Rat Race Kit List 2008

Kit List

MEAN STREETS MANDATORY INDIVIDUAL KIT:

• RUNNING SHOES¹ (Road running shoes are best for comfort. The Inov 8 F-Lite 301PK is the only dedicated urban adventure racing shoe so worth a look)
• HYDRATION SYSTEM⁴ (You don't need much so something small like Inov-8 Race Pro 4)
  
• WATCH
• WHISTLE

  

• PEN
• HEADTORCH
• FOOD (MINIMUM OF TWO ENERGY BARS OR EQUIVALENT (Clif Bars)
  
• RACE VEST AND NUMBER (supplied) SHOWING AT ALL TIMES
• MOBILE PHONE

ADVENTURE CLASS MANDATORY INDIVIDUAL KIT:

• RUNNING SHOES¹ (Have to be light for carrying all day and comfy on and off road - Inov 8 F-Lite 301PK)
• MOUNTAIN BIKE² (We recommend a hardtail with semi-slick tyres)
  
• BIKE HELMET (Any but multisport helmets like the Kong Scarab count as climbing helmet too)
  
• BIKE BELL (The stranger the better)
  
• CLIMBING HARNESS³ (Can be hired in advance) (Cilao OZ 22 Race)
  
• CLIMBING HELMET³ (Can be hired in advance) (Kong Scarab)
  
• HYDRATION SYSTEM⁴ (Inov 8 Race Pro 18 with Horizontal Bladder)
  
• WATCH
• WHISTLE (Integrated into all Inov 8 rucksacks)
• COMPASS
• PEN (Waterproof or a biro are best for writing on maps. Highlighters are good for marking the route on.)
  
• HEADTORCH (Black Diamond Ion, Petzl e+Lite, Petzl Tikka XP)
  
• A MINIMUM OF 2 FOOD-ENERGY BARS (Clif Bars )
  
• RAT RACE VEST & NUMBER (supplied)

RECOMMENDED INDIVIDUAL KIT FOR BOTH CLASSES:

• Waterproof jacket (Got to be light and pack small - Inov 8 Mistlite shell)
• Shorts/leggings (iRule Adventure Racing Shorts - Ninjas or Traverse for boys, Rants for girls. Special padding for comfort on the bike and no chafing when running)
  
• Long sleeved wicking base layers (Boys - howies NBL Light Long Sleeve , Girls - howies NBL Light Long Sleeve )
• Hat/cap/race buff
• Technical fabric, comfy socks (Can't get better than Smartwool Adrenalin Light Minis)
  
• A small rucksack (Inov 8 Race Pro 18)
• Bike Gloves (Our favourites are Endura Full Monty which are great for abseilling and kayaking too)

Notes about individual kit

1. Remember, when choosing appropriate running shoes, there'll be a lot of hard-street running and you also want good grip for the hills and parks
2. Mountain bikes don't have to be flash. It's reliability that counts. Also think about having bike-gloves, SPD-shoes and bike water bottle
3. Apart from climbing harness and helmet, NO OTHER climbing gear is required. We will provide all other relevant climbing safety equipment.
4. For "hydration systems" we mean and strongly recommend "bladders" that can be carried in a rucksack so that water can be accessed without stopping from a tube-and-mouthpiece while you race. At least make sure you have a water bottle and keep drinking from it!
5. Buoyancy aids and paddles will be provided by Detail Events. You do not need to provide your own. For kayaking, helmets are mandatory, but bike-helmets or adventure-race-helmets can be used. Kayaks will be also be provided.
6. There are multi-discipline adventure race helmets on the market that combine bike/kayak/climbing helmets. The Salewa Helium helmet is the most popular but is not now available in the UK. Also rated are the Kong Scarab (more ventilation) and Edelrid Shield (cheapest). Please check with the race organizers if you have any doubt whether yours complies with the H&S regulations.

MANDATORY TEAM KIT (FOR ADVENTURE CLASS)

• MOBILE PHONE & WATERPROOF PROTECTION FOR THIS
• ONE OR MORE BIKE LOCKS SUFFICIENT TO LOCK TOGETHER YOUR THREE BIKES AT TRANSITION
• SURVIVAL BAG or blanket
• FIRST AID KIT - MUST CONTAIN: (Recommend Ortieb Waterproof First Aid Kit)
  • wound dressings (one large)
  • triangular bandage
  • roller bandage
  • painkillers (e.g. paracetamol)
  • anti-inflammatory (e.g. ibuprofen)

NB Make sure that you have a fully sealable waterproof bag to carry your team's mobile phones/s. You never know when you're going to get wet!

Published: Monday 19 November, 2007