What Worked
Bike Trek Super Calibre was amazing and best choice – weight, suspension, lockout. Trek SUPERCALIBRE SLR 9.8 X01 T-TTYPE AXS Gen2 2024
Used suspension lockout on most climbs and this really needed.
Chain lube (Smoove), wet wipes, brakes all worked.
Tailfin (AeroPack) bike bag worked so well. It was rigid and stable. It was easy to take off at night and take to my room.
Light as possible was critical – any other bags or weight would have been an issue
Ciovita Bib shorts (latest Supremo) and shirts (supremo). Two sets of kit. Specialised vest. I had no bum problems and didn’t use any creams etc.
Emergency AMACX gel in USWE carried me through on day 16 when I was exhausted and ran out of any nutrition.
Small wooded spoons – used these for eating yoghurts – they were light and got them near the beginning of one trip.
Recharging station (SRAM battery, Garmin, watch, phone) with all cables worked. Did question that if this failed that I would have a serious problem.
Hydration USWE and 2x bottles – needed this especially near the beginning when very hot and no rivers.
Booking.com for hotels – so needed to book ahead. I thought I could find accommodation on the way – big mistake
Fruit apples and oranges – worked well. Bananas quickly deteriorated with all the bouncing around.
Lake MX28 cycling shoes worked well. Reliable and been using since 2017.
Kit visibility even in remote areas- small roads where oncoming cars or bikes, although hardly any traffic, when they do come they come quickly. Yellow shirts, reflectors on Tailfin, USWE and orange side bag.
Anti inflammatory (Celebrex) – I used these every day – legs too sore not to have them.
Sunblock – worked but not as critical as SA
Must have passport – for hotels and Andorra.
Must have cash although mostly card. In remote areas only cash if for small amounts
Google translate offline – critical
Spot Satellite Tracker (Spot Gen 3) for safety – especially because of remote areas
Beer for recovery – cervesa – my go to after every ride
Light casual clothes / slops / puffer jacket – all I needed.
Jelly Babies sweets – a quick energy boost and change of taste.
Highlights and things that Stood out
Of the 17 days to cross the Pyrenees, every day was different
I was very lucky with the weather with only rain on last two days. I had cold but no rain. Cold and rain would have been difficult.
High altitude and climbing were extreme and amazing.
Remoteness / extreme event / no cell signal for large part of ride
Lack of other riders doing the same – expected to meet more cyclists on the way.
Timing was perfect season wise – after winter and before summer rush and heat
Hotels often only occupant – very few people around in remote towns
Mostly no food along the way – have to take everything – expected more shops in villages etc but because of high altitude route there were none on the way. Unlike Portugal and Malawi there was always an option. Here nothing and had to learn quickly.
Sometimes no breakfast / supper / shops – don’t open before 9 or 10
Nav difficulty / experience / trail changes due to weather – rain snow etc. Nav was major and needed experience from Trans Portugal and Malawi trips. Then understanding Spain and the routes. Knowing Garmin and maps – Kamoot. It was hard work and would be a big problem for anyone attempting route and not having this.
Had to strategize every day based on circumstances. Make decisions on the fly – part of the adventure, fun and why we do this.
Do better
No electrolytes. I normally ride with these but wasn’t sure how I was going to take 17 days worth. Big mistake, with the heat these are essential – I even needed them at night. I managed to get electrolyte tablets in Andorra which was a life saver. From now on AMACX always will have space!
I left out food bars thinking I could get on the way. Again stocked up in Andorra.
GoPro on Uswe – I did this to get a good position. Will see how it worked as I have a lots of video to edit. Not easy to have a chest mounted device.
Sun glasses- I had difficulty with my glasses and perspiration making vis very difficult.
Space for phone and reading glasses. I always put in back pocket and reading glasses were a must especially with difficult nav. Bulky and not easily accessible. Have to find a solution.
Garmin backup. If it fails – like it did – need a backup for a trip like this. Also worried if I lost phone – would have had a major issue!
Top Bag on frame – worked but improve more rigid and pockets the right way up. Good to have battery backup in this bag.
Forgot bombs – lucky to get on 3rd day – only bike shop – needed them on day 16.
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