Doing the SDW BHF ride in a couple of weeks and really can’t decide on which option is best:
My Osprey hydration pack that will take everything and keep the bike lighter.
Or
My fuel pod, x2 bottles, small aero seat pack and my rear jerseys pockets and keep me lighter.
Off out tomorrow for a 50 miler on the SDW and bike is set up with option 2, BUT I can’t help thinking the sensible option is to take a pack.
what would you do????
It's Mid-July so you're not going to need lots of layers, and there's feed stops along the route aren't there
A couple of bottles and a Jersey pocket or two for wallet and phone, tape/strap the multitool, tube(s) and pump on the frame and that should be plenty of stuff, surely? Maybe a bumbag of some sort if you really must. But why do you need the capacity to lug loads of stuff?
How long (time or distance) between feed stops? It's unlikely you'll need much between them. Eat and hydrate before the start then camel up at the feed stops: drink a couple of bottles of water before filling your bottles for the next stage, similar with food. If it's only a couple of hours' riding between stops then that will be enough.
This was my setup for last year's Yorkshire Dales 200 ITT so unsupported but shop at 30km, cafes at around 80 & 130km, another shop at 170km.
Tools and spares went in the downtube bag but TBH I'd probably strap stuff to the frame. I think it was phone, Joystick light and stuff like bum cream and water filter in the fuel pod. Single 750ml water bottle. Food in the stem cells.
Wallet? credit/debit card and a bit of cash in a plastic bag - you don't need your Sainsbury's loyalty card or your works pass.
Option 2 for sure, especially if it's hot. Just more comfortable imo. Even a well vented pack I find makes me sweatier
Thanks chaps, I’m about to set off in a bit for my test ride and will report back later how it went with option two - aim is a 50 miler on the SDW.
For longer day rides I go with a smallish bumbag with phone, bit of food, multitool, phone, money, first aid etc, two bottles on the frame (TBH if you get by with just one, that would be better), and a fuel pod with a bit more food if you're not stopping much. Spare tube/pump are fixed to the frame. The more weight you get on the bike, the more comfortable you will be.
As a side issue - what 'anywhere' bottle mount would folk recommend? I got a couple of cheapy plastic ones from Halfords but both have now broken, so looking for something a bit more basic - maybe velcro or a strap.
Needed to rush off before. A bit more info/tips.
Where you carry stuff varies depending on bike and what route you are riding. Generally the more technical the ride and/or the higher the chance of having to carry the bike the less you want on it. For something that's close to 100% rideable I'd have most or everything on the bike.
Really cut down on what you take: the wallet suggestion in my previous post is an example. FAK - a few plasters, some compeed and a few safety pins is enough for anything you are likely to have the skills to deal with.
@martinhutch - if you have standard round tubing then look for the DMR hinged clamps http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dmr-hinged-clamp/rp-prod745 . They'll work on the tubing on Cotic Soul and Solaris, not sure about the Flare and Rocket.
I don't live with this stuff on your back makes it lighter nonsense - you'll consume the same energy moving it and in summer it just becomes unpleasant, particularly in bright sunshine where a light-coloured top helps reflect the heat and allow perspiration to evaporate. I done numerous mid-summer traverses of the SDW and continue to be amazed at the amount of stuff people think they need to carry - do your maintenance before you leave, run tubeless tyres and you can leave most of it behind.
If you need a extra bag, then something like an Alpkit Xtra 8L drybag strapped to your bars is more than adequate.
With the hot sun and bare chalk you're going to get 'fried' up on the SDW this weekend - fortunately taps are well-spaced, the stretch from Cocking to Amberley probably being the worst as there are 2 long-ish climbs exposed to the sun and it's easy to consume a couple of bottles in those conditions. Also take some hydration tabs to put in your bottles as you'll be sweating lots.
There are plenty of places to pick-up food on route.
What Dovebiker said.
Thanks agaIn chaps for the input.
Well I survived today’s outing with no back-pack.
For the full ride (did 55 miles today) I will need to take a bit more food but not much more than I had today and that will easily fit in my three back pockets.
It is absolutely scorchio up there at the moment so if your going up I’d suggest sun cream etc.