The clock runs down
21 Hours to ''cycle off'' and time to pack and re-pack and then re-pack again as the gear for the ride is stored away into two pannier bags and a handlebar bag. #Ortlieb. Any seasoned professional will look at the gear I am taking and think to himself ''no idea''. I am pretty sure after 100 km I won't be disagreeing with them and in all likelihood regret the excess. #jettison
The photos below give an idea of what I am taking. Loaded with the gear, the pannier bags weigh in at 6 kg each x 2 (13 lbs x 2) and the front bag a mere 1.7 kg (4lbs). Add the weight of the rider 90 kg (198 lbs), water bottles 2 kg (4.5 lbs), and the bike weight of 19 kg (42 lbs) and you get a payload of approximately 125 kg (275 lbs).
I am betting there are small planes out there that couldn't take off if they were carrying that much.
All of the above gear has been squeezed into the three bags below.
List of gear:
Securing cable
Spare inner tubes x 2
External battery packs x 2
Various European plugs
All purpose tool
Tyre levers
ASSOS Chamois Creme
U-Bolt
Electronic cords
Spare cycling shirt x 2
Evening wear
Cable ties
Extra padlock
Toiletry bag
Garmin Sat Nav
External battery pack for iPhone
Paper maps as back up to electronic gizmo's
Information and travel documents (accommodation info and ferry tickets)
Passports and keys and credit cards
Spare cycling shoe laces
Clothes line
Money pouch
Spare reading glasses
Spare sunglasses
Spare riding glasses
Spare rear red light
Puncture repair kit
Lightweight wind / water proof jacket (Rapha of course!)
Sleeve and leg lycra add ons
Spare socks
Spare Jocks
Evening shoes
Belt
Cycling long lycra
Light and heavyweight Icebreaker thermal tops
Winter riding gloves
iPad
Handkerchief
Inner sleeping bag silk
First Aid kit
Large Chamois cloth
Sleeveless riding vest
Heavy duty waterproof jacket