Rockies & Crested Butte Mountain Bike Festival
RCMB – USA, Rockies & Crested Butte Festival
The following is a basic checklist to help you with your packing. We recommend using the layering principle of clothing for varying climatic conditions. Good padded cycling shorts are essential.
Your Bike MUST be at least a mid level Mountain Bike such as a Specialized Rockhopper or Trek 6500. Front suspension is essential. It is vital that your bike is THOROUGHLY SERVICED and in perfect working condition before the trip.
PERSONAL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Feet
Stiff-soled cycling shoes or SPD’s
Torso
Base-layer - short sleeve cycling top (x 2)
Mid-layer - long sleeved cycling top (x 1)
Outer layer - lightweight waterproof jacket
Warm Fleece jacket or jumper
Hands
Regular biking gloves
Legs
Padded cycling shorts (x 2)
Cycling tights or tracksters
Head
Eyewear - Biking glasses
Cycling helmet - mandatory
Daypack and contents
Cycling daypack (e.g. Camelbak) of at least 20 litres total capacity is recommended
Water bladder - min. 2 litres
Lightweight waterproof top
Multi-tool
Puncture repair kit
Inner tube
Pump
Camera
Sun cream
Small roll of gaffer tape
Fleece jacket or jumper
Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
Trek Bag Contents
Travel and apres biking clothes (inc some warmer clothing items)
Training/Leisure shoes for apres biking
Wash bag, Towel and toiletries
Antibacterial hand wash
Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
Headtorch/Headlamp
Chamois cream (e.g. Assos/Ozone)
PERSONAL TOOLS AND SPARES
Note: If you are hiring a bike, you do not need to bring any of this. Although it is still a good idea to take a couple of 26 x 2 inch inner tubes with Presta valves.
You should bring the following with you as a minimum. Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally the bike guide will always be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and inconvenience waiting for assistance.
Tyres – for this trip you will need 2 to 2.25 cross-country tyres suitable for mostly dry with occasional wet conditions.
Pump
Plastic tyre levers
Small tube of grease
1 rear brake cable
1 rear gear cable
Spare set of brake blocks / disc pads (front and rear)
2 spare spokes for front and rear wheels
Spoke key
4 x inner tubes Spare chain links
Liquid chain lube (bottle not aerosol)
Multi-tool with Allen keys
Chain link extractor (if not on multi-tool)
2x puncture repair kits
A rag and brush for cleaning bike and drive train.
Spares specific to your bike**
KE tools and spares
On all of our trips we carry a toolkit and a basic range of spares for emergencies. As bikes become increasingly part specific it is impossible to carry a comprehensive range of spares compatible with all makes and models of bike. ** Please ensure you bring any bike-specific spares which might be needed - such as disc brake bleed kits (and appropriate fluid), shock pumps etc).
Energy Gels/Sports Drinks/Power Bars
Our back up vehicle will carry ample supplies of water, snacks and lunches but if you like a particular energy gel, sports drink or power bar we suggest you bring a selection of your preferred choice along.
Bike Hire
One option is that you take your own bike on this holiday. It is the bike you know best and will provide you with the best riding experience. However, good quality, well maintained bikes are available for hire locally. Bikes range from Specialized Rockhoppers or KHS Alite 1000, to XT (or above) level full suspension Santa Cruz. Please refer to Bike Hire in the trip dossier for an indication of hire costs. The rental fee will be paid locally and does not include loss of, or damage to the bike (other than normal wear and tear). Please note: you will usually need to leave your credit card as security when hiring a bike. If you want to hire a bike, please contact the KE office and we can reserve one on your behalf. We must stress that your hire contract will be with the local hire company and that KE cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from bike hire. If you do hire a bike, we recommend that you take your own shoes, pedals and possibly even your saddle, which will go a long way towards making it feel like your own bike.
Please do not hesitate to call us for further advice about what to bring or any other aspect of this trip. We are more than happy to offer you the benefit of our experience. Further helpful information can also be found in the Your Bike, Baggage Allowances, Climate and Travelling with Your Bike sections of the detailed trip dossier.
