The How to Carry Gear/water/tools
Robbe Smith
August 14, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
In today’s send I’m going to expand upon what I spoke about last week. Since you will always have water, your hydration pack is a great way to carry everything else you need. I’m also going to talk a little about my current favorite type of racing mountain bikes.
I'll also be sharing
What I carry on most rides and how I carry it.
Last week I wrote about he importance of water on your ride. Since I am carrying a pack anyway, I also use it as a way to keep everything else I need with me.
I have two different setups I use depending on how long I am going to be riding and/or the time of year. For longer/hotter rides I go with a Camel Bak Mule LR. The LR stands for low rider. Years ago I discovered that my back prefers to keep the weight of the water low on my back. Once I started using a LR pack, my lower back pain on long rides stopped. As the name Mule implies, this is a good pack to carry lots of stuff. In my Mule I have a tool roll(it’s included with the pack). In the tool roll I have a ratcheting tool with hex bits, a chain tool, zip ties a tire plug kit, and tire levers. I also have a pump, tube, 2oz sealant, a hand chain saw and a small rag. In addition to all of that I also keep snacks with me too. This setup has a 3 liter water bladder as well.
My second setup is a pared down version of my big pack. I use the Osprey Seral. It’s a hip pack with a 1.5 liter bladder. It’s a much smaller setup than my full pack, but I can still carry what I need. In this pack I carry a ratcheting tool, chain tool, tire levers, a tube, sealant and a pump. I like this setup because It’s lighter, and it keeps the heat and weight of a full size pack off my back.
On hotter days that I want to use the hip pack, I will also carry a water bottle. On downhill days I don’t carry anymore than a EDC LIte(I have mentioned this tool on the past), and occasionally a water bottle.
Bike I’m Eyeing: YT Jeffsey Uncaged 14
Here’s why…..YT periodically does limited edition versions of it’s bikes, and this is a really solid build for the money. Ohlins suspension, 5Dev cranks, purple anodizied bits, etc. My only real nit pick about the build is the choice for aluminum wheels. There is no reason to not have a carbon wheel option.
YT Jeffsey Uncaged 14
Enduro Racing: what is it?
Enduro is my favorite racing discipline these days. I am getting ready for a few races I have coming up. I know I am not going to win. I race to have fun. If I can make it through the day in one piece, and if I have stage times I am happy with that’s even better.
The race format for enduro is pretty simple. You have 4-6 timed downhill sections. You will have an untimed transfer to each timed downhill section. The transfers are usually a climb. Some are borderline enjoyable to totally soul crushing. I prefer the more manageable ones, but the soul crushing ones make you really appreciate the easier ones.
The downhill sections can range from flatter sections where you pedal your butt off to sections that are super steep and chunky. There are very few races that I have done that have mandatory features. Most of the time, hitting the drop, doubles, or whatever the feature is head on is much faster than taking the easier line. With this format you will usually get a chance to pre-ride the stages. It gives you a chance to wok out your lines on the harder sections. If you can remember them all at race speed you will usually have a good day.
What I’m reading this week
My favorite stuff
The recommendations below include affiliate links, if you make a purchase I’ll receive a very small commission.
Great pack to carry a ton of stuff while keeping the wight low  | Perfect small pack for shorter rides  | I have 4 of these. They are amazing.  |