Event Prep 4: Bike Contingency Planning

Well, there's your problem.

Over the next couple of weeks I am dedicating the blog to tips you should consider for your pre-event planning.  While some of these will be sport specific, most of them apply universally or the basic idea  can be adapted for different disciplines.  The intent is to make you think critically about key aspects of your prep and adapt it to your situation.  Have questions or additional ideas or thoughts?  Please feel free to post them on the blog or Facebook comments!

In addition to the rain bag that we discussed in the last entry, any number of mechanical issues could happen pre race in events that involve a bicycle.  Ever hear a tire blow 10 minutes before the start?   Sucks to be them right?  What if that were you?  Are you prepped to deal with it? What about the any number of other issues that could pop up?

Below is a list of common tools, spares and sundries that you may want to consider bringing with you.  If you are flying to a race, all of this may not be practical, but you can at least take some of the essentials and prepare for the most likely contingencies.  In addition, having local contacts and/or a list of bike shops or making friends with neutral support where available are all great contingencies to have in place.

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• Spare tires and tubes, and ideally wheels, alternatively spare tubular and Tufo rim tape.  Note: please ensure your tire rim combo is “ok” to use with tape if you need to do a tubular swap out!
  
• Rear derailleur hanger and seat post clamp specific to your bike model!  Especially when flying.  I have seen seat post clamps get over torqued and stripped and rear derailleur hangers get bent during packing and unloading.  Having a spare makes life easier if you have an issue.  Most are really inexpensive, but very specific.
• Anything else “breakable” that is specific to your bike model.  This is a recently added one, after I found a plastic cable stop cracked during assembly that was specific to a particular frame a teammate had.
• Chain lubes, grease.
• Basic first aid kit.
• Bike cleaning equipment, because a clean bike is a fast bike.
• Spare shoe laces.
• Duct, tape, electrical tape, wire ties.
• If you have the room, spare pedals, saddle, shifters and derailleurs.
  

• Pump.
• Extra helmet (long stage races, something you may want to consider).
• Extra shoes, cleats and buckles.  Spare shoes are best because they can be completely set up with cleat position.  Buckles are key with today’s fancy shoes, I still prefer Velcro only, never breaks.
• Extra gels, race food, mix, bottles, hydration packs. Can never have too many and saves you running around for more.
• Spare cables, housing, chain and bar tape.
• Basic cycling tool kit or mechanic with one :-)
• Bike repair stand or trainer (nice to have).  Plus one on trainer, if inclement weather good for warm up or cool down.
  
• Spare batteries for power meter, devices.
• Charger cords for devices.
  
• Towels, baby wipes (good for cleaning hands and the rest of you post race).
• Moving blankets.  Cheap, heavy duty, great for padding gear when packing a car, sitting on grass, making shade

In addition to all of this, if you are not already familiar with basic bicycle repair, I'd highly recommend getting more familiar and comfortable with doing basic  repairs on your bike. There are a number of books, videos online that can get you started, in addition several shops offer basic repair classes or a knowledgeable friend I am sure would be glad to help you out.  The more you know and can handle on your own, the less you will have to worry if a major issue arises.  Thanks for reading.  Questions, comments, additions, please feel free to post them up.