If I'm honest, I think one of my biggest learnings from NC4K was not to stress too much about weight / how much I was carrying. The most important thing for me was to feel confident that I had everything I needed for every eventuality - I never wanted to be caught out, even if I never actually used some of the stuff I packed.
For LEL I think I'm going to keep a pretty similar pack list. But I still need to decide what I'm going to do about sleep stops - whether I'll use the controls or the local graveyards(!) - and what sleep kit I'll carry. TBC!
I also haven't figured out how I want to use the bag drops!
I learnt from LEL and PBP that I wake up quite easily by noises in controls and that I start feeling very cold when exhausted, thus I decided to always carry a ultralight sleeping bag, a light bivy, a ultralight matress, a down jacket and down trousers. That sounds like overkill, but after waking up shuddering due to sleeping outside in a overcrowded control with just a blanket...nah, not anymore. That combination keeps me snuggly for high quality sleeep.
I tend to run cold so I totally hear you on this! I will always pack a down jacket, pretty much regardless of the event or the weather forecast. And getting a good night's sleep (even if it's only a couple of hours) is obviously super important on these events, so I'm probably also going to carry my full sleep system (sleeping mat, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, bivvy) just so I have the option to sleep outside if I need.
If I get in on the second ballot in January, I’m going to read and watch every single piece of advice I can find on the event.
I’m going to start by looking at the tools you packed and learning how to use them - being stranded not knowing how to fix something in the middle of nowhere is my biggest concern.
Furthest I’ve gone so far is 300k, but I have the BCM 600 booked in June where I’ll no doubt learn a lot!
I guess the huge benefit of Audax is that no one is ever going to leave you stranded on the side of the road - there will be enough people that someone will be able to help. That brings me a little comfort, unlike some of the ultra races where getting help from another rider results in disqualification for both of you 🥲
And if you've already ridden 300km you will be TOTALLY fine. I think after that it's not the distance that matters, it's all the logistical things in between and how to manage your body etc. Those are the things that take a bit of practice to get right!
I'm doing the BCM too. Its an utterly fantastic ride. It has similar support too, with a few meals on the way and a sleep spot with mattresses. Hillier than LEL though.
you have food and a bed every 80k or so, which is a massive help, also mechanics. so you just need to be able to press on between stops. Think hard about clothes for all weather . 0-30 C. and rain. Food and sleep arent such a worry. The authors kit list is spot on, except you dont need the sleep system
in 2022 I carried the full sleep system. Used it to sleep outside at Hessle because there were no spare beds. After that, no need. If there is no spare bed, just press on , or catch a couple of hours during the day. The blankets are a bit scratchy though, so might take my ultra light sleeping bag, or maybe just a liner. taking a sleeping bag opens up option to sleep on the floor, if you can find space, but probably not worth it.
Thanks Glyn. First come first served on Saturday morning at 6am for the last 250 spots for LEL. Just got to wait for the email to drop.
The BCM seems almost more challenging than LEL because of the amount of support you get in the latter. For the BCM I have visions of being in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, I don’t get that vibe with LEL 🤷♂️
I took a small hand pump but forgot to list it here! No tubeless fluid though, I figured that I'd either just re-route to a bike shop or put in a tube if needed.
I think the way to go with tubeless is put in 2x as much fluid as you think you need before you start and carry 2x spare inner tubes in case of disaster. also bear in mind that CO2 can make the sealant solidify . I just got an electric pump on temu for 20 quid. seems to get 2 tyres up to 80 psi without freezing the valve / sealent. its about the size of 3 co2 cylinders.
Thanks for this. Really enjoyed your piece in “Arivee”
For LEL 25, what would you consider packing?
Good advice from you both, logistics and a sleep system to think about. Really looking forward to what next year brings.
Thanks for the kind words!
If I'm honest, I think one of my biggest learnings from NC4K was not to stress too much about weight / how much I was carrying. The most important thing for me was to feel confident that I had everything I needed for every eventuality - I never wanted to be caught out, even if I never actually used some of the stuff I packed.
For LEL I think I'm going to keep a pretty similar pack list. But I still need to decide what I'm going to do about sleep stops - whether I'll use the controls or the local graveyards(!) - and what sleep kit I'll carry. TBC!
I also haven't figured out how I want to use the bag drops!
What are you thinking?
I learnt from LEL and PBP that I wake up quite easily by noises in controls and that I start feeling very cold when exhausted, thus I decided to always carry a ultralight sleeping bag, a light bivy, a ultralight matress, a down jacket and down trousers. That sounds like overkill, but after waking up shuddering due to sleeping outside in a overcrowded control with just a blanket...nah, not anymore. That combination keeps me snuggly for high quality sleeep.
I tend to run cold so I totally hear you on this! I will always pack a down jacket, pretty much regardless of the event or the weather forecast. And getting a good night's sleep (even if it's only a couple of hours) is obviously super important on these events, so I'm probably also going to carry my full sleep system (sleeping mat, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, bivvy) just so I have the option to sleep outside if I need.
If I get in on the second ballot in January, I’m going to read and watch every single piece of advice I can find on the event.
I’m going to start by looking at the tools you packed and learning how to use them - being stranded not knowing how to fix something in the middle of nowhere is my biggest concern.
Furthest I’ve gone so far is 300k, but I have the BCM 600 booked in June where I’ll no doubt learn a lot!
Thanks again
I guess the huge benefit of Audax is that no one is ever going to leave you stranded on the side of the road - there will be enough people that someone will be able to help. That brings me a little comfort, unlike some of the ultra races where getting help from another rider results in disqualification for both of you 🥲
And if you've already ridden 300km you will be TOTALLY fine. I think after that it's not the distance that matters, it's all the logistical things in between and how to manage your body etc. Those are the things that take a bit of practice to get right!
I'm doing the BCM too. Its an utterly fantastic ride. It has similar support too, with a few meals on the way and a sleep spot with mattresses. Hillier than LEL though.
you have food and a bed every 80k or so, which is a massive help, also mechanics. so you just need to be able to press on between stops. Think hard about clothes for all weather . 0-30 C. and rain. Food and sleep arent such a worry. The authors kit list is spot on, except you dont need the sleep system
in 2022 I carried the full sleep system. Used it to sleep outside at Hessle because there were no spare beds. After that, no need. If there is no spare bed, just press on , or catch a couple of hours during the day. The blankets are a bit scratchy though, so might take my ultra light sleeping bag, or maybe just a liner. taking a sleeping bag opens up option to sleep on the floor, if you can find space, but probably not worth it.
Thanks Glyn. First come first served on Saturday morning at 6am for the last 250 spots for LEL. Just got to wait for the email to drop.
The BCM seems almost more challenging than LEL because of the amount of support you get in the latter. For the BCM I have visions of being in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, I don’t get that vibe with LEL 🤷♂️
DHB kit is great. I live in their merino base layers.
Nothing to pump up tyres? Tubeless fluid?
I took a small hand pump but forgot to list it here! No tubeless fluid though, I figured that I'd either just re-route to a bike shop or put in a tube if needed.
I think the way to go with tubeless is put in 2x as much fluid as you think you need before you start and carry 2x spare inner tubes in case of disaster. also bear in mind that CO2 can make the sealant solidify . I just got an electric pump on temu for 20 quid. seems to get 2 tyres up to 80 psi without freezing the valve / sealent. its about the size of 3 co2 cylinders.