THE 4 A.M. LIFELINE
Anker Nano power bank (5,000 mAh)
$$ mid-range within race day
Your phone is your alarm, your map to the start, your race-tracking app, and your ride home, and cold mornings eat batteries alive. This one plugs straight into the phone with no cable to forget, which matters because you will absolutely forget the cable. Charge it the night before, along with your watch.
Best for: point-to-point races where your phone is the way back
See price & details on Amazon.ca →Current price, sizes, flavours and full specs live on the Amazon listing.
Worth knowing about race day
- Lay out everything the night before, bib pinned or toggled, kit flat on the floor like a very tired person made a snow angel, so 5 a.m. you makes zero decisions.
- Nothing new on race day, not shoes, not socks, not breakfast, not that gel flavour the expo person was very enthusiastic about.
- Pin or toggle your bib on the front, flat and visible, race photographers and finish-line timing both care, and so will you when your photos are findable.
- Assume gear check will take longer than you think in both directions, drop your bag early, and keep your throwaway layer on until the last possible minute.
Also in race day
Race bib belt with togglesTHE PIN KILLER
Safety pins (assorted multi-pack)CHEAP INSURANCE
Body Glide Original (travel size)SKIN DIPLOMACY
Disposable rain ponchos (multi-pack)CORRAL SURVIVAL
KT Tape ProFAITH-BASED TAPE
Banana Boat Sport Ultra sunscreen stickSPF, NO SLIMEAs an Amazon Associate, RaceFinder earns from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. It doesn't change the price you pay, and it has never changed a pick.