This little lot is my clothing for the race – 57 items from down jacket and balaclava to merino wool underwear. Right now I can’t see how it will fit on me, on the bike or in dropbags. And that’s without all the other kit.

But in 2015 it was so cold the first few days I did wear most of it at some time during the race. Thankfully much of it I’ve had since my first race in 2009. And it does sometimes get used for warming up after my other love – winter swimming.