You’ve committed to do the race, you’re training your buns
off, you’ve found a partner and it looks like you won’t kill each other by day
2.
Now it’s time for you to dig into the back of the closet and
pull out all of your cycling clothing and see what is suitable to make the trek
from Fernie to Canmore.
There are a couple of things you need to remember, and
unfortunately they are a bit contradictory.
1) Since
2002 TransRockies, riders have had to deal with a baffling range of weather.
From snow and hypothermia to blazing sun and heat stroke. You will be at high
altitude in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. As the locals say, “if you
don’t like the weather, just wait for 5 minutes”. You will need far more gear
than for your weekend ride with your buddies.
2) You
have one duffle bag. The space is limited and you are going to have to cram it
all in every morning.
So, your choices of clothing and equipment are going to have
to offer the maximum flexibility in the minimum space.
7 pairs of shorts or bibs – After some experimentation I’ve
settled on Garneau and Sugoi shorts and bibs. My first pair of bibs were from
Garneau and they made me a believer. I’d never got back to short again. From
Sugoi I’ve used everything from their entry level NeoPro shorts up to the very
deluxe RS Flex bibs. Shorts, and chamois, are a VERY personal choice. Every
model is different. The seams etc. are in different places and what works for
you may drive me crazy. You need to make sure that your shorts are comfy 6
hours into a hot sweaty ride. If you want to sample Dr. Marty’s magic butt
cream the best way is to wear your shorts for multiple days without washing
them. The cream does work wonders, but you’ll be much happier if you never need
it.
7 short sleeve jerseys – Ideally you and your partner will
have matching jerseys. This both aids the esprit
de corps, but also has another benefit. The rules say that you can be no
more than 2 minutes apart. Matching distinctive jerseys make it so much easier to
find one another in a crowd. Garneau offers a custom jersey program with pretty
reasonable minimums. (http://www.louisgarneau-custom.com/products/categories.asp?categories=cycling)
In my first years I tried long-sleeve jerseys, but the conditions can change so
quickly that the inherent inflexibility of a long sleeve jersey makes it a poor
choice. If you need warm arms, wear arm warmers.
10 to 12 pairs of socks – I’ve used both synthetic and wool
socks. I’ve found wool socks to be great for days with river crossings,
especially if the weather is on the cool side. Extra pairs mean that you can
take a spare pair on cold soggy days. Warm dry socks make for very happy feet.
2 pairs of cycling shoes - Shoes will die. It is a fact of
life. In the 2008 TR I had one pair where the upper separated from the sole. On
my other pair I tore out a toe stud and it took a chunk of the sole. Take 2
pairs and make sure they are broken in and you can hike-a-bike in them without
getting crippling blisters.
1 pair over booties – These are mainly insurance but have
been almost a necessity on a couple of years. (2002, 2004, and 2010) If you can
find some that leave most of the tread exposed it will make walking much
easier.
1 pair waterproof socks – A waterproof/breathable sock is
great for wet days with lots of hike-a-bike. They don’t offer the same warmth
as over booties, but they do leave the sole of your shoes exposed for maximum
grip.
1 to 2 pairs of leg warmers – The TR stages start in valley
bottoms early in the morning. Out of the sun in a mountain valley it can be a
bit nippy. By the time you’ve been riding for a while you’ll be pulling off the
warmers, but for the first hour or so you’ll be glad of them. I bring one
lightweight and one midweight pair. If they have zips in the lower legs it will
make undressing so much easier.
1 pair knee warmers – A more flexible and less committing
option than leg warmers, they still offer a bit of extra warmth for cool
mornings and mountain passes.
2 pairs of arm warmers – The great thing about arm warmers
is that it is so easy to pull them off while riding if you get a bit hot.
Folded up in the pack they occupy almost no space, but if you are feeling a bit
chilled they can make all of the difference.
1 lightweight jacket – On most days this will stay stuffed
in a little ball at the bottom of your hydration pack, but if the temperature
drops, or if you need to stop for a while to do some trailside repairs, you’ll
be glad you have it. Windproof and highly water repellent should do the trick.
1 lightweight vest – I’ve started many days with this on.
Along with arm warmer and knee or leg warmers a lightweight vest gives you a very
flexible combination for all sorts of weather. You’ll probably take the vest
off by the first aid station, but at less than 100 grams it is cheap insurance.
(And in combination with a lightweight jacket the vest will cover the coolest
weather you’re likely to encounter.)
1 waterproof jacket – When it rains/snow/sleets etc. you
will get very wet and very cold very quickly. Lots of people bring along a PVC
cycling jacket. A perfectly fine choice, and affordable to boot. In the past I
brought a waterproof/breathable with pit zips. A bit heavier, but on long days
a lot more comfortable. For 2010, I bought a new lightweight jacket, very similar
to the Garneau Climate Grid 2. Waterproof and breathable, and compact to boot.
1 toque/beanie/ear warmers etc. – When it gets chilly in the
Rockies you can freeze the old noggin pretty quickly. A light hat that fits
under your helmet can be a real life saver.
5 to 7 pairs of gloves – I prefer all long fingered gloves,
although some people prefer fingerless in hot weather. Either way, make sure
that the gloves are broken in and you have a selection of gloves for all
conditions. I brought along very light weight, mid weight, waterproof, and
insulated waterproof. Your gloves will get wet and very dirty. I also bring
along some surgical gloves to go under my cycling gloves in wet weather.
In future instalments I’ll cover the clothing and equipment
that you’ll need for camp.
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