My Speed Yellow 1996 Cannondale F700 CAAD3 mountain bike in the field behind my house in Fort Collins, all prepared for the 2008 Tour Divide bikepacking mountain bike race.

Tour Divide Gear List

Felix Wong's avatar
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I’m already 99% packed and ready to go for the Tour Divide mountain bike race, having managed to do some last-minute testing before heading out to Florida for a wedding. Here are some photos and my gear list (not entirely complete—there are additional things I packed that aren’t on the list like some minor tools and toiletries).

There are also a few things I may actually omit (like a water filter) before I jump on a Greyhound bus to Banff next week, but otherwise, I think I am set!

Final Gear List

ItemMake/BrandWeight (lbs.)Notes
tentBig Agnes Seedhouse 13.41 
spare clothing 2.43rain jacket, rain pants, long-sleeve running shirt, arm warmers, 1 spare pair of socks, 2 pairs liner gloves
sleeping bagREI Sub Kilo1.81 
mapsAdventure Cycling Association0.73 
cell phone + chargerSanyo0.36 
cameraPanasonic Lumix0.35 
GPS2005 Garmin Nuvi0.32for emergencies only — only 2.5 hours battery time
CO2Superflate0.25 
sunscreenLife Brand0.22 
dry bagOutdoor Research Helium Dry Sack #40.181710 cubic inches (28 liters)
tire ironsnickel-plated steel0.13 
rackPerformance Transit0.12 
chain lubePro-link0.09 
pedal wrenchSpin Doctor0.09 
chain toolRitchey Multitool0.09 
first aidPFI bandages, wet prof abd pad, Immodium tablets, tape0.09 
bear bellfrom REI0.08 
hex keysCraftsman foldable0.08 
chlorine dioxide tabletsPotable Aqua0.06brought quantity 10
pocket knifeShadetree motors0.04 
spoke toolPark Tools0.03 
spare cable 0.02 
patch kitgeneric0.02 
shaving cream/razorColgate / Gilette 0.18 
toothbrush/travel toothpasteColgate 0.03 
headlampCateye 5-LED 0.38 
pumpPerformance Hurricane 0.33 
tubes  1.06quantity 4
toilet paper  0.01 
passport!  0.11 
TOTAL 13.1 lbs. 

In Banff, all racers were loaned a SPOT satellite tracking unit that last about three weeks before its AAA batteries needed to be replaced. This added an additional 0.46 lbs.

Notably, the list above doesn’t include food, water, or the Eddie Bauer “Camelback-like” backpack I wore.

Camping in my backyard to test out the Big Agnes Seedhouse 1-person tent. It's reasonably lightweight (3.5 lbs.), free-standing, and surprisingly roomy inside. Reminded me a lot of my Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD.
Camping in my backyard to test out the Big Agnes Seedhouse 1-person tent. It's reasonably lightweight (3.5 lbs.), free-standing, and surprisingly roomy inside. Reminded me a lot of my Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD.
The REI sub-kilo is rated at 20 degrees and hence was pretty toasty during the 49-degree Colorado night.
The REI sub-kilo is rated at 20 degrees and hence was pretty toasty during the 49-degree Colorado night.
It weighs 1.8 lbs. and scrunches down to the size of a football.
It weighs 1.8 lbs. and scrunches down to the size of a football.
Handlebar gear: Cateye 5-LED light, bear bell, ultralight 1-LED light, Delta wireless cyclometer. Not shown is a mapholder I made out of an Office Depot report cover.
Handlebar gear: Cateye 5-LED light, bear bell, ultralight 1-LED light, Delta wireless cyclometer. Not shown is a mapholder I made out of an Office Depot report cover.