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CTR Packing list

8/14/2018

5 Comments

 
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This post is for all the crazy kooks who want to geek out about what I was hauling on my bike for 539ish miles across Colorado. Its not much, but its (almost) all I needed. As a beginner bikepacker, I found it really helpful to be able to read about what others packed. I hope somebody else finds this post useful :)
***
There are few things I would change about what I carried with me for the CTR. Two items I wish I would have brought are knee pads and a proper light system. I bought a light at the halfway point and it was awesome, but I could have done better. I grabbed my knee pads after I scratched- I couldn't actually wear them though- (they rubbed too much on the fresh staples) so they ended up just being bonus weight for the last few segments.
I carried WAY MORE food than I needed for the entire journey. When I finished at Junction Creek, I actually had leftover jerky and bars that I had started from Denver with. Luckily, I had food to give my friends who were waiting for me at the finish in Durango.
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On the bike:
Juliana Joplin (hit me up if you have specific questions about the build)
  • bottle cage with Guide Pro ltd. edition water bottle (not the best place to store my duct tape)
  • I9 Matchstix
  • mini pump
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What I wore:
  • Bell Super 3 helmet (Joy Ride ladies version)
  • Smith Pivlock sunglasses (not pictured)
  • Mons Royale merino wool jersey
  • Zoic Navaeh shorts
  • Mons Royale merino boy shorts
  • Icebreaker sports bra
  • merino socks
  • AlpineStars knee pads (worn for about 20 minutes, then carried for last 3 segments)
  • Mavic Crossride mountain shoes
  • Hestra Bike Guard Long gloves
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What was in my fanny:
Deuter Pulse 3 F18
  • Garmin inReach
  • Samsung Galaxy S9 (not pictured)
  • OR Goretex Paclite shell jacket- 10 years old and going strong
  • OR waterproof shell gloves
  • Melanza skull cap
  • Sawyer Mini H2O filter and 1/2 liter bladder
  • Spare 1 liter H2O bladder
  • Aquamira water purification tablets
  • sunblock
  • bug dope wipes (didn't need 'em)
  • bottle of meds (ibuprofen, zofran, pepto, excedrin and imitrex- I only took ibuprofen, pepto and excedrin a few times)
  • waterproof wallet with CC, $20 and cell phone
  • shock pump
  • hand sanitizer
  • Nuun and Pep Pod tablets
  • BD headlamp
  • Knog PWR Commuter 450 lumen light (purchased at BoneShaker Cycles in BV, halfway to Durango)
  • Dynaplug racer
  • sharpie
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On the handlebars:
Oveja Negra Front End Loader
  • Stoic dry bag
  • ThermaRest, edges cut off to make it smaller
  • Melanzana tights
  • Feathered Friends Flicker 30 down sleeping bag
  • Big Agnes tent pole
  • (I would often store my rain shell here instead of the hip pack to keep weight off my body)
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On the fork:
Oveja Negra Chuck Buckets (2)
  • 1 liter Nalgene
  • Backcountry.com titanium mug
  • Light My Fire titanium spork
  • various snacks including EnduroBites, M&Ms, MuddyBuddies,  Ramen, etc.
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What was also on my handlebars:
Oveja Negra Lunchbox
  • LOTS of Korean BBQ Pork jerky
  • turkey jerky
  • Wheat Thins and Triscuits
  • CT Databook and cue sheet notes
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On my top tube:
Oveja Negra Snack Pack XL
  • T-9 drive train lube and rag
  • assorted zip ties
  • 20G Co2 & adapter
  • quick link
  • Pedro's tire levers (best tool I've found for pushing brake calipers out)
  • 2 sets of spare brake pads
  • spare tube (new in box)
  • Crank Bros multi-tool
  • ultra light leatherman
  • assorted bolts for cleats, and such
  • 2 valve cores
  • derailleur hanger
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What went under my seat:
Oveja Negra Gearjammer (with a ColoRowdies mud guard)
  • Sea to Summit dry bag (with spare merino t-shirt, boy shorts and socks)
  • Big Agnes Onyx UL Tarp
  • emergency blanket
  • battery pack and cords
  • first Aid kit
  • toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
That's it. Not much I would change if I were to do it again. Now ... what ultra bikepacking event should I look at doing next? AZT? Highland 550? Olympic 420? IT all seems so new and exciting to me!
5 Comments
Grant Matsushige
8/15/2018 09:28:41 am

Awesome stuff. Loved the "tube brand new in box". What's left of it. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Michel Collette
3/3/2019 05:25:41 pm

Great story!!!! Did the trail in 13 days a few years ago and it is awsome.

Anyhow, my question is about your Oveja Negra Front End Loader. Did you have to re tighten it often? Mine gets loose just by shaking the bike around and slamming the front wheel on the ground in the garage

Reply
Leigh
3/3/2019 06:05:42 pm

No- my front loader stayed super tight to the point that my cold fingers would have to work to get the sleep roll out at the end of the day. I would shoot an email to Lane at O.N.- I'm sure she would want to know that you're having an issue and would help to sort things out.

Reply
Michel Collette
3/3/2019 06:32:58 pm

Thanks for the reply. Others commented the same so checked my setup. Turns out I didn't run one of the straps correctly.

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12/26/2022 04:55:24 am

Thanks for sharing

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    Leigh Bowe

    Rides bikes, a lot. Heals people. Fond of thinking and knitting. 

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