Transcontinental Racer Loadout

What do you need to tackle a 4500 kilometre race across Europe, with no support? We have no idea, but fortunately we know a Handsling A1R0evo rider who does.

We spoke to Tom Humphrey back in February about why he was tackling #TCRNo11, as the Transcontinental is known. His answer was "Why not? is probably the only answer I can come up with, I really have no idea! It flies in the face of everything that is comfortable, everything that a ‘holiday’ is supposed to be, and everything that is sensible. Perhaps that is why?"

With #TCR11 less than three weeks away Tom has his A1R0evo ready to go and optimised for the event. All up weight, including water, provisions and other essentials is around 15 kilogrammes. Tom has to be totally self-sufficient during the race, so he's had to make some hard choices. Fortunately he has attempted the TCR before, so he's got a good idea what is and isn't needed.

Tom's kit choices.

Bike - Handsling A1R0evoS
Gearing - SRAM Red 10/36 – 46/33
Wheels – Parcours Strade (Son 28 Dynamo built into front wheel)
Cables from Son 28 dynamo to front light and also to USB charger unit for charging, GPS,
phone, lights etc.
Tyres – Continental GP5000 AS 32mm. Tubeless.
Front Light – Supanova M99 Pro DY
Be seen lights mounted on underside of aero bars – 2 x Infini mini USB chargeable. (32
hours each on flashing mode)
Aero Bars – Profile Design mounted on custom built aluminium plate.
Bags – Restrap – 19 litre saddle bag, 4 litre Race Frame bag, 2 litre Race Top Tube bag.
Saddle bag is fitted with Woho bag stabiliser, enabling extra bottle cage mounts.
Water carry – Zefal 2 x 950ml plus 2 x 750ml insulated.
GPS – 1 x Garmin 1040 Solar plus 1 x Garmin 1040 as back-up
Rear Lights - 2 x Cateye USB chargeable wearables (24 hrs each on flashing mode)
Saddle – Spa Cycles Nidd, leather

Extras

Tent - Vango F10 UL 1
Sleeping Bag – Sea to Summit Spark Ultra-light
Pillow – Sea to Summit Ultra-light
Head torch – Exposure HT1000
Pump - Park Tool
Tyre Sealant – 2 x 60ml bottles as refills.
SRAM replacement derailleur batteries x 2
SRAM battery charger unit.
Tyre levers
Multi tool – Wolf Tooth 8-BitKit Two
Spare tyre x 1
Small power bank and charging cables.Inner tube x 1
Self-adhesive patches.
Dyno plug and spare plugs.
Tyre boots.
Replacement Mech hanger
Miniature pliers
SRAM power lock quick links
1 x spare SPD cleat and bolts
Short roll of duck tape
Short roll of insulation tape
Cable ties x 5
Lightweight security locking cable and combination lock
1 x set replacement brake pads
Mini Blue-tooth speaker
4-way continental USB charging socket
Lightweight Hi Viz knapsack bag for supermarket shop and carrying extra supplies if
required.
Opinel penknife

Clothing / Hygiene

2 x pairs cargo bib shorts (Albion and Pedaled)
2 x short sleeve tops
1 x Pair fingerless gloves
1 x snood
1 x pair arm warmers
1 x Gore Shakedry jacket
1 x RAB down gilet
2 x pairs socks
1 x pair Lake wide fit SPD shoes
TCR Cap!
Helmet
Base layer
Toothbrush / toothpasteSun cream
Contact lenses
Cycling glasses – interchangeable day and night lenses.
Reading glasses.
Bolle prescription sunglasses.
Mustela barrier cream – recommended by a French pharmacist on PBP for saddle sores.
Brilliant, never used anything else since.
Voom nutrition bars – heavy so not too many.
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Iodine wipe, alcohol wipe.
Foil blanket
Some Dioralyte sachets
Toilet roll.