Anyone else use marzipan as trail food? Since it's oil based it doesn't freeze quite so quickly and it doesn't fall apart in to crumbs I've used it on winter alpine climbs down to -15C, kept it in my jacket pocket and grabbed a bite as and when I felt peckish. Not exactly a slimmer's food though!

Not a fan if marzipan but that sounds like it will be worth carrying. In cold or miserable conditions, any food is good

RE: Brakes...

I would avoid hydraulics, myself. I think Jeff Oatley used them in the ITI, but he lives in those conditions so he can make sure his setup works. Unless you take both and test them before the race (and have the conditions you want for testing in that time), you're taking a risk. The advertised operating range of hydraulic fluid doesn't take into account the moisture that will be in there if they have been used elsewhere. I've had hydraulics (Shimano, mineral) nearly lock themselves on, and I know of people who have had them lock on in cold conditions.

So cables make sense. In Alaskan snow, icing of cables was never much of an issue. It's normally too cold for liquid to get in anywhere that would cause a problem.

If you're a real weight weenie, you could probably live with just one brake. Cue debate about which one...

Aidan wrote:RE: Brakes...

I would avoid hydraulics, myself. I think Jeff Oatley used them in the ITI, but he lives in those conditions so he can make sure his setup works. Unless you take both and test them before the race (and have the conditions you want for testing in that time), you're taking a risk. The advertised operating range of hydraulic fluid doesn't take into account the moisture that will be in there if they have been used elsewhere. I've had hydraulics (Shimano, mineral) nearly lock themselves on, and I know of people who have had them lock on in cold conditions.

So cables make sense. In Alaskan snow, icing of cables was never much of an issue. It's normally too cold for liquid to get in anywhere that would cause a problem.

If you're a real weight weenie, you could probably live with just one brake. Cue debate about which one...

Got to be front :)

Nah coaster break...

Also worth noting, velo solo do a spare sprocket that fits into the disc side to turn the bike into a fixie. Handy if the freehub packs in

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopdisc.html

Dot like in Avid/SRAM will work to lower temps. No problems down to -25 C on var. Bikes with Avids. Friends with mineral oil had issues, they mostly showed up beyond -15 C (not the friends, the issues). But Finland and Alaska are a different beast...

Aidan, what temperatures did you experience on last years ITI?

http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/01/08/tir ... is-winter/
tyre pressure help for all you lucky riders

Ben98 wrote:http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/01/08/tir ... is-winter/
tyre pressure help for all you lucky riders

Very helpful that, cheers.

--
A friend sent me a link to another useful article: http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=6903

stumpled upon this the other evening,
might be some useful info.

Cheers
Andy

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/01/ ... her_358172

Just singlespeeded the fat bike using a 28 sprocket (from a cassette) with a 22 front ring and it can only be described as 'spinny'. Only rode two miles home from the shop and the pavement sections were painfully slow, but felt ok (a little too low) on the long grass sections, so maybe just right for the snow?! Using a sprocket from a cassette is still open for debate as the chain came off once

On the insurance question, I've now e-mailed the BMC for a quote but they've yet to get back in touch

Fingers crossed for the BMC response.

Not convinced about single speed it must be said!

Quick update, BMC says no! The chap on the phone was puzzled why I was asking a climbing organisation for cycle insurance

Austrian alpine club insurance is also a no go

voodoo_simon wrote:Quick update, BMC says no! The chap on the phone was puzzled why I was asking a climbing organisation for cycle insurance

Austrian alpine club insurance is also a no go

That's a bit odd as their higher altitude and ski insurance also covers mountain biking. We used them this year for our alps trip because of that exact reason...

Is the exclusion due it being a race

From https://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Default.aspx

What's not covered
"Competitive winter sports "

Though the Covered activities include: "Adventure racing (up to 48 hours)" and "Cycle racing"

whitestone wrote:From https://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Default.aspx

What's not covered
"Competitive winter sports "

Though the Covered activities include: "Adventure racing (up to 48 hours)" and "Cycle racing"

That's the bit I was getting confirmed as the cycle racing comes under their winter insurance category. Bit odd they'll insure someone to do Everest or some remote mountain in the Antarctic but not a relatively safe race in Finland. Oh well, dog tag insurance it is at £95

voodoo_simon wrote:Oh well, dog tag insurance it is at £95

Bugger!

Sports Cover Direct are showing £67 to £94 depending on level of cover required. That's for mountain bike competition in Finland specifically

Brakes article,
http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/01/ ... her_358172

Look further up

DSC02839 by paulerrington78


Bike is ready :)

That ^ Paul, looks fantastic

The cowled drop-outs on the forks are a lovely touch.

Never mind the dropouts - where did you get penguin rim strip from?!

Ian wrote:Never mind the dropouts - where did you get penguin rim strip from?!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Duck-48mm-9-1m- ... B00DB2GGJI

Smart bike Paul, I like it

Amazing - never knew such a thing existed. Lots of pattern choice too.

Indeed - that is a smart bike. Pink cables are good - I should be able to identify you at a distance