Readers Rig is a series of articles that showcases bikepacking kits from riders around the world. Be it long rides or short, races or slogs, everyone has their own unique set up. We hope you enjoy these rigs and maybe pick up a thing or two to add to your set up.

John Schilling Age: 45 From: Queen Creek, AZ Day Job: Cal Tech for Fluke Calibration Evening Job: Part time for American Airlines

BPMag

My passion for bikes began back in the mid-80’s doing BMX Freestyle Flatland riding. We had a great group of friends to ride with where I grew up in Allentown, PA. Fast forward 7 years or so and I was off to college at Arizona State. I fell in love with the desert as my 20″ riding obsession slowly ran its course. I began increasing my other outdoor interests such as alpine skiing when a buddy lent me an old mountain bike and the rest is history as they say. About 5 years ago I began to increase my mileage on rides and explore more of Arizona’s vast backcountry. I wanted to try bikepacking, but had no gear. I accumulated the essentials as I could and in 2012 I lined up for the AZT300. I DNF’d that year, but came back in 2013 and finished. I’ve now set my sights on the AZTR750. A fractured wrist delayed my attempt by a year, but that’s ok. I feel I’m more prepared this year. Time will tell. Best of luck to all the riders who line up this year for either event. They will test your mettle and leave a lasting mark.20160407_211754 Bike: Voodoo Dambala 29er HT. Rock Shox Reba fork. Stan’s Arch EX custom wheels from SpeedDream – Hadley rear hub, Schmidt SON28 Dynamo hub up front. Supernova E3 Triple 2 light with a 3D printed mount on the fork crown. Sinewave Revolution USB converter to power my Garmin Edge705 GPS, Exposure Diablo Mk7 helmet light & Anker cache battery. Selle Anatomica NSX saddle. 2×9 Shimano XT drivetrain with bashguard and 22T oval granny. Shimano PD-MX80 Saint platform pedals. Shimano XT hydro brakes. Cane Creek bar ends & Oury Mountain grips. Tires: Maxxis Ardent 3C EXO 2.4 front, 2.2 rear with homebrew sealant. Clothing: Jersey, Ibex wool shorts, Defeet wool socks, Salomon Speedcross3 shoes, Pearl Izumi knee warmers, arm warmers & coolers, fingerless gloves. Long underwear top, long sleeve wool base layer. Patagonia down jacket. Lobster mitts for those cold riding nights. Showers Pass jacket & pants, if needed. Trax Factory sweatband. Sleeping: Mountain Hardware Phantom32 down bag, ground cover (Lowe’s lumber wrap tyvek), inflatable pillow, Goosefeet down booties, bag liner, reflective car shade pad/thermal, Outdoor Research Helium Bivy Bags: Phantom Pack Systems handlebar bag, Revelate Viscacha seatbag, Gastank and Jerrycan. Nuclear Sunrise Stitchworks Silo x2, custom frame bag made by my sister-in-law – thanks!! Osprey Stratos 36 w/Camelbak 3L bladder. Stuff: Black Diamond carbon trekking poles, first aid kit, 2 spare tubes, misc. tools & repair kit. SPOT Gen3, Sawyer Squeeze water filter, personal hygiene kit. Clear lenses for sunglasses.

Check out John’s Blog and his Arizona Trail Guide

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