Kit List for Touring the Hors Categorie Climbs in the Alps
This tour was exactly that – a tour – only this time, I’d learned I don’t need the kitchen sink. Here is my kit list for touring the Hors Categorie Climbs in the Alps;
- Bike: Shand Stoater, on Hope RD40 rims. This is my do-everything, all road bike. A change of wheels and change in front chainring gives me the option to ride everything from gravel to fast tarmac. Here, I set the GRX groupset up with a 38t chainring & 11x 42casette.
- Clothing: Bib shorts & jersey, with arm/leg warmers, as well as gilet and gloves in my Tailfin. Your kit list for touring the Hors Categorie Climbs in the Alps needs to be prepared for cold & wet weather descents, as well as climbing in 30degree heat.
- Tailfin bar bag: Thermarest Vesper UL32 sleeping bag, Klymit Inertia X-Lite sleeping mat, shorts & shirt for evening wear. The mesh pocket on the front was home to suncream & haribo.
- Apidura frame pack: personal hygiene ‘stuff’ & first aid, Gore-tex waterproof, chain lube, café lock, UV arm protectors, multitool & pump.
- Apidura top tube pack: cables/plug socket, head torch, passport, leatherman & a spoon. Yes, I carry a metal spoon. Laugh all you want, I love yoghurts whilst riding and I like to work smarter not harder.
- Tailfin: Terra Nova Laser Compact 1, bike spares (mech hanger, cleats, gear cable, brake pads etc.), Montane Prism thermal jacket (pillow), flip flops, microfibre towel, swim trunks & spare riding clothes.
