Prep, Prep, Prep

I booked my flight just over 4 weeks before departure. This instigates me to assess my equipment and bag setup.

Frame bag(7 Roads) – As New

Saddle Pack(Porcelain Rocket/Rockgeist)- Good working order,  but contemplating taking the pannier rack

Fork bag left(Miss Grape)- a few holes but waterproof not needed

Fork bag right(Gorilla Pod) – Good

Stem bag left(7 Roads) – Good

Stem bag right(Alpkit) – Good

Handle bar harness – connection point ripped. I have had the harness for 5 years since Nov 2019. That’s a fair old time and it’s had a good bashing since then, Wizard Works made it for me. But change is good and the Miss Grape Il Coso will be interesting as it’s a newer concept.

The permutations of the Il Coso are many and complicated. An to get the right one entails hours of putting on, strapping on 2 bags, then taking the bags off to try the next configuration. But I think I am there now. Unfortunately I now have the Il Coso attached to my bike making it just that more heavy for taking on a club ride.

Valuables bag(Revelate) – Good

Top tube bag(Tailfin)- Good

Where things are packed are just about by rote now. 

I put the bike in for a service at Dales Cycles, mainly of the back derailleur, of course this is faulty (warrenty claim) luckily the derailleur on my other bike could be used (that was also discovered faulty but it’s a surmountable problem 🤞 ) Also my big chainring was worn out so replaced. Thanks Dougie and James for sorting. 😀.

I’m taking my front dynamo wheel this has an adventure 35mm depth rim, and my back birthday wheel with the I9 Solix hub (sweet as candy) and a 55mm deep all road rim. Both wheels built by Judith at Stayer Cycles.

Coming up to 3 days before departure.