It was on the Gavia Pass ascent in 1988 that Andy Hampsten won the Giro d'Italia after he devastated a field of near-frozen riders. There was no snow at the stage start line that day. Moral of the story? Be prepared for any weather before you pack your race bag this weekend.
As the 2015 season is now moving into full swing just a couple of weeks into the campaign, stickybottle has made a checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything in your kitbag this weekend
It would be an awful shame to travel to your race venue this weekend only to realise you’ve forgotten a valuable piece of kit.
So here’s our list of 10 things you absolutely must have this weekend.
And most of them apply to you if you take part in sportives rather than races.
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1. Your bike
Goes without saying really. You won’t go far without your trusted steed.
And have it in perfect working order, will you? Don’t arrive down to the mechanic on Friday night requesting a new headset or bottom bracket.
Plenty - and we won’t name names - have rocked up to races over the years and looked into an empty back seat. Don’t let it be you!!
2. Cycling shoes
Again, another must-have. Like the bike, you’ll struggle to find a spare if you forget yours.
And there definitely will not be a bike shop open on Sunday morning at 10am.
3. Race food
Okay so at least you’ll be able to start the race but without adequate nutrition you’ll begin to cramp by the time you’re properly warmed up.
Again, why not buy in bulk and get a good supply of food well in advance of the race?
4. Your Cycling Ireland race licence
Most have been issued at this stage so if you haven’t received yours, get on it!
It’s compulsory to have one for any Cycling Ireland sanctioned event.
5. A good base layer
Temperatures are set to drop to as low as four degrees this Sunday so needless to say, you’ll need to be well insulated against that.
Only if you plan on riding in the break from the drop of the flag are you likely to warm up – and even at that we’d take no chances.
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It’s going to be Baltic so plan accordingly.
And the best thing you can have is a thermal base layer. If you don’t, and it rains, and you are cold for the two or so hours the race will take to complete, then you are a hard, hard, man!
6. A very good waterproof jacket
You could be in the form of your life this weekend but if you get wet and cold it’s hard to warm-up and it could potentially ruin your race.
In this scenario, prevention is better than cure (actually there is no cure – and definitely not in February or March) so stop yourself getting soaked to the skin at source.
Buy a proper waterproof jacket (below). Abide by this little maxim; you’ll remember the quality long after you forget the price.
Spend the money.
7. Gloves
You’re not Andy Hampsten (above) surviving his way through the perishing cold because he has to.
Look after yourself and get a really good quality pair of gloves for cold conditions.
Get the thickest ones you can find. Check out the surf shops for the 5mm neoprene ones. We think they’re ace!
8. Safety pins
We’re nit-picking now but nothing wastes valuable time and energy like looking for a clutch of safety pins to clip on those race numbers.
This is a job you should do all this week. Not half an hour before the start!
9. Your race numbers
You won’t be allowed start without them so make sure they’re not left behind. And remember where they must be positioned too.
Here’s something well worth taking the time to read.
10. A helmet
Another piece of kit that fits into the compulsory bracket.
Does anyone bring a spare helmet to a race? You’ll do well to find a spare one an hour before the flag drops.
