The Gear
What to bring is always a toss up, depending on the course, the proposed weather, and your motive. This was my first bikepacking route with a full suspension bike. I recently purchased an Ibis Ripley that I named Ike. Without getting into mumbo jumbo tech talk, the Ripley is the most versatile bike I’ve ever ridden. Just about a week before riding the bike along the spine of the state in competitive time, I was riding lift access downhill and jump trails on the same bike! When setting up for XVT, I did not think I’d be sleeping for much more than a few hours one night. I first considered bringing just my space blanket, but I’m glad I decided to go one step heavier with the SOL E-Bivy, which I decided to use over a thermal sleeping bag liner and my usual Klymit Pad. It was minimal, but that’s all I felt the need for. Embarrassingly, with all my bikepacking trips, this was my first to use a bivy.![xvtbkpkrte4](http://bikepacker.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xvtbkpkrte4.jpg)
The Ride
The route is 301 miles and about 33,000 vFt.![xvtbkpkrte1](http://bikepacker.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xvtbkpkrte1.jpg)
![xvtbkpkrte10](http://bikepacker.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xvtbkpkrte10.jpg)
![xvtbkpkrte12](http://bikepacker.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xvtbkpkrte12.jpg)
![xvtbkpkrte14](http://bikepacker.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xvtbkpkrte14.jpg)
![xvtbkpkrte17](http://bikepacker.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xvtbkpkrte17.jpg)
![xvtbkpkrte19 beth susnet](http://bikepacker.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/xvtbkpkrte19-beth-susnet.jpg)
Thanks to my awesome sponsors!
Alpine Bike Works http://www.alpinebikeworks.com/
Nuclear Sunrise Stitchworks http://www.nukesunrise.com/
Lonewolf Cycling http://lonewolfcycling.com/
Surefoot USA (Insoles) http://www.surefoot.com/
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