Pyrenees Raid - Classic Road Bike Tour
(PYMB) Pyrenees Raid
The following is a basic checklist to help you with your packing. We recommend using the layering principle of clothing for varying climatic conditions. Good padded cycling shorts are essential.
Your Bike MUST be a road bike or standard cycle-touring bike fitted with a compact or triple chainset and a nine or ten speed cassette. It is vital that your bike is THOROUGHLY SERVICED and in perfect working condition before the trip.
PERSONAL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Feet
Road or touring cycling shoes
Waterproof cycling overshoes
Torso
Base-layer - short sleeve cycling top (x 2)
Long sleeved cycling top (x 1)
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Lightweight Fleece top or jumper.
Lightweight windproof gillet.
Hands
Regular biking gloves
Long fingered gloves
Legs
Padded cycling shorts (x 2)
Cycling tights or tracksters
Head
Eyewear - Biking glasses
Cycling helmet - mandatory
Saddle bag-large enough to carry the following:
Lightweight waterproof top
Mobile/Cell phone
Multi-tool
Puncture repair kit and tyre levers
Inner tube
Small Camera
Sun cream
Other items affixed to your bike
Pump
2 x 1 litre waterbottles
KE Trek Bag Contents
Travel and après biking clothes
Training/Leisure shoes for après biking
Wash bag and toiletries
Insect repellent (75 - 100% DEET)
Swimwear
Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
PERSONAL TOOLS AND SPARES
You should bring the following with you as a minimum. Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally our bike guide will always be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and inconvenience waiting for assistance.
Tyres
You will need 700 x 23mm or 25mm Touring/Road Performance tyres suitable for mostly dry with occasional wet conditions.
Pump
Plastic tyre levers
1 rear brake cable
1 rear gear cable
Spare set of brake blocks (front and rear)
2 spare spokes for front and rear wheels
Spoke key
4 x inner tubes
Spare chain links
Liquid chain lube
Multi-tool with Allen keys
Chain link extractor (if not on multi-tool)
2x puncture repair kits
A rag and brush for cleaning bike and drive train.
Any spares specific to your bike
KE tools and spares
On all of our trips we carry a track pump, toolkit and a basic range of spares for emergencies. If any other spare parts are needed our support vehicle will make a detour to the nearest bike shop, which can be found in some of the larger towns en route.
Energy Gels/Sports Drinks/Power Bars
Our back up vehicle will carry ample supplies of water, snacks and lunches but if you like a particular energy gel, sports drink or power bar we suggest you bring a selection of your preferred choice along.
BIKE HIRE
It is possible to hire bikes for this trip. Our agent can pick up Massi Team bikes (alloy with carbon forks. Shimano 105, triple chainsets) from Luchon and bring them to Biarritz Airport for anyone who hires one. The cost of hire for the 9-day period of the holiday is €270 (March 2012 – subject to change). When you request bike hire, KE will ensure that a suitably sized bike is available for you and you will call the hirer to pay with a credit or debit card. Please note that your contract for bike hire is directly with the hire company and not with KE. Please inform us in advance if you wish to hire a bike for this trip and let us know your frame size. If hiring a bike we recommend that you bring your own saddle and pedals, as well as your helmet.
Please do not hesitate to call us for further advice about what to bring or any other aspect of this trip. We are more than happy to offer you the benefit of our experience. Further helpful information can also be found in the Your Bike, Baggage Allowances, Climate and Travelling with Your Bike sections of the detailed trip dossier.
