{"id":547,"date":"2021-06-30T18:09:38","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T18:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/?p=547"},"modified":"2021-06-30T18:15:28","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T18:15:28","slug":"xwa-ways-and-means-weighted-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/?p=547","title":{"rendered":"XWA Ways and Means \u2013 Weighted Decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following is a listing of what I brought, what I wish I\u2019d brought and what I left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What I Brought<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clothing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>*Bibs \u2013 two pair, wore one for Days 1 and 2, wore second for Day 3, both for Days 4-7<\/li><li>Jersey \u2013 food storage<\/li><li>Sleeveless baselayer \u2013 has cargo pockets if needed<\/li><li>Wool socks \u2013 two pairs<\/li><li>*Wool short-sleeve shirt \u2013 only wore for sleeping<\/li><li>Wool long-sleeve shirt<\/li><li>*Lightweight swim trunks &#8211; for sleeping<\/li><li>Cycling cap<\/li><li>Wool Hat<\/li><li>Sunglasses<\/li><li>*Insulated jacket<\/li><li>*Rain Jacket<\/li><li>*Knee warmers<\/li><li>Wool hat<\/li><li>Quoc Pham gravel shoes<\/li><li>Specialized fingerless mountain bike gloves<\/li><li>Katadyn BeFree 0.6L collapsible water bottle\/filter <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sleep System<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Bivy bag \u2013 28-year old Outdoor Research model<\/li><li>*REI Magma 15 degree sleeping bag<\/li><li>*Thermarest NeoAir UberLite sleeping pad size small<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Safety\/Tracking\/Misc<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Garmin 530 bike computer<\/li><li>Garmin InReach<\/li><li>Powerbank<\/li><li>USB cords \u2013 2<\/li><li>Smartphone<\/li><li>Smartphone cord<\/li><li>Toothbrush\/toothpaste<\/li><li>5\u2019 of cord<\/li><li>Small carabiner<\/li><li>Leatherman tool<\/li><li>Athletic tape<\/li><li>Gauze pads \u2013 3<\/li><li>Sunscreen<\/li><li>Chamois cream<\/li><li>Wet wipes<\/li><li>Toilet paper<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cargo Bags<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>*<a>Sea-to-Summit 20L lightweight dry bag \u2013 mounted to handlebars via Voile straps<\/a><\/li><li>*Revelate Terrapin 8L Seat bag<\/li><li>Revelate Mag Tank top tube bag<\/li><li>Repair Kit<\/li><li>Silca Tattico Mini Pump<\/li><li>Fix-It Sticks<\/li><li>Tire lever<\/li><li>Inner tube<\/li><li>Stans Darts \u2013 for small holes<\/li><li>Lezyne Tubeless Patch Kit \u2013 For larger holes<\/li><li>Spare rear derailleur hanger<\/li><li>FiberFix Spoke repair kit<\/li><li>Tire boot \u2013 made from old tire<\/li><li>Assorted zip ties<\/li><li>Park Tools inner tube patches<\/li><li>Chain lube \u2013 small bottle of Boeshield<\/li><li>Latex sealant \u2013 small bottle<\/li><li>6mm allen key \u2013 for front wheel removal<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What I Wish I\u2019d Brought<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>*Evening glasses<\/li><li>*Sunscreen for lips<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What I Left Behind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Stove<\/li><li>Pot<\/li><li>Fuel<\/li><li>*Leg Warmers\/Pants\/Tights<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additional discussion on * items<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I brought a pair of Rapha Cargo Bibs and a pair of Voler Black Label bibs.&nbsp; I was happy with both choices, though I missed the cargo pockets on the one day that I wore only the Voler bibs.&nbsp; Like many riders I thought cargo pockets on bike shorts to be a stupid idea until I tried a pair.&nbsp; Now I\u2019m a convert.&nbsp; From day 4 onward I wore both pairs of shorts \u2013 one over the other.&nbsp; This was a butt-saver.&nbsp; My limiter on the XWA (i.e. how far could I ride in one push) was my rear end.&nbsp; I had no issues with any kind of open wound (saddle sore), instead the issue was bruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wool short-sleeved shirt probably could have been left behind as I only wore it for sleeping. &nbsp;On the other hand, it was nice to change into something clean at the end of the day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I would wager that many bikepackers might dismiss the need for some clean, dry loose-fitting shorts for the end of the day and for sleeping.&nbsp; I think a pair of running shorts would be perfect here, but since I\u2019ve given up running, I had nothing in the closet.&nbsp; The closest item I had on hand was a pair of swim trunks that my wife and kids have deemed to short for descent company.&nbsp; If you sleep in your chamois you are begging trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_23211-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-522\" width=\"443\" height=\"590\" srcset=\"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_23211-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_23211-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_23211-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_23211-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_23211-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 443px) 100vw, 443px\" \/><figcaption>Getting out of the chamois wasn&#8217;t fashionable but it was necessary<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One luxury item that I packed was a Rapha Brevet insulated Jacket.&nbsp; Sorry to sound like a Rapha fanboy here but this is simply the best insulated cycling jacket I know of.&nbsp; The problem with most insulted jackets is that they are too hot to ride in (basically an end of the day item).&nbsp; Not so with the Brevet Jacket.&nbsp; This item is perfect for long descents and for when the sun goes behind the horizon.&nbsp; The 2021 XWA began on May 23<sup>rd<\/sup>, and I would say that I was cool to chilled most of the time \u2013 especially on the Olympic Peninsula.&nbsp; I say that this was a luxury item because if push came to shove I could have left it at home and instead layered my baselayer, jersey, wool long-sleeve and rain jacket.&nbsp; The Brevet Jacket, however, eliminated a bunch of layering and allowed me to quickly pull on a layer when the temperature chilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I prefer to be warm.&nbsp; For shorter training rides going a bit cold can be a good way to keep the pace high, but those rides are relatively short and there is a warm shower waiting at the end.&nbsp; When it comes to long days and sleeping outdoors being cold saps energy and motivation.&nbsp; For this reason, I brought along a killer rain jacket in the Rapha Explore GoreTex Hooded Pullover.&nbsp; This is an anorak style jacket with a hood that fits over a helmet.&nbsp; We did have some good rain on the XWA and I found wearing this jacket over a short-sleeve jersey to be an effective way to keep the rain out while keeping the sweat to a minimum.&nbsp; On the cold morning outside of Warden I layered the Explore Jacket over the Brevet Jacket and was warm and happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_22941-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-551\" width=\"462\" height=\"616\" srcset=\"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_22941-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_22941-1-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_22941-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_22941-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_22941-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 462px) 100vw, 462px\" \/><figcaption>Cold morning outside of Warden<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During my high-altitude mountaineering days I always packed the warmest sleeping bag on the market (Feathered Friends minus 30).&nbsp; No matter how cold I was during the day I knew that I was going to sleep warm.&nbsp; For this reason, I splurged and bought the REI 800 fill power Magma 15 degree sleeping bag specifically for the XWA.&nbsp; I\u2019m glad that I didn\u2019t go with my original plan of bringing a 40 degree bag.&nbsp; Like the old saying goes \u2013 a man\u2019s got to know his limitations \u2013 I\u2019m not willing to lay on the ground shivering night after night.&nbsp; For me, the added weight of a warm sleeping system pays off in the ability to ride steady day after day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Thermarest NeoAir UberLite was my secret weapon.&nbsp; I bought the size small \u2013 three quarters body length \u2013 and it packed into size of a small RedBull can.&nbsp; This ultra-small pad allowed me to eliminate any sort of frame bag.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I fit all of my gear into a Sea-to-Summit 20L lightweight dry bag and a Revelate Terrapin 8L Seat bag.&nbsp; The dry bag was mounted to my aero bars via Voile straps looped through two D-rings which were custom made by my son on his 3D printer.&nbsp; The 8L seat bag is on the small side, but having limited space keeps the gear to a minimum.&nbsp; The dry bag contained my sleeping system \u2013 I closed it in the morning and opened it at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_2232-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-549\" width=\"538\" height=\"717\" srcset=\"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_2232-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_2232-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_2232-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_2232-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_2232-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><figcaption>Aero bar mounting system<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the sun went down the small bugs came out and I really struggled with bug eyes, or is it eye bugs.&nbsp; I should have either packed a second pair of glasses or bought a pair with photochromatic lenses.&nbsp; I think that the later is the better choice as glasses are bulky and difficult to pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I stopped at a grocery store to buy some lip sunscreen but in my rush I bought some sort of pseudo sunscreen lipstick.&nbsp; The stuff was super greasy, and I ended up not using it as often as I should have.&nbsp; The result was a painful two weeks of blistered lips.&nbsp; When you\u2019re out there all day you have to protect your lips, nose and ears (especially the sensitive skin behind the ears).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I elected to bring no full leg coverings, instead opting for knee warmers.&nbsp; My knees are getting a bit old and keeping them warm and happy is a necessity.&nbsp; I\u2019m happy with this decision and any leg warmers or pants would have gone unused.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The following is a listing of what I brought, what I wish I\u2019d brought and what I left behind. What I Brought Clothing *Bibs \u2013 two pair, wore one for Days 1 and 2, wore second for Day 3, both for Days 4-7 Jersey \u2013 food storage Sleeveless baselayer \u2013 has cargo pockets if needed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":555,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gravel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=547"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":556,"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547\/revisions\/556"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/adventurescript.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}