Wiggle, Chainreactioncycles etc) or shops, only a couple of quid.
6. Tools. You can get cycle specific ones(Crank Brothers, Alien etc), but anything with a few tools that match your bikes fitments/hardware. Even a small bag of Allen keys could get you out of a jam. I’m taking my tool box for any bigger problems(hopefully in the van!!) but again, after the C2C ,in the future, chances are at some point, you will need them.
7. Chamois cream. This again is preference and a personal choice. These creams are formulated to ease areas of soreness around the saddle contact points. Some folks use Sudocreme etc, I use a chamois cream, for me its better. Around a fiver from bike shops/Internet if you want some.
8. Energy! Some food stuffs to keep you going. Flapjacks, fruit loafs, jelly sweets, isotonic drinks etc all work a treat. Again these can all be bought, I make my own flapjacks, and for a good isotonic drink, 50% pure unsweetened juice, 50% water and a good pinch of salt. Cheap and just as effective! J Take water if you do not opt for any energy drinks. I don’t know how much fluid each rider will need, but to try and gauge it, I will be carrying 3 litres on the first day, and increase/decrease as necessary for the following 2 days.
9. Evening clothes. Totally up to you! For somebody with my poor taste in fashion, I definitely should not be telling you how to dress! Don’t forget your overnight kit too!
Bikes.
Take a spare set of brake blocks/pads-just in case.
Your bike should be ready for this ride. If it is new, get the dealer you bought it from to service it before we go. Usually dealers give you a “free 6 week service” when you buy it. Remember that new bike gear cables will need to stretch and settle, as will brake cables (unless you are running hydraulics) etc. It is no fun trying to cycle up a hill with skipping gears. If I can help at all with any bike, please just let me know, if the bike is new it would be best getting done at the dealer, just to protect your warranty.
I think that’s everything folks, if I have forgotten anything, please add on, and I will see to it that I am adequately beaten!
Cheers Guys,
Tim. (2)
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