(Yet) Another year and another Transcontinental race. If you’ve already been following my past Transcontinentals, you’ve probably read my 2015 kit list (or 2014?). I will point out some changes as I explain my equipment for this year.

For more photos, go check the Flickr album.

And here is the same old frankenbike. A hybrid 2003-2007, Shimano 105 ”cyclocross” 2007-2009 and 2009- Campagnolo and whatever you can fit in. Parts are pretty much identical to last year. Durano 25 mm tires, PowerTap G3 rear hub and Son Delux dynamo front hub. Deluxe was serviced last winter, new chainrings were installed, had to carve one size bigger threads for frame rack mounts and rear shifters g-springs replaced. Stuff that has to be done to old and mortal bike components. I broke a Look Blade pedal last year in Italy and another this year in Finland, but I’m still using them. If they fail me for 3rd time in 2 years I’ll consider some other design. Also I added 3 mm padding to aerobars and moved them a bit outwards.

My fear of the dark hasn’t gone anywhere. This year’s setup is Busch&Muller Luxos Iq-x and Luxos U (usb charger) dynamo lights. The combination has been surprisingly good. I can even use the Iq-x daylight and charge at the same time. Something that needed constant 30+ km/h with Luxos B.

Old MyTinySun was replaced with Lupine Piko R. They finally released the ”R” of Piko, which means I now have a thumb remote for my extra front light. Which is great compared to Folkslight that was stubbornly hard to turn on/off.

Also GoPro 3+ made room for GoPro Session. Worse video quality, but ease of use, no need for extra batteries, waterproof design and fast helmet mountability made it a nobrainer.

More of the gadgets. I (almost) got rid of mini-usb cables. GoPro 3, Garmin 810 and MyTinySun Folkslight all used mini. Somehow it was turn to a world of difference when my 810’s mini-connector was damaged. As I was looking for replacement, a Edge 1000, I eventually replaced all other mini-usb devices. Under left pad is Edge remote and under right pad is Piko remote.

The Piko R runs on external batteries that can also be used as power banks. Somehow I ended up with a single ”mission critical” usb connector for them. I got a ”food pouch” for storing the Lupine usb charge plug and Luxos U usb charge cable. Just so that its always easy to check that I didn’t forget them somewhere. 🙂

Last year I had a Polar V800 (not pictured) in handlebar. The device had a broken charging connector and it was replaced. I was looking forward to use a bluetooth speed sensor, but only one available is the Wahoo RPM speed (VeloComputer may exist, but I’ve never seen one being used) and none could confirm if it works with V800 or not. I will have the V800 in my wrist this time to better track my sleep and breaks. However I’m worried I’ll get sunburns in wrist as it will wear off sun lution from area near watch. And also get absolutely filthy from the sun lotion, dust and sweat.

This photo is simply cableporn. This time I don’t have to remove the connectors from Luxos U itself as it has full length cable attached to it. Also Iq-x has a full length cable attached. So as long as dynamo and either light works I can use that light until I find a place to check whats wrong.

The rear is exactly as it was. Carradice bag and rack. B&M Secula dynamo light for visibility and Niterider Solas usb light for blinding anyone behind me. Alpkit 2-end equipment bag mounted below the Carradice.

Next the ”what are you wearing” section. Same helmet, same socks, new cap (and number!), same gloves, same shorts and same shoes. Jersey however is new and has yet to prove its worthiness. Its a long sleeve loose fit wool jersey so I could also drop my arm warmers from list. I was very pleased with the jersey during Vologda-Onego-Ladoga 1200 km brevet when temperature was around 33 celcius. It felt better than a ”technical” jersey. Yet I have no idea how its going to be in a in extreme heat and mountain climbs.

Gloves are coming to end of their life cycle, but they should last this year. I think 3 years is plenty for something that takes suchs a heavy beating. Also I replaced all the paddings of my helmet(/pillow).

Pockets are to hold wallet and spare phone on left, chargers/cables and main mobile on the middle, Tg 3 camera (used to take these photos) on right and finally brevet card and passport in zipper pocket.

Food pouch in front will hold a power bank, charging cables and parts, spork and handsfree.

In saddle bag’s left pocket are Petzl Tikka 2 xp helmet light, Leatherman, Lupine battery, another power bank and camera pod.

In Carradice main compartment are spare clothes. Pair of shorts, socks and a reflective vest.

Still in the main compartment is spare navigator, little emergency food and yet another power bank. One of my 4 micro-usb cables is equiped with a micro-to-mini plug so I can charge 810 if needed. If there is heavy rain for several days I might need to use the 810 as 1000 can’t be charged while its raining. Otherwise I should never have to open this bag.

The tool bag is also in there

• 2 pumps
• patches
• spare outer tire
• 2 tubes
• tire levers
• PowerTap opeer
• dynamo cable connectors
• multitool
• another multitool with some odd pieces, T8 (for pedals), T30 (rear derailler)
• spare cleat
• spare spring for pedal
• spokes, nipples and spoke tool
• brake and shifter cables
• spare Garmin mount
• Boa cable and tool for shoes
• GoPro screw
• derailler hanger (for 1st time ever, breaking one has been popular this year)
• oil and rag
• Cr2032 and lithium aaa batteries (for Spot)

The Carradice right pocket has musette, packable backpack, sun lotion and Assos chamois cream. I have the same Sea-to-Summit packable backpack as I had in 2014. I lost it and found it over a year later. Last year’s Paris-Brest-Paris was first time I used musette actively. I have to say I really liked it. It should allow certain foods, mostly bread and fruits, be accessible while riding.

In the equipment bag are hygiene stuff, emergency blanket, scissors and … a Olympus Tg-3 charging cable. The camera’s battery last several days so I only need to charge it during longer hotel stops.

Also in the equipment bag are the ”camping” equipment and ”civilian” clothes. For sleeping I have hip-to-shoulder cut roll of bubble wrap and bag with shorts is typically used as pillow.

Last, but not least, is the frame bag with ”always needed” spare cloths. Leg warmers, wool buff, toe warmers, SealSkinz long gloves and a wind-/waterproof jacket. I hope the Gamex+wool jersey will be enough for even the coldest Alp downhills.

Juustolan kierroksen alussa ilmeni, että Oulussa on enemmän tilausta pitkille porukkalenkeille kuin breveteille. Tämä ilmeni haluttomuutena ajaa kortin kanssa Juustolan kierrosta ja matkaan lähti henkilöitä ilman korttia ainakin nopeimassa joukossa. En usko kortiton on tyytynyt ajamaan pelkästään peesissä ja Juustolan kokin mukaan porukassa on mahdollisesti ollut useampikin kortiton.

Hitaammalle ryhmälle palautin jo kausimaksut. Nopeassa ryhmässä ajaneet ottavat yhteyttä niin järjestetään korttien ja kausimaksujen palautus. Jos ajoitte sääntöjen mukaan mm. peesasitte vain brevetille osallistujaa, voitte toimittaa kortit ja kausimaksun Suomen ACP:n yhteyshenkilölle (Paavo Nurminen, yhteystiedot löytyy sivustolta).

Tästä syystä perun kaikki suunnittelemani brevetit ja perun järjestetyt huollot mm. Oulujärven kierroksen yökattauksen Ravintola Ruunuhelmessä. En näe enää syytä toimia brevettien järjestäjänä. Pääsenpä helpommalla kun ei tarvitse huolehtia eri nopeuksisien ajajien huollosta ja voin ottaa käyttöön myös huonompi laatuiset tiet.

Ehkä joku alkaa järjesteleen pitkiä yhteislenkkejä, saatan jopa osallistua, mikäli brevettien ajolta ehdin/jaksan. Foorumi näille on kuitenkin joku muu kuin Randonneurs.fi

Hebe

Audax club Parisienin kansainvälinen brevet-kalenteri on saatavilla. Suomen kalenteriin on merkitty brevettien deadlinet.

Tällä kertaa on 3 täyttä sarjaa (200, 300, 400 ja 600) sekä 1000 km ja Fleche.

Another year, another Transcontinental race kit list. If you have followed my riding before, you’ve probably already read my 2014 kit list. I will occassionally refer to changes from last year.

More photos in Flick album.

I am riding my trustworthy old steed. Tunturi F500 frame from 2003 that has seen many incarnations from hybrid bike to frankenbike it is today. I changed tires from unreliable, but smooth (Vittoria open pave), to more reliable, but rough (Schwalbe Durano 25 mm). Rims were replaced and hence wheels rebuilt since last year. SON deluxe front dynamo hub and PowerTap rear hub.

I am still afraid of the dark and am using the same setup of lights as last year. Busch&Muller Luxos U and B were both replaced as warrantry issues since last year. B had broken connector and U just stopped working. The newer model of U is better design, but has too-likely-to-get-lost external usb-port. In the scale of high impact to daily mileage, likely to get lost and impossible to replace this small cable is probably the worst.

MyTinySun is mostly for long uphills, where dynamo is useless, and rough downhills where backup light is very important.

GoPro 3+ and MyTinySun are mounted with KlickFix mounts. They are very steady and easy to use compared to most available mounts.

The big change since last year is 3T aerobars. I usually vow for simple and aesthetic dashboard, but couldn’t really get it any better. For reference here is last year’s setup.

Garmin 810 is the same old, best of the garbage. Polar CS600 was replaced with ”state-of-the-art” V800. V800 has its share of problems. Probably worst is no battery level indicator so you can’t even tell if it is charging or not. Also I haven’t been able to figure out when it runs out of memory. It is however stable enough that I should have my daily stats available at Polar flow.

The small bag will be used to hold powerbanks, rag, spork and small parts when neccessary.

Speaking of aesthetics. I was – this close to mounting 2nd B&M Secula to get symmetric rear view. Secula is always on to be visible and Niterider Solas is for blinding people behind me, should it be needed for some reason. It was also replaced since last year as warrantry issue as the old one drowned at Alps during last year’s Transcontinental race.

The front top tube bag is for food and the, my precious, B&M usb cable. The other bag is for tools and work glove. Triangle bag is for always needed extra clothes. Arm warmers, leg warmers, buff, shoe covers. Exactly the same as last year. Tools are also pretty much the same as last year.

• 2 spare tubes
• 1 spare tire
• 2 pumps
• set of patches and tire lever
• multitool
• spare batteries for SPOT, Powertap and heart rate sensor, Powertap tool
• oil and rag
• cleat, BOA wire and tool
• spare connectors and cable for lights
• cable ties and tape
• 1 brake and 1 derailleur cable
• Garmin mount
• Chain links

nipples, spokes are in Carradice bag

Tools are packed in Carradice bag’s main compartment.

Also in the Carradice main compartment are the spare cloths, and some extra food. One pair of socks, Kalas mission jacket, bibs and Mavic Vision reflective wind vest.

In Alpkit bag under saddle there is bubble wrap for sleeping. Clothes to be used during breaks. I left shirt and shoes off from the list this year. Some shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and razor.

As I will not be using a hip bag this year there were some changes in the side pockets of Carradice. Right pocket Assos chamois cream, sun lotion, space blanket (not in photo) and Petzl Tikka 2 xp headlamp when not in use. Headlamp has GoPro mount retrofitted in it. Left pocket has packable backpack (lost my old one and got a waterproof Sea-to-Summit instead), cable lock, GorillaPod and bag of GoPro spares including extra battery.

Finally the kit I’m actually wearing. Pretty much the same as last year. Sworks shoes, Assos gloves, shorts, jersey, cap (2014 edition in photo for obvious reasons :)) and Assos socks.

As mentioned earlier I don’t have hip bag this year. Hence I had to make a few extra pockets to my jersey. One for documents and another for primary mobile phone.

Left rear pocket has secondary mobile and wallet. Middle pocket has 2 2x usb chargers, cables and occasionally a power bank in a homemade organizer packed in Ortlieb waterproof bag. Cables include 3x micro usb, 2x mini usb, 1x Olympus usb and 1x Polar V800. Polar V800 is another likely-to-get-lost-high-impact cable along with the B&M usb. Right pocket has Olympus TG-3 camera.

And same as it is used.

My undershirt has a homemade SBH-52 handsfree mount. It is easy to start and stop using the ear plugs with this setup.

Most of the electronics in same photo. I have 3 power banks, Tespack also has solar charger, that are held where they happen to be needed.

Tiedote (14.7.2015), vapaa julkaistavaksi

Transcontinental race 2015

Belgian Geraardsbergenistä Istanbuliin pyöräiltävä Transcontinental race alkaa keskiyöllä kello 0:00 lauantaina 24.7.2015. Matkaan lähtee noin 180 yksin ajavaa ja 20 paria. Kaikki ajavat itse tekemäänsä reittiä ja matkan aikana saa käyttää vain yleisesti saatavilla olevia palveluita kuten kauppoja ja hotelleja. Kaikki itse järjestetty huolto on kielletty. Pyöräilijät ajavat kilpaa sekä toisiaan että kelloa vastaan. Maalissa Rumeli Hisarin linnoituksessa Bosporinsalmen rannalla pitää olla viimeistään 14 päivää ja 22 tuntia lähdön jälkeen keskiyöllä lauantaina 8.8.2015

Matka on lyhimmillään yli 4000 kilometriä eli vähintään noin 300 kilometriä päivässä. Nopeimmat tulevat olemaan maalissa noin kymmenen päivää lähdön jälkeen.

Reitin tulee kulkea neljän kontrollipisteen kautta. Ensimmäinen kontrolli on Mont Ventoux Provencessa Ranskassa. Toinen on Strada dell’Assietta Italian Alpeilla. Kolmas on Vukovar Kroatian ja Serbian rajalla. Neljäs on Montenegrossa Kotorinlahden rannalla olevan Mont Lovcen vuoren huipulla.

Yleisö voi seurata tapahtumaa osoitteessa www.transcontinentalrace.com. Pyöräilijöillä on mukana seurantalaitteet, jotka päivittävät tilanteen verkkoon reaaliajassa. Päivittäiset raportit tapahtuman etenemisestä osoitteessa www.poljento.com.

Mukana on yksi suomalainen ajaja. Mikko Mäkipää, Helsinki (@mkpaa)

Lisätietoja Mikko Mäkipää / 0505822386

Jäljellä muutamia lyhythihaisia Randonneurs Finland L- ja XL-kokoisia paitoja, hinta 65,- + pk 5.-

Tilaukset ja tiedustelut; antti.pietila ät kotiportti.fi