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| Logan Watts' Shredpacking Setup LINK |
RockStar Challenge: Ultracycling? Bikepacking? or ... Shredpacking?!First some definitions:
- Ultracycling = competitive, non-stop, endurance cycling challenge
- Bikepacking = all-terrain cycling + backpacking
- Shredding = riding fast, smooth, and with style on a singletrack trail
- Shredpacking = shredding + bikepacking with minimal ultralight gear
What's approach is possible / reasonable on each of the RockStar Routes?
- Ultracycling
- Pave - reasonable!
- Gravel - possible but pretty damn extreme
- Trail - not for mortals and originally thought to be impossible. A handful of superheroes have zero-sleep / non-stop completed the RockStar Trail route.
- Bikepacking
- Pave - super fun!
- Gravel - very challenging and super fun!
- Trail - crazy hard. hauling a fully loaded bikepacking rig up all of the climbs of RockStar Trail is really really hard. People try this each year, success rate is low. And DH bliss is dampened.
- Shredpacking
- Pave - super fun!
- Gravel - still very challenging and maybe even more fun than bikepacking
- Trail - a bunch of folks use this approach. they bring enough to light overnight, sleeping somewhat comfortably. There are not a crazy amount of hours between resupply opportunities - which makes Shredpacking the Trail route maybe the most reasonable and probably the most fun unsupported Trail option.
Chris’s preferred style of bikepacking involves minimal and ultralight gear, with a strong preference for singletrack riding, which he refers to as “shred-packing.” When I asked Chris how he packs, he summed it up with, “My goal is to go mountain biking with my gear so thoughtfully packed that it doesn’t alter the way my bike rides, my line selection, or the fun factor.” ~ Bikepacking.com
This! Sounds amazing!
Me personally - I've ridden the RockStar Trail route a few times, but it's always been supported and in stages, because I love the experience of riding the phenomenal backcountry trails that make up RockStar SO MUCH. I didn't want to give up the shred experience ... and I didn't have the gear needed for shredpacking.
Enter 2026! With a handful of choice items from Roanoke's own Mountain Laurel Designs and hopefully a custom Spacer Cradle from Goodday + Curiosity ... I just might go for a shredpacking Trail attempt in 2026! Stay tuned ... ;)
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| Logan Watts' Shredpacking Setup LINK |
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| Liz Sampey's Shredpacking Setup LINK |
Check out Liz's article: Shredpacking: How to Handle a Loaded Bike While Bikepacking
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