• LESSONS LEARNED ON THE BIKEPACKING TRIPLE CROWN

    BIKEPACKING’S LEARNING CURVE IS STEEP, TAME IT.

Bikepacking Lessons Learned on the Triple Crown

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.

Table of Contents:

Arizona Trail Race

Tour Divide

Colorado Trail Race

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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.

AZT sign - bikepacking lessons - Arizona Trail Guide - 2019 ARIZONA TRAIL RACE RIDER SURVEY

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.
A complete Tour Divide Guide covering everything bikepackers need to know to tackle the Tour Divide successfully.

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.
A lush, green stretch of high-country singletrack on the Colorado Trail with snow-capped mountains in the distance, featured in the Colorado Trail Race Journal.
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MORE RESOURCES

Read these next or checkout the main resource page.

PLANNING / GEAR RESOURCES

PLANNING AIDS

  • Tour Divide Big Bundle, planning aid, guide, bikepacking, Ultimate Bikepacking and Hiking Resource
  • CTR, Colorado Trail Race, Planning aids, guides, bikepacking, Big Bundle, SOBO Ultimate Bikepacking and Hiking Resource
  • AZTR 800 NOBO Big Bundle Cover- Arizona Trail BIKEPACKING GUIDE PLANNING AIDS, Ultimate Bikepacking and Hiking Resource
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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

  • Proven Bikepacking Gear | Tested on the Tour Divide & Triple Crown
  • Ultimate Bikepacking and Hiking Resource
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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

  • Proven Bikepacking Gear | Tested during the Colorado Trail Race & Triple Crown
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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

  • Insights from the Colorado Trail Rider Survey, gathering real data from bikepackers about their experiences racing the CTR.
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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

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.

Bikepacking Resources

CHECKOUT ALL OUR GUIDES

Tour Divide/Great Divide MTB Route Logo - tour divide guide Planning Aids, Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking
CTR-LOGO, colorado trail, Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking
Arizona Trail Logo - azt - aztr Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking
Trans North Georgia Adventure
guide, planning aid, coconino 250, bikepacking, resource - Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking
white pregnant triangle trail logo for the GDMBR
Kokopelli Trail Logo - Kokopelli Trail Guide - Bikepacking , Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking
Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking
Pemi Loop Logo - hiking - guides - HIKING GUIDES - Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking
NEHH, NEW ENGLAND HUNDRED HIGHEST, HIKING, GUIDE, PEAK BAGGING, NE - /Planning Aids for Bikepacking and Hiking

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