How to Pack for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Ride | GDMBR

Andy Stout (Owner of: Explore Adventure Lab) bikepacked from the Canadian border at Roosville, Montana, to Horcha, Colorado, which is on the New Mexico border with Colorado in JULY of 2020. He spent 26 days (23 riding and 3 Zero Days) total on this section of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (as far as possible on the GDMBR due to Covid restrictions). This video goes into to detail as to what he packed and why, and some other tricks of the trade. exploreadventurelab.com/bio
* I also wanted to mention that I also brought a small hand-pump that was attached to the frame, and I went with a solid bike seat post by Specialized.

[@jackweaver238]

Thanks for posting. It's nice to see what other people brought, what worked and what didn't. It relieves some anxiety that I'm going to forget something really important.

[@andrewstout4902]

You'll kill it! The year I picked was during covid so probably packed lots of extras because I was unsure of places being open. Enjoy!!!

[@michaelp1109]

Impressive. I've decided that it's time to stop the road biking and get a mountain bike. So many diff choices that I can't seem to make up my mind. Would love to try some bike packing sometime. Thanks for sharing.

[@jessicabenson7616]

Wow! This is such great information! Thanks for all the tips and tricks. Ill be using all of them. Please post more how-to videos regarding epic adventures!

[@Draculapin]

That’s definitely not light weight but you got everything needed to be safe and comfy on the divide

[@mhilde7744]

Good stuff, thanks

[@omare_biketonature]

Thanks for sharing! I’m always curious of what others are carrying and looking to improve my set up.

[@kennyness8881]

Thanks for posting. You fear a lot! I understand packing my fears, but that is a bunch of stuff, with a lot of redundant redundancy. Any idea what your bike + gear + food/water weight was?

[@andrewstout4902]

Hey! Tried to comment a few days ago, but I guess it didn't post. Weight was 70-75lbs depending on the day with food and water. Definitely a lot of redundancy, but in 2020 when I was on the route I didn't know what was going to be open because of Covid closures and restrictions... Was better safe than sorry. Hope you have a great ride! Hoping to get back on the route again myself this season!

[@erics9214]

Interesting to see what you carried. I rode 1,300 miles of the Divide in 2019. Hoping to ride the whole thing this year. Glutton for punishment I guess.
I notice the comment below about you "packing your fears". I think people may not realize how remote some sections of the ride can be. Sections where you might only see a few people or cars all day, and a few where you might not see anyone. Barring a serious injury, I don't suppose you are likely to die, but it might get kind of unpleasant. Then, there is also the concept of being self sufficient, being able to do a self rescue, and not (like Blanche DuBois) "depend on the kindness of strangers".
Maybe I'll see you out there.

[@andrewstout4902]

Thanks for the message. Yeah, I definitely want to get back out there especially now that all covid restrictions have pretty much dropped. There was some very remote days, were I saw almost no one. I must say I used everything I packed, and anything I wasn't using I gave away or mailed home when there was a chance. And was even able to help some other riders in distress one day in the Great Basin. They were out of water and I was able to spare 1 liter for them. Happy trails, and maybe see you out there this summer.

[@maxwellcunningham8908]

How did you get to roosville?

[@andrewstout4902]

Had a friend drop me off.

[@maxwellcunningham8908]

@@andrewstout4902 lucky man

[@andrewstout4902]

Some of the local shops in whitefish might offer shuttles. I heard this from another rider.