To all experienced Roc-ers and well travelled mtb-ers.
Im looking for some information, advice, nuggets of wisdom for going to the race or travelling with a bike that you may share to those of us less-travelled (with our bikes at least)
Please post here anything you feel is relevant (no matter how small) -
This is the kind of stuff Im after:
Roc Specific:
do we need a medical? or will UCI licence do?
what tyres are best for the terrain/race
what is the feed station setup - do we need to bring several bottles?
what spares do you recommend
General flying with bike:
Tips on packing bike for plane - eg leave tyres flat, take off derailleur etc
can you carry CO2 canisters on the plane?
There are 2 feed stations on the Friday and 3 (2?) on the Sunday - these are not bottle drops, you need to fill your own bottles! There are also cut oranges, food etc at these.
CO2 canisters, spare tube, multi-tool, quick link on the bike. Allen Keys, pump, oil ..... ? for assembly/dis-assembly and service between races! Bring a spare rear hanger for sure!
Remove pedals, bars and derailleur for travel. Reduce tyre pressure but don't completely deflate (very messy if tyres come off the rim!!) After that it all depends on how anal you are .... personally I wrap lots of stuff in bubble-wrap and pipe lagging but that's just me .....
Bring Zero tabs and Gels if you use them .... couldn't find the ones I was used to last year!
As for canisters ..... you are not allowed bring them on the flight .... ask Terry about this!!! Personally I've got away with bringing them the last couple of years but it can lead to hassle if you're caught!!
It'l be dry & dusty so you wont need major grip, UST Rocket Rons etc are more than adequate. Make sure there's fresh goo in your tyres as there's little thorns in the grass at the start. Recheck your tyres for goo after your flight.
Feed stations are every 10-15 km and are fully stocked with everything you need. If you prefer your own food bring it with you.
Bring normal spares for race... pump, CO2, powerlinks, multitool, 1/2 tubes. Bring a spare tyre in your carry on luggage, shock pump etc, presta-schrader adapter incase you need to use garage air compressor.
Bring dioralite, recovery fuel, sun cream, sun glasses etc...
Simply treat the races like any other race you'd do here... no need for anything fancy.
Most flight luggage compartments are pressurized now so no need to do anything complicated with the bike. Let some of the air out of the tyres but dont deflate completely or you'l have goo all over your stuff.
Pad around the bike as much as possible, unbolt rear mech from frame, loosen handlebars and rotate them downwards so the levers arent sticking out. Mark your seatpost with tape so when you put it back in its at the same height.
Clamp struts (bits of wood) using your quick releases between front/rear drop outs, especially the rear.
Ask Terry about the CO2 canisters!
You can buy absolutely everything at the bike expo so if you forget/break anything you can get a new one there.
all of the above especially gas cannisters.
brace between the fork and rear stays as oscar says as the bike can get pressed on a bit.
Take off derailleur as it's otherwise left vunerable.
put the end of a clothes peg into each of your disks as a wedge so that the pads remain open.
I usually take off my disks as well as they are very fragile.
Get your freehub and all that stuff checked now as it's a pain to be stranded on such a trip
Any old tyre will do I had toros last year like tractor tyres, just make sure u have gloop in them.
cotton buds to shove up your noose if you don't like dust as you will not be able to breathe at the beginning, and i'm not joking, it will be like a dust bowl.
bring loads of money and buy me lots of beer etc.
I take my handle bars off so that they are safer as they are too wide for the bag
bring togs as the water is lovely opposite the hotel
smile and enjoy the crack
And what about travel arrangements...
I can't be arsed paying for a car for it just to sit in front of the hotel for 5 days. What other options are there, bus, train?
Or maybe someone has room in their car, I don't mind chipping in for rental/diesel but can't afford one for my own.
Perhaps we could all meet on Saturday the 6th in Lamb Doyles and discuss the details, around 7:00 p.m.?
would you not just cycle from the Airport..good warm up for you !
I'll give you lads one tip that I learned last year..the EPIC crew and friends are by far the best group of people to go on one of these trips with. Great craic and it would not be the same without them !
Maxy baby listen
The bus won't take bikes ask Oscar about that one, there's no train so car rental is your only option, I'm sharing a car so I recommend u do same with maybe flan, don't go for the very small cars, get a golf/focus sized motor.
I looked into renting a minibus but it's just as dear and more hassle. Also new laws in France require 2 breathalysers in every car,(these are only made in France, by the brother of the minister who implemented the law) fcuking French, plus high viz vests!!
Not sure if I'll make lambers it's such a kip, maybe the blue light, much classier joint!!
To all experienced Roc-ers and well travelled mtb-ers.
Im looking for some information, advice, nuggets of wisdom for going to the race or travelling with a bike that you may share to those of us less-travelled (with our bikes at least)
Please post here anything you feel is relevant (no matter how small) -
This is the kind of stuff Im after:
Roc Specific:
do we need a medical? or will UCI licence do?
what tyres are best for the terrain/race
what is the feed station setup - do we need to bring several bottles?
what spares do you recommend
General flying with bike:
Tips on packing bike for plane - eg leave tyres flat, take off derailleur etc
can you carry CO2 canisters on the plane?
There are 2 feed stations on the Friday and 3 (2?) on the Sunday - these are not bottle drops, you need to fill your own bottles! There are also cut oranges, food etc at these.
CO2 canisters, spare tube, multi-tool, quick link on the bike. Allen Keys, pump, oil ..... ? for assembly/dis-assembly and service between races! Bring a spare rear hanger for sure!
Remove pedals, bars and derailleur for travel. Reduce tyre pressure but don't completely deflate (very messy if tyres come off the rim!!) After that it all depends on how anal you are .... personally I wrap lots of stuff in bubble-wrap and pipe lagging but that's just me .....
Bring Zero tabs and Gels if you use them .... couldn't find the ones I was used to last year!
As for canisters ..... you are not allowed bring them on the flight .... ask Terry about this!!! Personally I've got away with bringing them the last couple of years but it can lead to hassle if you're caught!!
It'l be dry & dusty so you wont need major grip, UST Rocket Rons etc are more than adequate. Make sure there's fresh goo in your tyres as there's little thorns in the grass at the start. Recheck your tyres for goo after your flight.
Feed stations are every 10-15 km and are fully stocked with everything you need. If you prefer your own food bring it with you.
Bring normal spares for race... pump, CO2, powerlinks, multitool, 1/2 tubes. Bring a spare tyre in your carry on luggage, shock pump etc, presta-schrader adapter incase you need to use garage air compressor.
Bring dioralite, recovery fuel, sun cream, sun glasses etc...
Simply treat the races like any other race you'd do here... no need for anything fancy.
Most flight luggage compartments are pressurized now so no need to do anything complicated with the bike. Let some of the air out of the tyres but dont deflate completely or you'l have goo all over your stuff.
Pad around the bike as much as possible, unbolt rear mech from frame, loosen handlebars and rotate them downwards so the levers arent sticking out. Mark your seatpost with tape so when you put it back in its at the same height.
Clamp struts (bits of wood) using your quick releases between front/rear drop outs, especially the rear.
Ask Terry about the CO2 canisters!
You can buy absolutely everything at the bike expo so if you forget/break anything you can get a new one there.
all of the above especially gas cannisters.
brace between the fork and rear stays as oscar says as the bike can get pressed on a bit.
Take off derailleur as it's otherwise left vunerable.
put the end of a clothes peg into each of your disks as a wedge so that the pads remain open.
I usually take off my disks as well as they are very fragile.
Get your freehub and all that stuff checked now as it's a pain to be stranded on such a trip
Any old tyre will do I had toros last year like tractor tyres, just make sure u have gloop in them.
cotton buds to shove up your noose if you don't like dust as you will not be able to breathe at the beginning, and i'm not joking, it will be like a dust bowl.
bring loads of money and buy me lots of beer etc.
I take my handle bars off so that they are safer as they are too wide for the bag
bring togs as the water is lovely opposite the hotel
smile and enjoy the crack
And what about travel arrangements...
I can't be arsed paying for a car for it just to sit in front of the hotel for 5 days. What other options are there, bus, train?
Or maybe someone has room in their car, I don't mind chipping in for rental/diesel but can't afford one for my own.
Perhaps we could all meet on Saturday the 6th in Lamb Doyles and discuss the details, around 7:00 p.m.?
would you not just cycle from the Airport..good warm up for you !
I'll give you lads one tip that I learned last year..the EPIC crew and friends are by far the best group of people to go on one of these trips with. Great craic and it would not be the same without them !
Maxy baby listen
The bus won't take bikes ask Oscar about that one, there's no train so car rental is your only option, I'm sharing a car so I recommend u do same with maybe flan, don't go for the very small cars, get a golf/focus sized motor.
I looked into renting a minibus but it's just as dear and more hassle. Also new laws in France require 2 breathalysers in every car,(these are only made in France, by the brother of the minister who implemented the law) fcuking French, plus high viz vests!!
Not sure if I'll make lambers it's such a kip, maybe the blue light, much classier joint!!
To all experienced Roc-ers and well travelled mtb-ers.
Im looking for some information, advice, nuggets of wisdom for going to the race or travelling with a bike that you may share to those of us less-travelled (with our bikes at least)
Please post here anything you feel is relevant (no matter how small) -
This is the kind of stuff Im after:
Roc Specific:
do we need a medical? or will UCI licence do?
what tyres are best for the terrain/race
what is the feed station setup - do we need to bring several bottles?
what spares do you recommend
General flying with bike:
Tips on packing bike for plane - eg leave tyres flat, take off derailleur etc
can you carry CO2 canisters on the plane?
There are 2 feed stations on the Friday and 3 (2?) on the Sunday - these are not bottle drops, you need to fill your own bottles! There are also cut oranges, food etc at these.
CO2 canisters, spare tube, multi-tool, quick link on the bike. Allen Keys, pump, oil ..... ? for assembly/dis-assembly and service between races! Bring a spare rear hanger for sure!
Remove pedals, bars and derailleur for travel. Reduce tyre pressure but don't completely deflate (very messy if tyres come off the rim!!) After that it all depends on how anal you are .... personally I wrap lots of stuff in bubble-wrap and pipe lagging but that's just me .....
Bring Zero tabs and Gels if you use them .... couldn't find the ones I was used to last year!
As for canisters ..... you are not allowed bring them on the flight .... ask Terry about this!!! Personally I've got away with bringing them the last couple of years but it can lead to hassle if you're caught!!
It'l be dry & dusty so you wont need major grip, UST Rocket Rons etc are more than adequate. Make sure there's fresh goo in your tyres as there's little thorns in the grass at the start. Recheck your tyres for goo after your flight.
Feed stations are every 10-15 km and are fully stocked with everything you need. If you prefer your own food bring it with you.
Bring normal spares for race... pump, CO2, powerlinks, multitool, 1/2 tubes. Bring a spare tyre in your carry on luggage, shock pump etc, presta-schrader adapter incase you need to use garage air compressor.
Bring dioralite, recovery fuel, sun cream, sun glasses etc...
Simply treat the races like any other race you'd do here... no need for anything fancy.
Most flight luggage compartments are pressurized now so no need to do anything complicated with the bike. Let some of the air out of the tyres but dont deflate completely or you'l have goo all over your stuff.
Pad around the bike as much as possible, unbolt rear mech from frame, loosen handlebars and rotate them downwards so the levers arent sticking out. Mark your seatpost with tape so when you put it back in its at the same height.
Clamp struts (bits of wood) using your quick releases between front/rear drop outs, especially the rear.
Ask Terry about the CO2 canisters!
You can buy absolutely everything at the bike expo so if you forget/break anything you can get a new one there.
all of the above especially gas cannisters.
brace between the fork and rear stays as oscar says as the bike can get pressed on a bit.
Take off derailleur as it's otherwise left vunerable.
put the end of a clothes peg into each of your disks as a wedge so that the pads remain open.
I usually take off my disks as well as they are very fragile.
Get your freehub and all that stuff checked now as it's a pain to be stranded on such a trip
Any old tyre will do I had toros last year like tractor tyres, just make sure u have gloop in them.
cotton buds to shove up your noose if you don't like dust as you will not be able to breathe at the beginning, and i'm not joking, it will be like a dust bowl.
bring loads of money and buy me lots of beer etc.
I take my handle bars off so that they are safer as they are too wide for the bag
bring togs as the water is lovely opposite the hotel
smile and enjoy the crack
And what about travel arrangements...
I can't be arsed paying for a car for it just to sit in front of the hotel for 5 days. What other options are there, bus, train?
Or maybe someone has room in their car, I don't mind chipping in for rental/diesel but can't afford one for my own.
Perhaps we could all meet on Saturday the 6th in Lamb Doyles and discuss the details, around 7:00 p.m.?
would you not just cycle from the Airport..good warm up for you !
I'll give you lads one tip that I learned last year..the EPIC crew and friends are by far the best group of people to go on one of these trips with. Great craic and it would not be the same without them !
Maxy baby listen
The bus won't take bikes ask Oscar about that one, there's no train so car rental is your only option, I'm sharing a car so I recommend u do same with maybe flan, don't go for the very small cars, get a golf/focus sized motor.
I looked into renting a minibus but it's just as dear and more hassle. Also new laws in France require 2 breathalysers in every car,(these are only made in France, by the brother of the minister who implemented the law) fcuking French, plus high viz vests!!
Not sure if I'll make lambers it's such a kip, maybe the blue light, much classier joint!!