Kit List

Just in case you fancy it – and I really hope some of you will – here is what you need to take for a 'supported' ride, where there's a vehicle in attendance with medical kit, water, perishable food and snacks, some bike spares and a full toolkit.

Our bags with normal clothing (not a lot), spare bike clothing and general stuff were taken from hotel to hotel by van. We also had a small, numbered 'day bag' that went in the vehicle that tended to each of the three groups on the road. That held suncream, chamois cream, any extra clothing, some extra snacks and so on that we might need during the ride. There was always a lunchtime stop and the support vehicle would generally make other stops en route at the bottom and top of climbs.

Bike Clothing
Helmet – a really good one
Sunglasses – dark and light lenses plus prescription insert
Contact lenses
Heart rate monitor chest strap
Arm warmers
Long tights
Rain jacket
Gilet (actually soft-shell jacket with removable sleeves)
Base layers – x2 light, x1 warm (merino wool)
Socks – lots
Shoes – with cleats
Overshoes – waterproof/windproof
Jerseys – x2 Fireflies
Bibshorts – x2 padded
Bibknicks – x1 ditto
Cap – x1 Fireflies
Skullcap – goes under helmet in cold weather and covers ears
Gloves – x3: mitts, fingered, winter
Swimwear – for mountain lakes and obviously Cannes (unused)

Other Bike Stuff
Saddlebag – small
Multitool – for adjustments en route without support vehicle
Tyre levers
Inner tubes – x2
Spare tyre – x1
Self-adhesive patches
Tyre boot – patches a split in tyre
Lights – very small, for tunnels and late finishes
Spare brake blocks – x4
Spare chain
Spare chain links – x2
Chain lube – White Lightning Epic Ride good (and appropriate)
Grease – Weldtite TF2 Lithium (but anything would really do)
Pump – tiny, emergency only
Lock – small, light, mainly decorative

General
Chamois cream – AKA minty arse lard
Sudocreme
Suncream
Baby wipes for cleaning bike and hands, wounds if any...
Ibuprofen, Immodium, Paracetamol, other prescription meds
Plasters – fabric and waterproof
Micropore tape
Earplugs – forgot to use them
Travel wash – wash bibshorts every day
Washing line – left at hotel, inevitably
Drink bottles – x2, properly referred to as ‘bidons’
Isotonic drink tablets – ‘Zero’ are good, with magnesium
Energy bars – lots, simple breakfast bars and corner shop flapjacks are fine
Energy gels – of choice, caffeinated best but don’t overdo it
Recovery drink sachets – use immediately on arrival, superstitiously
Adaptor plug
Spare batteries – especially for HRM etc
M&S instant porridge – good stuff, but not often needed
Plastic food bags – zip best
Sponge bag – with all the usual things

Comms
GPS Garmin cycle computer – plus charger, cable
iPhone – plus charger, cable, with all emergency numbers
Waterproof pouch for iPhone
Earphones – use off the bike only
Camera – plus charger, cable it was in the day bag but I hardly used it)

Apps
Google Blogger – maybe not the best, but easy to use
Apple Maps
Google Maps
Garmin Connect
ConnectStats – uses Garmin data but enables some editing with better detail
Climber – details of many major Alpine cols
WeatherBug
Camera+
Flickr
Apple Clock – for morning alarm (Dusquesne Whistle, B Dylan)
Flashlight (no torch)

Other Essentials
Boarding passes/Air tickets
Insurance – travel and event
Medical certificate/waiver form
Passport
Foreign money
Hotel reservation
House keys
Driving licence
Bank cards
EC medical card