Behind The Ultra: Atlas Mountain Race Kit List

Written by Epic Cycles staff member and brand ambassador Molly Weaver

Kit faff and flat lays – often the final piece of the puzzle before heading to an ultra race. I won’t say too much about the reasons I’m taking each piece of kit, as that sort of analysis is often better saved until after the adventure. A lot of packing is educated guesses, a weighing up of pros and cons, and testing how far your comfort zone extends when it comes to leaving stuff at home. You’ll only really know if you got it right once you hit the road!

Comparing my bike and bags to other people’s setups that I’ve seen so far, I would say that I’m somewhere in the middle ground between the minimalists and the over-packers. I’ve leaned more into comfort and reducing the risk of scratching due to poor preparation for conditions, mechanicals, and terrain etc whilst eliminating the hopefully truly unnecessary creature comforts. Only time will tell if I’ve struck the right balance!

The mandatory pieces of kit for AMR are as follows, with everything else being at a riders discretion:

Front and rear lights
Helmet
Basic first aid kit – this includes bandages, antiseptic/sterile wipes, medication
Down jacket or synthetic equivalent
Waterproof jacket
Survival blanket / bivy bag
5 degree comfort sleeping bag
Spare derailleur hanger