Do it yourself

TRAVEL

British Airways flies three times a week from Gatwick to Lima between April and October, with LATAM Airlines offering several daily connections to Trujillo. Expect to pay upwards of £1,000 for return travel. Note that British passport holders will be issued with a tourism visa on arrival in Peru, although your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from date of entry.

ACCOMMODATION

Before and after the event I used Airbnb in Trujillo, although rooms were available at race headquarters at the Wyndham Costa del Sol hotel (wyndham hotels.com). During the race

I stayed in a series of small local hostels, known as hospedajes, which can be found in most towns and villages.

BIKE

I rode a Specialized Roubaix

Expert shod with 35mm Panaracer Gravelking tyres. Lights were very important and I used an Exposure Diablo MKII front light, two Lezyne Strip Drive 400L front lights and two Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 300L rear lights.

CLOTHING

I took two sets of bibshorts, two jerseys, two vests, two pairs of socks, a waterproof winter jacket, long sleeve lightweight jacket, thermal base layers, winter gloves, neckwarmer, armwarmers, legwarmers and waterproof overshoes. Off the bike, I took thermal trousers, quick-dry shorts, a thermal hoodie and fleece socks.

KIT

Other essentials included three spare inner tubes, pocket pump, a puncture repair kit, multitool, two emergency blankets, bivibag, chewing gum, spare chain link, phone, plug adapter, power bank, charging cables, Mooyee portable massage pads (run from app), emergency chocolate, painkillers and hydration salt tablets.

THANKS

Thanks to Peru Tourist Board (peru.travel) and Hills Balfour.