Biking from New Mexico to Canada on the GDMBR: Gear Shakedown
Updated: Aug 6
I thought biking across the country was going to be a one time thing. In 2022, my friend Casey and I cycled from California to Florida on the ACA’s Southern Tier route. That was 4 years ago, and we were babies who didn't know anything about bikepacking. Truly, neither of us had even done a single overnight trip on a bike before that, yet our wheels touched sand on both coasts, and we learned a lot along the way.
Fast forward another 4 years. I've just completed a PhD program, and I have a glorious summer break separating me from my next career, whatever that may be. At the same time, Casey and Uri (my husband) are also doing big career changes this fall and so are both ready to go on another grand adventure with me.
This time, the Great Divide Mountain Biking Route.
This route was much different than the Southern Tier which was all paved, a mix of backroads and highways, and it traversed West to East across the dry to sticky South (palm trees to cacti to swamps). We also rarely saw other cyclists along the way.
Now, the GDMBR is mainly gravel and goes North to South (or vice versa) from Canada to New Mexico, following the Rocky Mountain range. There are fewer services, and we needed to upgrade our rigs to accommodate the more mountainous terrain. I don’t know how the community differs on this route, but I believe this is more popular, due to the famous Tour Divide race that brings cycling celebrities from around the world every June.
So, here we go. My list for the GDMBR, crafted and modified from my other cross country tour, as well as with some background experience in gravel bikepacking. My lighterpack list (linked below) was also posted on FB and modified with crowd-sourced ideas, so it should be ready to go!
As always, I’ll make adjustments along the way, but here is what I’m starting with.
Post-trip note: We biked from June 8 to July 24, 2026. I have added some notes in red about my thoughts regarding some of these choices.
Compact list found here (and subject to minor changes): https://lighterpack.com/r/ed5do3
Maps
I am using the Tour Divide 2026 route from bikepacking.com with points of interest (reversed to go south to north). This route is uploaded to my Komoot app on my phone (downloaded for offline use) as well as on my Garmin computer: https://www.komoot.com/tour/3014533528
A guy on the GDMBR Facebook page, Mark Perschel, has a comprehensive spreadsheet for resupply that he sends folks upon request. Here is the NOBO sheet.
Post-trip note: During the route, we also downloaded Outly, an app that shows all the public land locations for camping. This is the free version of the similar app OnX, which our riding partner also had.
Anytime someone had the info cards purchased from the OneofSevenProject, we were so jealous. These were incredibly helpful, showing all the major resupply points, distances and elevations between those points, and tips for each area. I recommend getting these if you can.
The Bike
For biking the Great Divide, I opted to go with a hardtail Salsa, in large part because it was a gift, but also because I adore my Salsa gravel bike. The front suspension would take the edge off any bumpy terrain; however, my husband is riding a rigid Surly Bridgeclub. Both bikes can accommodate wider tires (Vittoria Mezcals). I modified the handlebars to be Surly Molokos with ergon grips to give myself more hand position options (my hands went numb during my last cross country tour on drop bars). Finally, over the past few years, I've become very attached to my brooks saddle, making it difficult for me to bike with anything else––this one is the short stem with a cutout.
Salsa Rangefinder Deore 11-Speed 29 MTB
Ergon GP1 EVO handlebar grips
Surly Moloko handlebars
Vittoria Mezcal III 29 x 2.6- tubeless
Brooks Saddle B17 seat
Tubeless valves –– my most unnecessary purchase, just because they were pretty
Post-trip note: I was very happy with all of these choices! The mezcals were perfect from start to finish––all three of us had 0 issues, and we maybe even added air only one time.
My only hard piece attachments on the bike are water bottle cages and a Garmin mount. I’m choosing to not use any racks or panniers, only working with strap-on bags. My reasoning for this is to avoid extra hardware jostling out of my bike—I’ve had bolts come loose and get lost on route before, and Uri has had his rack break.
Two water bottle cages (inside the frame)
Large water bottle cage (Salsa Anything) that can accommodate a Nalgene
The Bags
A main concern of mine was finding enough space on the bike for storage. The Salsa has a notorious itty-bitty frame, though there are custom bags that can squeeze in the space. Retaining the frame for my water bottles, I ended up having my main storage bags behind my seat (14 L) and under my handlebars (25 L). My seat bag would hold my sleeping bag, tent, and bathroom supplies. My front handlebar bag was filled with my extra clothes and electronics. The feedbags are on either side of my handlebar stem for quick food access. I also squeezed a tiny handlebar bag in between the moloko bars for extra food. The top tube bag is holding bike repair supplies (or sometimes an extra water bottle). Additional places for storage: in my hydration vest and fanny pack. If I need to modify, I have other places where bags can tuck, like on my seat post/top tube and/or fork.
25 L Saltyroll Handlebar Bag (+2 voile straps)
Revelate Mountain Feedbags (x2 on handlebars)
Top tube bag (Walmart: Ozark trail)
Surly moloko adjunct handlebar bag
Extra food bag (+2 voile straps)
My tent bag— this was just a stuff sack to put extra food. I first voile strapped it to my top tube, but it kept falling to the side, so I've now strapped it to the salty roll front bag with 2 voile straps.
Side: I’ve been impressed with Walmart’s selection, honestly. If you’re not looking for something name brand and fancy, there are some cheap options that will get the job done.
Post-trip note: All of these bags were enough space to carry all the items that I needed. The spare food bag (my tent bag) was often stuffed post-grocery run and attached to my front roll with voile straps. My only annoyance was the top tube bag, which had a tendancy to flop to either side and hit my legs.
Bike repair
This is my first time running both hydraulic breaks and tubeless tires on a long tour, making me a bit wary about how this is going to go. But, here is a list of my common repair kit items, most of which I store in my top tube bag.
Core tool
Chain breaker
Spare master chain links
Tire levers
Spare tube
Spare spokes
Spare bolts
Extra cable
Patch kit (glueless)
Zip ties (reusable)
Tubeless repair (Stan's DART)
Derailleur hangar
Pump
Brake pads Post-trip note: Surprisingly, I never had to replace these! We were never in peanut butter mud, so there was never an instance when grit ground down my brake pads fast.
Bear Spray (picking up just for the northern section at Brush Mtn Lodge)
Post-trip note: we used the lube + grease rag almost daily. I also did end up needing my spare derailleur hangar, after having several falls on the trip. But, I didn't use a single other item on the trip since we were lucky enough to not have any major mechanical issues.
Electronics
GPS Spot (with extra batteries)
Garmin Edge 850 Solar bike computer
Front Light
Solas 250 Back Light (takes micro-USB)
Powerbank
I-Phone
Phone charger
Power bank charger
Lights charger
Charging block
Waterproof bag for electronics
Spare ziplock bag (just in case)
Post-trip note: my front light didn't have very good battery life, and I wished I had another as backup since we had started to ride a lot at night to avoid the heat. Also, when my spare food bag was attached to my front roll, it blocked my front light. You can buy a component to raise your front light high above your bikebags, and this would have been very useful. One of our power banks also died forever, so we bought a bigger/better one from REI about halfway into the tour.
Clothing
All of my shirts I bought secondhand! (Update: I recently received a merino wool long sleeve shirt as a gift— thanks, Eve!)
I'm also in the low minority of people who wear underwear + chamois. I don't have a history of saddle sores or chaffing, and I like the ability of quick washing underwear while keeping my chamois more hygienic (especially if there isn't laundry often).
Finally, my concern about my Five Ten shoes is that they soak up water and stay wet for a while. The West is pretty dry this year, but I do have my Teva sandals if I need to dry out my socks and feet.
Post-trip note: The hydration vest was a must for me! I filled it to capacity with extra water and snacks when I needed.
Helmet: Engage Smith Session MIPS
Salomon hydration vest (for extra water)
Fanny pack –– I adore my Cotopaxi fanny pack. I wear it everywhere, especially for carrying quick snacks and important things I don't want to leave on my bike.
Biking gloves (Pearl Izumi)
Glove liners Post-trip note: only used a couple times, but early mornings were very cold at times!
Buff
Bandana Post-trip note: Ended up using this as a substitute for my kula cloth, which I lost.
Regular ball cap Post-trip note: I sent this home since I wasn't using it!
Tops
Long sleeve sun shirt (thin, light, and breezy)
Merino wool long sleeve
Long sleeve synthetic shirt Post-trip note: I swapped this for a t-shirt from a hiker bin. Having an airy short-sleeve shirt was great for cooling down after riding.
Sleeping shirt (always kept dry)
Patagonia nanopuff (warmth; always dry!)
Patagonia Rain coat (Rain/ Wind breaker; wet jacket) Post-trip note: I only used this 2-3 x the whole trip, and only to protect me against mosquitoes, never rain.
Thin fleece 3/4 zip up (more warmth)
2 sports bras
Bottoms
Capris chamois
Shorts chamois
Leggings (sun protection but also for warmth)
Columbia rain pants (also for warmth on colder mornings) Post-trip note: rarely used these. Mainly as a pair of pants when I was washing everything else.
Long sleeping pants (always kept dry)
3 underwear Post-trip note: I mailed 2 home!
Footwear
Five Ten shoes Post-trip note: These were great! They only got wet a handful of times, and they dried out within the same day since it was very arid the whole time.
Teva sandals Post-trip note: I lost these on the border of NM/CO at the beginning of the tour and didn't replace them. I managed fine without.
3 sock pairs Post-trip note: I cut down to 2 pairs.
Camping
Many people on discussion boards say you absolutely need something warmer than 30-40 F for a sleeping bag/quilt, especially at high elevation. MY 15 F bag is likely overkill, but it’s what I have, and I can’t drop a couple hundred dollars right now. Folks seem happy with a 20-25 F rating, so my 15 F isn’t too far off the mark. Some folks also hate the Z pad, but I love it. At the end of the day, I detest having to blow up a sleeping pad, and my Z pad worked well previously when I biked across the country.
Post-trip note: The 15 degree bag was essential for me. On some mornings, I was even just a tad cool. Had I gone with the 25 like a lot of folks suggested, I would have been very cold.
REI 2-person half dome tent
Z pad (bought secondhand). Post-trip note: I loved this! Uri and Casey both got holes in their inflatable sleeping pads and had to repair or buy a new one. I also used mine as a seat or a stretching mat.
Bungee straps: this is getting bungeed onto my seat bag Post-trip note: Switched to MSR straps!
Tent footprint (hammock rain fly, which doubles as an emergency tarp for hail/sun/etc). This is wrapped around my Z pad (shown in full bike photo) Post-trip note: Was really great as a ground sheet and for sun protection!
Bathroom
Kula cloth Post-trip note: I lost this in WY and used my bandana instead.
Ear plugs
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
First Aid Post-trip note: This was basically bandaids and icy hot. We fortunately had no issues!
Sunscreen
Diva cup
Chapstick
Hairties
Clothesline (bear hang string; tarp string; about 40 ft)
Post-trip note: Ended up buying diaper rash cream for saddle sores which helped!
Food
What I eat changes all of the time. Here are some of my go-tos that I had on hand during a test ride. I’ll also likely have jerky/sausage, oatmeal packets, instant potatoes, etc, and I'll eat fresh food whenever I get the chance.
Post-trip note: When at the store, I made sure to buy something sweet, something salty, and something with protein because I was always craving one of those three things.
Water: my current setup holds 3 standard bike bottles (~800 mL each) and 1 Nalgene (1 L) on the frame. My top tube bag has the capability of holding another 800 mL bottle. I am also wearing a hydration vest that has two chest bottles (1 L total) and a back bladder (2 L). My fanny pack has the capacity of holding an additional Nalgene (1 L). Post-trip note: This was always enough water to get me to the next spot for more water!
Additional
Passport (for Canada!)
Audiobooks
Cash/Credit cards/ ID
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