With regards to learning from an event; during the pitiful three days I hacked it out there, there was a lot of new kit that was tested; not least the bike! Bermuda simply doesn't put things to the sniff test. Therefore it was a shakedown in many respects.
So, in case its of any use to others....
Flat mtb sandals with sock options and some dayglo lightweight waterproof booties were superb. Strip off and strap over saddle bag when not in use to dry. Ideal.
Saddlebag Swift zeitgeistt Super, Roomy quick access, the QR rack did shake loose a couple of times on the washboard course and had to be tightened up.
Tires. Rene Herse 55mm were flawless. I'm new to this kind of terrain but they took a beating and I don't think lost any psi. Set up tubeless. Endurance casing. Shed mud on the tarmac quickly. They didn't roll as fast as the RH gravel 44mm I generally use, no surprise there.
Bolt on Frame bags. Didn't notice them all ride so that's good! Kept heavier stuff in them like electronics and spares.
Fork mounted water bottle, got a ton of mud all over it despite facing backwards and set high. Everything got mud all over it! Easy to reach on the go. A cover/cap next time.
Gearing. I had a big range. 48/11 Rarely used and I did manage to put the chain over the cassette once so tended to roll one or two up from the small cog.
Baby gear was 32/46. I'd have taken another, but it was almost walking/wading by then anyway. A few pounds off the bike would have made that light gear ideal.
Diamond rack/gramm front bag. immaculate. It has a portal at the back where I threaded all the k-lite wiring through and lpacked inside a mesh pocket at the back inner of the bag. It does mean you can't whip the bag off, but I chose to use a musette for portaging stuff to and from the bike. We have some rando bags on some other bags that are pretty clunky. we will be replacing them with these.
Seido fork, had multiple mounting points and I put a cage on the LHS to stow my tent. The Thru axle is actually loosened on the RHS so I didn't want the cage in the way of having to take a wheel off, plus my bottle on the other side worked for my right handed grab.
The tent likely got wet at the bottom there ploughing through deep puddles but I either was too tired to notice or it dried out before I used it.
I had a set of three ass savers, front rear and down tube. All behaved well, don't weigh anything and I know from riding today without them they kept a lot of crap away from the rider and the drive train.
K-lite was great, but the new model had no road option so its a gravel number and a bit of a search light. I did get flashed once on the tarmac by an oncoming car. There is no dip switch on this new version. It kept the wahoo, rear light running via the dinamo too.
I had aero bars with remote switches which were good for the transition zones but would consider nixing them next time to save weight and make it easier to thread the bike through fallen trees etc.
infinity saddle. Did as best as it could. No chamois cream but baby ointment. My rear end too a real hammering due to the parcour but if Id been on one of my old saddles Id be a hot mess. As it is I have jock rash anyway! Likely my inexperience off road. It wasn't a case of the saddle feeling like barded wire, it was always a relief to get back in the seat. Id have been in dire straights a day or so longer, but again, its the jack hammering of the route and not the saddle.
My sleep system was luxuriant. A roomy tent, silk/cotton liner. blow up mattress, blow up pillow, a nano puff jacket, and a quilt. I slept well once the race buzz receded. I couldn't sleep well in the woods in a bivy and no pad. On the likes of TCR/road races I'd take less and shoot for paid accommodation, but on a parcour that's in the woods and unrideable at night I didn't want that stress, It was all lightweight gear but does add up and has bulk.
I used everything I took apart form spares and some full fingered gloves.
Hope that may be of use to someone.
