-6 to 35degrees... What Kit did I use at the Silk Road Mountain Race?

[@BRAINpl]

That's a great breakdown, appreciated that you've included what you would change. After my last trip I started to hate having water under the downtube as well. I am gonna switch to keep in there all the heavy hardware in a bottle like container or a bag.

[@joshibbett]

Yep in an ideal world I wouldn’t have water there, but needs must sometimes and I always worry that I could loose tools if I kept those there instead

[@grahamsuffield6827]

Great video Josh. Honest, and efficient editing.

[@lydiagould3090]

Love your kit videos. These are so helpful At first I thought you 'd taken way too much kit, thinking it was baking hot all the time. The tent/Bivvy dilemma is always a problem. I must admit I am nervous about being spotted by anyone ,so I go for a bivvy . I did regret this in Scotland where I either died of midge attacks ,or suffocation as the bivvy had no ventilation apart from leaving the zip undone for air. I would have felt safe in a tent there.

[@scottnicol1225]

Thanks for sharing Josh, great detail of kit used.

[@shred3005]

Love seeing vids like this to see what others do. I learn a lot. I’ve had a bad experience with water bottle under the downtube as well. But I’m amazed to see you using a film camera on such a trip! Photography is my other hobby and besides having DSLRs and mirrorless cameras I also shoot a bit of medium format film on a classic Rolleicord and a 35mm Pentax MX from the 70s. Film slows the process and makes you think more about your shot and then there is the anticipation of getting the film processed to see the results. I applaud people shooting film but I never expected to see it on the Silk Road Mountain Race!!

[@joshibbett]

I love the simplicity of a film camera. I find a phone camera too much of a faff and don’t have the patience to use a dslr to its full potential, let along carry the extra weight. But a film point and shoot is quick and efficient to use and as you say really makes you think about the shots you are taking

[@thedoginside]

Love your videos like this. Appreciate the honesty, super helpful 👏🏼

[@1washyourhands]

thanks for your job!

[@jakeyoutdoors2588]

Excellent video and a few useful tips 👍. Regarding the dcf tents, whilst they are incredibly light, some are quite bulky. I found this with one of the zpacks tents and actually got rid of it for that reason. I replaced it with a Tarptent Protrail Li, which packs down pretty small and is also a little more stealthy …….

[@joshibbett]

Good to know

[@jonoelliot01]

​Great video, thanks for sharing Josh. I did SRMR '22 for first time and took to much gear so good to hear your experience. I had a Zpaks Plex Solo tent and used it for various bikepacking events. I found it a bit fiddly to setup, and the pole a bit of a nuisance getting in and out of the tent. I sold it and replaced with a Tarptent Rainbow LI. The Rainbow was perfect for SRMR 2022. The Rainbow design is easier and probably quicker to setup, provides more space inside (as no vertical pole) and is sturdier. Would definately recommend if you're considering a tent.

[@mycoolcar]

You got the Joe Nation POC balaclava!

[@pussa0]

I noticed this too! I can't find it on their website. Where do you get them?

[@mycoolcar]

@@pussa0 I have no idea, sorry. Joe use to be a POC sponsored athlete, so maybe he got it as a special. I think Joe said in his gear check that it’s from the snow sports catalog, so maybe check there?

[@andrewhamilton3486]

​@@pussa0Joe nation said its in the Poc ski menu I think

[@joshibbett]

I don’t think this is exactly the same model as Joe used, it’s one I picked up and used all winter and was so impressed with it I knew it had to come to the Silk Road. This is a fairly generic balaclava where as I think Joe used a more specific ski model which has additional venting for breathing

[@themoodyteam]

18:37 Being conservative with yr gear was the right thing to do. These extreme rides/races can have unpredictable events. When they occur you’ll be glad of those extra grams 😅 Those down booties a case in point.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Great stuff Josh, looks like you had fun out there?

[@joshibbett]

Most definitely!

[@m1les7]

Hey Josh, great vid as usual. The dhb gloves look great, which waterproof over gloves do you use/recommend please? 🎉🎉🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

[@joshibbett]

I've still not found the perfect waterproof gloves, I mix between dissent 133 rain gloves or some OSM over mitts used for hiking

[@m1les7]

@@joshibbett thanks so much for getting back to me 🍁

[@jamesdavies4745]

Josh have you a video on your bike setup for this race? Cheers

[@joshibbett]

Yes it’s there on the channel somewhere!

[@jamesdavies4745]

@ cheers- the search resumes

[@risahustad2323]

I suggest a drinking game where we take a shot every time Josh says "odds and sods"

[@themoodyteam]

Trowel for cat holes?

[@boseabhi2]

Hey Josh, following your races for some time now. One quick question, how much water you carried at a time?

[@jameswong391]

I've never braved water crossings with waterproof socks, always went barefoot. Do the socks withstand water coming through the top? And assume you therefore cross rivers with wet shoes

[@joshibbett]

If you ride through a river that’s not over the bb in depth then they generally keep your feet dry. But obvisosly if water goes over the top they do fill up and then you have a pond in your socks! I’d say they are waterproof for surface water and splashes… heavy rain will eventually seem in but then they act a bit like a wetsuit so at least your feet stay warmer

[@jameswong391]

Grand appreciated@@joshibbett

[@andrewprocter-pl8th]

Nice work Josh. How did you get on with water? I only notice 2 bottles. There were a couple of sections that I was worried about running out, and I had 3+ litres.

[@joshibbett]

I never ran out of water, however I did carry an extra 500ml bottle in my rear pocket in a couple of occasions. I just made sure I never got too low and filled up fairly regularly even if one bottle was still full knowing that the chlorine tablets need at least half and hour to treat water

[@andrewhamilton3486]

Which POC helmet was that?? Thanks

[@joshibbett]

It’s the ventral air

[@PurpleShadowDragon]

why do you use a tailfin rear rack and dry bag if a saddle bag is lighter? 400g for a saddlebag but 650g for tailfin and 150g for drybag.

[@speciesofspaces]

Was it mentioned who makes the bags?

[@joshibbett]

They are made by @tailfincycling

[@hesgone6699]

Which time of year were you there? Thanks.

[@joshibbett]

August

[@92whywhy]

Toilet etiquette question. What do you do with your poos and the tissues?

[@joshibbett]

Well sometimes you can find a toilet which is obviously the best option, failing that its a case if digging a hole and burying

[@92whywhy]

So packing a trowel as well?

[@pbskater3]

Which brand of down socks did you go with?

[@joshibbett]

They were from Ali express, but if a no name brand but I suspect direct from a factory that probably makes for some more well know brands

[@guitarlimited]

Pro tip to keep rain mits in rain jacket pockets. Same with booties. Thx! And tell your homeboys at @tailfin to stop teasing all these products not available to general public. Release them already..

[@98GuitarTECH]

Really love your videos man but please try not to advocate for Chinese (or any) uncertified down. RDS certification is the bare minimum for humane down acquisition. Thanks for the great rundown!