Absolutely fab @ed_m . I applied to do this also but didn’t get a place, I think it’s a pretty stacked field.
Anyhow best of luck and for sure I’ll be hovering up all the content and following your progress.
Ah interesting… the organisers are a bit mysterious and the entry process/criteria a bit opaque.
I also entered in 2020 and didn’t get a slot so layed it on a bit thick this year
Took my new bike back for a service (that was the overnight ride/bivvy to manchester) the other weekend… poor thing had covered about 2000miles in the couple of months since i got it !
Bike panniers are a bit old school now, saddle bags have come a long way and are faster (aero). Bikes handle better with more front loading too.
Panniers offer a fixed space which your likely to fill, better to go light as possible, bags will collapse to what your taking.
Yeah back in the day it would have just been “touring”… the luggage thing is just a trend which may or may not be better at the end of the day.
You can already get the minimalist tailfin rack for extra luggage, more stable than a massive seat pack… and oh you can now get extra cages to go on the side supports… almost like panniers…
Water is in the bottles… ~900m + ~600ml , I have a soft flask or two can go in the back pocket for extra on long stages… or a musette for regular bottles… also carrying purification tablets if needed.
Amost all tools are in the bag strapped under the downtube, thats a change from usually having a tool bottle rattling in a cage down there !
Handling is surprisingly good with majority on the front, can happily ride no handed. None of those bags are especially heavy on their own.
