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What to pack or not pack, that is the question!?
![[image]](/umbraco/imageGen.aspx?image=/media/19256/cfsm_160.jpg&width=120&height=120&constrain=true)
09 September 2011
Recently with Sunday Tribune Jeep
Hill 2 Hill coming up, I have received a few emails and questions
on my blog from people wanting to know what to take on mountain
bike rides and races to make sure they have everything they need
but have not over packed.
Firstly I think it's important to
differentiate between training and racing, training is exactly that
training, take anything and everything you may need, there is no
need to worry about weight really, focus more on being able to
finish the training session. Take tubes if your not running
tubeless and a CO2 bomb or two WITH an adaptor, take plenty
carbohydrate drink (32Gi or something like that), take a bike tool
with everything on it you may need, allen keys, screwdriver and
maybe even a chain breaker with a few links. If you running
tubeless, take along a plug or two. A small bike lube may be
useful on long rides (Powasol make a small one that fits back
pockets) and another great product from those guys is Weldfast a
tyre sealant, it can take the place of tubes and bombs, save you
weight and space.
On training rides it's not a bad
idea to pop a cell phone in a waterproof bag so that if anything
happens you able to get hold of people. I think I know a lot of
riders use it to tape 20 bucks and a gel under your saddle as a get
out of jail free card for those long rides when you "bonk".
Right, now to the racing where you
need to be more selective, you need to decide if this is a race you
want to just finish or set a personal best or if you a racing snake
be up the sharp end.
So now weight becomes more
important, so if your at this end of things, try figure out what
works best for you, know your race day nutritional needs so that
you carry just the right amount, play with this in training it's
not something you want to learn you got wrong on race day.
On race day it's best make sure
chains well lubed before hand, so don't have to carry with you and
on Hill2Hill riders are even luckier as Powasol is manning a lube
station at one of the water points. Also try keep the tools you
take with you to the essentials, but keep in mind the course your
riding, if it's really rugged tough terrain and a 100 kilometres of
bike abuse pack more than if it's an easy flowing 40km. If your
running tubeless I really recommend the tyre sealant instead of
tubes and bombs etc. On race day, as you will save not only weight,
but time in changing tubes and all that.
In general unless your a racing
snake use common sense, you want to be as light as possible but you
want to finish the race. Most of all go out and enjoy it.
www.centreforsportsmedicine.co.za
Gareth Harrington
Physiotherapist
Holroyd & Goodenough Physio- Hillcrest
Tel: 031 7642918
Email: hillcrest@thephysio.co.za
www.physiolink.co.za
