90km MTB challenge - what to take?
- drubie
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90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby drubie » Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:22 am
- Hydro packs (2L or 3L), food
- Multi tool with spoke tool and chain breaker (just bought a nifty one that does all this)
- A couple of spare spokes to suit the wheels
- Two tubes, instant patches, c02
- Pump
- Emergency derailleur hanger (apparently part of the course is covered in gear busting sticks)
- shimano cassette tool for driveside spoke failures (ordinarily I'd keep riding but say if you busted two spokes you'd want to fix it)
I've busted a spoke on the el-cheapo wheels I'm currently running and made it home on a training ride (yay disk brakes) but I'm kinda paranoid that two spokes on these wheels will put me out of action completely - is it overkill? I'm trying to be mindful of the "self reliance" principle.
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby Crittski » Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:29 am
Oh and cable ties, bring cable ties too!
Volagi Liscio Ultegra
- HappyHumber
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby HappyHumber » Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:01 am
If you've got the mounts on your bike, carry the extra water in bottles as well.
Having said that - the name of the event implies it's something organised and with a number of people participating - will there be designated food & hydration stops?
Never the minimalist I've got one of those small backpacks which has provision for a hydration bladder, rather than one of the dedicated type of low profile camelbak type products with minimal pockets and carrying capacity. It gives me a bit extra room for the longer trips... and hey I was never a speed demon/weight weenie anyway
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
- silentbutdeadly
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby silentbutdeadly » Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:27 pm
I also tend to carry a couple of 1 metre lengths of the twisted pair wire from the inside of a Cat 5 computer cable. Each wire is a solid length of copper wrapped in PVC - each pair has two of them. Taking a couple of pairs mean you have four lengths of some very handy tie wire that is soft, strong, pliable and non marking or damaging to other alloy components. And it wraps up into a very tiny package that weighs nothing and costs just the same.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby drubie » Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:11 pm
Re: the hydration pack, might be best to take the bigger pack that has provision for hydration rather than the dedicated one, that's a good idea I will try out. would make it easier to carry a lightweight jacket too if the weather turns ugly.
Adding another bottle cage to the bike.
First aid kit == excellent idea.
Not sure on water stop / food stop, I think there is one but I will have to check. Definitely taking bars/gu's of some sort. On the 100km road races I did this year I tended to stick to the chocolate ones as they didn't upset my guts but this ride will be substantially longer and might require something more palatable.
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby HappyHumber » Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:10 pm
I avoid chocky after a few warm incidents and them not surviving too well. Although on some shorter rides I had the bladder largely filled with ice to start with, and being able shove the bar down alongside it helps. Sultanas are a good quick pep and pretty hardy travellers.drubie wrote:Definitely taking bars/gu's of some sort. On the 100km road races I did this year I tended to stick to the chocolate ones as they didn't upset my guts but this ride will be substantially longer and might require something more palatable.
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby Crittski » Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:25 pm
Volagi Liscio Ultegra
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby drubie » Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:39 pm
HappyHumber: Sultanas sound OK but another roadie clubmate up here swears by dates. Sorta big Sultanas I suppose and easier to handle if you don't want to stop. I might try some first though, they may not be all that palatable / be an acquired taste.
I'
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby Mugglechops » Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:57 pm
1kg of mixed fruit
1 packet of cherries
2 cups SR flour
600ml Chocolate milk
Mix together and bake for about an hour at 180 degrees
I didn't take the whole thing, just a few slices. I combined that with zero electrolyte tablets I put in my water.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby trailgumby » Sun Oct 02, 2011 12:32 am
I wouldn't put carbs in your camelbak if you want the bladder to remain in usable condition for the next ride. Electrolytes only are OK, though. I would expect for a 90km event they would have water supply points en route, so you should be able to carry powder in pre-measured ziplock bags to top up your bidons on teh way.
The gels get a bit much if you're relying on them solely. I've found the Cadel energy bars you can get in the supermarket to be quite good when you get a hankering for something solid, and bananas aren't bad for a change either.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby Mulger bill » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:12 am
Have a blast out there Drub'
London Boy 29/12/2011
- drubie
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby drubie » Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:23 am
Mulger Bill - I have a chain hook, this multitool was pricey at the LBS but its very comprehensive:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -10-37688/
(and yeah, it's supposed to be fun ). Duct tape added to the list.
I expect we'll stay together, its a team event and the time recorded is the last guy over the line. We shall try to even up the packs and not double up on equipment.
Thanks everybody!
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby trailgumby » Sun Oct 02, 2011 11:52 pm
Try 750ml (mixed) of this:
And 1 to two of these:
plus say half a Cadel's bar per hour of riding and you'll complete the event comfortably. Both are available very cheaply from wiggle.
There are caffeinated High 5 ones available as well, although I find the caffeine amount is a bit high for my liking.
The local equivalent is Endura, which is very very good although twice the cost of High 5 at Wiggle's prices. Endura has the bonus of having magnesium in it for cramp prevention, but you should be trialling this stuff on your training rides to test out and get your stomach used to it, as it doesn't agree with everybody and being out in the middle of the bush on a 90km ride is not a nice place to find that out.
I like that Endura gels are very lightly caffeinated (8mg only vs 30 for the High 5 caffeinated variety) - gives you the boost without overdoing the caffeine in longer events, as you get a bit sick of it by the end.
Staminade! AArrgh!
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby toolonglegs » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:21 am
No food as we ate at appointed feed zones...but if it was a 100km race I would only stop at one feed station for a liquid refill and live off the gels in my pocket.
Lovely scenic ride...but way to little single track for such a long ride.
Anyway...this is a supported ride right,so personally I don't think you need to take the kitchen sink,if you break a bone you wont be walking out.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby moreegolfer » Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:49 pm
I broke my chain last year, a bit over halfway on the 70km course, but got a lift on the back of a quad bike to a farm shed by a grazier whose land the course runs through. We managed to get the link pin out and fit the chain back on with the old pin and I gently rode the rest of the race. I didn't have a chain tool or spare links but using bush mechanics I was able to get moving again. Needless to say, this year I will carry a Connex quick link, chain breaker and other stuff I haven't carried before.
There are three water/food stops but they do encourage you to have full bidons and food on you when you start. I have refilled water and drank their Powerades and muesli bars but have tried in the past to have sufficient sustenance in jersey pockets . I only have a 1.5L Camelbak but have found while I have refilled it during the race I don't see the need to get a bigger one for the Walcha ride. It doesn't get warm till a couple of hours into the race.
If anyone is needing a team member give me a shout.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby drubie » Fri Oct 07, 2011 7:05 pm
I'll keep it in mind moreegolfer. The only reason I'm a bit paranoid about tools/consumables is that I hate being dependent on other people for rescues. Nice to know we can get a little water though, the 2l pack I bought was probably touch-n-go for 90km.moreegolfer wrote:I have ridden this ride ever since it kicked off.
...
I only have a 1.5L Camelbak but have found while I have refilled it during the race I don't see the need to get a bigger one for the Walcha ride. It doesn't get warm till a couple of hours into the race.
If anyone is needing a team member give me a shout.
I've ridden with a chain tool pretty much forever - never broke a chain myself but have used it in the past on other peoples bikes. It's the difference between calling for a rescue and riding home and the ones on the multitools have improved so much they're as good as being back in the shed.
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby toolonglegs » Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:18 pm
PITA as the tyre was only on it's second ride!.
Oh well still got 60km in.
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby Jean » Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:50 am
OK, maybe I'm missing something, but are you going to take a chain whip too? And does your tool have a handle or are you taking a shifter?drubie wrote:- shimano cassette tool for driveside spoke failures (ordinarily I'd keep riding but say if you busted two spokes you'd want to fix it)
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Re: 90km MTB challenge - what to take?
Postby drubie » Mon Oct 17, 2011 2:51 pm
Oh yeah, a chain whip. Maybe the whole idea is silly.Jean wrote:OK, maybe I'm missing something, but are you going to take a chain whip too? And does your tool have a handle or are you taking a shifter?drubie wrote:- shimano cassette tool for driveside spoke failures (ordinarily I'd keep riding but say if you busted two spokes you'd want to fix it)
Hah, praying for punctures is not a strategy!toolonglegs wrote:PITA as the tyre was only on it's second ride!.
Oh well still got 60km in.
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
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