Trans Pyrenees: Packlist

A moment in a bus shelter near the base of the Tourmalet

The flight home from my scratched Tour Divide ride was spent breaking down everything that worked for me and everything that didn't. To be honest, there wasn't much that didn't work for me other than a poorly planned budget, but nevertheless I had taken away a lot from that ride.

Having only previously raced ultra-distance as part of a pair, the Divide was my first venture into oblivion without a homie to go with me. I learned a lot about time management and resupply. I learned a lot about exactly how far I could ride without sleeping before the hallucinations started to take over. I also learned a lot about the importance of a well thought out kit.

Riding in a self-supported ultra-distance race means that you are responsible for anything you might need out on the road. That means food, clothing, repairs, or anything else that might occur when racing in a multi-day race. Sometimes simply called a "bike-packing race," the spirit of self-sufficiency is at the core of these events and what draws a lot of the participants to them.

On October 4th in Biarritz, France I will line up to start the inaugural run of the Trans Pyrenees. The Trans Pyrenees is a self-supported race that takes riders through France, Spain, and Andorra along many of the forgotten roads of the Pyrenees. A unique feature among ultras, this race is also partially self-routed, which adds a whole new dynamic to race strategy.

Now, the Pyrenees in October are anything but reliable. They can be sunny and warm with a crisp late summer air, they can have pouring rain with temperatures dancing just above freezing, or they can be buried under a layer of snow. If you were to say, spend the better part of a week racing through the peaks and valleys from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and back, you might consider being prepared for any of the aforementioned conditions to occur.

I've spent a lot of time deciding exactly what it is I am bringing with me to get me through the Pyrenees and I'm going to break down my kit to give you an idea of what it takes to do a race like the Trans Pyrenees. My Squid Bikes $quidcross will be outfitted with Rapha's latest line of bike-packing bags. A handlebar bag, a frame bag, a seat bag, and two top tube bags.

Handlebar bag:

This is where I keep my clothing. I'll have both a warm and cold weather kit, so whatever isn't being worn will live between the bars.

Rapha Explore Down Jacket
Rapha Explore Cargo Bibs/Rapha Explore Winter Tights
Rapha Brevet Lightweight Jersey/Rapha Brevet Long Sleeve Windblock Jersey
Rapha Reflective Brevet Socks/Rapha Pro Team Winter Socks
Rapha Brevet Base Layer
Rapha Commuter Jacket
Co-op Rain Pants
Rapha Classic Thermal Arm Warmers
Rapha Classic Thermal Leg Warmers

Frame bag:

This is where I'll store things I want quick access to while on the bike or when stopping for resupply.

Brevet card
Passport
Wallet
Rapha Brevet Gilet
Rapha Brevet Reflective Gloves
MLD Rain Mitts
Handpump
Dyna Plug Tubeless Plugs
GoPro
First Aid Kit
Glasses
Spare eTap batteries
ALL THE SNACKS

Seat bag:

My sleep kit will live in the seat bag. Most of my sleep will occur in this kit, although the occasional hotel might not be a bad thing!

Sea to Summit Spark SPII Sleeping Bag
Sea to Summit Reactor Thermal Liner
Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mat
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
SOL Escape Bivy

Top Tube bags:

I'll have one at the front and one at the back, with the front being reserved for MORE SNACKS!!!

Chamois Butt'r Skin Wash
Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle
CAP256 Musette
Power Bank
eTap charger/cables
Wahoo BOLT as backup for Wahoo ROAM