10 Things to Pack for your next #MTB Adventure:
1 - Mountain Bike
Maybe it goes without saying, but a very important part of your trip is the mountain bike itself. I mean, it could be argued that this item is the whole reason you are going on the trip. Without a mountain bike, a mountain biking trip turns into hiking.
So, on your next mountain biking trip, don’t forget your mountain bike.
2 - Rain jacket
I live in Oklahoma. The weather in Oklahoma is about as unpredictable as weather conditions come. If I don’t bring a rain jacket on a ride, especially in the spring time, I may be leaving the trail a lot more soaked than I would have desired.
Rain jackets generally can condense into a backpack pretty well, so you won’t be taking up much space to begin with. Patagonia makes some great rain jackets.
3 - Multi-tool
Trail-side maintenance can be a hassle to say the least. Multi-tools include many different tools like hex heads, a chain tool, screwdrivers and Torx T-25 heads into one compact package. A multi-tool that we like is the Crankbrothers M17.
4 - Trail-side DIY
There’s nothing that a little bit of duct tape and zip ties won’t fix. These type of tools are important for quick fixes to get you off of the trail to where you can repair your bike.
I’ve also never been in a situation where I haven’t been thankful for a roll of duct tape. Just saying.
5 - Hydration
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
The thing about dehydration is that it sucks. It can ruin your ride. So don’t get dehydrated. Make sure you a drinking lots of water on the trail and during the trip. Throw a bottle of water in your bike’s bottle mounts or maybe even a hydration sleeve in your trail pack.
6 - Energy bars
Water is way more important than energy bars. However, for a quick snack on the trail, you can’t beat the portability and taste of an energy bar. Our favorite is Peanut Butter Crunch Clif Bars. Comment your favorite energy bar below!
7 - Friends
Friends are always great to have around -- especially for beginners like me. For those of us who have little to no idea what we’re doing, friends can be there to get us out of sticky situations on the trail. If you have more experienced mountain biking friends, you can also learn something from them as a bonus. It’s always a good idea to travel in numbers for many safety reasons.
8 - First Aid
Sometimes people do dumb things. Sometimes dumb things cause people to get hurt. The dumbest thing you can do is to not be prepared for injuries/cuts/scrapes/etc. Lifesystems' Trek First Aid Kit is a great and very portable choice.
As far as first aid is concerned, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
9 - Helmet
A helmet could be the difference between life and death. The benefits of the helmet far outweigh the “cool factor” of not wearing a helmet. Don’t die — wear a helmet.
10 - Other items as assigned
Are you going to be out in the sun all day? Bring sunscreen.
Will there be lots of bugs out? Insect repellant.
Is it an overnight trip? Bring a sleeping bag.
These items are going to be items that tailor your trip to you. Every trip is different, so there is no ultimate list of do’s and don’ts and have’s and have not’s for the trail.
I hope this list was helpful to you as you plan your next mountain bike trip. Do you have other must have items for the trail? Comment your suggestions below!
Stay shredding,
Miles
