What to Bring
Packing list and tips for multi-day mountain bike camping tours.
Weather is difficult to predict — we recommend checking the forecast for your destination before departure. Each tour page links to that area's weather station. Please follow the list below to ensure your comfort. You'll have a better trip if you're prepared.
No matter the time of year, the essentials are warm clothes for cooler evenings, good rain gear you can ride in, and sunscreen. Avoid cotton clothing while riding. Layering polypropylene, fleece, or wool works well for the wide range of temperatures you'll experience. We love Ibex wool clothing for its versatility.
Important Packing Tips
Dry Bags
We provide waterproof dry bags (12½" × 18½" × 30") for your gear. Most soft-shell duffel bags fit right in. It's best to divide your gear into several small-to-medium duffels. Please do not bring hard-shell suitcases — they won't fit in the dry bags, and dry bags are much easier to pack on our support vehicles.
Altitude
Your best prevention against altitude sickness — which can get serious — is to arrive well fed and hydrated. Arriving a couple of days early to acclimatize helps. Take it easy and don't wear yourself out before the tour starts. Temperatures are cooler at elevation, so even summer trips can get cold. You'll need warm clothing for both riding and camp.
Standard Packing List
Items to bring regardless of which tour you're on.
Bike Gear
- Mountain bike & helmet — may be rented. If renting a bike and you use clipless pedals, please bring your own pedals and shoes.
- Riding shoes — athletic shoes, lightweight hiking shoes, or trail runners with a sturdy sole work well
- Socks — enough for each day's ride
- Biking tights or equivalent — wool or polypropylene
- Biking shorts — for comfortable riding
- Riding gloves — bring long-fingered gloves for cooler weather
- Riding jerseys / T-shirts
- Windbreaker / light jacket for riding
- Hydration pack — recommended for all tours, with room to carry food and some gear
- Bike repair tools: spare tubes, patch kit, and a small set of Allen wrenches
Camping & Other Gear
- Tent with good rain fly — may be rented. Make sure tent and rain fly are seam-sealed.
- Warm sleeping bag and sleeping pad — may be rented
- Pillow — not included in rental gear
- Towel, biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, contact solution, personal medications
- Headlamp (Petzl or similar) and/or flashlight with spare batteries
- Daypack — if you don't have a hydration pack, for hiking and extra storage
- Water bottles — at least one for around camp
Other Clothing
- Extra pair of shoes — for hiking or if others get wet
- Sandals — comfortable for around camp
- Rain coat and pants — should be waterproof; no ponchos
- Warm jacket for camp
- Long pants / sweatpants
- Long underwear — great to sleep in on cold nights
- T-shirts — long- and short-sleeved
- Shorts for relaxing around camp
- Warm hat
- Long-fingered gloves or mittens
- Visor or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
- Underwear, socks, and extra clothes as needed
- Swimsuit — optional; some trips have opportunities for swimming and/or using the solar shower
Miscellaneous
- Camera with extra batteries
- Power bank / battery pack for recharging devices
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars — optional
- Cash — if you enjoy your ride, please tip your guide
- Libations — your favorite beer or wine; we'll have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages
- Ear plugs — optional, useful for light sleepers and on breezy nights
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Wet wipes
Tour-Specific Additions
For Desert Tours
The lack of shade makes sun protection essential.
- Lightweight, long-sleeve shirt for riding, hiking, and camp
For Mountain Tours
Higher elevations mean colder temperatures — plenty of layers are important for riding and in camp.
- A larger riding pack to carry extra clothing and rain gear each day
- Rain pants to supplement a rain jacket you can ride in
- An extra set of riding gloves in case one gets wet
- Wool socks and other wool clothing
- Down or puffy coat for cool evenings and mornings
For Singletrack Tours
You may be carrying everything you need for a full day's ride, so pack size matters.
- Pack with at least 100 oz water carrying capacity
Bringing Your Own Bike?
Your bike should be tuned and in good working condition before the tour starts. We strongly recommend having it checked by a reputable bike shop prior to departure. Have it tuned up and any worn parts replaced — a mountain bike in good operating condition is essential.
Our guides carry tools and spare parts suitable for most bikes. If your bike has special features or specifications, supply your own parts and tools. We strongly suggest bringing a spare derailleur hanger that fits your bike.
We carry a spare bike on most tours to provide replacement parts, but we cannot guarantee that what we have will be compatible with your bike.
You may ship your bike ahead of time to Rim Tours — please make these arrangements with our office before you arrive. Write your name and the tour you're scheduled for clearly on the label, along with "Please Build" or "Please Hold."
Rim Tours can also do a tune-up. The charge depends on the amount of work needed. Our assembly fee is $40, or $80 if we disassemble and box it at the end of the trip as well. Shipping fees are your responsibility.
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