Taking a Break from Enduro to... Bikepack?

 For the fourth year in a row I am headed deep into the Colorado back roads to ride my gravel bike and explore some new roads with some friends. Starting in 2020, we started riding a multi-day trip focused on dirt roads, back roads, and beautiful views. 

Top of Old Fall River Road in 2020

For this year, I wanted to share my set up and how it's evolved. This year I am riding a new frame with some time tested bags. Here is my set up:

Let's go through the bike! I have been refining this set up over the years and I'm really happy with it.

Bike setup:

• Unicorn Ti gravel frame
• Replacing my Cannondale Topstone
• DT Swiss c1800 wheels
• 21mm internal width, not a wide as some but perfectly functional
• 40c WTB Byway tires
• SRAM Rival / GX AXs
• New for this ride, 44t x 11/50t, trying out the 1x
• Cannondale SAVE seat post
• This seat post takes a lot of the buzz out of the road
• Easton EC 70 AX bars
• Nice flat top and complaint carbon flare bar

Hot Sulphur Springs in 2021

On this trip we have riders using a few different kinds of gear storage from panniers to full frame bags. Below is what I'm riding with. I am trying to keep things even over the length of the bike and reasonably accessible.

Storage:

• Tail bag: Revelate Shrew 3L 
• Down jacket, rain gloves, helmet cover, flip flops strapped to outside
• Frame Bag: Revelate Tangle
• Lights, chargers, food, misc
• Top Tube: Revelate Gas Tank
• snacks
• Bar Bag: Revelate Egress
  
• Evening wear, cold weather stuff, rain jacked strapped to back
• ***New this year*** Evoc 1L Hip Pack
• Phone, snacks, misc
• Wolf Tooth Components tool roll
• Tube, multitool, tire lever
• Tool can
• Emergency tools, misc tools

Outside Meeker in 2022

In addition to all that, here are some of the select things I'm bringing.

Notables:

• Ass Savers fenders are light and functional
• Profile Designs fork mounted water bottle cages keep weight low and out of the way
• Custom handlebar bag mount to keep bar bag off hands
• Voile straps are a life saver
• Oversize water bottle cage for Nalgene
• A very bright headlight for emergencies
• Garmin InReach GPS Communication device

Here is a look at the 2023 route:

Once the ride is over I'll share the route debrief!