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

The Tour Divide was my first major bikepacking adventure, and it taught me more than I could have anticipated. My initial gear choices were largely influenced by my thru-hiking experience, with only minor adjustments for bikepacking. Since then, I’ve learned a lot and detailed the changes I’d make in my post, If I Rode The Tour Divide Again. This update aims to share what worked well and what could be improved based on my experiences and feedback from the rider survey.

For a potential second attempt, my main objective would be to improve my finishing time by reducing weight and bulk across my entire setup. This would involve adopting a more streamlined approach to minimize energy expenditure and enhance efficiency. Key changes would include investing in a more effective lighting system and reducing hotel stays to increase ride time.

Additionally, I’d focus on eliminating excess gear and reducing bulk to create more space for carrying additional food between resupply points. A simpler, more efficient setup would not only lessen the physical load but also potentially reduce the risk of gear failures.

In this post, If I Rode The Tour Divide 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 Tour Divide adventure.