1460485km of rain, mud and mountains
Water break © Felipe Duque
A few weeks ago I lined up at the Taurus Mountain Race in Türkiye: 1,460 km, 34,900 m of climbing, fully self-supported. An off-road mountain race starting at sea level and reaching peaks over 3,000 m, mixing wide double tracks with singletrack, hike-a-bike, gravel roads and everything in between.
After we battled the weather for over three days, the race was cancelled.
Roads had become rivers. Tracks had become peanut butter mud swamps. Electronics were killed by the rain on day one. It was possibly the most testing conditions I’ve ever ridden in, not so much for the body as for the equipment. Riders had bikes breaking down, zippers failing, bags letting water in, all while temperatures plummeted.
Why this matters for Tor Divide
The Tor Divide route was born as a training loop for myself ahead of bikepacking trips and events. Years later, I still believe it’s a great training ground, with its mix of surfaces, steep climbs and unrelenting terrain. Don’t take my word for it: riders have used Tor Divide to prepare for the Silk Road Mountain Race, the Hellenic Mountain Race and many other adventures, including Josh Ibbett in 2025 and 2026. Watch Josh’s video here.
Whether you’re planning to use Tor Divide as a stepping stone for bigger adventures, dipping your toes into bikepacking, or as a chilled weekend on the bike, the advice below is still relevant.
For Taurus we didn’t know the route in advance - route was released 2 days before the start - and I had never ridden in Türkiye before. In October, you should expect all sorts of weather. Versatile, reliable kit was crucial. Here is what I trusted, and why it matters for Tor Divide.
If this is the kind of adventure you want to train for, Tor Divide 2027 runs 22-23 May. Entries are open now and we’re already over 50% full.
Bags
Everything I needed for days on the bike was carried on Tailfin bags. Minimising weight matters, but I find that spare space is the priority, for when you’re tired and don’t pack neatly, or when you’re rushing.
My initial plan was to carry most of my kit in the Tailfin Cargo Pack. In the end I went with the SpeedPack plus a Handlebar Cage and Bag, for two reasons:
I rode a full-suspension bike. The Cargo Pack does work with one, but the SpeedPack allows full use of the dropper post and compression of the rear shock.
I wanted two separate compartments: one for wet gear and one for dry.
The SpeedPack carried my tent, mat, waterproofs (sometimes in its handy top pocket) and food. The Handlebar Bag carried my sleeping kit and warm layers. At camp, I pitched the tent, unclipped the front bag and took it into my shelter with me.
The rest of the setup kept things accessible:
Long Top Tube Bag (3L): electronics, some nutrition and the tools I wanted to reach quickly, like a multi-tool and pump.
Two Hydromounts on the downtube: these carried two bottle cages and an extra 1.5L of water, always easily accessible.
Downtube Pack: my spares, first aid and some emergency food, in case I got stranded for longer than anticipated.
Despite the heavy rain, everything stayed dry and the bags were rock solid on rough descents. Whether you’re packing for one night on the Divide or a week away, bags that stay put and give you easy access make a real difference.
My favourite tyre: Schwalbe Racing Ralph.
Tyres
Over long distances and with a lot of climbing, you need fast-rolling tyres. You also need something reliable that won’t suffer cuts and punctures. And with wet conditions likely, I wanted extra grip at the front for sketchy descents in the dark, tired after days of riding.
So I went with my most tried and tested combination: a Schwalbe Racing Ray 2.35" Super Ground SpeedGrip at the front and a fast-rolling Racing Ralph 2.35" Super Ground Speed at the rear, both tubeless. They were absolutely perfect on the muddy, rocky descents. No punctures, no cuts.
I also considered the Rick XC and the Wicked Will as I had good experience with them in the past. Both would have worked well, but in the end I preferred some more resistance at the rear (Racing Ralph over Rick XC) considering the length of the race, and a faster, lighter-rolling tyre at the front (Racing Ray over Wicked Will) due to the insane amount of climbing on the route.
The Divide has around 5,500 m of climbing and plenty of rough Peak District surface, and the same logic applies: choose tyres you can forget about.
Time for dry socks. © Will Denning
Kit
Long days in the saddle test your clothing as much as your legs. My CIOVITA Apex Cargo Bibs kept me comfortable in all conditions, and the CIOVITA x Tor Divide jersey was always on me, carrying plenty of supplies in its three rear pockets.
A real staple for mixed conditions is the CIOVITA Polartec kit. I had the Polartec baselayer which is incredibly versatile: I used it for riding in the cold and for sleeping in, and it kept me warm and dry throughout. When temperatures got warmer, I rode in a CIOVITA baselayer, the Tor Divide jersey and a CIOVITA gilet.
Unfortunately, after wading through mud for days, my CIOVITA white socks are no longer so white! Good kit means you worry about the ride, not your comfort (or lack of it).
When is colour-matching too much?
Wheels
This race claimed a few wheels, freehubs and spokes, and I broke a spoke myself. Wheels are the part of a bike you can’t afford to doubt when you’re a long way from help. Knowing they are in perfect condition before a long multi-day ride is important as it can save you from getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Mine had been checked at Beespoke Wheels before the race, so I knew I could count on them even once I was one spoke down. Thanks to Chris at Beespoke, I also had the right tools and knowledge to replace the broken spoke and carry on after what could have been a race-ending mechanical on day two.
At the finish, looking forward to a shower!
A car tyre makes for a great bedside table, and door stopper.
Personal care
With the amount of rain we had, and having to wear the same bibs for days, personal hygiene is crucial on any multi-day event. BumButter helped keep things running smoothly. It contains natural ingredients like tea tree oil, which provides antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Bike fit
About a year before the race, when I got my mountain bike, I went to see Lee at PeakBikeFitting in Sheffield for a bike fit. It’s the kind of thing that one easily forgets about and it’s not visible on the bike, but it meant I could ride for hours and hours while staying injury and pain-free, which is invaluable when bikepacking. The best preparation in the world won’t help if your body gives up and your bike doesn’t fit you.
What I would change
Not much actually. I had a fairly conservative amount of kit, which considering the conditions was the right choice. I used the aerobars in the first couple of days, I could have done without them but I do like the relief they can provide a few days into a race. The mud really tested the bike, and I ran out of chain lube after a few days (after the race was cancelled on day 4, I rode to the finish at touring pace).
I started with 3kg of food on the bike which was the right choice, considering the 100-185km stretches with no resupply. Access to water was very easy though, and I could have potentially done without the bottles using my hydration pack only.
In hindsight I could have ridden without my dropper post and use the Tailfin CargoPack with no issues, but the SpeedPack capacity was more than adequate and the dropper provided some extra safety on the few technical descents.
These brands are also behind Tor Divide as sponsors. I’d put them on my own bike either way, and I’m glad they back the event.
And don’t forget that they also provide Tor Divide riders with discounts!
Your turn: Tor Divide 2027
The 2026 edition started and finished in Bamford with over 250 riders, and the feedback was brilliant. Next year’s edition runs 22-23 May 2027.
Tracking is now included in the entry fee. At Taurus, four riders were extracted by Mountain Rescue. No SOS calls were needed, but it showed how important it is to be able to track riders when the weather turns. For 2027, we decided to provide all riders with a GPS tracker for the duration of the event, and Taurus confirmed it was the right call.
Places go quickly. If you’ve been thinking about it, now is the time to commit.
See you in the Peak District,
Valerio
Founder, Tor Divide
