In case anyone wondered - this is what I'll be taking to Istanbul.
Volagi Viaje XL frame – 4130 Cro-moly combined with their “Long-bow”
seat stays that are curved and join the top tube rather than the seat tube mean
that this is one seriously comfortable frame for me to build my distance racer
around. Disc mounts front and rear. Carbon fork with tapered steerer for
precise handling. I love the look of this frame and, judging from the amount of
people who’ve asked me about it while out riding/audaxing, others are keen too.
Interestingly Viaje is Spanish for journey – how apt.
Wheels – the next most important part of any bike, IMO. Hand
built in the town I live in. Hope Pro2 Evo rear hub in black laced with black
spokes to black H Plus Son 32H Archetype rims. Up front is a black Shutter Precision
PD8 dynamo hub which will be used to power my gadgets laced with 32 black DT
competition spokes onto another Archetype rim. Due to some off road parcour and
the fact that comfort is key to me these are wrapped in 28mm Continental 4
Seasons. I hope that they’ll serve me well on the off road Assettia pass and
the cobbles of Gerardsbergen.
Groupset – 105 for the most of it. Deviations are the shifters and brakes which are RS685 mechanical shift with hydraulic brakes. Rotors are 160mm for increased stopping power due to bike being loaded with luggage.
Finishing kit – all Deda aluminium stuff. Mudguards are SKS Chromoplastics. 2 bottle mounts. Hope QRs. Specialized Phat Wrap bar tape and gel inserts. Bontrager aerobars.
Pedals - touring pedals with SPD cleats. Chosen so I can walk in the shoes I cycle in, saving carring sandals or whatever.
Luggage – Alpkit 5l drybag ratcheted under Aerobars for
clothes. Apidura framebag for tools and spares, first aid kit and chamois cream
and batteries. Apidura top tube bag for charging electronics and food on the go. Apidura saddlebag for
sleeping equipment, rain coat and food.
Lighting – B+M Luxos U front light and USB charger. 2 x
fibre flare rear lights and 1 x Topeak mega rear light.
Tech – Garmin Edge 800 for recording the ride and back up navigation (for upload to Strava etc). Edge Touring for navigation. Heart rate monitor linked to the 800. No speed sensor as it’ll sap too much battery and GPS provides speed anyway. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone with maps saved offline.
Here's all the stuff that'll be in the bags or on me during the ride.
Clothing – Bib shorts, jersey, socks, shoes, waterproof, hat, mitts, swim shorts, T-shirt, reflective night time vest
Sleeping – Bivi, liner, sleeping
foam or bubble wrap, emergency
blankets
Cleaning – Antibac
wipes, Miofresh
powder for antibac washing bibs etc, mini tooth
brush and paste, hand
sanitizer
Spares –
Chain oil
2 x tubes
patch kit
multi-tool
pump
gear cable
tyre levers
pre-glued
patches
zip ties
duct tape
electrical
cable
spare chain
links
spare spoke
and nipple
tyre boot
leatherman
Batteries
for the rear light
Brake pads
Food and
drink
Electolyte
tablets
Spork
Other stuff
Chamois
cream
Sun cream
First aid
kit, tape and gauze
Dyralite
Ibuprofen
Lip balm spf
Padlock
Cable to
lock with
