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TECH NEWS

Transcontinental bike race: Josh Ibbett’s bike and equipment

You'll be amazed at how little kit Transcontinental riders need for racing from Flanders to Istanbul

How much kit do you need to ride across Europe? In the case of Transcontinental competitor Josh Ibbett, not much. In fact, this (above) is everything.

The leading competitors in the Transcontinental bike race across Europe are now crossing northern Italy having set out from Flanders at midnight on Friday and ridden via Mont Ventoux in Provence, France. Josh is currently sitting in second place behind fellow Brit James Hayden. We spoke to Josh last week and he told us about his hopes for the race.

He also talked us through the equipment he's using, so over to Josh.

 

1 Bike

I’ve been very lucky that Dom [Mason] from Mason Cycles has given me a bike to use. It’s a four-season bike that’s designed for long-distance riding so it’s actually perfect.

I’m riding the alloy Mason Definition rather than the steel Resolution because it’s a bit lighter and I think it’s comfortable enough. You need to be comfortable!

I could have gone for a lighter bike but I need something that’s strong and resilient enough to get me there. That’s the key, especially given some of the roads we’ll ride where tarmac is optional!

Check out the road.cc review of the Mason Definition.

2 Brakes

Last year I used rim brakes and it rained quite a lot. You get gritty rims and the pads wear out fast. Learning from that, I was keen to run disc brakes, especially as there are a number of gravel sections this year. Plus, I’m a mountain biker at heart so I’m pretty sold on disc brakes.

Also, there are no cables – they’re hydraulic [Shimano BR-R785], so they’re going to stay nice and smooth. It’s amazing how hard it is to pull brakes when you’re tired.

3 Wheels

I run a stock Mason x Hunt 4Season Disc wheelset [Josh is Brand Manager at Hunt Wheels].

4 Tyres

The tyres are Schwalbe One. Last year I used 25mm tyres but I’m using 28s this time because they’ll be more comfortable, and there’s enough clearance on this frame. You can get these tyres as a package with Hunt wheels.

They’re tubeless, which is pretty important for me. The sealant will help prevent punctures, especially across the gravel.

5 Shifters

I have a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset. Last year I ran Campagnolo Chorus mechanical and snapped two cables. You can’t get Campag cables in the middle of Croatia, so I managed to find some Shimano ones in Montenegro and filed the top to get one in. It eventually snapped so I singlespeeded from Albania to Turkey.

I spoke to people who ran Di2 last year and the charge ran out after 11 days or so. I’m taking the charger with me just in case. I’m stopping at cafes every day, so I’ll just plug it in.

My fingers also got sore from all the shifting last year. Di2 should be easier.

6 Drivetrain

The chainset is a mid-compact (52/36-tooth) and I have a 12-25 cassette which I think is just about right. I don’t want it too easy because then I’ll just go really slow. I’ll just drink loads of coffee and eat loads of croissants at the bottom of the climbs and I’ll be fine.

7 Handlebar

I’m running clip-on bars. It’s essential, as much from a comfort point of view as anything. The Transcontinental is one long time trial, really.

I’ve set up the whole bike to a time trial position, first and foremost. The idea is that if I’m comfortable enough in that position I’ll stay there and be faster. Sitting in a normal road position, holding yourself up for 18hrs a day, kills you. And my position is aero with a pretty flat back.

 

8 Croissant holder

The bar features my patent pending croissant holder – bungees I bought off ebay, so I can eat on the move.

Last year I put all my food in a frame bag, but this year I’m putting most of my equipment in there so I’ve lost that space for food.

 

9 Saddle

I’m using a Prologo Zero time trial-specific saddle. It’s positioned right the way forward on the rails in a TT position.

10 Waterbottles

I use two waterbottles. You go through villages, towns, past petrol stations so you can always find water somewhere. This is the setup I had last year and I was okay. There were times when I felt dry but you learn how to be thirsty and just drink a lot when you find water.

The carbon bottle cages are from Lezyne. The side entry gives you a bit more clearance from the frame.

 

11 Lighting

I use an Exposure Toro. Last year I ran a dynamo hub and I probably would have done the same this year, but I didn’t order one in time.

I have an Exposure Blaze on the back that’s nice and bright.

 

12 Saddle pack

Tools go in the seatpack: penknife, multi tool, two tubes, levers, tyre boots and patches.

 

13 Computer

It’s a Garmin XTrek 30x Hiking GPS that takes AA batteries that I can buy in petrol stations all across Europe.

I have a highly sophisticated mounting method for my Garmin: electrical tape. It works really well.

I also take a little speedo.

14 Frame bag

I’m lucky to be supported by an Italian company called Miss Grape. They’re quite new. This Internode bag holds all my main stuff.

Things like my Speedplay cleat covers, antiseptic wipes, bog roll, tape, zip ties and toothbrush go in the side pocket.

15 Top tube bag

This holds toiletries like Sudocrem – that doesn’t meed much explanation – lip balm because your lips get really chafed in the air all day, suncream that I’ve decanted, and a tiny bit of hand cleaner.

I have Ibuprofen. I don’t want to start taking it but it’s there just in case. It’s the same with ProPlus.

There’s a mini tube of toothpaste, chain lube, a chain link, Di2 charger and a watch because you can’t rely on a phone – it might run out of charge.

I also have Lezyne flashing lights for dusk and dawn, and a USE Joystick.

I have an iPod because music is pretty good for me, Euro USB plugs and cables.

 

16 Ride clothing

I’ll have my riding kit on pretty much all the time. I have Mobel shorts and jersey and a really fine mesh base layer.

17 Shorts

I’m taking Gore waterproof shorts that I can wear on and off the bike.

18 Waterproof jacket

This isn’t the one I’ll actually be using; I have a Gore Oxygen jacket. The waterproof shorts and jacket are my casual clothes as well.
 

19 Bivvy bag

Last year I had a sleeping bag, an air mat and a bivouac, but there’s no point. You get so tired you’ll sleep anywhere, so I have a bivvy bag with a silk liner. I’ll get in wearing my clothes.

The warmest sleeping position is on your back with your arms crossed across your chest.

Cycling shoes make an amazing pillow. They stay outside the bivvy bag to shield you from the smell.

20 Other clothing

Arm warmers, knee warmers and a gilet. It’s all about layering.

21 Spare socks

These are a major luxury. I want to be able to take my shoes off at a cafe without feeling really bad about the smell!
 

22 Down gilet

This PH Design down gilet is the lightest, smallest-packing one I could find.
 

23 Helmet

I use a Giro Synthe helmet. It’s lightweight, cool and a little bit aero.

 

For more information on the Transcontinental, including a rider tracker, go to www.transcontinental.cc. 

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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14 comments

Avatar
antigee | 9 years ago
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"I have a 12-25 cassette which I think is just about right. I don’t want it too easy because then I’ll just go really slow. I’ll just drink loads of coffee and eat loads of croissants at the bottom of the climbs and I’ll be fine."

loved that
great link to live positions/speeds - look forward to post event blogs

Avatar
joemmo | 9 years ago
0 likes

@knightbiker you know this is a race not a holiday, right?

Avatar
KnightBiker replied to joemmo | 9 years ago
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@Joemno
Yes - but i think this is a step to far, it doesn't really have to do much with athletic capability or even stamina, it's only achievement seem to be: who can ride the longest without falling asleep.
But to each it's own: i've ridden the Milano-san remo cyclosportive and half way around australia amongst other things, and i'm tempted by Trondheim-Oslo, but this: i don't see the the point it. (the journey yes, any day, as a race not so much)

Avatar
joemmo replied to KnightBiker | 9 years ago
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KnightBiker wrote:

@Joemno
Yes - but i think this is a step to far, it doesn't really have to do much with athletic capability or even stamina, it's only achievement seem to be: who can ride the longest without falling asleep.
But to each it's own: i've ridden the Milano-san remo cyclosportive and half way around australia amongst other things, and i'm tempted by Trondheim-Oslo, but this: i don't see the the point it. (the journey yes, any day, as a race not so much)

I don't know, it seems a pretty simple endurance race objective - A to B as fast as possible - so I imagine the competitors are doing whatever they think will achieve that objective, including sleeping in a ditch and smelling terrible. I can see the appeal in the simplicity even if its something that I wouldn't personally want or be able to do.

Avatar
KnightBiker | 9 years ago
1 like

Personally i hate frame bags, i rather have a huge saddle bag and a handlebar bag.

also this set-up works for a few days, in summer conditions when it's not raining and you ride the whole day from dusk till dawn. As soon as you are wet from rain, are cold or have to got to the toilet or have to kill free time, it's not enough.

Personally in such set up, i would go from hotel to hotel and not sleeping at the side of the road where good rest is impossible.

Also i fail to see the achievement in riding this long, i ride from dusk till dawn often enough, but beyond that: riding in the night, sleeping without at tent, or having a moment to read a book or eat a good meal and unwind, that's where the fun and achievement stops for me, zombie-cycling should not become a thing just because you can.

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gthornton101 | 9 years ago
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incredible stuff!

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Yorky-M | 9 years ago
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Awesome. Check out Ireland/London boy Ultan coyle in third.

Check out their progress here
http://trackleaders.com/transconrace15f

See how long each rider has slept here!

http://45.55.173.141/transconrace15

Avatar
joleics | 9 years ago
0 likes

Very tempted by the Miss Grape bag...some good products there. Other frame bags are available eg Apidura, Wild Cat Gear...but I am a sucker for a bit of made in Italy.

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billsdon | 9 years ago
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More of this please Road.cc  1

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RobD | 9 years ago
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I just had a look on the Tracker, Josh and James are almost half of north Italy ahead of the rest of the field, that's seriously impressive.

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cyclotripper | 9 years ago
0 likes

mmm... one pair of knicks for how long,

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JonD replied to cyclotripper | 9 years ago
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cyclotripper wrote:

mmm... one pair of knicks for how long,

I've a mate/ex-colleague/ex-trailquest riding buddy doing it - Doug Bridgens (86) - IIRC he horrified a shop assistant by asking about shorts that'd do 200hrs without washing  4 That said, sounds like he's done a clothes wash in a McDonald's...and he's wearing the only set he's taken !

By comparison I think he's got a bar bag, smallish seat pack and bungeed his bivi bag to the seat stays...

Avatar
pants | 9 years ago
0 likes

' I singlespeeded from Albania to Turkey.' - possibly the most manly sentence I've ever read.

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therealsmallboy | 9 years ago
0 likes

Awesome.

One of the lads from my team is racing this year. He's rider 157, Luke Allen. He's been going for 2 days and is already near Turin! over 1000km and 22kph average so far.

Looks like an incredibly tough event.

They all have GPS units and you can track the progress of any of the riders here:

http://trackleaders.com/transconrace15

Good luck to all of them- nutters.

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