The Japanese Odyssey: Tyler
Posted on September 07 2016
The Japanese Odyssey is an unsupported, bicycle endurance event and has no set route. Participants ride across Japan to sanctioned control points, starting from Tokyo and ending in Osaka. Big cities, rural countrysides and steep climbs will test their endurance and navigation skills. Depending on route mapping, riders can expect to cover 2,500Km and anywhere from 45,000-50,000m elevation gain. The Japanese Odyssey starts on September 17th at 05h00 and riders must arrive in Osaka by October 1st, 14 days after the start time.
Tyler has never competed in an endurance bicycle event, but has clocked a lot of rides topping 200, 300 and 400Km in a single outing. His peers Jeff, Josh and Nelson recently competed in the Transcontinental Race and were all successful in crossing the finish line. Listening carefully to their stories and honing knowledge when he could, he’s prepared his bike and his route accordingly, aiming to finish TJO in 10 days.
Besides following the Trackleader’s Website (more update info with rider numbers coming soon), you can also check social media with the following hashtags: #F5TJO2016, #japaneseodysseypart2, #japaneseodyssey and #beprepared. Tyler will be rider number 4, and will be trying to regularly post quick photos onto Instagram during the Odyssey, username: tdbowa
There are 11 control points that all riders must navigate to during the odyssey. They are: Mt. Azoji, Mt. Haruna, Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane, Mt. Norikura, Mt. Nyukasa, Mt. Odaigahara, Okawara Pass, Mt. Ontake, Mt. Sasayama, Tengu Kogen Ski Area and Tsurugi-San.
Having studied endlessly online about different rider’s setups and packing lists, Tyler spent endless hours and kilometers testing different setups and packing styles. Here’s what he’s decided to roll with for The Japanese Odyssey:
The Bike
Factory Five 61cm CX Custom Columbus Zona
Easton EC90x Full Carbon Fork
Chris King 1 1/8″ Headset
Campagnolo CX 10 Carbon Crankset 46/36
Campagnolo Power Torque BB
Campagnolo Record Ultra Narrow 10sp Chain
SRAM PG1170 11-36 Cassette
SRAM XO Rear Derailleur
Campagnolo Chorus Front Derailleur
Campagnolo Veloce 10sp Shifters w/ Wolf Tooth TanPan
Cannondale C2 48cm Drop Bars
Cannondale C2 110mm Stem
Cannondale C2 Seatpost
Supacaz Bar Tape w/ Fizik Gels
Profile Design T2+ Aerobars
Prologo Kappa Evo PAS Saddle
PAUL Cantilever Brakes w/ Baradine ABS Pads
Execustar PM125 Pedals
Topeak Bottle Cages
MACK Superlight Hubs
H Plus Son Archetype Rims
PAUL Skewers
DT Swiss 2.0 Spokes
Panaracer Pasela 32c Gumwall Tyres
The Gear
LUGGAGE
Restrap Frame Bag, Large
Restrap Bar Bag, 13L Ortlieb Dry Bag
2x Revelate Feed Bag
Topeak Saddle Bag
TOOLS AND SPARES
2x Inner Tubes
2x Park Tools Patch Kits
Topeak Multitool
Chain Oil
Lezyne Micro Floor Pump
Baradine ABS Brake Pads
Needle Nose Plyers
SHELTER
Vaude Bivy Bag
Nature Hike Inflatable Pillow
Infini Air Matt
Quecha Silk Liner
EATING AND DRINKING
Emergency Food Pack (Gels, Bars)
2x 750 mL Camelbak Water Bottle
500 mL folding Water Bag
ELECTRICAL
Google Nexus 5
SanDisc MP3 Player
Xiaomi Headphones
2x Xiaomi 20000mAh power pack
Plug Charging Unit
Wahoo Elemnt GPS
Knog Rear 4 Pulse Blinder
500 Lumens Front USB Light
Knog Single Front Blinder
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 w/ 21mm lens
MISC
Zip Ties
Electrical Tape
First Aid Kit
shamy cream
Sunscreen (x2)
Lip Balm
Eye Drops
Tylenol Extra Strength
Voltaren
Tiger Balm
Toothbrush / paste
Decathlon Micro Dry Towel
Attaquer Cycling Musette
CLOTHING
F5 Nightshade Jersey
F5 Nightshade Bib
Isadore Merino Undershirt
Isadore Merino Long Sleeve Jersey
American Apparel T-Shirt
Nike Dry Fit Running Shorts
MEC Leg Warmers
F5 Lightweight Arm Warmers
Cadence Cycling Vest
Mountain Hardware Waterproof Jacket
Oakley Prism Road Sunglasses
Specialized BF Gloves
F5 Cycling Cap
Lazer Helmet
x2 DnB Merino Cycling Socks
Specialized SPD Shoes
With both bike and gear packed, The Japanese Odyssey is only a week and a half away. Good luck to everyone participating and expect more updates soon!