Trans Am Bike Race Gear List

Here's my kit for the race. I've never participated in an event like this. I got some of my ideas from Ed Pickup from his experience in the Transcontinental Race. Here's his kit for the Trans Am. I also got many of my other ideas from Outdoor Gear Lab. I've made many eleventh hour changes, even some minutes after I took these photos. I may have too much (I am certainly not the lightest), but I will be comfortable, and I will be able to solve most problems I encounter.

Unloaded, 22ish pounds

Loaded, 47ish pounds with food and 3L of water

From the front

Cockpit

Purdue kit, headphones, helmet, Oakley Radarlock, sunblock, chamois butter, KT tape, IT band compression wrap, patella strap, Giro footbeds

Saddle bag: Foam roller (I seriously need this), flip flops, pump, tent poles, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent stakes, emergency blanket (doubling as my tent footprint), rain jacket, cold weather gear (under armor, arm warmers, bandana, plastic grocery bags [for in between my shoes and shoe covers], gloves, rubber gloves, shoe covers,), KT tape, spare derailleur hanger, rag + lube, camp suds, 3 spare tubes, ACA maps, tent repair, vitamins, ciprofloxacin, imodium, toothpaste, toothbrush, wet ones, biofreeze, t-shirt, shorts, towel (no longer taking), washcloth

Repair kit (cockpit): emergency spoke (Fiberfix), Leatherman, tube, spoke wrench, gorilla glue, patch kit, lighter, zip ties, tire levers, accessory cord, tire boots (from tires and tube)

Cockpit: iPhone cable, USB mini cable (GPS, tail light), pepper spray, lock, Nuun, electrolyte pills, emergency food (I don't plan on touching this unless I cannot find services. I fit 4,150 calories into that bag)

Frame bag: 3L bladder, water filter, pump, Aleve, straw attachment for filter, spork, iodine tablets, water key, replacement wire for my dynamo hub, lens cloth, toilet paper, med kit (neosporin, bandaids, Halls), Off wipes

Top tube: chapstick with sunscreen, headlamp, hand sanitizer, snacks

Spreadsheet for those curious. 7.76 pounds without food or water. Add 22 for the unloaded weight and somehow I manage to add up to 47 pounds total.

price	item	website	quantity	ounces	total ounces	pounds
129.75	Adventure Cycling Maps	http://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/route-maps/transamerica-bicycle-trail/sp/adventure-cycling-association-transam-map-set/	12
60	SPOT Tracker Rental		1
96.9	Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Road Tire	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EC2LKU/	2
11.79	Velocity Rim Plug for 8mm Holes	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GSQUIQ/	1
214.65	ISM Adamo Breakaway Saddle	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042NYFZW/	1
11.08	FiberFix Emergency Spoke Replacement Kit	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GSMQZC/	1	0.141096	0.141096	0.0088185
113	SRAM PG1170 11-Speed Cassette, 11-32	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DD5X4RK/	1
386.84	Dynamo Hub, wheel build, rim, spokes	http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt.asp
180	Luxos U	http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m-hl.asp	1	3.8	3.8	0.2375
38.5	Specialized Zee Cage	http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/bottlescages/cages/zee-cage-ii-right	2
39.99	Giro SuperNatural Footbed X-Static Kit - Men's	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XLA732/	1
22.99	Swisstop GHP2 Flash Pads, for SRAM/Shimano Road Brakes	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003THD9JU/	1
168.99	SRAM Force 22 Rear Derailleur	http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sram-force-22-rear-derailleurs	1
89.86	Leatherman Wave	http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830040-Multi-Tool-Nylon-Sheath/dp/B0002H49BM/	1
20.69	Leatherman 931014 40-Bit Assortment for Leatherman Bit Drivers	http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-931014-40-Bit-Assortment-Drivers/dp/B003E1QPZG/	1
17.5	Topeak Super Bicycle Chain Tool	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIE4EK/	1	2.29	2.29
5.99	Cable lock		1
3.79	Gorilla Glue		1
	Safety pins		3
	Paper clips		3
	Zip ties		4
	Spare Tubes		3
	Spoke wrench		1
	Accessory Cord		30 feet
	Lighter		1
	Pedro tire levers		2
129.99	Viscacha	http://www.bikebagshop.com/revelate-designs-viscacha-seat-bag-p-2597.html	1	13.8	13.8	0.8625
52.24	Gas Tank	http://www.bikebagshop.com/revelate-designs-gas-tank-frame-pack-p-2676.html	1	3.5	3.5	0.21875
76.03	Feed Bag	http://www.bikebagshop.com/revelate-designs-mountain-feedbag-p-2599.html	2	3.6	7.2	0.225
66.49	Tangle	http://www.bikebagshop.com/revelate-designs-tangle-frame-pack-p-3404.html	1	9	9	0.5625
39.79	Black Diamond Equipment Storm Headlamp	http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AJI8MO/	1	3.9	3.9	0.24375
147.15	Thermarest NeoAir Xlite Sleeping Pad	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005I6U4NY/	1	12	12	0.75
370	Western Mountaineering Summerlite	http://www.moontrail.com/western-mountaineering-summerlite-long.php	1	21	21	1.3125
26.95	Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018DNET2/	1	2.4	2.4	0.15
374	Terra Nova Solar Photon 2	http://www.moontrail.com/terra-nova-solar-photon-2.php	1	33	33	2.0625
7.25	Gear Aid SilNet Silicone Seam Sealer Tube	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009RP8HO/	1
23.94	MSR Carbon Core Stakes 4 PK	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZJI83Q/	4	0.2	0.8	0.0125
13.72	Easton Mountain Products Nano Ultra-Light Aluminum Tent Stake-Pack of 4	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CWXZDS/	4	0.43	1.72	0.026875
27.95	Easton Mountain Products Full Metal Jacket Tent Stakes (Pack of 4), 6-Inch	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZL2ZDY/	4	0.19	0.76	0.011875
7.69	Camp Suds	http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Dawn-Campsuds-8oz/dp/B00194BOJW/
19.33	DZ Nuts High Viscosity Chamois Cream	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C6DIF0/	1	4	4	0.25
9.75	LUNATEC® Self-cleaning Travel Washcloth	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KSL96C/	1	0.4	0.4	0.025
1.29	Wet Ones		1
0.97	Travel toothbrush and toothpaste		1
8.65	Showers Pass Lapeleau Hydration Backpack	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LY8RBK/	1
20.32	Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FA2RLX2/	1	2	2	0.125
20.38	Platypus Hoser Hydration System	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KZGYMW/	1	3.8	3.8	0.2375
10.95	Blubandoo	http://www.amazon.com/Blubandoo-BluBandoo-Cooling-Neckbandoo/dp/B00BLS4EN4/	1
15.11	Pro-Tec Athletics Foam Roller 4 X 12	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KVO9VM/	1
16.5	Pro-Tec Athletics IT Band Compression Wrap	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G34VV0/	1
14.5	KT TAPE Original Cotton Elastic Kinesiology Theraeputic Tape - 20 Foot Uncut Roll	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037YLQVS/	1
11.99	SABRE RED Pepper Spray	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E6RERU/	1
9.99	Centrum Multi vitamin		30
19.95	Saltstick Electrolyte Capsules	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IY96B0/	100
24.95	Nuun Active Hydration, Tropical	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JK8K9AY/	4 tubes
111.44	Flip flops	Old Navy	1
125	Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Gore-Tex Active Shell Jacket	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B35PS58/	1	7.13	7.13	0.445625
	Headphones
	Garmin 810
	K-Edge Bar Mount
	SRAM Force 22 groupset
	CAAD 4
	Profile Design ZBS Stryke Aero bars
	Shimano 105 pedals
	iPhone 5
	Credit card, cash, insurance card, identification
3416.57					132.641096	7.7681935	3.53099704545455
					ounces	pounds	kilograms

Trans Am Bike Race

Two and a half weeks ago I announced that I would be participating in the inaugural Trans Am Bike Race. 

I'd like to announce my participation in the inaugural Trans Am Bike Race this summer. It's an unsupported race of 100 riders across the United States covering over 4,200 miles from Oregon to Virginia. 

I expect many physical and mental challenges along the way. It is not my goal to win. In fact, it is likely I will fail - possibly before the race starts - from exhaustion, mental burnout, injury, or otherwise (or maybe some other opportunity comes up). I invite you to come along for the journey. I'll be carrying a SPOT GPS Messenger, so you'll be able to track my progress online. I'll give updates on Twitter (@PUCyclist), and I created a fan page so I don't blow up your news feed (Marcus Thompson).

I could not even begin to imagine doing something like this without the experience and support from my team in the Purdue University Cycling Club, my teammates and supporters from the past two summers of Bike & Build, the riders of the Bucket 100 Bicycle Tour and the Cover Indiana Bike Tour, and, of course, my friends and family. Thank you.

"Because in the end it has almost nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with setting out to accomplish something that is intimidating, that is unknown to you, something you know you have a good chance of failing at but doing it anyways and slowly but surely proving yourself wrong."
-Mike Ambs

Two big dates occurred this week. Yesterday marked 6 months since my Bike & Build team reached Santa Cruz and a year and half since my first team reached Monterey.  And last weekend marked 4 months of training remaining before the big race. I've been training 9x per week - that's 6 days/week on my bike trainer plus weight training 3 days/week and Sunday rest. I wish I had another month or two of training before the race starts. On the other hand, I am ready for collegiate road season to get here. As you know, winter has been brutal this year. It has kept me indoors for the entirety of 2014 thus far. Naturally, my mind is getting fried. I question my ability to even participate in the Trans Am. My legs aren't cooperating fully. Minor pains come and go and I wonder what more hours on the bike will do to them. At this point, I am trying to be patient with the weather until I can get outside. That should be a big boost. But there are other stressers influencing my mental game - finishing my thesis, getting a job, planning this summer, financing this summer, etc, etc, etc. The good news is that the first collegiate race is two weekends away and I have already doubled my winter training from last year. I am really excited to see what this season will bring.

Week 3 Update

Just to let you know, I've been writing everyday, but I don't always have internet access. I write on my computer, so I have to wait until I find WiFi until I post and attach pictures. Some people blog from their phones, but I think I wouldn't like that. Laini comiled some of the blogs on the trip. Some are really faithful bloggers: http://lainibikesamerica.blogspot.com/2013/05/more-blogs.html

Happy reading!

Day 6 – Build Day 2 – Sumter, SC

Wakeup: 6:45
Hours slept: 7:01

Built with: Laini, Josh, others

It’s day six, and we’ve already had our second build day with the Sumter Habitat affiliate. It was great being off the bike for a day so soon since yesterday was a bit tougher than anticipated. Everyone had a positive attitude about it, but some extra “rest” is nice. The build consisted of shoe molding, primer and painting of dry wall, and painting and installation of doors – not nearly as physical as Charleston. Laini and I began with some sanding of some doors. When we got them out of the storage container, some had stuck together and paint transferred from one to another. Nyx and Ethan repainted them. Later, Laini and I prepared the door frames for door installation – just clearing the paint with a knife where hinges would be placed. After lunch (pizza) we learned that one of the cans of paint we had been using was primer, so we had to repaint the doors again. Whoops! I am reminded of my favorite Habitat shirt I’ve seen – “Don’t yell at me. I am a volunteer.” When that was finished, we installed many doors and put together some of the bifolds. I guess I should mention that half of our group was at one house and the other half was next door priming and painting the entire interior. The Sumter Habitat has about 54 lots in one neighborhood and they have finished 33 houses there. This is consistent with what I’ve been hearing from affiliates over the last couple of years – they are moving towards neighborhood creation/development/revitalization. It has some advantages over a single house in a neighborhood. Though, I don’t know them all.

Emma!

Dangerous Dan!

Ethan!

Rae!

Travis and Austin!

After the build - playground at the host.

Day 5 – Riding Day 2 – Sumter, SC

Wakeup: 6:00a
Hours slept: 6:23

Cumulative Miles: 109.1
Miles: 69.3
Time: 7:38:55
Calories: 2543
Ascent: 1414

Rode with: solo, Austin and Emma mile 50 to end

I experienced some parallels today as last year’s second ride day to Lake City, FL. I don’t quite remember the circumstances, but some riders ended up will 100 miles instead of 70 (?). Today, I took off from the host first. The front riders are to chalk the turns for those behind them. So, I grabbed extra chalk before I left since I knew I would be the lead for a while. Unfortunately, everyone took some sort of wrong turn. They veered right at a split in the road when the correct route was to remain on the road. I didn’t chalk it since it wasn’t a turn on the cue sheet and I thought it was fairly obvious to keep going left. Guess not. I got to mile 23 and took a break at a burned down house. There remained a pool table so naturally I set up snack time for myself there. I got a voicemail on my phone from Cassie (one of the leaders) that some riders took a wrong turn. I called her back and described the route I took. During our next phone call she decided to set up lunch where I was since there was enough space and some riders’ miles were starting to get high. Usually lunch is set up halfway through the day unless we are going more than 90 miles or it is hotter than 90 degrees. Then, there is a second lunch.

Cassie was on the way with the van and trailer, so I naturally laid down on the pool table to rest my eyes. I may or may not have dozed off, but I got a text message from one of my friends from last year (Emily), so I called her and we talked until 90 minutes later the van came. Soon my teammates began trickling in.I set up my radio and had some sweet jams going. I finally took off after being there for 2.5 hours. I took off solo again until about mile 50 I joined up with some guys briefly. Eventually, we settled into a group of the three until the host. We stopped by McDonald’ and Wendy’s to see if they would help us out with some food donations. No dice.

Morning route meeting.

Lunch!

You have to let it all go: fear, doubt disbelief. Free your mind.

Road side blackberries.

Day 4 - Riding Day 1 - Pinopolis (Moncks Corner)

Wakeup: 6:00
Hours slept: 5:26

Cumulative Miles: 39.8
Miles: 39.8
Time: 5:45:55
Calories: 1773
Ascent: 1089.2

Rode with: Sarah and Rae at beginning (sweeps)

Breakfast was again provided and much appreciated. We were about ready to head out. Of course, there is a lot of cleaning to do when 28 people stay in one place for a few days. We like to leave hosts better than we found them, so we all spent a while making sure it was spotless. Then, we had our route meeting, which consists of the plan for the day, where lunch will be, who's driving the van, who the last riders are (sweep), etc. The pastor sent us off with an awesome prayer.

. 

Natalie!

We rode to the beach railing ledge thing and took many many photos. Some people climbed over since they weren't able to do the wheel dip a couple days ago. I climbed over to the 5 foot beach to swim for a bit and build a sand castle. I wish I would have stayed there longer last year, so I took my time, but soon realized the sweep riders were waiting on me. I got out and dryed off. I took off ahead of them.

I don't really trust other cyclists when I don't know how they ride. Bike & Build attracts a lot of new people to the sport, so I'll give everyone a couple days while I start observing their riding style to get used to them. I found the local Charleston ReStore and Habitat office, so I stopped for a photo.

Sweep caught up and we snapped a few. I took off again and found a yard sale. Sweep joined in again. Next I found a duck pond and tried feeding some ducklings and their parents. There were a lot of geese in the area, too, and they appeared to be super territorial. Rachael got three flats on the first day, so I didn't hang out with sweep after I passed Rachael the first time. She was very positive about it. She was very happy a lot of people stopped to help and pitch in.

Rae and Sarah at a vegetable garden we found.

Lunch!

Found a second yard sale and a neighbor is trying to sell his bike.

Call him.

Came across a memorial for a cyclist on the side of the road.

The host!

The church offered to let us keep this guy. Too bad we don't have room.

On laundry crew this week. 

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