Girona to Hendeye - route and packing

milese

Hi, 

I mentioned on here before that I'm doing this trip, leaving next week. I've worked out a packing list and a route and wanted a sense check.

The route is here, day by day:

https://ridewithgps.com/users/1228781/routes

After Hendeye we'll ride across to Irun and catch a coach to Santander to get the ferry back to Plymouth - I'm going with my 66 year old Dad.

I'm carrying all my stuff in a 13L alpkit koala saddle bag, so want to go as light as possible but also be prepared.

Bag contents whilst cycling:
Spare Bib Shorts
Spare Jersey
Light rain jacket
L/S Base layer
Cycling cap
Long finger gloves
Neck tube
Velotoze shoe covers
Chamois cream
Swiss Army knife
Zip ties
Phone charger
Bolt charger
Toothbrush & paste
Suncream
Ibruprofen
Germoline
S/S casual Shirt
Casual Shorts
Flip flops
Boxers
Socks
Headphones


Wear:
Mitts
Helmet
Sunglasses
Shoes
Socks
Bib shorts
Jersey
Vest
HR strap
Arm Warmers
Gillet

Top tube bag:
Multi tool
Spare tubes x 2
Tyre levers
Puncture repair kit
Spoke key
Chain links

Thanks.

pblakeney

L/S Base layer Spare short sleeve should do.
Neck tube Doubt it is required.
Knee/Leg warmers.
Light long trousers if it is cool at night.

Pump.

jameses

Chain tool if your multi tool doesn't have one.
Unless you suffer from particularly cold feet, you won't need the toe/shoe covers at this time of year. Same with long finger gloves.
Merino base layers/vests are pretty good at minimising the smell if you're wearing for several days in a row (compared to synthetic, at least!)
USB charger plug and two cables instead of separate bolt and phone chargers. Don't forget to take an adaptor!

You could do away with the change of cycle gear and take a laundry soap bar instead; wash the clothes when you get in to where you're staying and cycle clothes should dry overnight. Some friends of mine used a Lush shampoo bar as a combined shampoo, soap and laundry soap for their recent travels.

sloppyschleckonds

Insect repellent, some sort of 1st aid plaster/ bandage, some of that crotch numbing chamois stuff
I would prefer some lightweight shoes/ trainers to flip-flops, vivobarefeet or similar

milese

Thanks for the replies.

Is there not risk of it being wet and cold up some of the mountains?

sloppyschleckonds

Milese wrote:

Thanks for the replies.

Is there not risk of it being wet and cold up some of the mountains?

Yes

milese

I've bought a 2 pin USB charger so can just take that and the cables with no need for an adapter.

My multi tool has a chain splitter.

I'll be changing my kit every day, so taking two sets just gives me some flexibility around when I can wash it.

I can also wear the long sleeve baselayer under my short sleeve shirt in an evening if its cold so that gives me a bit of flexibility.

The neck tube, long finger gloves and shove covers are my 'responsible' packing - ie, if I have to spend 3 hours climbing an increasingly cold mountain in the driving rain hopefully I wont freeze. They are all fairly small.

Insect repellent is a good shout - any advice for ones that are effective? I've never had any success with the ones I've bought over here and used abroad.

pblakeney

Milese wrote:

Thanks for the replies.

Is there not risk of it being wet and cold up some of the mountains?

Yes, but nothing that shoe covers, knee/leg warmers and a pocketable rain jacket won't cover at this time of year. Full finger gloves may be useful on the descents if it is cold and wet. Not so much of an issue going up.