LESSONS LEARNED ON THE BIKEPACKING TRIPLE CROWN
BIKEPACKING’S LEARNING CURVE IS STEEP, TAME IT.

Bikepacking Lessons Learned

In 2017 I raced the Bikepacking Triple Crown consisting of the Arizona Trail Race , Tour Divide, and Colorado Trail Race. I learned many bikepacking lessons during those 4000+ miles. Some were simple lessons that were easy to apply, while others tore me down and recovering from them was extremely hard. As hard as they were I pushed on so I could bring you this list of things I learned.

Most noteworthy is that some of the bikepacking lessons are good for long races or short ones or in life in general.

To see some lessons others learned while on various trails checkout our post, the Most Common Mistakes Bikepackers Make.

Popular Resources:

Bikepacking Resources

Planning Aids

Bikepacking Gear

Rider Survey's

Arizona Trail

The first 3oo miles of the AZT are a beast.
Arizona can be just as hot in October as it is in April.
Be able to carry more water than you think you should be able to.
Hiking the Grand Canyon in cycling shoes is a terrible idea.
Drink more water than you think you should be.
You can hike the Mogollon Rim faster than you can bike it.
Most natural water sources are dry in October.
Even Rick James couldn’t keep rhythm in the Happy Jack section.
Electrolytes and salt pills are important on the AZT.
Most resupply options are off route, plan accordingly.

Tour Divide

Knowledge is power, be sure to do your research ahead of time.
Your mind will give out before your body.
Don’t listen to your ego.
Towns will kill your finishing time. Have a plan and stick to it when in town.
It is possible to fall asleep on your bike.
Ziplocks don’t work, use dry sacks to keep things dry.
Making it through week #1 doesn’t mean you’ll make it all the way.
Make sure to clean your chain regularly or it will wear out before the finish.
Know how to deal with common cycling injuries and how to avoid them.

Colorado Trail

You will walk even more than you thought you would.
Don’t over do it, listen to your body.
Know as much about the trail and your options as you can.
The weather will be one of your toughest competitors.
Test your set up multiple times with shakedown rides before hitting the trail.
Storms move incredibly fast on the CTR, don’t under estimate Mother Nature, she can be a real bitch.
Mileage between towns is relatively short at times but it still takes a long time to actually get there.

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MORE RESOURCES

Read these next or checkout the main resource page.

PLANNING / GEAR RESOURCES

PLANNING AIDS

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Checkout all our Planning Aids at our store. (Tour Divide, GDMBR, AZTR, CTR, Kokopelli Trail, TNGA, Coconino 250, and Bay Circuit Trail). SOBO & NOBO, as well as metric versions are available depending on the route.

TRIPLE CROWN GEAR

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Dive into all three gear lists from the Bikepacking Triple Crown, and find pros & cons; things I’d do differently; and tips.

“IF I RODE…” SERIES

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In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, AZTR, Kokopelli Trail, and Bay Circuit Trail again.

RIDER SURVEYS

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Curios to know what gear other riders used to get to the finish line? Checkout our Rider Surveys to find out what works or to take the survey yourself.

MOST POPULAR RESOURCES

Brooks B-17 Bikepacking - how to care for your butt

Bikepacking, Featured Bikepacking Resource, Mountain Bike, Mtb

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.

Bikepacking Resources

CHECKOUT ALL OUR GUIDES

guide, planning aid, coconino 250, bikepacking, resource - Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking

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LESSONS LEARNED ON THE BIKEPACKING TRIPLE CROWN

Bikepacking Lessons Learned

Table of Contents:

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Popular Resources:

Arizona Trail

Tour Divide

Colorado Trail

MORE RESOURCES

PLANNING / GEAR RESOURCES

PLANNING AIDS

TRIPLE CROWN GEAR

“IF I RODE…” SERIES

RIDER SURVEYS

MOST POPULAR RESOURCES

Bikepacking – How to Care for Your Butt

Most Common Bikepacking Injuries

Tour Divide Gear: What Worked Well and What’s Even Better

The Shakedown Ride

Most Common Mistakes Bikepackers Make

Bikepacking Navigation

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.

CHECKOUT ALL OUR GUIDES

Support the Project

Our Thoughts on Getting Outside

Leave No Trace Principles

Recreate Responsibly

LESSONS LEARNED ON THE BIKEPACKING TRIPLE CROWN

Bikepacking Lessons Learned

Table of Contents:

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Popular Resources:

Arizona Trail

Tour Divide

Colorado Trail

MORE RESOURCES

PLANNING / GEAR RESOURCES

PLANNING AIDS

TRIPLE CROWN GEAR

“IF I RODE…” SERIES

RIDER SURVEYS

MOST POPULAR RESOURCES

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.

CHECKOUT ALL OUR GUIDES

Support the Project