Words and photos by Ambassador Tim Wiggins.

It wasn’t until I was lost for strength, in a strange hotel on the most remote west coast of Ireland; having just ridden 214 kilometres through the worst storm I could imagine (fourteen hours of a Force 9 headwind!), that I finally found the strength to admit defeat. I sat on the bed with a JetBoil full of pasta — too tired and late for the restaurant, and looked at options to re-route myself away from the Wild Atlantic Way — this time, it was just a bit too wild. The helplessness of being devoid of strength or a desire to continue was overruled by a passion to keep bike riding. I re-routed. I found sunshine, beautiful mountains, ice-cream, tailwinds, and burritos… great things come to those that want to find it.

To read about Tim’s adventure in its entirety, please check out Life in the Saddle.


Tim’s complete kit consisted of:
Luggage and Camp Kit
Rhinowalk Waterproof Panniers
Rhinowalk Waterproof Frame Bag
Rhinowalk Waterproof Saddlebag
Nordisk Telemark 2 ULW Lightweight Tent
Rab Mythic 400 Down Sleeping Bag
Vaude Sleeping Pad
Vaude Thermal Seat Cushion
Rab Oblique Lightweight Casual Shorts
Rab Proton Superlight Down Jacket
GripGrab Merino Tee
Microfibre Towel
Flipflops
OverBoard Waterproof Bags (reviewed here)
JetBoil MiniMo Cooking System

Riding Kit
Sportful Super Giara Bib Shorts
Sportful Fiandre Light Bib Shorts
GripGrab Ultralight Climber’s Jersey
GripGrab 3-Season Base Layer
GripGrab Ultralight Mesh Base Layer
Sportful Stelvio Waterproof Jacket
Sportful Fiandre Light Wind Jacket
GripGrab AquaRepel Arm Warmers
GripGrab AquaRepel Leg Warmers
GripGrab RaceAqua X Overshoes
GripGrab Merino Lightweight SL Socks x 2
GripGrab Solara Cycling Gloves
GripGrab CloudBurst Waterproof Gloves
GripGrab Cycling Cap
GripGrab HeadGlove
Smith Optics Overtake Helmet
Scicon AeroTech Sunglasses
Giro Code TechLace MTB Shoes (with SoleStar Insoles)
Black Mamba Latex Gloves (added waterproofing)

Wash Kit
Sportique Chamois Cream
Baby Wipes
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Suncream
Mosquito Repellent
Soap Bar
Razor

Electronics and First Aid
Thule Atmos X4 Phone Case
Goal Zero Venture30 PowerBank
Petzl Headtorch
Altuvita Cycling Phone Wallet
LifeSystems Micro First Aid Kit
Wahoo ELEMNT Bike Computer [reviewed here]
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT Bike Computer [reviewed here]
Exposure Lights Six Pack Front Light (doubles as a power bank)
NiteRider 850 Micro Front Light
Exposure Lights Blaze Rear Light
NiteRider Sentinel 250 Rear Light
Charging cables in waterproof bag

Tool Kit
Spare 28c Tyre
LifeLine Inner Tube x3
Lezyne Lever Patch Puncture Repair Kit
Lezyne Tyre Boot
Chain Links x2
Lezyne RAP14 Multitool
Gerber Suspension Multitool
SRAM Inner Gear Cable (spare)
Pedal Cleat and Bolts (spare)
Smoove Chain Lube
Lezyne Road Drive Pump
Cable Ties
Spare Brake Pads
Black Mamba Workshop Gloves
Vel Contingency Derailleur Hanger
Spare Bolts (various sizes)
Gorilla Tape
Insulation Tape

Bike – Kona Rove Titanium Custom Build
The Kona Rove was my bike of choice for the #7Countries7Passes tour and the #RoadsFromRome. The bike is fitted with a rear pannier rack, SRAM 1X drivetrain, and Tune Dreckschleuder 700C wheels.

Total weight (with empty bottles and no stove fuel): 22.5 Kilograms