Bikes Of Transcontinental No10

Robin Gemperle

Age: 28

Cap number: 002

Location: Aarau, Switzerland

Bike: SCOTT Addict Gravel RC

Key items of kit: Apidura Racing Series bags Garmin Edge 1040 Solar head unit Supernova B54 mini lamp Syncros Capital Sl wheelset

very unique 3d printed thingies! so cool!

Pawel Pulawski

Age: 41

Cap number: 8

Location: Wrocław

Bike: Kajak Custom” Columbus frame with:

• Vision Metron 45 SL wheelset;
• Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain (11-34T cassette & 34-50T Absolute Black chainrings);
• some random carbon parts like seat posts, and handlebars;
• SON deluxe dynamo hub with a Sinewave Beacon 2 front light, and Supernova E3 taillight;
• Pirelli P Zero Race tires (I haven't decided on the size yet, but 32 will be the absolute minimum)

Key items of kit: All bikepacking gear from Restrap this year, including the Race Top Tube Bag 1,5L, Race Frame Bag Large 4,5L, Race Saddle Bag 7L, and probably a tiny musette.

In the bags, you will find all the extra clothing from Assos of Switzerland (a Mille GT summer season series), some tools and spares, my good old Bivvi from Snugpack, an emergency blanket and foooood!!!

The key item this year should be my iPhone, in which I invested last year after the TransAm phone story 😂 If this one will break during the race, then I don't know what else can be done. 😅

Get in touch if you are interested in any more details about the gear. Photo from Tadek Ciechanowski 🙌

Sherry Cardona

Age: 30

Cap number: 295b

Location: Amsterdam

Bike: Bike: Fara All-Road

SRAM Red AXS 46/33 x 10/36, Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS 32MM, Bike Ahead Composites wheels, Redshift Suspension Stem, Deda Jet Aerobars, Kogel Kolosos Oversized Derailleur Cage, Posedla Custom 3D Printed saddle, Silca Titanium Bottle cage, Silca 3D Printed Computer Mount.

Key items of kit: Key Items: Apidura Saddle Pack (5L), Apidura Top Tube Bag (1L), Fara Integrated Frame Bag, Apidura Musette, Supernova Airstrem Light, Albion Cargo Vest, Albion Burner, Hygene Kit, Repair Kit, Silca Pump and Multitool, Emergency Blanket.

Adrien Liechti

Age: 39

Cap number: 007

Location: On the road

Bike: BOMBTRACK Audax AL, DTSWISS GRC 1100, RENE HERSE Bon Jon Pass 35mm endurance, Cane Creek EeWings crankset, Shimano Ultegra 11s groupset, full APIDURA bags, EXPOSURE lights.

Key items of kit: I’ll not riding with with shoes.

Omar Di Felice

Age: 43

Cap number: 16

Location: Rome (Italy)

Bike: Wilier Triestina Verticale with Shimano Dura Ace Groupset

Key items of kit: - FRAMESET - Wilier Triestina Verticale

• GROUPSET - Shimano Dura Ace R9200
• WHEELSET - Front Shimano Dura Ace C36 // Rear Shimano Dura Ace C50
• TYRES - Continental GP5000 TR 30 mm (tubeless setup)
• POWERMETER - Shimano Dura Ace R9200
• COCKPIT - Filante bar + Custom 3D mount for Profile Design aero handlebar
• SADDLE - Selle San Marco Shortfit 2.0 Carbon FX - 3D Printed
• GEAR - 52x36 // 11-34
• BIKEPACKING - Custom Missgrape Road set with new lighter textile (white)
• GPS SYSTEM - Garmin Edge 1040 Solar + Enduro 2 Watch
• LIGHTNING SYSTEM - Moonlight Bright as Day 2000 front light + Multiple Cateye rear flashing lights

Kerry Rochester

Cap number: 73

Location: England

Bike: Landrace Tupelo, Ultegra 12 speed di2 with extender link, GRX chainset 46/30 11/42, Zolla Dnipro wheels, Conti GP5K ASTR 35mm setup tubeless, Cane Creek Silk post, Redshift suspension stem, Selle SMP Avant saddle & Profile aero bars. Lumicycle front light, Exposure Diablo for backup, Lezyne rear lights and Garmin Varia 515.

Key items of kit: Tailfin bags/carbon rack, Garmin 1030 Solar

Wouter Van der Hallen

Age: 39

Cap number: 78

Location: Belgium

Bike: Brought a new bike for my third TCR, going from an aluminium to a carbon frame (3T Exploro Racemax). Not much difference in weight, but more tire clearance. It still breaks my heart when I think about it, but I walked away from Campagnolo Chorus/Shamal and opted for Sram Rival AXS groupset and Roval Terra wheels. Swapped Hutchinson for Specialized tires. What I am sticking with are the trusted SMP Dynamic saddle and the Redshift suspension stem and drop grips to relieve all contact points.

Key items of kit: An important piece of kit is my secret alternative to cycling-branded chamois cream! Bags are a combination of Cyclite around the cockpit and tail end, with Brooks on the frame. Trying to go a little bit lighter than usual, so will leave the bivvy bag home and just take my Klymit mat and Sea to Summit sleeping bag. Topping off with a great spotted woodpecker pin for luck, and most importantly our sticker on the front forks - playing on the Columbus logo - (hit me up if you want one), which also serves as a reminder that my voluntary suffering as a rider is very relative.

Taneli Myllykoski

Age: 36

Cap number: 087

Location: Espoo, Finland

Bike: J.Laverack J.ack Di2 with granny gears WTB dynamowheelset

Key items of kit: Bags are mix 'n' match from different brands. Bivy and mattress for sleeping. Plenty of clothes and Haribos.

Alice Grindheim

Age: 35

Cap number: 258

Location: Oslo, Norway

Bike: The bike is a Canyon Grail 2 CF SLX, size XS. It has AXS xplr with 10-44t in the back, and 38t in the front (42t on picture). Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels with conti 5000gp allseason 35c.
The bike is equipped with canyon's gear Groove aerobars ( with Profile designs pads), which is integrated in the handlebar. Saddle bag is a Apidura expedion saddle 14l. Framebag is aTailfin wedge 2.7l. Toptubebag is a Tailfin 1.1l. My favorite thing about this bike is how fast it is, while still feeling super stable. I feel comfortable staying in the aerobars even on bad tarmac and on gravel, even though I am new to aerobars.

Key items of kit: I don't have a dynamo light ( had to stop expenses at some point), so I am using a powerbank ( Anker prime 27k, 250w) in combination with a Lupin Sl Mono light. This light can be charged with the powerbank while running, and it only use 4-8w per hour (my powerbank has 100w total). The best thing about this powerbank is that it takes 1 hour to fully charge it, and it can charge 3 things at once at full power. The penalty is of course is the weight at 550g ish. I also have a Exposure Joystick 17mk for backup/helmet light.

My frame is tiny, and the aerobars are not standards. So there are lots of small hacks. Some examples are a 3d printed phone mount, 3d printed aerobar spacers, the lupin light gopro mount, the insta 360 mount and 3d printed AXS blip holders for the aerobars. I have also mounted 3 magnetic fidlock bottles on the aerobars. One of these mounts is a BOA string mount for flexibility. There is also a 3d printed mount for my Exposure Tracer MK3 and Garmin radar lights on my saddle bag.

All things I use often is placed in the bottle cage boxes or in the framebag. The toptube bag is for snacks mostly. I also made a little pouch for food/clothes between the aerobar armrests( 1/4 of a Apidura expedition belt)

My sleep system is for emergency / day napping and consists of a thermarest Therm-a-Rest Neoair sleepmat and Alpkit bivy.

Total weight is just under 16kg. Water and food not included.

Victor Bosoni

Age: 22

Cap number: 232

Location: Corgoloin, France

Bike: Cycles Méral - Louison Acier Disque

• SRAM Force eTap AXS 48-35, 10-33
• Asterion E-One GR Alu SonDelux / Edition One CL
• Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 700x32
• Sram Force AXS (1-by, 36t & 10-44t)
• Deda Jet One Clip-On

Key items of kit: Bags :

• Ortlieb Seat-Pack 11L
• Apidura Racing Long Top Tube Pack 2L

Lights :

• kLite kit Ultra Adventure V2
• Lezyne Strip Drive 150

Julián Manrique

Age: 36

Cap number: #202

Location: Bogotá / Colombia

Bike: OPEN U.P custom Paint by Terradosa with SRAM force (35-48t / 10-36t) and ZIPP 303s wheelset / continental GP500 AS 700x32c

Redshift suspension shock stop stem & cruise control accessories

Key items of kit: I’m using Apidura Explorer and Race bags, equipped with three sets of water bottle cages for those extra-hot days. My setup includes two sets of handlebar lights, all with rechargeable batteries, and a headlamp with a spare battery for night rides. I'm also packing a lightweight sleeping pad, a full down mountaineering waterproof jacket, and a bivy bag for wilderness overnights. My lucky item is a small toucan companion that accompanies me on every long journey.

Dario Demarco

Age: 35

Cap number: 27

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Bike: Fairlight Strael 3.0

Key items of kit: Ultegra Di2 with 11-42 cassette (thanks Wolf Tooth RoadLink!!). Rear and top tube bag is Tailfin and frame bag is an Alpkit one that Harry at Wizard Works customised for me a few years ago (with some TCRNo6 patches on the side). SP Dynamo is powering the front Supernova light (and a Sinewave USB charger when required). Tyres are Continental GP 5000S 32mm and set up tubeless.

Augustin Muller

Age: 33

Cap number: 313

Location: Chambery, France

Bike: Frame : Jolie Rouge Columbus XCR handmade in Chambery, France

Fork : Columbus Futura Disc

Groupset : Campagnolo Super Record 2x12, 45-29 & 11-34

Wheels : Reserve 40/44, rear hub Tune, front hub Son Deluxe

Handlebar & stem : Tune Geweih & Tune Geiles Teil 4.0 Extenders : Profile Design Supersonic Ergo+ 35 SLC Carbone

Seatpost : Tune Leichtes Stück

Tires : Hutchinson BlackBird Tubeless 700x30

Bags : Pop Pin's, handmade in Vosges, France

Key items of kit: I take with me a sleeping bag and inflatable mattress, at the rear on the package holder.

My frame bag is almost empty to carry some food on the road.

Most of my daily stuffs are in my handlebar bag, including rain jacket, down jacket, etc.

I use an external pass through 10 000MAH battery, charged by my front light Sinewave Beacon when I ride. The battery is fixed bitween my extenders. Also, I use a 1600 lumen front light, that will work motly for the night downhill.

Gary Davis

Age: 68

Cap number: 056

Location: Rye NY

Bike: Specialized Crux 2023

• Zolla DNI 40mm Wheels
• Son28 Dynamo Hub
• Rene Herse 38mm Barlow Pass endurance tires
• SRAM Force AXS 43/30T x 10/36T
• Brooks C13 saddle

Key items of kit: This year I added a Tailfin out back to carry more rain gear (Shower Pass) and out front I added an Apidura Aerobar Pack to carry my sleeping kit (Patagonia Nano Puff jacket, Terra Nova Moonlight Bivi Cover, Klymit X-Frame pad and Sea-to-Summit pillow). I also added a Restrap Stem Bag for food thus freeing up my Tailfin top tube bag for electronics (2x 5000mah batteries, spare Garmin 515 Varia lights and spare SRAM batteries). Not riding with my partner from last year, I am adding a GoPro 11 to capture some memories that pass all too quickly.

David Tschan

Age: 31

Cap number: 50

Location: Trimbach, Switzerland

Bike: Gravel bike with a set of road wheels attached to it.

Key items of kit: Key items of the kit include $20 ceramic(?) pulley wheels from Amazon, 15 year old shoes that I glued back together, a good old leather saddle for my precious butt and custom 3D printed mounts for light, phone, computer and coke bottles since you can't attach s*** to modern handle bars.

Mathew Lay

Age: 48

Cap number: 217

Location: Bordeaux, France

Bike: I’ll be riding a Van Rysel EDR CF with Shimano Ultegra mechanical shifting, 52-36T up front and 11-34T out back. The bike is fitted with 32mm Continental GP 5000 TR tyres. I will be running a SON Delux Dynamo hub with a Busch & Muller Lamp up front and out the back. Charging my electronic devices will be done with a Sinewave charger. Navigation, a Garmin Edge 530 as a main unit and a Garmin Etrex 20 as a spare unit.

Key items of kit: I will be using a mix of Ortlieb and Riverside bags. My sleep system will a Cumulus sleep sack, with mattress and bivvy bag as I plan on bivvying out most nights.

Alexander Kopp

Age: 37

Cap number: 006

Location: Innsbruck

Bike: I will ride my Specialized Aethos with PI ROPE/Duke Wheels, specialized Mondo tires, and Shimano Di2 Groupset

Key items of kit: Bags are from the awesome brand Tailfin. Exposure lite for the helmet/ Supernova for the handlebar, Cumulus sleeping bag, a lot of motivation from my side.

Regan Arendse

Age: 55

Cap number: 014

Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Bike: Specialized Roubaix SL8, 2024 model, with all Dura Ace Components. 170cm crank arms, 52/36 chain ring with 11-34 rear cassette. Wheels are Roval Alpinist front, Royal Terra rear. The front is custom built with a SON28 dynamometer, 28 spokes. Edelux II front light with B&M μ, Designer (Micro) rear light. The tires are Specialized Mondo 35mm width with a tubeless setup. Disc brakes. Terra gravel bike handlebars 42cm with DEDA Jet One Clip-On 370 mm Carbon Extensions. Shimano XT mountain bike pedals. Saddle is taken off my old 2018 Specialized Tarmac, worn but comfortable.

Key items of kit: Apidura 14L saddlebag, Apidura frame and top tube bags. Garmin 1040 solar with accessory battery and backup Wahoo Element Roam. Igaro D2 Pro R3 to charge accessories from the dynamo. Kopplen Digital Display Compact 10,000 mAh 22.5W Fast Charging USB Power Bank. iPhone 14 Pro Max. Lots of TPU 28-35mm inner tubes. Section of tire, tire boots, section of chain, 11s chain links x4, spare Derailleur Hanger. Camelback 650ml with capped nozzles. Emergency bivvy as I hope to sleep in guest houses/ lodges as often as possible

Gereon Tewes

Age: 34

Cap number: 295a

Location: Amsterdam

Bike: Bike: Fara All-Road

SRAM RED/FORCE AXS 44x10-44, Duke Wheels, Son Dynamo Hub, Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS, Redshift Suspension Stem, Deda Jet Aerobars, Silca Chisela Computer Mount.

Key items of kit: Key Items:

Apidura Saddle Bag (7L), Apidura Top Tube Bag (1L), Fara Frame Bag, Supernova Light, Albion Cargo Vest, Albion Insulated Jacket, Albion Burner, Anker Power Bank, Precision Hydration Electrolyte Tables, Chamois Butter.

Jelmer Vernooij

Age: 38

Cap number: 224

Location: Londnon, UK

Bike: Van Nicholas Yukon (2021) with Ultegra groupset. Syntace C1 aerobars for comfort. Lights: Garmin Radar rear lights and a Son Edeux II front light powered by a dynamo.

Key items of kit: For storage I carry an apidura framebag and aero bar bags, with an ortlieb saddle bag. Frame bag: Apidura water bladder, tools, spares and food. Aero bar bags: extra layers. Saddle bag: bivvy, sleeping bag and extra clothes.

Ian Lyons

Age: 44

Cap number: 37

Location: United Kingdom

Bike: All City Super Professional (Steel) Frame, Redshift Kitchen Sink bars (Al), Redshift Shockstop Suspension Stem and Seatpost. Shimano GRX group set, DT Swiss GR537 db wheels, Victoria Corsa 32mm tyres, Tubolito No Flat Gravel, Shimano PD M520 MTB pedals, Brooks Flyer Saddle, PD Aero Bars. Cranks (165) FC-M8100 + SM-CRM85 chainring 1x (34T Front - 51T rear) (17 gear inches) CS-M8100 Cassette. Clarks Stainless Steel Rotors. SON 28 Dynamo HUB, Hope Pro 5 Rear Hub, Hope Headset, Hope BB. Supernova E3 Pro Front Light, Dart Plus Rear light, Exposure Trace front and Rear, Sinewave Charger. Knog Oi Deluxe Bell.

Key items of kit: Alpkit and Restrap frame bags, Topeak Pannier rack, Loki Pannier bag, Platypus 2l water bladder, iPhone 15, Quadlock cases and magnetic charger with vibration dampening, Garmin Fenix 7 watch, Anker Prime 27,650 powerbank and 140w charger.

Miles Clemson

Age: 32

Location: London, UK

Bike: Vitus Substance V2. Shimano GRX groupset, with a sweet oval chainring from AliExpress. H+Son rims laced to SP Dynamo and Hope RS4 built by my pal Nick at Paradise Cycles, London. Tyres are Continental GP5000, 35c. Dynamo lights are SON Edelux. Bottles are Fidlock, totally worth the money.

Key items of kit: Very accessible snack bags for scotch eggs and scampi fries.

Hanna de Sousa

Age: 46

Cap number: 9

Location: Carcavelos, Portugal

Bike: My bike is a OPEN U.P. EKAR with a 13 speed Campagnolo gravel setup. HED factory wheel on the back and a DT Swiss R470 on the front prebuilt with the dynamo which is a Son 28. Running Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS 32mm tubeless.

Key items of kit: Tailfin: Carbon Rack on which a SON taillight is mounted, AP Top Bag, Top Tube Bag & Frame Bag.

In front I have opted for the Cyclite Aero Bag on top of which is mounted a Son Edel II headlight using a custom mount to give my hands space in front of the Syntace C3 Aero Bars which are raised using 40mm spacers.

My GPS is a Garmin 1040 Solar and I have a Busch and Muller USB-Werk charger tucked away nicely in the Aero Bag

Thierry Plantevin

Age: 62

Cap number: 103

Location: Vaison la Romaine, France

Bike: LEON Genus (Titane). Fourche Carbone, Groupe Shimano GRX 800 11V (48/31 Cassette 11/40), Pedales Shimano XTR, Roues IDUKE Carbone 38mm (25mm intérieur), Moyeu Dynamo SON de Luxe, Pneus Continental Four Season 32mm, Frein: disque Shimano XT étriers Juin Tech mécanique, Selle Infinity, Potence PRO PL7 Forged, Cintre Ritchey Alu, Prolongateurs Deda Elementi Parabolica, Tige de selle femelle KCNC.

Key items of kit: Bagagerie: Selle - Ortlieb, Cadre - Restrap, Top Tube - Apidura, Cintre - Zefal. Éclairage : Busch & Müller. Équipement pour dormir: Matelas Thermarest Neoair (small), Sac Ferrino Rider Pro 260 gr, Drap de sac en soie.

Sinan Kargi

Age: 35

Cap number: 98

Location: İstanbul, Turkey

Bike: The exquisite custom titanium frame was build by my fellow cyclist (Yasin Cihat Bingöl) under a historic mosque in Üsküdar, just 5 kilometer shy from the finish line. In short my horse knows its way.

Key items of kit: eeBrake's #savetherimbrakes, Supernova M99 & B54, 28mm Pro One's, Paul QR's, Syntace C3, two aluminum emergency blankets.

Jana Kesenheimer

Age: 30

Cap number: 010

Location: Innsbruck, Austria

Bike: Specialized Aethos Pro with a SRAM Red group set and 46/33-10/36 gearing, tuned with a SON28 dynamo hub.

Key items of kit: I will be using Mondo Tires (32mm tubeless), Evoc bags (the top tube bag is a prototype), a Fjällräven snack bag, and I am happy being able to squeeze in a 950ml bottle in my 49-sized frame. My sleep setup consists of a Sea to Summit Traveler TrI sleeping bag, a Thermarest Uberlight mat, and a Cumulus Ultralight bivy bag. I packed white arm covers to hide from the sun. My "luxury" item is a second bib short, but I resisted taking a pillow with me.

Davis Pazars

Age: 27

Cap number: 257

Location: Riga, Latvia

Bike: BMC Roadmachine 01 (2017)

Key items of kit: Bike computer with a long battery life and a rain jacket for those local summer downpours.

Can Kanıöz

Age: 48

Cap number: 306a

Location: Turkey, Istanbul

Bike: Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 AXS '24 38t single chainring. 44-10 12 speed casette.

Key items of kit: I use a Tailfin 20 litre Aeropack, four 1 litre Decathlon water bottles in two bottle cages on each aerobar, one Canyon Apidura top tube bag (1 litre), one Canyon Grail 2 frame bag, a 20000 mAh battery pack, a Garmin Edge 1040 Solar as the primary navigation device, and a Samsung Fold 3 as a backup navigation device. My rear light is a Garmin Varia 715 with a camera, and I also have a Cateye backup light. My front light is a Giant 1800 lumen WiFi, and I pack a Decathlon 900 headgear. The total weight, including all items, is 21 kg, with a 2.3-litre water capacity.

Dr. Sarah Ruggins

Age: 36

Cap number: 303

Location: Canada

Bike: Cannondale Topstone carbon 3

Key items of kit: kLite V2 Ultra Adventure lighting/charging system, Restrap 7L saddlebag & 2L toptube bag, SON 28 dynamo front hub, DT Swiss 240 rear hub, DT Swiss GR532 rims, Selle Italia Superflow saddle, Redshift aerobars.

Jörg Stollsteimer

Age: 33

Cap number: 88

Location: Munich, Germany

Bike: Canyon Endurace 7

Key items of kit: Zefal Z Adventure R saddle bag, Topeak Midloader frame bag, Scope S5 wheels.

Laforge

Age: 61

Cap number: 301a

Location: Limoges, France

Bike: Specialized Diverge

Key items of kit: Bags Restrap. Lights: Bush and Muller. Moyeu dynamo Son Port USB.

Ted Missons

Age: 25

Cap number: 183

Location: Margate, England

Bike: I’m riding the 10th edition of the TCR on a 2017 Mason Resolution. I’ve got an Ultegra Di2 groupset with aerobar satellite shifters, running 11-40 on the rear and an unconventional 46-34 on the front. Rolling on a set of Hunt 4 season disc wheels shod with Schwalbe pro one tyres with a SON front dynamo powering Supernova front and rear lights.

Key items of kit: I’m really pleased with my luggage setup which I designed and made myself. The bags are cut to fit my frame perfectly and are mitred around my bottles, maximising space. I’ve used waterproof X-PAC fabric with hi-viz detailing throughout. My sleep system comprises a Vango half-length sleeping mat, a lightweight down quilt which I’ve sewn a zip into to make a sleeping bag and an Alpkit bivvy bag. I’ve also soldered a 3 way switch into one of the aerobar ends which allows me to switch between powering my lights and my USB charger.

Ailish Green

Age: 32

Cap number: 165

Location: Leeds, UK

Bike: I'll be riding my first TCR on my Canyon Endurance CF 7 All-Road set up with SRAM eTap 43/30 10-36 with Hunt 40 Carbon wheels and Pirelli Cinturato Velo 35mm set up tubeless. I'll be using a Wahoo to stop me getting lost and exposure battery lights so I can see the potholes.

Key items of kit: I'll be keeping everything I need in a Apidura full frame bag (which has survived a life of neglect) and Restrap race bags. I've also got an Apidura food pouch for easy access snacking, and some Quoc sliders for the inevitable hike-a-bike.

Jonathan Good

Age: 36

Cap number: 140

Location: Ireland

Bike: Vitus Energie CRX with SRAM Force groupset 44T front 11-42T rear, Hutchinson Challenger tyres 32mm tubeless, DT Swiss wheelset (alloy), Fizik Argo Tempo saddle, and Profile Design Aerostryke bars.

Key items of kit: Garmin 1040 Solar for navigation, Apidura frame bag, 2L Restrap top tube bag, rear Rhinowalk backpack, Granite quick release toolkit, Fluoro Nathan 12L backpack, Olight RN2000 headlight, LED Lenser MH10 headtorch, Raveman FR160 backup light, Olight rear tail light, 20,000mAh battery pack, Alpkit bivy, Klymit X-Lite mattress, down jacket, and Berghaus jacket.

Jesko von Werthern

Age: 40

Cap number: 248

Location: Vaals, Netherlands

Bike: This bike and set-up survived three Transcontinentals, so I stick with it. Except the rear wheel is new. The old one cracked last time around.

Specialized Roubaix 2020, Shimano 105 group set, DT Swiss wheels with SON dynamo hub and Continental GP5000 32mm.

Key items of kit: Key items: Puffy jacket, sleeping bag, spare socks, spare bib shorts, merino shirt. Other than that just some tools and spares, hygiene items, rain jacket.

Xingjian (Tom) Zhai

Age: 25

Cap number: 188

Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Bike: Specialized Diverge E5 Gravel Bike. Wheels and groupset are the originals as purchased, with no modifications. I began cycling last year in 2023 and, at the time, used a second-hand bike. The Specialized Diverge is also my first new bike!

Key items of kit: 2-L top-tube bag and 4-L frame bag from Apidura; 9-L saddle bag from Bontrager; Outdoor Research Bivvy as sleep kit.

Andy Georges

Age: 46

Cap number: 276

Location: Ostend, Belgium

Bike: For this race I will be riding a bespoke stainless steel Jaegher Hurricane.

My setup has 700cx35 René Herse Bon Jon pass endurance tires mounted on SWS handbuilt aluminum wheels. I have a SON dynamo, SON lights, and a Cinq 6 plug with battery for charging devices. The bike is equipped with a 12-speed Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain, Deda 100 handlebar and seat tube, Gebiomized saddle, and Zipp aerobars.

Key items of kit: I have plenty of stuff with me. My bags are all Apidura except for the snack packs which are Agu.

In the 9l saddle bag I will likely carry a complete spare kit (bib, jersey, socks, ...), a rain jacket, leg warmers and an emergency blanket. The 9l handle bar bag holds a down jacket, clothes for the return journey by train, an inflatable pillow and a small towel (a man who knows where his towel is ... ) 1.5l aerobag bag holds my other rain gear, arm pieces. 1.5l top tube bag will hold my electronics, charging cables, meds, some food. 4l Frame bag holds spare parts (brake pads, tubes, oil, ...) pump, visibility jacket, a big jar of bum butter and my regular glasses (just in case :), as well as a power plug for charging all the things whenever I am in a hotel.

I have three bidons, one in the snack pack, two on the down and seat tubes. Underneath the down tube, I have my toolkit with patches, glue, tire levers, ...

Tobias Fuchs

Age: 35

Cap number: 132

Location: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

Bike: Frameset: Open UP with customized paint job, wheelset: Light Bicycle customized with Zipp/SON hubs, groupset: Shimano Ultegra 12-speed, crankset: Shimano Dura Ace.

Key items of kit: Bags: Apidura Racing Series. Lights: Supernova.

Nick P

Age: 52

Cap number: 160

Location: Colombia

Bike: Lynskey GR270 Ti SRAM Xplr 1x, Mavic Ksyrium SL, Pirelli Cinturato Velo 35mm.

Key items of kit: Revelate Designs seat pack and feed bag, Tailfin frame and top tube bags, double bottle cage adapter on the down tube for 2.6l capacity.

Damjan Manojlovic

Age: 39

Cap number: 65

Location: Srbobran,Serbia

Bike: CUBe Agree GTC 2013. Shimano Tiagra groupset, rear hub Shimano Deore XT, front hub Schmidt's Original Nabendynamo, tires Continental Grand Prix 5000.

Key items of kit: Front light: Union Sparks second lamp Cateye AMPP 800, rear dynamo red lamp, DIY phone charger. Saddle bag by RockBros, frame bag and top frame bag from Roswheel Attack, and handlebar bag by B-SOUL.

Boris Reyher

Age: 53

Cap number: 278

Location: Berlin, Germany

Bike: Mason Resolution 58 cm frame size with SRAM Force AXS 2x12 groupset, HUNT 34 Aero wheelset, René Herse Jon Bon Pass Endurance 35 mm tires (tubeless setup), Supernova Airstream frontlight, Busch + Müller rear light, Zipp Vuka Clip carbon aero extentions, Shimano XT MTB pedals, Swissstop Exotherm 2 brakepads.

Key items of kit: Gramm Tourpacking custom 1/3 frame bag, Tailfin top tube bag, Tailfin down tube bag, Blackburn Outpost Elite saddle bag, 2x Blackburn food pouches, 2x Camelbak 750 ml water bottles, 1x 950 ml water bottle, SeaToSummit Ultralight sleeping pad, Mammut Grevlin bivy bag, Decathlon silk liner, Garmin Edge 1040 Solar GPS computer, 2x Nitecore 10,000 mAh power banks, multiple wall charger, backup lights, iPhone, SeaToSummit nano daypack, Evoc hip bag with 1.5 l water bladder. Gear highlights: The SwissStop brakepads will hopefully save my life riding down the other side of the Alps!

Matthew Spooner

Age: 52

Cap number: 252

Location: Zug, Switzerland

Bike: Airstream Storm Disc Marathon with Swiss Side Hadron Allroad wheels and Continental GP5000 ASTR 32mm tubeless tyres. Equipped with a dropper post, Shockstop stem, Infinity bike seat, Swissstop 140mm rotors, SRAM Force shifter + AXS remote shifters, SRAM Eagle rear derailleur, SRAM Eagle 10-52 cassette, Rotor 160mm cranks with a 44 tooth Q-Ring, Sigeyi power meter, and Shimano XTR pedals.

Key items of kit: All of my kit has been selected to mitigate risk. My aim is to keep my setup as close to 16kg as possible (currently 16.39kg). Some of my "special" items of kit include the Swiss Army Knife, PBSwiss multitool, Raveman PR2400 front light, Tailfin AeroPack Carbon, Apidura top tube bag, Apidura aerobar bag, and Apidura food pouches.

Laurent Garbolino

Age: 44

Cap number: 265

Location: Saint Esteben, Basque Country, France

Bike: Décathlon VAN RYSEL EDR CF : The "Slow Is Fast machine". Wheels: Artisanal assembly Voodooz Wheels with front dynamo Son hub and rear Aivee Hub, Rim 34mm. Tyres: Hutchinson Challenger tubeless 32mm. Saddle: Fizik Antares Versus Evo R1 Adaptive. Groupset: Mix Shimano mechanical: Shimano Ultegra 11-speed shifter, Shimano GRX front and rear derailleurs (front 48/30, rear 11/40). Aerobars: Custom Decathlon Aptomia.

Key items of kit: Lights: K Lite front and rear lights, additional red light with AAA battery, and front light Go Lum. Bags: Top tube Restrap 1.5L, frame bag Restrap 3L, Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack 17L (I will use approximately 6-7L for the race). GPS: Garmin 1040 Solar. Shoes spd Triban 520 GRVL. Reflective for more comfort, safety, and for walking !

Reflective tape on the hobans and front fork for added safety. Extra thick custom soft padding on the handlebars. A photo of my wife and my two daughters.

Erik Schiller

Age: 33

Cap number: 199

Location: Dresden, Germany

Bike: Salsa Warroad Allroad Bike w/ Redshift Suspension Stem & Profile Design Aerobars. SRAM XPLR 1x Gearing 40/10-44 for beautiful parcour hills w/ hidden legs on 35mm Continental GP 5000 AS set up tubeless. SON Dynamo Hub for unlimited human powered energy supply & lighting.

Key items of kit: Sleeping Kit (Bivy, Mat, Down Jacket, Long Rain Pants). Drinks available in 2x750ml Keego Bottles + potential 2l Cyclite Aero Bladder for long & hot stretches. Shopping w/ Albion's Visibility Cargo Vest. Navigation by Garmin 1040 Solar. Onboard entertainment enabled by a Peak Design phone mount. Saddle soreness prevention ft. Ilon Protect :D

Nick Duggan

Age: 59

Cap number: 241

Location: Hertfordshire UK

Bike: Kinesis Tripster. Tyres are GP5000AS on DTSwiss rims. Gone for AXS electronic shifting aided with some nifty little blip shifters I found to go on the aero bars. 40/33 up front. 10/36 on the rear (hope that's enough). All put together by Crank to Cog in St Albans.

Key items of kit: Other key pieces of kit are a Son Dynamo and KLite to illuminate the way and do some charging. Bags are a combination of Tailfin and Restrap. Sleeping arrangements when im not in a hotel are a Thermarest Neoair mat and Sol Escape Lite Bivvy. Navigating with a Garmin 1030. And taking dental floss. The aim is to finish in Istanbul without a piece of spinach between my teeth.

Philip Renders

Age: 48

Cap number: 151

Location: Antwerp, Belgium

Bike: Giant defy advanced pro 1 shimano 105 12 speed 11x36 34/52 Giant SLR 1 36 Carbon Disc WheelSystem Giant Gavia Fondo 1, tubeless, 700x32c (33.5mm)

Key items of kit: restrap/apidura/camelbag 4 liter water Huel warm jacket Rab bivibag Trek 900

Wouter Oosterveld

Age: 45

Cap number: 279

Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands

Bike: This is “Ozosnel.” It's a titanium Van Nicholas Rowtag gravel/adventure bicycle, optimized for comfort. The drivetrain is Campagnolo Ekar with a 38T chainring and a 10-44T cassette.

The wheels are handmade, with Light Bicycle rims laced up to a SON dynamo hub at the front and an Onyx classic hub at the rear. They are personalized with turquoise anodized nipples, valves and rear hub. The tires are Tufo’s Speedero HD 36-622 front and rear.

The lighting system is based on a Sinewave Beacon 2 front light that charges a Nitecore powerbank. At the rear there is a small B&M light and a radar/light combination. Navigation is supported by a Hammerhead Karoo 2 with a Garmin Fenix as backup.

For added comfort there is a Vecnum Freeqence suspension stem and a Redshift ShockStop Endurance Pro suspension seatpost. On the handlebar has Profile Design comfort bars mounted. The Look Geo Trekking SPD/Flat pedals allow me to change positions on the contact points for additional comfort. The saddle is a Brooks C17.

Key items of kit: The bags are a mix of Restrap and Topeak. At the front there’s the Restrap racing bar bag for the kit I need during the day. The main triangle contains two large water bottles and a Restrap frame bag, which contains spares, a cache battery, tools, food, my passport and other valuables.

On the top tube there’s a small bag for my phone, more food and some personal care products. At the rear I use Topeak’s backloader. It contains overnight kit, a lock and even more food. The saddle bag is kept in place by a stabilizer that holds two additional water bottles. A small toolbox is held below the downtube.

Aureli Bisbe Cerveto

Age: 36

Cap number: 222

Location: Barcelona

Bike: Focus atlas 8.9 size S

Key items of kit: -Sram eagle x01 electronic shifting -40t front / 10-52 cassette -DT Swiss GR1600 Wheelset -Brooks B17 saddle -Lezyne MaxroDrive lights -Pedalcell bottle dynamo -Profile design aero bottle cage -profile design aerobars -garmin 530 -sram crank powermeter -Apidura bags

Joschka Völkel

Age: 26

Cap number: 291

Location: Regensburg, Germany

Bike: Canyon Endurace 7.0 Disc from 2021 (aluminium frame) with Shimano 105 (52T and 34T chainrings with a 11-34 cassette). Aluminium wheels with Continental 5000 tyres with tubes (32mm) and carbon aerobars.

Key items of kit: I ride with Apidura racing bags (7l saddle bag, 2l top tube bag, 4l frame bag, 2l aero bag, 1.5l down tube bag and 8l hydration backpack including 1l of water). A lightweight inflatable sleeping mat and an ultralight sleeping bag from Sea to Summit (Spark I) are there for resting. I don't have a dynamo but 2x 20,000 mAh batteries with a 100W charger. Lights are from Lezyne (1400+ front, 400+ rear). As a secret gear, I have 60 ml of Tabasco with me to fire up the turbo on bad days.

Georg Molz

Age: 41

Cap number: 039

Location: Munich

Bike: Orbea Ocra M20

Key items of kit: Regular Ultegra Groupset 50-34. Swapped the saddle for a SQlab saddle and the rims for DT Swiss rims and DT Swiss 350 rear hub + SON28 front dynamo hub powering Supernova Lights (and hopefully my Cycle2Charge USB charger). Added some Panaracer Gravelking+ 700x35 tires which really just fit snug into the frame with roughly 0.5mm (!) frame clearance which I hopefully won't regret. Restrap frame bags, coloured out Topeak saddle bag, birzman former olive green coloured bottle packs. Profile Design Aero Bars which I will use 0.5% times of the time and trustworthy Decathlon sleeping gear which I look forward to use again to review the nicest bus stops from all over Europe.

Sonny Rasmussen

Age: 47

Cap number: 15

Location: Sioux Falls, SD USA

Bike: 2024 Otso Waheela “Olivey” with 1×12 drivetrain SRAM mullet, Force AXS Shifters and Power Meter Crankset, Wolf Tooth Oval 32T, 10-52T Rainbow Cassette, GX Eagle AXS Rear Derailleur. Whiskey No.9 30W rims, Chris King Rear R45D Hub and SON 28 Dynamo Hub. Well-Upholstered Brooks B17 Seat.

Key items of kit: BarYak Expedition with the XL Add-On, BarYak Triple Crown Navigation, Profile Design Flip Up armrest, BarYak Custom-fabric Expedition Harness, Talon Nano Bag. BarYak Custom Engraved my Sinewave Beacon “SR” (dot follower) Trackleader logo. Apidura Full Frame Bag 7.5L, 2x Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbags, and JerryCan, Tailfin Top Tube Bag 1.5L Zip.

Fadi Alrais

Age: 41

Cap number: 161

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Bike: Gravel bike with a fork suspension. Customized with DT Swiss wheel set & SON dynamo hub. Running tubeless 31mm RenéHERSE . Sram Force AXS 2x12s, 48x35, 10-36. Busch and Müller dynamo lights + extra front light 2000lm run with powerbank

Key items of kit: Custom home made top-tube-bag 4.0. The most I love about the bag I made is that I can access to many stuff during my ride, with mesh pockets on the sides.

Kim Heikkinen

Age: 53

Cap number: 204

Location: Helsinki Finland

Bike: Fairlight Strael 56R Shimano GRX820 2x12 48-31/ 11-36 Wheels by Stayer Cycles Ritchey drop bar Profile aerobars SON dynamo hub and lights, Sinewave USB charger A bit of color to the grey ensemble with the muc-off orange valves

Key items of kit: Tailfin frame/ top tube bags 5.3/ 1.1L Apidura saddle bag 17L Apidura aerobar bag 2.5L Apidura pouches x 2 Sleeping kit: Yeti Fever Zero/ Thermarest Uberlite/ Sol Escape Lite

Isaac Kuehnle-Nelson

Age: 30

Cap number: 272

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Bike: I run a Specialized Roubaix SL8 that I built for the TCR. It's decked out with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset and custom Hunt wheels with a SON dynamo.

Key items of kit: I run Tailfin bags as I've been caught out in some pretty apocalyptic storms and I trust their waterproofing through and through. It's my first TCR, so I've gone for a comparatively lavish sleep set up with an Alpkit Kloke bivvy, non-descript Ebay sleeping-bag and a Klymit sleeping mat.

My lucky item is a Reese's peanut butter cup that I'll eat if I'm ever feeling low or close to scratching.

Matthew Falconer

Age: 46

Cap number: 253

Location: Claygate, Surrey UK

Bike: I’m riding my Curve Belgie Ultra again this year. I’ve upgraded my tubeless wheel setup to use Curve 55 G4T’s with a freshly serviced dynamo and schwalbe 30mm tubeless tyres. I’m running SRAM Force Etap 46/33 x 10/36 for the perfect ‘ultra’ gearing range. A Supernova E3 triple Dynamo front and rear lights with lots of various Exposure lights front and rear as backup. I’ve gone to town a bit with the reflective stickers, but it’s gives me good peace of mind.

Key items of kit: Not a huge amount has changed over the previous 5 TCR’s I’ve completed. I’ve got an Apidura 14L expedition saddle pack for my emergency sleep system (aiming for hotels) and things I want to keep out of my 3.5 frame pack. The frame pack will be for key items I need handy, such as power bank, arm/knee warmers and some basic tools, and my backup food. The bolt on top tube bag for some key electrical items, and things I need ready to hand like sunscreen. A large backcountry food pouch probably weighs a couple of kg’s with the snacks I’ve pre loaded!

Feras

Age: 37

Location: Germany

Bike: Specialized Diverge Specialized Roval Terra C with SON dynamo upfront Shimano GRX 1x12x Speed Groupset

Key items of kit: Tailfin Bags : framebag + top tube bag + rear rack Custom Aerobars bag handmade by Sündlin Bags in Berlin Sea To Summit sleeping pad Sea To Summit Traveller down sleeping bag Specialized Packable Down Jacket Mountain Hardwear Rain Jacket

Barry van Hilten

Age: 44

Cap number: 173

Location: Belgium, Antwerp

Bike: Ritchey Road Logic Disc (steel) SRAM AXS etap Force (front 48x35, rear 36x10) Duke Road Runners with a rear DT-Swiss 350 hub and a front SON dynamo hub (to charge lights and GPS) Pirelli Cinturato tubeless tyres 32 mm

Key items of kit: VAP cycling saddle bag (rain jacket, rain pants, bodywarmer, gloves, sandles, emergency bivvy,...) VAP frame bag (leg and arm warmers, battery pack, cables, passport, spare spokes, cream, tissues, toothbrush,...) Tailfin downtube bag (spare parts: tyres, derailleur pad, Lezyne pump, levers, tools, oil, brake pads) Wahoo Element Bolt V2 and a spare Garmin 840 Edge Rear lights: 2 x Lupine (Rotlicht) Front lights: Exposure Joystick MK17 and an Exposure Revo Dynamo (running on the SON hub) No sleeping system, as I'm going for a lightweight setup and some quality sleep in a (hotel) bed :-)

Marco Sega

Age: 47

Cap number: 260

Location: Italy

Bike: 3T Exploro Racemax, wheels Mavic Allroad, tires Pirelli Cinturato All Road 700x35, groupset Sram Axs with Rival controller and Gx Eagle shifter.

Key items of kit: Vap Cycling bags kit with Butterfly 3 modular handlebar system, Sea To Summit Ultralight mat and Camp ED 150 sleeping bag.

Mathias Väärsi

Age: 35

Cap number: 081

Location: Tallinn, Estonia

Bike: Scott Addict Gravel 20, 1x12 Rival AXS, rear Zipp 303, front Son 28 + Zipp 101 xplr

Key items of kit: My bags (except for the saddle bag from Relevate) are made by my good friends Ran-Re and Robert! In front, I have set up a dynamo-powered B&M IQ-X, and in the back, a B&M mü + battery-powered Lezyne. For sleeping, I have a Sierra Designs bivy, an STS liner, and a Big Agnes Zoom UL mat. As a final touch, I've added a generous layer of panepanepane reflective stickers!

Thomas Groenewegen

Age: 34

Cap number: 046

Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands

Bike: BMC Roadmachine Three with Ultegra di2 2x12 groupset, changed the crankset to a GRX 600 (46-30) which provides a decent climbing gear with the 11-34 cassette. Wheels are the carbon Tailwind AR27-45 paired with Continental Grand Prix 5000 tires, the measured width of 35mm (front) and 33mm (rear) giving some extra comfort. Saddle is the SQlab 612 active.

Key items of kit: Tailfin AeroPack with cargo cages on both sides for large water carrying capacity, Restrap frame bag, Apidura bolt-on top tube bag and Xand handlebar roll for easy access items. Profile Design aero bars with 50mm of spacers and Ergo+ armrests for optimal comfort. Lights front and rear are from Son powered by a Son 28 dynamo hub.

Kilian Urwyler

Age: 36

Cap number: ?

Location: Aarau, Switzerland

Bike: All Black Bike

Key items of kit: The bike is a self made bike made of assorted components. All black and all carbon. Sram Red components, 46/33 crankset. WTB expanse 32mm tires. 13l saddle bag, two additional bottle holders behind the saddle, 1l bag above top tube and 2l bag below rear tube. Bag for navigation and electronics mounted to the front of the bar. Includes some 3d printed parts for lights installation and triathlon bar.

Faivre Hervé

Age: 57

Cap number: 305a

Location: La Cluse et Mijoux - France

Bike: Sauvage-La Piste Cadre Titane - Monoplateau - Selle Berthoud

Key items of kit: Moyeu Dynamo Son + IQ-X-Led + Sinewave Revolution Couchage : Matelas + bivy

Cheryl Bard

Age: 55

Cap number: 051

Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania - USA

Bike: I will be riding my 2022 Cannondale Synapse candy red with Shimano 105 GS, 11-34 cassette, HED Belgium G rim with 30mm Pirelli Pzero TLR tubless tires. Invested in a SON Dynamo hub to help light my way. Schmidt Edelux II front light, Magicshine SEEME 200 rear light and maybe another spare.

Key items of kit: Apidura expedition saddle bag, top tube and aero bags and packable musette for food. Wahoo Roam and Komoot for trusty navigation. For some nights sleep in Mount Laurel bivy with Sea to Summit silk liner. Whistle and air horn just in case. Making things fit is an entirely different challenge with a small frame bike.

Shomi Malik

Age: 34

Cap number: 168

Location: Manchester

Bike: Orro Gold with Ultegra di2

Key items of kit: Fulcrum Wind DB 40 wheels with 32mm Vittoria Ride Armor tyres. Pink handlebar tape a nod to Martin and his shop, Never Mind the Bike Shops.

Barry Topham

Age: 49

Cap number: 261

Location: UK

Bike: Sonder Colibri Ti Shimano 105 Di2 Shimano GRX 31/48 11-36 Cassette Specialized Roubaix 32mm Tubeless Redshift Stem Redshift Removeable Aerobars

Key items of kit: Sonder Juice Dynamo Sinewave Beacon 2 Light Son Rear Dynamo Light Tailfin Aeropack Tailfin Top Tube Bag - Flip Alpkit Frame Bag

Sam Doody

Age: 28

Cap number: 28

Location: London

Bike: Fairlight Strael, dynamo wheel up front

Key items of kit: A mix of Restrap, Albion & Tailfin bags. For naps I have a down coat, OMM insulated trousers-turned sleeping bag and a lightweight pad. Two bottles and a 2L bladder stowed nicely in the Albion Cargo vest - to carry more water (and be seen) at night, or throw ice in here during the hot days :)

Adrien Charlot

Age: 30

Cap number: 215

Location: Bordeaux

Bike: Van Rysel RCR Sram Rival AXS

Key items of kit: Sacoche de selle riveside 15L Sacoche de guidon riverside Pneu Vittoria Rubino tubeless 28mm Lumière avant et arrière sur le vélo Elops FL 920 Lumière arrière Lezyne Strip Drive Pro Alert 400+ Rear Lumière frontale avant Go'lum Pion 2
Prolongateur Van Rysel Garmin 530 edge Panneau solaire Forclaz 10W

Simone Riveruzzi

Age: 57

Cap number: 301b

Location: Genoa Italy

Bike: Specialized Roubaix Shimano 105/ultegra 50/34 - 11/34 Wheels dt Swiss

Key items of kit: Apidura-Ortlieb-Zefal Light Edelux Son

Ian Grail

Age: 57

Cap number: 96

Location: Exmouth, UK.

Bike: Ribble cgr

Key items of kit: Comfy saddle, dynamo, bivi, waterproofs and fig rolls.

Tim De Witte

Age: 35

Cap number: 3

Location: Brno, Czech Republic

Bike: Jaegher custom made stainless steel bicycle with a Frankenstein groupset mixing Shimano Ultegra and GRX shifters and derailleurs, a mixed Shimano and SRAM cassette and a Rotor crankset. DT Swiss front wheel with SON dynamo hub.

Key items of kit: Apidura 9l saddle bag, 5.3l frame bag and aerobar pack. I have an emergency sleeping system and all mechanical tools I think I might require. My saddle bag stabilizer doubles as storage for snacks and 0.5l bottles bought in a shop. My nylon crocheted bags allow me to store even more food on the bicycle, easily accessible while riding.

Burak Akin

Age: 39

Cap number: 186

Location: United States

Bike: Lysnkey Helix Titanium frame with HUNT 48LAD wheelset, SRAM GX groupset with AXS shifters, Garbaruk 38T Chainring, Rival powermeter, Zipp Aerobars. Conti GP5000 tubeless 35mm rear 32mm front...

Key items of kit: Tailfin rack and half frame bag, Revelate aerobar bag.Sea to summit SP1 sleeping bag , Magicshine Monteer 12000 headlight, Garmin Edge840 head unit, my average legs and strong brain =)))

Dragomir Titei

Age: 38

Cap number: 249

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Bike: Canyon Endurance CF SL 8

Key items of kit: Using Apidura bags, wearing castelli endurance shorts and jacket, personalized t-shirts; Navigation Garmin Edge 840 Solar; Northwave cycling shoes; Camelback bottles; Decathlon sleeping bag.

Sami Martiskainen

Age: 43

Cap number: 063

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Bike: Pelago Sibbo frame. Ultegra parts spiced with GRX crankset. 35mm tires for those rough Balkan roads.

Key items of kit: Son Dynamo with Edelux light. Mix and match of bags: 7r, Apidura, Restrap & Alpkit. Light sleeping kit: mattress, down jacket, half sleeping bag and high tech space blanket.

Christoph Strasser

Age: 41

Cap number: 001

Location: Graz, Austria

Bike: Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL8

Key items of kit: Apidura Expedition Saddle Pack 9L, Racing Frame Pack 4L, Racing Long Top Tube Bag 2L For me this is really not much, but I always wonder how other riders can even take less... :-) But some of course also take more, so I am a medium packer I would say. Better have a bit too much, than miss something on the way.

Specialized Roubaix SL8 S-Works (because of the comfort and the future shock system) 30mm Turbo Pro Tires, which are on the Roval Terra Wheels actually 32mm in reality. The tires are not the fastest ones, but still fast und very stable. With Aerothan tubes (they are light, very safe, and easier to fix than tubeless systems) Saddle is a very old one from Specialized. 15 years old, a talisman for me and really comfortable. Avatar model from 2009 in 155 width. Shimano Di2 50-34 front and 11-34 rear. Dynamo operated Supernova M99 DyPro light and Radar Rear Light (together with a second backup rear light)

A second cell phone as backup (but therefore only one Garmin) and a self made extra cosy comfort pad on the brake levers to avoid numb fingers.

Laura Tovar

Age: 35

Cap number: 11

Location: Bogota, Colombia

Bike: Scott Addict 2.0 with custom paint by Afropec, I'm using SRAM AXS groupse equipped with a 38-tooth oval chainring and a 10-52 cassette. Zipp 303 wheelset with pirelli cinturato 700x32 tyres.

Key items of kit: I'm using a mix of Apidura and Ortlieb bags, along with two sets of lights. I'm taking a bivy bag and a thermal blanket as an emergency measure, as I plan to sleep in hotels every night. My lucky charm is my bicycle, which is painted by a Colombian artist and glows in the dark.

Jan Brunner

Age: 27

Cap number: 254

Location: Mannheim, Germany

Bike: veloheld.iconX

• Shimano GRX 600 2x11
• Pirelli P ZERO Race 32 mm Tubeless
• SON 28 Dynamo Hub
• SON Edellux II Front Light
• CINQ Plug6 Chargecontroller

Key items of kit: - Ortlieb Framebag

• Ortlieb Seatpost Bag

• Platzangst Toptube Bag

• Cyclite Aerobar Bag

• Cyclite Food Pouch

• Cumulus Lite 200 Sleeping Bag

• Emergency Bivy

• Steripen UltraLight UV Water Purifier

• Wahoo Element Bolt V2 and V1 as a backup

• Sun Protection Sleeves

Kees van Dijk

Age: 63

Cap number: 102

Location: Oudewater, The Netherlands

Bike: Cube. I will use 34'' in the rear, in order to be able to drive as light as possible in the mountains when needed. Tires: Schwalbe G-one allround 40mm.

Key items of kit: Love my Tailfin rearbag. Frontbag from Cyclite and middlebag from Ortlieb. I will not carry a tent; I will sleep in hotel etc. (I need a proper bed :-)).

Danny Green

Age: 44

Cap number: 70

Bike: Canyon Endurace

Key items of kit: Dura Ace 12 Speed Groupset HUNT 54mm wheelset Continental GP5000 AS TR 32mm Profile design Aero bars Apidura bags (7L, 2.4L, 2L) + Musette Goretex jacket Insulated gilet Arm/leg warmers/buff/warm gloves Spare bibs/socks Hygiene kit Med kit Spare/repairs kit Emergency bivvy 10000mAh battery pack/charger + cables Loads of lights/reflectors/bells & whistles

Staffan Öberg

Age: 54

Cap number: 300 B

Location: Stockholm

Bike: Trek AL4, Shimano Tiagra and Prime carbon wheels with Continental 5000 AS 35 mm tires. 7 bottle cage holders.

Key items of kit: Front bag from Lidl, rear bag Red Cycling Products, Zefal top tube bag and frame bag from Topeak. Magicshine front light and Bontrager Flare RT back. Tent MSR Hubba hubba, down sleeping bag and exped matress. Lots of spares and some tools. Lucky item is First Aid Kit
Total weight: 21 kg

Annelies van der Zwart

Age: 47

Cap number: 311a

Location: Eindhoven - The Netherlands

Bike: I will be riding TCRNo10 as a pair on my Trek Domane aka Miss Marble. She is equipped with SRAM Red etap 2x12 with 46/33 SRAM Red AXS front gear and 10/36 Force casette. The front wheel is DT Swiss with SON dynamo hub. An Igaro D2 converter sits in a custom 3d printed housing (thank you dad). The rear wheel is a Bontrager PRO 3V and both wheels are equipped with Continental Grand prix 5000 all season 35 mm tubeless tires. For the TCR she also has Zipp Vuka Clip aerobars.

Key items of kit: My bags are a mix of brands. The saddle bag is a Pro Discover fitted in between a M-Wave Ada S III stabiliser with two bottle cages. Frame bag is AGU (rain and warm cyclinggear); toptube from Ortlieb (powerbank and cables); two foodpuches from Riverside (Decathlon). The front bag is fabricated from a Riverside frame bag (food, small lock and reflective gear) and Osprey 3l waterproof bag containing an bivy setup with Thermarest Neoair uberlight matress and Sea to Summit Women's Flame Fm0 sleeping bag and emergency bivy bag.

Christian Trenkle

Age: 55

Cap number: 91

Location: Frankfurt and Gutach (near Freiburg), Germany

Bike: OPEN MIN.D. with Force eTap AXS Wide (2 by) Wheel: Beast RX40 Handlebar: Beast Ultrabar Pro Missile Aerobar Extensions

Key items of kit: Tailfin: Aero Pack, Top tube bag and 1,7l downtube pack, gramm: Framebag and food pouches Water bottles: Keego (Fidlock and Tune Linksträger bottle cage) Lights (front): SL AF and SL mono Lights (back): Lupine Rotlicht and moon Alcor

Dennis Hubert

Age: 26

Cap number: 236

Location: Amsterdam

Bike: BeOne Pearl Comp T700 series

Key items of kit: Kitted with aerobars, a saddle bag, a handlebar bag and a snackpack. Planning to alternate sleeping in hotels and bivvying in my 15 euro Decathlon hammock.

Ulrich Strauch

Age: 45

Cap number: 298b

Location: Berlin, Germany

Bike: Gravelbike VSF Manufaktur GX700

Key items of kit: - Ortlieb Bags

• SRAM Apex
• handlebar: Profile Design
• Tires: Schwalbe G-One Overland
• Saddle: Specialized

Samuel Weidtmann

Age: 29

Cap number: 226

Location: Bern, Switzerland

Bike: Genesis Volare 853 (2019) Dt-Swiss wheels Shutter precision dynamo hub Supernova E3 lights Deda finishing kit

Key items of kit: Saddlebag: Vaude Framenag: Apidura Toptubebag: cyclite Handlebarbag: modified Hipbag

Anthony White

Age: 56

Cap number: 198

Location: South west France

Bike: Fairlight Strael bike, Reynolds 853 Steel frame, Hunt wheels, Shimano Ultegra group set

Key items of kit: Son Dynamo powering lights and USB for Wahoo, phone and rechargeable lights. Ortlieb waterproof bags

Louis Nootenboom

Age: 62

Cap number: 251

Location: The Netherlands

Bike: J. Guillem Atalya Titanium

Key items of kit: Shimano Ultegra Di2, Shimano GRX, Adipura, Tailfin.

Frédéric De pizzol

Age: 53

Cap number: 101

Location: Miramont de Guyenne (France)

Bike: Specialized Aethos Transmission SRAM force Selle Infinity Roue DT SWISS GRC 1400

Key items of kit: Je pars avec roue Dynamo son deluxe Lampe sinewave 3 sacoche et sac de couchage sous les prolongateurs Je prévois pas mal de bivouac !!

Markus Büker

Age: 55

Cap number: 141

Location: Aurich, Germany

Bike: Legend ELT Gravel

Key items of kit: Most bags from Cyclite, except for rear bag (Ortlieb), combination of Rotor and SRAM, I hope the 36 teeth in the back and the 34 teeth in front will suffice to get me up the hills and mountains. Continental Grand Prix Urban 35 mm as back tyre, Continental Grand Prix all season TR 32 mm as front tyre. Dynamo hub for front and back light. Sleeping mat from sea to summit, ultralight bivy A90 from Borah gear plus very light sleeping bag (forgot the brand) make up the sleeping room. Small mirror at the end of the handlebar should make for less surprises from behind.

Dulce Pedroso

Cap number: 296A

Location: Bristol, UK

Bike: Custom steel frame in matcha green and frozen raspberry pink built by telbert.com. The seat tube, down tube, and top tube, as well as the seat and chain stays, are from Columbus. The head tube, bottom bracket, and dropouts are all sourced from Bear Frame Supplies. It has a SRAM Rival AXS 12-speed drivetrain, with 43/30 chainrings and a 10-36 cassette. The cockpit features a Chris King headset, a Zipp Service Course stem, and Deda Zero2 handlebars with a Profile Design aerobar setup. My pedal choice is LOOK X-Track Race Carbon. Rolling on Hunt 4 Season Super Dura Disc wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Pro One 32mm tubeless tyres, it will be as sexy on gravel as it is on the road.

Key items of kit: Tailfin bags including an AeroPack seat pack with carbon mounts to prevent it from swinging side to side, which is arguably more annoying for the person riding behind – in my case purely hypothetical. Best of all, it’s top-loading, so I can reach what I need without emptying my electronics, luxury items and emotional baggage on the side of the road.

Kristian Buljan

Age: 43

Cap number: 195

Location: Frankfurt

Bike:OPEN WI.DE. X ENVE LIMITED EDITION: Groupset: 1x11, Dual Control Shifter ST-RX812, Shimano GRX RX812 Derailleur with Gabaruk cage, Rotor chainring 46z, Garbaruk Cassette 10-50z. Selfmade Wheels: Rim: DUKE RIM WRC 27 SLR2, Spokes: DT Aerolite, Rear Hub: DT Swiss EXP 240, Front Hub: SON 28, Wheels are balanced!

Key items of kit: Bags: 1,6L Snack Stack Stem Feed Bag (Skingrowback) Nutrition (140g), 3L V-Mount Downtube Pack (277g), 4,5L Frameback (350g), 1,5L Flip Top Tube Bag (199g), 0,8L Top Tube Bag - Zip (150g), Sea to Summit (22L Tagesrucksack) (110g).

Electric: Smartphone, Kopfhörer, Garmin Edge 1040, Lupine Akku (2x 25Wh), Frontleuchte (Lupine AF) & Fernbedienung, Helmleuchte (Lupine Blika) & Fernbedienung, Lupine Verlängerungskabel Helmmontage, Lezyne mini drive 400XL (64g), Lupine Rotlicht Rücklicht, Ersatzrücklicht, Zwei USB Kabel, C-Stecker und mini USB, iPhone Kabel, Adapter für Lupine Akku (In & Out), Nabendynamo SON 28, Appcon 3000, 6V Netzteil.

Ersatzteile & Wartung: Kettenwachs, Tubeless Milch, Flicken (Patch) & Reifenkleber, Tubeless Reparatur Set, Ersatzschlauch, Ersatzreifen, Ventilschlüssel, Ersatzventile 2x, Ventiladapter Auto, Ersatzkettenglieder & Kettenschloss & Kettenniet, Kettenhalter, Ketten Nieter, Inbus, Torx Ratsche, Schraubendreher Bit, etc., Reifenheber, Schaltauge, Ersatz Bremsbacke & Schraube, Kabelbinder, Klebeband, Luftpumpe (mechanisch), CO2 Gaskartusche & Aufsatz, Kettenblatt 40er für Alpenüberquerung, Kettenblattschrauben, Inbus Pedale, Inbus Tretkurbel, Verlängerung, Klemmzange, Schere, Boah seil, Schaltwerksröllchen Klein / Groß, Schraube für Schaltwerksröllchen, Ersatz Knopfzellen CR2032.

Safety: Zahlenschloss mit Stahlseil, Warnweste.

Sleep System: Cumulus Lite Line 200 (495g), Cumulus Liner GL Wide (71g), Sea to summit Ultralite Air Isomatte (345g), Sea to summit Aeros Ultralight Reisekissen (60g), Sea to summit Nano Insekten-Kopfnetz (11g), Sea to Summit Mosquito Net Single Standard - Moskito-Netz (240g).

Clothes: Survival Poncho, Rettungsdecke, Bib short, Base layer, Kurzes Radtrikot, Socken, SPD SL Lake Schuhe, SPD SL Schutzkappen, Regenjacke, Regenhaube Beine, Schuhe, Windstopper Jacke, Windstopper Weste, Handschuhe, Beinlinge, Armlinge.

Documents: Auslandskrankenschein, Personalausweis, Krankassen Karte, EC / VISA Karte, Reiseunterlagen.

Care products: Ohrstöpsel, Zinkcreme, Sonnenschutz Creme, Shampoo, Gesäßcreme Penaten, Zahnbürste/Zahnpasta, Zahnseide & Interdentalbürsten, Feuchttücher, Insektenspray, Insektenstichheiler, Mikrofasertuch 3x, Einweghandschuhe, Gefrierbeutel.

Christoph Schade

Age: 36

Cap number: 203

Location: Jena (Thuringia)

Bike: Carbonda CFR696 (RH:56). SRAM Rival AXS, Zipp303s with Specialized Pathfinder Pro tubeless, Zipp Aerobars.

Key items of kit: Framebags a mix of podsocs, Platzangst and lifeisaride, „assrocket“ comes with a stabilizer (2 extra bottles).

Oliver Glen

Age: 20

Cap number: 125

Location: Durham, UK

Bike: Fairlight Secan 2.5

Key items of kit: A mix of Apidura, Tailfin and Restrap bags. I’ve got a full sleep system which includes a bivy, sleeping mat and sleeping bag. I’m not using a dynamo so instead I’m bringing a fast charger and power bank to hopefully keep my devices powered. My luxury item is a pair of lightweight running shorts since I don’t fancy wearing cycling shorts for a couple weeks straight.

Daniel Gottschalk

Age: 32

Cap number: 142

Location: Erfurt

Bike: Van Rysel EDR 920 CF, Shimano Ultegra 11 Speed mechanical 50/34-11/32, and Hunt Aerodynamicist 54.

Key items of kit: Guardian Angel, Cyclite bag kit, Lupine SLAX front light, Lezyne Strip Drive 400 rear light. Sleeping bag, mattress, pillow.

Bernhard Kämmerer

Age: 42

Cap number: 207

Location: Munich, Germany

Bike: Stevens Xenith 2024

Key items of kit: Apidura bags, Sea to Summit sleeping bag, Sea to Summit mattress, 2nd kit, Wind vest, Rain jacket and Down Jacket.

New for this year: Shifters for my Aero bars

Christoph Schade

Age: 36

Cap number: 203

Location: Jena (Thuringia)

Bike: Carbonda CFR696 with SRAM Rival AXS and Zipp Aerobars.

Key items of kit: Mix‘n Bags from Podsocs, Lifeisaride, Platzangst.

Hugo Pottier

Age: 27

Cap number: 275

Location: Lausanne

Bike: S-Works Roubaix SL8 with Shimano Dura Ace 12s 50/34 x 11-34t. CYP wheels with dynamo hub. René Herse Orondo grande 31mm tyres and Infinity saddle to save my ass.

Key items of kit: Ortlieb seatpack 16.5L & Restrap race 2L & Restrap 2.5L, Garmin 1050 solar, Garmin RC rally 200 pedals for understand when I'm burning. Sinewave Beacon 2 front Light & supernova taillight with extra Lezyne. PEdALED & Specialized clothings & I have a Salomon camelbag (1.5L) on me with 2 bottles on the bike & 1 toolbox.

Philip Tellen

Age: 39

Cap number: 286

Location: Hannover, Germany

Bike: Canyon Inflite AL 2016, Shimano Ultegra 11 speed, GRX crankset 40/30, GRX cassette 11/40, GRX rear derailleur with XT cage for more capacity. Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS 35mm, Shutter Precision dynamo hub, Supernova M99 DY pro light, and 6 bottle cages.

Key items of kit: Self built carbon fibre armrests for aerobars, self built carbon fibre storage box for rear carrier and a self built carbon fibre adapter to mount bottle cages to the rear carrier. Forumslader charger for dynamo hub, Cyclite aero bar bag, 2 food pouches and 3d-printed Garmin mount.

Adam Wolley

Age: 36

Cap number: 110

Location: UK

Bike: TERRA FIRMA 3D, Parcours Ronde Carbon rims on Chris King Hubs, Shimano Ultegra Di2 12spd Disc. ENVE Stem & Seatpost. Zipp Aero Bars and Continental GP5000 35mm ASTR Tyres.

Key items of kit: Tailfin AeroPack and 5.3L Frame Bag.

Sean Kevin Feddersen

Age: 32

Cap number: 032

Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Bike: Triban RC520 Disc, Shimano 105 R7000, SON 28, TRP HY-RD, Mavic Open Pro UST, DT Swiss 350 Classic, WTB. Exposure TCS Tubeless 700C x 36m.

Key items of kit: Riverside, BTWIN and "Pro Cycle". Evadict backpack 15L.