If you are riding with someone, put the soaps, toiletries etc with the maps in one box and foodstuffs in the other box. Contamination of food is very real, even through a few layers of plastic.

I have been using Sunrace cassettes for a while. I have never had an issue with them. However, the cassette that I had on this year collapsed in the mud on the way to Chesneywold and caused all sorts of other issues. I wont be using one of them again in an event of this nature.

My experience has been the same as this article. I used to finish every event with numb hands. A bike setup with a professional who understands carpal hyperextension and also using gloves without any padding. Problem solved for me.