Gear and clothing are very personal, but here are my standards and
preferences for Pyrenees cycling.
Recommended Bike Checklist
Before leaving, ensure that your bicycle is well maintained and fully tuned.
Change all the gear and brake wires and housings. Put new brake pads on and
grease or re-pack all your bearings. Put on a pair of brand new tires and maybe
even a new chain. Finally, ensure that all gears shift smoothly, that your
handlebar and stems are tight, and that your wheels are true and well tensioned.
Check wheel truing again upon your arrival in France. Also bring the following:
- Spare tires (minimum one)
- Spare tubes (minimum two)
- Pump
- Spare brake pads
- Chain oil
- Complete tool bag including a patch kit and a multi-tool with all the necessary Allen wrenches
- Bike computer to follow roadbooks and record your distance
- Heart-rate monitor to help you moderate effort and ride optimally
- Foot pump (one for the group)
- First-aid kit
If you plan on renting a bike in France, be sure to bring your own saddle,
pedals and even your water bottles, tool bag and taillight.
Specialty Gear
- Koolstop salmon or half-salmon brake pads for wet conditions
- Miché 29 tooth cassette ring (a great ring that will transform your Shimano 12-27 cassette into a 12-29. Miché also makes a ring that will fit Campagnolo cassettes.
- Michelin Pro Race3 tires
-
Wippermann or SRAM
quick-links for chains to allow easy fixes on the fly
Recommended Clothing/Accessories
- High quality cycling shorts or bibs (minimum three)
- Cycling jersey (minimum three)
- Comfortable cycling shoes (two pairs)
- Cycling socks (minimum three pairs)
- Cycling winter vest for cold or wet descents
- Cycling rain jacket for changeable mountain conditions
- Summer cycling gloves
- Long-fingered gloves for chilly descents
- Helmet
- Cycling glasses
Recommended Clothing/Accessories
- Headband or headliner like the white
Halo Protex
- Shoe dryer, either battery or 220V travel version
- Sunglasses that change in response to light
- Arm and leg warmers for layering
Recommended Health/Energy Products
- Chamois cream: I particularly like
Butt'r
from Paceline.
-
Nuun
electrolyte tablets for good-tasting hydration. It isn't available in France, so be sure to bring enough
- Bag Balm
Specialty Energy Products Available In France
- Boisson 4 Endurance long distance energy drink made by Overstim's
- Pain d'épice is a delicious honey and cinnamon sweet bread that’s a great source of energy.
- Pâtes de Fruits are pure fruit paste, tasty and full of energy and sometimes they even come individually wrapped in a perfect size for your jersey pocket.
Recommended Extras
- Ziploc bags to contain and protect your phone, papers, wallet, food, etc.
- Damp paper towels in one of those bags for all kinds of cleaning/wiping needs
For the perfect finish to your riding gear, check our high quality, stylish
Native Planet cycling wear!
