BICYCLE CARE
Having a well-functioning bicycle will make your tour safer, more comfortable, and means you are more likely to complete and enjoy the challenge. This year's challenge includes long distances in mixed dust and asphalt conditions, descending on dirt roads.
There will be a small tool kit in the truck but this should be used mainly for emergencies and not as your annual bicycle maintenance check up! We will also carry 1 spare bike. There are too many different types of bike drivetrains to have spares.
In general, if you haven’t had a full bike service then get one this week. This includes verifying your chain, cassette, cables, headset bearings, clean freehub, brakes and the trueness of your wheels. You’ve all done a lot of kilometres in the last few months and bikes need tender, love, and care especially after rainy season.
Here is a list of things for you to check before starting on the tour!
TIRES and TUBEs – Replace old tires now. Old tires = flats and less traction. Bring at least 2 tubes. Minimum recommended size is 700x35 but 38-45 would be optimal. MTBs are fine but <2.2 is optimal. Anything too large carries a bigger rotational weight penalty. There is a lot of asphalt to pedal. You are responsible for fixing your own flats so make sure you have a patch kit, pump and spare tubes.
BRAKES. If you can’t remember when you last replaced your brake pads (rim and disc), then verify and replace them now. Rainy season (sand, dirt, mud) and gravel riding destroys brake pads. If they’re new now, you won’t need a spare pair.
CABLES – check your cables at the shifters and derailleurs. Replace if frayed. If the indexing is off, have them serviced. Cables stretch over time and need little tweaks.
CHAIN LUBE and BRUSH – I’ve seen a lot of dirty drivetrains. Black and gunk is not good. Get it fully degreased and relubed and buy dry lube, a small brush and grab a cotton t-shirt or rag for the Challenge. You should also clean your SPD pedals. You will need to clean your drive train on the Challenge, which leads to…...
CHAIN (and CASSETTE) – Do you remember the last time you chain was checked and changed? If no, and more than 1,500 km ago, get your chain checked. Bicycle chains can stretch over time... a lot. So much so that it can become a safety issue as the chain no longer meshes properly with your front chain rings and under tension can break. If you have been riding a significant amount in the past 6 months and you have not replaced your chain- do it now! A worn chain is not only dangerous, but it also causes long term damage to other parts of your bike - cassette, front chainrings, etc- which are more expensive to replace (and very hard to find in the global bike part shortage).
WHEELS – Are your wheels still true? Hold your index finger next to the wheel and spin it. Have them trued and the spokes checked. Breaking a spoke is more common on rough roads and hard to fix on the ride.
Check your WHEEL BEARINGS. You can do this by picking up your bike by either the front or rear wheel and using your hand to try and shake the wheel sideways (at 90 degrees to the direction of rotation). If your wheel has movement there- (anything more than 1-2mm) you need someone to at least tighten the wheel's cone nuts (or possibly even dismantle and re-grease the bearings inside). This movement, if left unfixed can lead to poor braking, needing to replace your hubs (which in Laos essentially means buying new wheels) and ultimately your wheel ceasing to spin....
APPENDIX 2: PACKING LIST INDIVIDUAL ITEMS
Packing list
Cycling Gear:
Padded cycling shorts for 4 days
Cycling shirts for 4 days (we will wear our new Team Dai jerseys on Day 4)
Cycling gloves, shoes, socks
Helmet - mandatory
Front / back lights – charge and/or change the batteries
Water bottles – 2
Tires in good condition with plenty of tread (replace old tires)
Spare inner tubes – 2 (carry one on bike)
Patch kit and handpump
Check your SPD cleat bolts, consider a spare pair
Replace your brake pads now if worn – carry a spare set
Pocket size bike tool
Squirt/chain lubricant and rag – carry on ride with small rag. You will need to clean and lube your chain often due to dust
Small brush to clean cassette and chain
If you have one: bike computer with GPX files downloaded (downloaded for offline use on phone or bike computer)
Masks for riding through villages and for dust
Sunsleeves, Sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, chamois butt’r/chafe cream, Vaseline (Paul), etc.
Bike bag for camera, extra gear, etc. (if necessary)
Know what speed chain you have (8,9,10,11,12) and have a quick link for it
Personal Items:
Passport
Phone, camera, chargers
Personal snacks/gels for riding – only basics will be offered, bring your own fancy bars and powders and stuff
Sneakers / sandals
Shorts, shirts, trousers, socks
Swimming trunks / bathing suit
Fleece / jacket
Towel (small)
Sunglassess
Sunscreen
Mosquito repellent
Toothbrush+ toothpaste, hygiene products, contact lens solutions/eye wash, medications, etc.