London Edinburgh London 2025

[ianrauk]

I don't doubt that there's a very good reason or else they wouldn't have gone to all the trouble of power bank hire. Is it safety? (Non PAT tested devices?) Unfairness/ conflict? (Many participants, few sockets?)

All of the above.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

got 2 very powerful (27000) powerbanks that I will be using. I've also hired one of the L-E-L Powerbanks as back up. It's such a great idea from the team. Between them all they should see me through the ride with phone, lights and gps. I will also be running 2 Hope Vision 1 lights which take AA batteries. So will be taking spares.

Given the lights you are running use AA, I am wondering why so much powerbank? The only thing that would need recharging that much is a smartphone and only if you are on it all the time. A GPS needs for the event will be covered by 10,000mAh, less if you turn off your GPS for longer stops.

 

[ianrauk]

Given the lights you are running use AA, I am wondering why so much powerbank? The only thing that would need recharging that much is a smartphone and only if you are on it all the time. A GPS needs for the event will be covered by 10,000mAh, less if you turn off your GPS for longer stops.

Dunno to be honest. Just being cautious or overthinking. May in that case take just the one and use the L-E-L one as back up.
My GPS is a Edge Explore which does have brilliant battery life.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Dunno to be honest. Just being cautious or overthinking. May in that case take just the one and use the L-E-L one as back up.
My GPS is a Edge Explore which does have brilliant battery life.

Last year I took a 20,000mAh powerbank for WAWA which is 2,100km and that covered me for entire trip, including phone. About 20% left at end.

In the podcast Danial says you can pick up the rented powerbank and swap as often as you want. Likely it’d serve all your needs. Maybe just have your own powerbank in 5,000 to 10,000 range for if issues swapping renting one.

 

[yello]

Being able to rent a powerbank is such a sensible thing to offer - win/win. Chapeau Danial (and team) for coming up with that one.

 

[ianrauk]

Last year I took a 20,000mAh powerbank for WAWA which is 2,100km and that covered me for entire trip, including phone. About 20% left at end.

In the podcast Danial says you can pick up the rented powerbank and swap as often as you want. Likely it’d serve all your needs. Maybe just have your own powerbank in 5,000 to 10,000 range for if issues swapping renting one.

Yep, in that case, I'll just take the one 20,000 I have (its pretty small size for its power output) and the hired one for back up. Will also need power to charge my rear light.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Will also need power to charge my rear light.

Get a rear one with two AAAs and that’ll last all the hours of darkness you could ride.

 

[ianrauk]

Get a rear one with two AAAs and that’ll last all the hours of darkness you could ride.

That is a consideration as I do have one I could use.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

That is a consideration as I do have one I could use.

It does astound me to how we‘ve gone from what was essentially a simple challenge of riding your bike London to Edinburgh and back within the time limit, via a series of designated controls… To a major challenge of keeping a heap load of stuff charged, and needing more than you can comfortably carry on the bike.

 

[yello]

That is a consideration as I do have one I could use.

Might be worth carrying a spare, or indeed using more than one light. Loosing your rear light (for whatever reason) could scupper your ride, or make you reliant on someone bailing you out. I'd guess I had 3 rear lights but I don't now remember.

Once on an audax here in France, one of my rear lights bounced off. I stopped, turned and watched as a car approached... and drove over my light. It was almost commical. Almost. It was a new light so I couldn't quite see the funny side.

 

[yello]

It does astound me to how we‘ve gone from what was essentially a simple challenge of riding your bike London to Edinburgh and back within the time limit, via a series of designated controls… To a major challenge of keeping a heap load of stuff charged, and needing more than you can comfortably carry on the bike.

I blame all that 'must have' technology.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Powerbanks
The ones for rent (and exchange at a control as often as you like/need) are 5000mAh.
They have integrated leads as well.

 

[ianrauk]

Might be worth carrying a spare, or indeed using more than one light. Loosing your rear light (for whatever reason) could scupper your ride, or make you reliant on someone bailing you out. I'd guess I had 3 rear lights but I don't now remember.

Once on an audax here in France, one of my rear lights bounced off. I stopped, turned and watched as a car approached... and drove over my light. It was almost commical. Almost. It was a new light so I couldn't quite see the funny side.

Already thought of that. Will take battery and USB light. It's what I do on long night rides and Audax.

 

[ianrauk]

It does astound me to how we‘ve gone from what was essentially a simple challenge of riding your bike London to Edinburgh and back within the time limit, via a series of designated controls… To a major challenge of keeping a heap load of stuff charged, and needing more than you can comfortably carry on the bike.

I certainly won't be taking more then I can comfortably carry or if needed. I'm a lightweight bike rider when it comes to Audax.

 

[robjh]

I've got 2 very powerful (27000) powerbanks that I will be using. I've also hired one of the L-E-L Powerbanks as back up. It's such a great idea from the team. Between them all they should see me through the ride with phone, lights and gps. I will also be running 2 Hope Vision 1 lights which take AA batteries. So will be taking spares.

I was looking for some powerful battery (ie not rechargeable) front lights, as they would be useful not just here but on multi-day camping trips. Those Hope Vision ones look good but wow, I've just seen the price.

Anyone know of decent battery front lights that cost a bit less?