Would like to get the community’s thoughts and ideas on how to prep and set up a bike for some backcountry XC mtb.
Next month, I’m planning on riding the Old Ghost Road in NW New Zealand. The route is 50 mi long with 6500 ft of elevation gain. The majority of climbing (4k ft) is front loaded in the first 15 mi. Terrain is rocky/gravel-y that drains well. Climate is temperate rain forest so the chance of it being wet is high. Temperature is historically 45-55ºF in November. The area is pretty remote and it’s a point-to-point ride so getting help is basically not possible. It’s typically done in 2-3 days per the website. We plan on doing it in one day. Looks like the initial climb out is between 5-7% incline with 20% punches at the switchbacks. I’m at about 4 w/kg. Allegedly, this ride will take 6.5-7 hrs per Garmin and Komoot’s pacing estimate. Think this is a good time estimate?
I’ll be riding my Epic 8 with Flight Attendant (120 mm f/r travel) and AXS Transmission with a 32T ring. Epic 8 has a bit of internal storage that I’ll be putting a multitool, Tubolito, tire boot, tire lever, and pump. I plan to run 2 bottles and water refills shouldn’t be an issue. But I do plan on also riding with an USWE Race 2.0 pack that will contain additional clothes and nutrition.
Clothing-wise will be determined on the day of the ride. It’ll most likely be cool so long sleeve jersey and shorts with leg warmers for the start. I was also planning on bringing a rain gilet and extra cool weather gloves, and extra socks. Am I missing anything here?
With nutrition, I’m planning on going just gel and liquid calories aiming for 80-100 g carb/hr with SIS gels and Skratch Superfuel. I’ll also be adding in some solid food like a PBJ sammy, jerky, and rice cakes.
My only other dilemma is tire choice. I’m currently running Conti Race King Protection 2.2s on my local trails here. They run a bit loose in the wet so I’m thinking something wider with good wet grip on rocky surfaces. The most recent podcast with Hanna talking about Marathon World Champs got me thinking of trying Maxxis Aspen ST front and rear. It allegedly gets good reviews in the wet as long as it’s not muddy. Thoughts on this choice? If the weather is real bad, we just bail on the ride altogether as the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
Has anyone on here ridden this trail and could give beta? Would be much appreciated. Am I also missing anything else?
I wouldn’t over-think it. Everything sounds fine, but the only thing I might do is run a slightly burlier tire with more flat protection if you’re not racing it. Makes it less likely that you’re dealing with trying to fix a flat out there, and extra traction is always nice if rolling resistance and speed isn’t your #1 goal.
Being self supported and point-to-point, reliability and durability would be my #1 consideration.
Not from NZ but I’ve done a couple of mountain things over there - hopefully a local will chime in if I’m wrong. I would recommend packing an actual rain jacket and maybe an emergency insulation layer like a light fleece jacket or down vest. The weather can change rapidly in the mountains there, and it’s also good to have options in case of a crash or mechanical preventing you from keeping warm by riding.
Hi I have done this ride before. At 4w/kg you will be fine in one day and 6.5 - 7.5 hrs ride time (plus stops if any) if the weather and trail conditions are good.
Main issue will be a catastrophic bike failure / big crash etc. It is a long way to walk out. I would pack at least a small puffer jacked in case you need to spend a night in one of the huts before walking out the next day.
Also think about an Epirb for evac just in case, especially if you are doing this solo
Unless you are going for the Fastest known time. I would avoid using a super light XC tyre like the Maxxis aspen ST just to reduce the risk of puncture / tear mainly and this ruining your day. There is some rock chunk and also likely some mud to be contended with. Note there is some hike a bike in there too.
I would personally run the race kings over the Maxxis Aspens ST or even just the normal Aspens
Can your rain jacket fit over your pack? Sounds like water is readily available (filtering creek water presumably?). Can you ditch the USWE pack, and carry additional clothes in your jersey pockets? Even when it’s cool out, I find I sweat underneath a backpack, and try avoid riding with one when I can.
One thing I would also pack would be mini first aid kit with a space blanket and if I had one a tiny packable puffy jacket. Space blankets are a few quid from eBay and live in most of my bags just in case. Not needed to use one for a real accident but this sounds pretty remote so for the light weight I’d definitely pack it.
Both things will probably live in the pack the entire ride but if you have an off or major mechanical being warm can be the difference between being uncomfortable and an emergency.
Going to test out the new Schwalbe Rick XC Pro over the next month to see how they hold up. They have more knobs especially in the transition area than the Aspens. I’ve ran Aspens previously and they’re sketchy as you leaned the bike over. Man, I wish they would make a Continental Race King in 2.4.
I’m going to bring my iPhone which has the SOS satellite emergency feature. We have an epirb as a backup
Ridden it twice and 2nd the “just in case” thoughts. We went in the middle of summer and had zero visibility, water falls over the trail. Unbelievable riding and because it rains on the West Coast a lot, the trails are made to stand up to the absolute worst conditions. Also did it in spring and got absolutely epic conditions. Might be too late now for bookings, but doing it in two days and staying a night at Ghost Lake Hut (cell phone reception there) is well worth it.
You can still pack super light but fill one bidon with a nice Aussie Shiraz and take something delicious to cook in the fully equiped huts. I did both trips with an 18L EVOC bag, sleeping bag liner and rain gear. Can generally stop off at the huts along the way to top up bottles too.
Good idea with the tyres too - Big chunky rocks in places
Have 3 rides on them and they’re a good tire. Better traction than regular Aspen and Race Kings. No noticeable difference in rolling resistance. Surprisingly, haven’t flatted them yet and have put them through the wringer. No inserts just sealant. Knock on wood
Old Ghost Road ride was a complete success! Ride with my brother and his friend and it was an epic day. What an amazing trail. If you’re in NZ and an avid mtb’er bring your bike and do this trail. Can’t wait to do Paparoa and Heaphy tracks next time.
Finished in 12 hrs total with big stops on regroups since we were all riding at different paces. My moving time was 7h11m for me and felt good at the end. Nutrition was bang on. No mechanicals or major mishaps for anyone which was awesome! I can see it easily going pear shaped with just a slight misstep.
I would highly recommend Schwalbe’s new Rick XC. Perfect tire for this trail (and my home trails). Great control. Predictable. No issues. Ran them at 16 psi (130 lb) and that was probably conservative. Got out for a total of 14 hrs of riding in NZ on my Epic 8 which was probably the optimal bike to do OGR on.
Hi there, you will have have a great time. You might have already finished it I guess looking at the date. Yes your time is a good estimate. I did it over 2 days but they were short riding days and we were not going at a quick pace.The Conti race Kings will be fine, it isn’t too technical and I am sure people would have ridden it on gravel bikes.
