Ah you’re doing Dave’s route, excellent. Good luck with it!
I’ve managed to get 4 in my mouth at once without chewing or breaking them.
On our annual CyB weekend away some years ago, my mate once put 9 regular size Jaffa Cakes in his mouth at the same time then ate them.
For commuting in really cold weather I use a glove liner with the cheap Thinsulate gloves over them, works great for me. The trick is for them not to be pressing against any part of your fingers.
Sorry, I assumed it was a standard QR axle. Is it a QR or thru axle?
I think 135mm is real wheel standard for MTB.