Introduction
Ignore the title, I’m a fraud. I’m am not qualified to call myself a “bikepacker” nor am I qualified to guide anyone… in any form or fashion… in any subject. BUT, it’s a good title amirite?
Anyway… this is my first “bikepacking” adventure, as far as sleeping on the dirt every night goes, and it just so happens to be a four hundred and fiftyish mile stage race from Dallas, Texas to Austin, Tx. Starting at Mad Duck Cyclery in Grapevine and culminating in what I’ll assume will be a ragged out, smelly, malnourished and dehydrated finish at The Meteor Cafe in Austin. (Can I get a “hell yeah brother” from anyone else who only knows about the Meteor because of Colin Strickland?)
The race takes place over three days: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I am mentally preparing to ride about 160 miles per day, BUT looking at the first stage’s route, it says BETA so I’m not getting my hopes up, on Spinistry’s Ride With GPS page, it only shows 110 miles. Excite.
Did I mention I’m doing East Texas Showdown a mere three days after I finish D2A? This is going to be my 450-ish mile shake down ride to see if I can handle ETS’s 380 miles. I never claimed to be a smart man.
Bike2Check
My trusty steed for this adventure will be the ever so mistreated Carbonda 696. I’ll populate this as the time gets nearer.
List2Pack
Ah, the ol pack list. I always seem to write one of these up and then never follow it when I’m actually packing. You gotta stay fluid you know? expect change. I’m going follow this one to the “t” this time and keep it updated as best as possible as the conditions may change (weather, gear, etc).
Electronics
- Bike Computer[b]
- Bike Headlight[b]
- Bike Taillight[b]
- Battery Bank[3]
- Headphones[2]
- Cell Phone[p]
- Heart Rate Monitor + Strap[p]
- Spot Trace (spare batteries)[1]
- Spare 2032 batteries[3]
- 4 port USB wall plug[1]
Repair & Maintenance
- Under Seat Bag[b]
- Tubolito x 2[3]
- Tire Lever[4]
- Patch Kit[4]
- T40 bit[4]
Multi-tool[4]- Mini Ratchet Set[4]
Chain breaker- cO2 x 2[4]
- Stan’s Dart[4]
- 2oz Stan’s Sealant[3]
- Pro Bike Tool Pump[b]
- Boot[4]
- Chain Lube
[1] dry bag on rack
[2] top tube bag
[3] frame bag
[4] seat bag
[p] on person
[b] attached to bike
Clothes & Personal
- Jersey[p]
- Socks[p]
- Cycling Shoes[p]
- Base Layer[p]
- Helmet[p]
- Gloves[p]
- Tooth Brush, Toothpaste & Floss[2]
- Contact Solution, Case & Glasses[1]
- Shirt/Shorts/Flip Flops[1]
Bike Packing
- Frame Bag[b]
- Top Tube Bag[b]
- Rack[b]
- Dry Bag[b]
- Ski Straps[b]
- Bivy[1]
- Mummy Bag[1]
- Sleeping Pad[1]
- Travel Pillow[1]
Nutrition & Hydration
- Salt pills[2]
Water Filter[?]
Audio Books
- Sadhguru. Inner Engineering A Yogi’s Guide to Joy (Unabridged) (2018)
- Herbert, Frank. Dune
- Orwell, George. Animal Farm
- …
Answers2Questions
- No spare clothes?
no - Minimal nutrition?
The plan is to carry nutrition for the first day but will largely rely on stops/gas stations for food & water. - Why are you carrying a T40 bit?
Because CARBONDA decided to design an axle that no multi-tool supports? smh.