Colorado Trail Gear: What Worked Well and What’s Even Better

Choosing the right Colorado Trail gear is essential for a successful ride, and this guide breaks down what worked well, what didn’t, and what I’d change for a future attempt. My Colorado Trail Race experience was incredibly wet and saw only 20 out of 69 riders finish. The most significant lesson for me wasn’t just about gear and volatile weather, but about mental toughness. However, if I were to ride the Colorado Trail Race again, there are a few gear changes I’d make.

While my gear adjustments would be minimal, their impact could be substantial. The aim would be to reduce what I carry, resulting in a lighter bike and less energy expenditure, which should ideally shorten my race time. I’ll outline these changes and their rationale below. A simpler setup would hopefully streamline both my on-bike experience and camp life, minimizing wasted time.

To understand these changes, it’s important to know my approach for a future attempt: my primary goal would be to improve my previous finishing time by cutting weight and bulk from my kit. Additionally, I’d focus on riding more and sleeping less.

I hope this Colorado Trail Gear post helps others with their gear planning and increases their chances for a successful Colorado Trail adventure.

In this post, If I Rode The CTR Again, I also draw from rider survey insights and highlight how my planning aids , have informed these recommendations. My goal is to help fellow bikepackers make informed decisions about their gear and improve their chances of a successful Colorado Trail adventure.