I’m a big believer of the phrase “run what you bring”. I’ve never had the luxury of applying the N+1 equation into my life. When people ask me what the perfect bike is, I usually respond “one you can fit at least 2.1 tires and can take you from the city to the gnarliest mountain passes and make you smile every time you ride it”. I’ve ridden my Salsa Cutthroat in road bike pelotons and have chased full suspension riders downhill on 12,000 ft mountains.
In this article, I’m going to show you three different ways I dress my adventure bike using Revelate Designs bags.
Day Rides
(Anywhere from 2-8 hours)
Shrew Saddle Bag
• Spare tube
• Toolcash with spares, dynaplugs, tools
• Rain jacket
• Mountain Feedbag (x2)
• Ricoh GRiiiX
• Food
• Hand Sanitizer
• Small first aid kit
• 4 and 5mm allen keys for quick access
• 3 water bottles (most times)
Mountain Feedbags (x2)
Ultra Racing
likely a multi day bikepacking race that can go for 5 days where you have to carry all your supplies and emergency kit with you. Think something like North South Colorado and Across Andes. Each race is unique and I’d tailor each kit considering the weather forecast, season, if it’s safe to camp or is it better to find hotels along the way…
Terrapin 14l
• Sleeping bag – 30º, but I’d ditch this if the weather is warm or if it’s easier to find a hotel instead (didn’t pack it for Across Andes in 2023)
• Emergency Bivy – always carry one. I use it as a standalone piece if the weather is warm or as a waterproof barrier for my sleeping bag
• Inflatable Pillow
• Sleeping layers – long base layers, spare socks
• Down Jacket
• Rain Jacket/Pants/Gloves
• Leg/arm warmers
• Spare bibs
• Spare tube
• Foam Sleeping Pad strapped to the top of the bag – cut it to fit the length of my torso
Sandur (or a full frame bag depending of how remote the route is)
• Warm gloves
• Electronics – Cables, 10000 mAh power bank, wall plugs – everything inside of a ziplock bag
• Multitool, dynaplugs, pocket knife, zip ties
• Passport (if the race is abroad)
• First Aid – Tooth brush/paste, Vagisil for saddle sores, Advil, Aleve, band aids, antibiotic ointment, chamois cream, magnesium tablets to help recover at night and green propolis
• Wet wipes (for “shower”)
• Extra calories
Mag-Tank 2000
• Food pantry
• 4 and 5mm allen keys for quick access
Mountain Feedbag (x2)
• Gels, Caffeine pills…
• Spare batteries for the Spot tracker, Sram AXS drivetrain and headlamp
• Hand sanitizer
Toolcash
• Toolcash inside of keg on the downtube with spares
Expedition Bikepacking Adventures
Overnighters, multi-week, multi-month…just like in ultra racing, the gear list would vary from trip to trip based on location and weather, but the essentials would remain the same no matter the length of the adventure.
Terrapin 14L
• Sleeping bag (0º, 20º or 30º F)
• Liner
• Inflatable Sleeping Pad (R value of 3.5 or greater)
• Inflatable Pillow
• Down Jacket
• Sit Pad strapped to the top of the bag
Full Frame Bag
• Warm gloves
• Toolcash with spares
• First Aid – Tooth brush/paste, Vagisil for saddle sores, Advil, Aleve, band aids, antibiotic ointment, chamois cream, Gear Aid tape, magnesium tablets to help recover at night and green propolis
• Extra calories
• Stove + Gas
• Spork
• Leg/arm warmers
• Spare tube
Jerrycan
• Chain lube
• Sunscreen
• Multitool, dynaplug
Mag-Tank 2000
• Food pantry
• 4 and 5mm allen keys for quick access
Mountain Feedbag (x2)
• Ricoh GRiiiX
• Spare batteries for the Spot tracker, Sram AXS drivetrain and headlamp
• Hand Sanitizer
Pronghorn System
• Bivy bag (or tent)
• Sleeping layers – long wool base layers, spare socks
• Spare bibs
• Freeze dry meals
• Wet Wipes
• Ultralight sandals especially to take showers at public bathrooms
• Packtowel
• Rain Jacket/Pants/Gloves
Egress Pocket
• Electronics – Cables, 10000 mAh power bank, wall plugs
• Passport (if the trip is abroad)
• Prescription glasses
• Headlamp
*Spares: All different bolts, cleat, tubeless valve + core, quick links, chain tool…
**Breakfast/Dinner: I don’t always pack a stove since I’d plan to camp somewhere close to a town that I could buy a burrito at night and a coffee in the morning, but there are a few trips where doing so is not logistically viable, so I pack oatmeal and instant coffee for breakfast and a bag of high calories freeze dry meal for the evening.
There you have it. It’s crazy to think that all of this stuff can be packed into a bike…If you have any questions regarding gear, feel free to reach out on my IG page – @leobrasil.photo.
