London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[ComedyPilot]

Might seem weird, but I am looking to carry my own kit, not bothering with bag drops.

I usually tour by bike so the weight won't be an issue, as I won't be carrying food/cooker/tent etc, just change clothing/wash gear and drinks

 

[yello]

you'll need to use bags that we'll supply at registration.

Promise? Because I thought that was the case last time (no idea why) and when I got to the registration desk I found out I was wrong! Fortunately I had a biggish supermarket carrier bag with me that I was able to use... which actually turned out to be to my benefit as it's distinctiveness meant I was quickly and easily able to find it at Dalkeith.

Which leads me to a thought.... people, you'd better tie a yellow ribbon around your drop bag so as to identify in amongst all of the others!

 

[JoeyB]

Now everyone is gonna have yellow ribbon!!!

 

[yello]

darn, hadn't thought of that!

 

[ComedyPilot]

If we're fed and watered every 50-60 miles, then apart from a few clothes and a wash kit, what else does one need to carry?

I suppose club riders used to doing the miles on bikes weighing less than a bag of sugar won't want to carry anything. Tourers like me will wonder what all the fuss is about when we can ride with much less than half the normal weight.

 

[mcshroom]

Pretty much. I might suggest some spare tubes, tyres, cables etc. at the bag drops to replace any that had been used during the ride.

 

[martint235]

I was kind of just going to carry the usual essential tools. Any tubes need replacing, I was hoping to find a shop.

Spare set of kit although I'm tempted to just go down the pongy route.

 

[mcshroom]

Just a warning that it gets far more spaced out up at the Northern end so you may go a distance before you find a bike shop.

 

[yello]

I suppose club riders used to doing the miles on bikes weighing less than a bag of sugar won't want to carry anything. Tourers like me will wonder what all the fuss is about when we can ride with much less than half the normal weight.

Must admit, with the 2 bag drop option, I am tempted to go the 'bag of sugar' route. It's not really me but it is tempting. I do like that it's an event for all comers though. Be they race whippets, touring sink carriers, or beardy audax die-hards.

 

[Tynan]

indeed, it may be 1400km but that's 'only' about 2 months commuting for me and in 2 months I don't expect to have any mechanicals or punctures, and the bike will hopefully be fully serviced and stroked pre LEL so I see no reason to carry more than I do already, 2 tubes, a chain breaker and a link and a boot, plus there's some mechanical support at the controls if I read the guide right

and mucho tuck at controls, showers and blankets, I agree with much pongo too (I don;t have much kit in depth anyway) with lashing of assos cream, Summer so no serious clothing barring nasty forecasts at the time

other than doing the distance it's all a bit of a doddle

 

[ComedyPilot]

I can see the getting a bit of hammer on this thread.....................

 

[martint235]

indeed, it may be 1400km but that's 'only' about 2 months commuting for me and in 2 months I don't expect to have any mechanicals or punctures, and the bike will hopefully be fully serviced and stroked pre LEL so I see no reason to carry more than I do already, 2 tubes, a chain breaker and a link and a boot, plus there's some mechanical support at the controls if I read the guide right

and mucho tuck at controls, showers and blankets, I agree with much pongo too (I don;t have much kit in depth anyway) with lashing of assos cream, Summer so no serious clothing barring nasty forecasts at the time

other than doing the distance it's all a bit of a doddle

Yep pretty much my thinking. So long as I'm regularly fed (and it sounds like 3 course meals!) I'll be fine.

As for the distance, 175 miles a day. 16 hours of riding per day, 11mph. How hard can that be?

 

[yello]

That's the spirit. It's only a bike ride after all, and anyone can ride a bike. Just ride to Edinburgh then come back. HHCIB

 

[middleagecyclist]

Yep pretty much my thinking. So long as I'm regularly fed (and it sounds like 3 course meals!) I'll be fine.

As for the distance, 175 miles a day. 16 hours of riding per day, 11mph. How hard can that be?

I was planning 15.5 hrs!

 

[JoeyB]

My only worry is having a numb backside after day 1!