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OK, we're off to the alps to pop our Big mountain cherries in a few weeks.
Thinking about what we need to take. So far our list includes what we normally take with us plus a rear mech and some sun tan lotion.
Anyone got some suggestions on what else we should ideally take (as we're driving rather than flying)?
Brake pads.
Edit: I have no idea what you normally take with you.
Silly stuff like brake pads because you'll get fleeced whilst out there. Spare mech hangers may be an idea too.
When we went we had loads of stuff between us; pads, cables, hangers, tubes, patches, cables, shifter and probably more stuff than we needed.
The simple rule is as follows:
"If you take it, you won't need it. If you don't take it, you will"
😉
If I was driving I'd take a spare bike.
As it is I fly so I take a spare mech, brake, bleed kit and a couple of sets of pads, and spokes if I have em. And all the mech hangers in the world. Basically stuff that you can't guarantee you'll be able to get replacements for easily. Oh and all the tubes I can fit under the weight limit, I've never needed one yet but you can get a lot of goodwill from a box of cheap ass tubes.
Spare rear tyre to go with tubes, soft DH tyres and high mileage DH runs 🙂
Anything unique to the bike, so spare mech hanger etc etc.
Also worth taking a mini pump and stick on patches, surprising how many patches you can put on one tube, also lighter and cheaper than carrying a couple of tubes.
Tape a spare tube to the frame, at least you won't forget at least one, just remember the pump.
Have fun, the more you carry the less you actually need 🙂
A big capacity rear mech. 😆
Plenty of money. 🙄
A Spare wheel and/or tyre. 😡
Don't take carbon clinchers (heat up and can go bang when descending)!
Recovery drink/powder.
Cheers, thinking high roller 2's
We probably see more problems with brakes than anything else.
Destroyed mechs / hangers are actually pretty rare (I've personally done 2 in seven full seasons of guiding and both of them were repairable).
After that, it's probably broken spokes / damaged rims.
Plenty of brake pads, plenty of tubes - or better yet, go tubeless (with a proper setup! No ghetto!).
My list of things to take after numerous Alp and Pyranese bike trips:
Bigger balls
Stronger fore arms
SRAM power links
Brake pads although I've never used a full set out there yet
Bleed kit
Spokes
Rear mech
Lower saddle than you imagine,
Brake levers turned up more than you thought was right
Elbow and knee pads
Pain killers
Sun tan lotion
Lightweight full face lid
Mech hanger (never needed a spare)
Ability to fix your bike when drunk / drinking
Cable ties
Extra thick tubes
Go ghetto
Puncture repair kit (proper one with glue and that)
Tyre levers
Multi tool
Gear cables and outer set
Decent wheels with tight spokes
As Stevo says, brakes, wheels take a battering mostly.
Marmite.
Stay away from the Pleney. AKA don't hang around the chair lift honeyspots.
Go over into Switzerland via Avoriaz, roam. Stray, see the views, bump into the odd person max. Not queue to grind out brake-bump descent after descent in a queue.
A credit card... leave all the other irrelevant stuff.
Stuff that's unique to your bike. Tubes if you use them. Make sure your bike is in top condition before you go and the wheels are tensioned and true. Service your forks
Which part are you going?
The alps end close to Vienna and is a bloody big mountain range?
The last couple of times I've taken a spare bike, with compatible components where possible.
But essential spares for me for away trips are...
Mech hanger and mech
Set of brakes
Brake pads to suit both pairs
Tyres (rarely needed TBH but you might want mud tyres if going to Morzine area for example)
Gear cables (definitely!)
Seatpost (if using Reverb)
Also...
Recovery powder (I like SIS Rego choc)
Non-bike related books or mags to read
Bleed your brakes, make sure everything it tight.
Mishaps we've had are:
Split chains , PITA to fix without power links
Lost chainset bolts by rattling them out
Rock broke off a rear mech
Brakes boiling
Spokes snapping
Punctures
Broken saddle rails when the bike lands on it
As above, tubes, spare tyre, break pads. Duct tape, I like to tape up bits of the bike to keep wear down a bit - eg frame for rock strikes and wear/tear from the ski lifts.
Spare short liners, gloves, socks and/or washing powder. Wearing the same kit every day for a week gets a bit spicey and even if you wash stuff it might not dry overnight. Plenty of ibuprofen, vasceline, sudocrem - everything gets sore !
By the way if you haven't got them yet warning triangle, yellow safety vest, breatherliser (these are reelly cheap in French supermarkets so buy locally)
I am a map geek so go on geoportal.gouv.fr and check out the area on IGN mapping (you can print a few) and/or buy a map when you are out there. They are great for searching out trails away from the marked stuff.
Bacon and HP sauce
Tea bags!
And yeah, forgot spare chain. Always seem to need one out of the group.
Oh and I always take a tankful of Yorkshire water. To go with above mentioned T-Bags.
Unless you are going to Cham where its Evian water out of the taps.