I had some quiet time over the Christmas/New Year holiday so I got together my gear for use when I (hopefully) ride the Tour Divide this June. The biggest changes from last year are:
- I’ll be riding a 29’er this year. Another titanium Motobecane.
- I went to the larger platform Shimano pedals—easier for riding with one foot through the snow.
- I’m using a SON dynamo hub for power while I ride and also to power the main lights. Using a helmet mounted Fenix as the backup light.
- Rather than wear a hydration pack I’ll have the 3 L bladder mounted to the handlebar harness using a Camelbak Unbottle. No bottles on the front forks to potentially damage the wheel when I crash. I’ll have a 1 L ‘Magnum’ water bottle mounted on the top tube in front of the seat post, and a 2 L bottle on down tube in front of the cranks.
- While I list a lot of tools/parts, most fit into a small toolkit box 2” x 4” x 0.75”. I’ve included a Stein mini-cassette removal tool this year. I’ll probably take 3 x Allen keys rather than the multitool as that is all I really need.
- I’ve added two of the Revelate Design ‘Mountain Feed Bags’ behind the handlebar harness to hold nibbles, water and my camera (smartphone).
Otherwise pretty much the same. My Paremo jacket worked great—especially on rainy days when I could put the hood up under my helmet and be very cozy and dry. Goretex socks are a must. The Ground Effects gear is simply the best.
My packing philosophy is:
- Harness contains what I need to sleep at night. The sleeping kit is in a separate bag inside the harness dry bag. This harness bag is only opened at night.
- The frame bag contains all my food, as well as key clothes to regulate temperature.
- The seat bag is ‘deep storage’ for things I don’t need often.
- The handlebar bag is for the things I need regular access to.
It is not the lightest kit – I’ll weigh the bike and kit in a few months once I finalize everything – but that’s because I know my limitations (cold and wet don’t work for me!).
Here is the full list.
|
Qty |
Item |
Where |
|
Bike |
||
|
Titanium Motobecane 29” Superfly with Shimano XTR components (www.bikesdirect.com) |
||
|
Shimano PD-M985 XTR Trail pedals |
||
|
Hope ceramic bottom bracket |
||
|
Thudbuster LT suspension seat post (www.thudbuster.com) |
||
|
Stan’s ARCH EX Rims with Swiss DT Competition Spokes (built by www.wheelworks.co.nz) |
||
|
SON Dynamo front hub |
||
|
DT Swiss 240 rear hub |
||
|
Stan’s Tubeless Sealant |
||
|
Maxxis IKON (front) and Crossmark (rear) tyres |
||
|
Tout Terrain plug for 6v dynamo to USB power (www.en.tout-terrain.de) |
||
|
Supernova E3 dynamo light with tail light (www.supernova-lights.com) |
||
|
Sportypal Sony Xperia Active phone mount (www.sportypal.com) |
||
|
Specialized seat |
||
|
Ergon GC3 Cork Grips with extra tape (www.ergon-bike.com) |
||
|
Profile Design T3 Aero Bars (www.profile-design.com) |
||
|
Profile Design UCM Computer Mounts |
||
|
Specialized C4 Trip Computer |
||
|
Dimension Side Mount Bottle Cage (on top tube in front of seat post) |
||
|
Elite VIP Universal Bottle Cage Mount |
||
|
Topeak Modula Bottle Cage XL (www.topeak.com) (on bottom tube in front of crank) |
||
|
Bags |
||
|
1 |
Carousel Design Quad Map Case |
Stem |
|
1 |
Revelate Design Custom Frame Bag |
Frame |
|
1 |
Revelate Design Gas Tank Bag |
Top Tube |
|
1 |
Revelate Design Handlebar Pocket Bag |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Revelate Design Handlebar Harness |
Handlebar |
|
2 |
Revelate Design Mountain Feedbag |
Forks/Handlebar |
|
1 |
Revelate Design Spocket |
Attached to Vischaca Seat Bag |
|
1 |
Revelate Design Viscacha Seat Bag |
Seat |
|
1 |
Outdoor Research 35 L Dry Bag |
Handlebar |
|
Gear |
||
|
1 |
Bear Mace |
Bike |
|
1 |
Garmin Edge 800 Cycle Computer |
Bike |
|
2 |
Sony Xperia Active Cell Phone |
Bike/Mountain Feed |
|
1 |
Specialized Trip Computer |
Bike |
|
1 |
Supernova 3 Dynamo Front and Rear Light |
Bike |
|
1 |
1 L Emergency Hydration Bag |
Frame |
|
1 |
1 L Magnum Water Bottle |
Frame – On top tube before seat post |
|
1 |
2 L Water Bottle |
Frame – On bottom tube before cranks |
|
1 |
Arm Warmers |
Frame |
|
1 |
Cassette Cleaning Brush |
Frame Cleaning Kit |
|
1 |
Cleaning Rag |
Frame Cleaning Kit |
|
2 |
Dumonde Tech Chain Lube |
Frame Cleaning Kit/Seat Toolkit |
|
|
Food Supplies |
Frame |
|
6 |
Glad Zip Lock Lunch Bags |
Frame |
|
2 |
Plastic food storage bags |
Frame |
|
1 |
Sea to Summit Ultralight Day Bag |
Frame |
|
4 |
Spare Spokes |
Frame |
|
1 |
Wind Vest |
Frame |
|
1 |
4 x USB AC Adapter |
Handlebar |
|
2 |
AA Fenix Torch Batteries |
Handlebar |
|
12 |
AAA Spot GPS Batteries |
Handlebar x 3/Seat Bag x 9 |
|
1 |
Action Wipes |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Athletic Tape for Achilles’ tendon taping |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Chamois Cream |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Dental Floss |
Handlebar |
|
50 |
Katadyn Water Purification Tablets |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Microfleece Towel |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Microtorch |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Mini-Toothpaste |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Mophie Juice Micro USB Cable |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation USB Battery |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Mosquito Repellant |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Prescription Glasses |
Handlebar/Wear |
|
1 |
Respro Techno Dust Mask |
Handlebar/Wear |
|
1 |
Sony Cell Phone Spare Battery |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Sunglasses |
Handlebar/Wear |
|
1 |
Toilet Paper (and plastic bag for used paper) |
Handlebar |
|
1 |
Toothbrush |
Handlebar |
|
10 |
Oxycontin |
Handlebar Med Kit |
|
10 |
Prednisone Asthma Emergency Pills |
Handlebar Med Kit |
|
30 |
Tylenol |
Handlebar Med Kit |
|
30 |
Voltarin 100 SR Anti-Inflammatory |
Handlebar Med Kit |
|
1 |
3 L Camelbak Unbottle Hydration Bag |
Harness |
|
1 |
Klymit X Frame Sleeping Pad |
Harness |
|
1 |
Macpac Sleeping Bag |
Harness |
|
1 |
Paramo Quito Cycling Jacket |
Harness/Wear |
|
1 |
Sierra Design Lightening HT1 Ultralight Tent |
Harness |
|
1 |
2XU Compression Longs |
Harness Sleeping Kit |
|
2 |
Ear Plugs |
Harness Sleeping Kit |
|
1 |
Orca Triathlon Shorts |
Harness Sleeping Kit |
|
1 |
Sleeping Mask |
Harness Sleeping Kit |
|
1 |
Lightweight T Shirt |
Harness Sleeping Kit |
|
1 |
Thermal Hat |
Harness Sleeping Kit |
|
1 |
Spot GPS |
In Spocket bag on top of Seat Bag |
|
1 |
Cash |
Map Case/Handlebar |
|
1 |
Passport |
Map Case |
|
2 |
Credit Cards |
Map Case/Handlebar |
|
1 |
ACA Map Cues |
Seat/Map Case |
|
1 |
ACA Map Set |
Seat/Map Case |
|
1 |
Adventure Ultralight 1 Medical First Aid Kit |
Seat |
|
1 |
Gore Cycling Goretex Rain Pants |
Seat |
|
1 |
MEC Cold Weather Cycling Trousers |
Seat |
|
1 |
Mont-Bell U.L. Down T Vest |
Seat |
|
1 |
Rocky Goretex Socks |
Seat/Wear |
|
1 |
Pump |
Seat |
|
3 |
Respro Dust Mask Filter Replacements |
Seat |
|
2 |
Spare Lightweight 29” Tubes |
Seat |
|
10 |
Cable Ties |
Seat Toolkit |
|
2 |
CO2 Cartridges with micro nozzle |
Seat Toolkit |
|
1 |
Derailleur Housing |
Seat Toolkit |
|
3 |
Disc Brake Pad Kit |
Seat Toolkit |
|
1 |
Duct Tape |
Seat Toolkit |
|
1 |
Fibre Fit Spoke |
Seat Toolkit |
|
2 |
Performance Bike Steel Tyre Levers |
Seat Toolkit |
|
1 |
Shifter Cable (Cut to length) |
Seat Toolkit |
|
1 |
Spoke Key |
Seat Toolkit |
|
1 |
Webbing – Spare |
Seat Toolkit |
|
1 |
Allan Key for Replacing Brake Pads |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
4 |
Chain Links |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
4 |
Chain Super Links |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Crank Bolt |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Derailleur Hanger |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Disc Rotor Bolt |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
2 |
Needles and thread |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
2 |
Park Tyre Boot |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Patch Kit |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
4 |
Safety Pins |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Spare Cleat |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Stan’s Valve Stem |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Stein Mini Emergency Cassette Tool |
Seat Toolkit Box |
|
1 |
Apple Shuffle MP3 Player |
Top Tube |
|
3 |
Asthma Inhaler |
Top Tube/Handlebar/Seat |
|
1 |
Hand Sanitizer |
Top Tube |
|
2 |
Kinesys Lip Balm SPF 30 |
Top Tube/Handlebar |
|
2 |
Small Kinesys Sunscreen SPF 30 |
Top Tube/Seat |
|
1 |
Micro USB Cable – Cell |
Top Tube |
|
1 |
Micro USB Cable – GPS |
Top Tube |
|
1 |
Micro USB Cable – MP3 Player |
Top Tube |
|
1 |
Micro-Can Opener |
Top Tube |
|
1 |
Micro Lock/Cable |
Top Tube |
|
2 |
Nisita Nasal Lotion |
Top Tube/Handlebar Med Kit |
|
1 |
Titanium Spoon-Fork |
Top Tube |
|
1 |
Leatherman Squirt PS4 Tool |
Top Tube Toolkit |
|
1 |
Shrader-Presta Adapter |
Top Tube Toolkit |
|
1 |
Tulio Multi-Tool |
Top Tube Toolkit |
|
1 |
Bear whistle |
Wear |
|
1 |
Drymax baseball hat |
Wear |
|
1 |
Fenix LD20 helmet mounted torch |
Wear |
|
1 |
Gore Cycling Gortex Xenon GT Gloves |
Wear/Handlebar |
|
1 |
Ground Effect Cycling Shorts |
Wear |
|
2 |
Ground Effect Merino Cycling Socks |
Wear/Harness Sleeping Kit |
|
1 |
Ground Effect Summer Riding Shirt |
Wear |
|
1 |
Road ID |
Wear |
|
1 |
RoadID Supernova flashing red light on helmet |
Wear |
|
1 |
Specialized BG cycling shoes |
Wear |
|
1 |
Specialized Gel Cycling Gloves |
Wear/Handlebar |
|
1 |
Trek Cycle Helmet with Light on Back |
Wear |
