Julian, congratulations on completing your first brevet...👍...here are some tips from a someone who has been riding these event since 2010, I always carry a spare tire, 3 tubes, patch kit and a frame air pump. I have been pretty lucky, I have had very few flats in over 50,000 kms of brevet events but carrying what I mentioned will always be there in case I am in the middle of no where.....period! I have also used my stuff to help others when they carried nothing. Here are the things I have seen on riding these events, tubeless tires are all B.S., disc brakes do fail, and electronic shifters don’t work with dead batteries.....same with the ultra expensive lights.....I ride with dyno hubs, and I carry battery lights as a back up....I have yet to use my back up lights but I have lend them out to riders who had either dead batteries in their lights or failed ones.....and my final two tips are to make sure your bike can carry your extra layers, food, small battery charger and to train riding in the cold rain...That it, I hope you get to enjoy this unusual but wonderful Randonneur sport.
Julian's satire is effective exactly because some of his content is satire while the rest is good advise and meaningful banter. Keeps one guessing and tickled the funny bone. Good work
If you punctured a tubeless tyre, odds on you’d have punctured a tubed tyre. I’ve been tubeless on MYB’s for nearly 20 years, gravel for 5 years and just got my first road bike - which will be tubeless when the new (better) wheels arrive. Also, maybe you needed to add more sealant?
A puncture repair out fit with 10 patches or so for the days you hit the hedgecutting tractor brigade . For the tiny space it takes up it gives you that safety cushion !
Why do you suspect that every cycling website and "expert" strongly advocates tubeless tires? Perhaps you need to view a few videos on how to repair a tubeless puncture... really does not look that hard.
Well done on the ride Justin. How come you chose the Secan for the ride over the Mason Definition. Its lighter has a 2x drive train and you rated the Definition highly in the past. Just curious about your choice. Have your thoughts on the Definition changed ? Hope you don't mind me asking. Thanks Justin.
Nigel Dunbar A few reasons: Had the Mason for 4 years but Secan is new; Secan is more comfortable due to frame, tyres, seat-post and saddle, and thought 40mm tyres would be puncture proof. Ha! Also bar bag doesn’t fit on Mason due to Di2 buttons.
@@JulianHutchings Thanks Jenny. A very comprehensive reply. I have been considering a Definition but you make the Secan sound like a right comfortable old armchair. I like a bit of comfort. Might have to consider a Secan myself. Thank you.
