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Bikepacking Trail Food: Big Calories, Small Package

When covering a lot of miles, and resupply points are as rare as a three-legged unicorn, it’s worth the effort to find food that has a high calorie to weight ratio. Here are several options that pack a lot of energy into a lightweight package.

When sourcing trail food, it’s hard to find a better ratio than 170 calories per ounce (~30 grams). Even at that, you have to carry quite a load to match the 200+ calories per hour your body will be burning. Let’s do the math. During a typical day bikepacking, you might use 3,500 calories per day (a reasonable estimate if you typically eat a 2,000 calorie diet). At 170 calories per ounce, that’s well over a pound of food (over .5 kg); multiply that for a 5 day trip and it adds up. Less calorie dense foods can easily double that number.

While bars and prepackaged foods aren’t always the most appetizing solution, and are certainly not for everyone, there are healthy choices made simply from whole foods. Below you’ll find a list of bars and butters that are tasty, high calorie, and slow burning. One thing you’ll notice about this list is that most of these products are based on nuts and fruits as primary ingredients. By choice, each is minimally processed, without a load of unpronounceable ingredients.

1. Bogg’s Trail Butter

Peanut butter is hard to beat for high calorie fats and protein. Trail Butter was conceived while its co-founder, Jeff Boggess, was on an extended bike tour and used a combination of peanut butter, nuts, honey, and dried fruits to fuel his journey. One day in the Ozark Mountains, Jeff peered into his panniers and saw half-empty jars and bags of these various snacks. To save space, he combined everything into a single jar and realized he’d created something special. Later, his brother Brad summed it up perfectly with the name, “Trail Butter”.

I first tried Trail Butter on the Stagecoach 400 . It came highly recommended by the fine folks at the Hub Cyclery , almost to the point of being a requisite for the route. Brendan Collier mentioned that when he races the SC400, Bogg’s Trail Butter is the only food he carries. I realized why after reading the nutrition label. The Mountaineer Maple has 190 calories per 32g serving; that’s 760 calories per 4oz soft pouch!

Trail Butter comes in two additional flavors, Ozark Original, and Expedition Espresso. Each flavor is based on the “Triple Nut Blend” of almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts. My personal favorite is probably the Ozark Original, a chunky concoction with added dried cranberries, honey, semi-sweet chocolate, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, flax seeds, vanilla beans, and sea salt. The Ozark Original is slightly less potent than the Maple, at 680 calories per pouch. The Espresso has 720.

Trail Butter is great straight from the pouch, but it’s also delicious squeezed on a banana, bread, or morning oatmeal. I found that a pouch is best consumed in 8 or 10 small bites over a couple hours of pedaling. If you are looking for an all natural alternative to bars, Trail Butter is a delicious bikepacking food that packs a lot of energy into a handy pouch. Each pouch retails for $5.99, or buy a 6-pack for $32.99 .

2. Picky Bars

Picky Bars were developed by Lauren Fleishman, an accomplished marathon runner with a sports science background. She wanted to make a “healthy and athletically balanced bar” at what she considered the perfect size for training, 200 calories. After killing 10 food processors, she finally discovered the perfect blend of performance snack and real food. Picky Bars are based on a 4:1 carb to protein ratio with a base ingredient of organic dates. We sampled 4 flavors and all were delicious in their own way. Each bar packs around 200 calories into a 1.4oz (40g) package.

Picky Bars aren’t the cheapest option, but if you are in it to win it, try the Need For Seed , Lauren’s Meganuts , and the Smooth Caffeinator . Picky Bars are available at REI for $2.75 each, or on pickybar.com as 10-packs .

Larabars have long been a go-to source of quality fuel. The original Larabar is a blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts, and spices. Made from whole food, each of the 20 flavors contains no more than nine ingredients – minimally processed. My personal favorite, Cashew Cookie , contains only two ingredients (dates and cashews) and packs a whopping 230 calories into a tiny 48 gram package. Also try the Chocolate Coconut Chew . Larabars can typically be found for $1.49 at gourmet markets or natural food stores.

3. Justin’s Butter

Justin’s 1.15oz Squeeze Pack is another popular snack. Flavors include Hazelnut, Almond, Honey Almond, Peanut, and my favorite, Vanilla Almond, which has 180 calories per 33 gram pouch. Justin’s is good straight from the pouch or spread on a tortilla. Justin’s pouches can be found at most grocery chains for around $.99 per pouch.

4. Simple Squares

Simple Squares are organic and paleo nutrition bars infused with vanilla and herbs. These are a little different from your typical bar. With flavors such as Ginger , Coffee , Chili Pep , and Sage , the nutty square bars are a hearty savory-sweet meal. Try the Coconut : organic cashews, organic almonds, organic honey, unsweetened coconut and organic vanilla extract, Sea Salt. Simple Squares retail from $2.00-$3.00 and can be purchased in 12-packs.

Other High Calorie Goodies

• Pro Bar (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip): A classic at 390 calories/85g
• Blue Diamond Almonds (100 calorie packs): 100 calories/17g
• Kind Strong: Bold flavors such as Roasted Jalapeño and Thai Sweet Chili ~230 calories/45g

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Tour Divide Resupply Guide (GDMBR)

YOUR RESUPPLY HOW TO FOR THE TOUR DIVIDE.

For more information on the Tour Divide visit our TD Resource page . »

The Tour Divide (GDMBR) has to be one the easiest races/tours to resupply on. There is still a lot of planning you should consider doing before you get out on the route. The TD has some hidden gems if you do your homework and know where to look.   There are no short cuts when it comes to making your resupply/itinerary plan.  I put this Tour Divide Resupply Guide together to help. 

Don’t underestimate the importance of information when it comes to your chances of finishing your TD thru-bike. Trust me, I went into the TD thinking I didn’t need to do a bunch of research. But the truth is I should have, as I didn’t know about some key locations along the route. Hopefully you’ll find the information on this page and associated pages will help you successfully plan and finish your race/tour.

Both racing or touring require you have a plan when it comes to finding food and water. Your best options to find these outside of our resources are the Adventure Cycling Association’s maps, and the Facebook forums Tour – Divide Race: Gear, Advice, Tips, Pics, Chat, Training and GDMBR – Trail Stories, Photos, Gear & Equipment .

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TOWN RESUPPLY OPTIONS

Finding food and other resupplies items isn’t difficult on the Tour Divide.  Most times resupply options are 100 miles or less apart. Many have raced/toured the route before you, so they found all your options already. The Adventured Cycling Association maps are a great source of what’s available along the route and are a great resource.

The Project offers very basic free resources and also our very detailed Planning Aids for purchase to help you plan your resupply.  Their fluid resources so they’re always changing and if one chooses to use it they do so with the knowledge that the information though checked thoroughly could contain errors.

If you find any or know of other options that should be added to the sheet please send us an email .

This spreed sheet is available on Google Docs , Please go to “Edit”, then select, ” Copy”. When pasting use Control(Command) – Shift – Paste or it won’t work. You’ll have to adjust column sizes. Then make all the changes you like! Happy planning and trails.

Tour Divide Planning Aids

Being that I’m also a Triple Crown thru-hiker I’m used to quality planning tools. After finishing the Bikepacking Triple Crown I realized bikepacking didn’t have quality planning tools available. The Project’s Planning Aids and Resources are our answer to this.

After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s Tour Divide Planning Aids are done. They’re the ultimate planning resources for the Tour Divide. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your ride/ride of the Tour Divide and most of the GDMBR. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Tour Divide Resources .

Craig, I wanted to let you know that your bikepacking guides are incredibly well done and useful.

Small Bundles:

Big bundles:.

One package including our two most popular planning aids:

One package with all our planning aids:

• Mileage Chart
• Elevation Gain Chart

Available in both SOBO and NOBO versions and in US Standard and Metric units.

Small Bundle – $40.00 + tax (CO only) *You save $10 when you bundle!

Big Bundle – $60.00 + tax (CO only) *You save $20 when you bundle!

Data Sheets and Town Lists

Data sheets:, town lists:.

The NOBO Data Sheets are ONLY available as part of the Small or Big Bundles.

All versions of the Town Lists are ONLY available as part of the Small or Big Bundles.

• Elevation / Pop of POI.
• Mileage numbers.
• Distance to next.
• Elevation +/-.
• Max & Min. elevation between POI.
• Pavement sections.
• Key water sources.
• Shows bike shops.
• Resupply options.
• Important notes.
• Elevation profile.
• Finish Target Times.
• Distance on/off trail.
• Important notes about POI.
• Cumulative distances to up coming POI.
• Elevation Gain to reach up coming POI.
• Finish Target Times added.

The SOBO Data Sheets are available in BOTH US Standard and Metric units.

Data Sheet – $25 + Tax (CO only)

Example of Data Sheet

Example of Town List

DATA SHEET and TOWN LIST DIFFERENCES

The Data Sheet has the most info. It gives the distance, elevation +/-, average grade, maximum and minimum elevations, pavement sections, references ACA maps, bike shops, resupply options, and has key notes between two POI. Example: A and B, then B to C, and so on.

The Town List gives cumulative distances between POI. Example: A to B, A to C, A to D. The next section would be B to C, B to D, B to E, and so on. The Town List has distance, elevation +/-, resupply options, bike shops and key notes.

The Town List helps with not having to do the math to figure out how far away things are if they’re not the next POI.

Mileage Charts and Elevation Gain Charts

Mileage charts:, elevation gain charts:.

Quickly find the total mileage between any two POI along the route.

• Works for both directions.

Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route.

• Easy to read format.

The Mileage and Elevation Gain Charts are ONLY available as part of the Big Bundle.

GDMBR / ACA ROUTE

GDMBR Data Sheets have all the same data categories as the Tour Divide planning aids, as seen in the examples above but are for the GDMBR from the ACA.

GDMBR Bundles have all the same data categories as the Tour Divide planning aids, as seen in the examples above but are for the GDMBR from the ACA.

Data Sheet – $25 + tax (CO only)

Most sections of the Tour Divide have ample water  but there are a few areas where you have to pay attention and stock up before starting them. As a result there is no water report like on the AZT or like some hiking trails do. The following are some of the areas one should take care to carry extra water.*

• Swan Lake, MT to Holland Lake, MT – 48 miles
• Atlantic City, WY to Wamsutter, WY – 96 miles
• Abiquiu, NM to Cuba, NM – 78 miles
• Cuba, NM to Grants, NM – 120 miles
• Pie Town, NM to Silver City, NM – 146 miles
• Silver City, NM to Antelope Wells, NM – 124 miles

*These are just some of the areas where one should be aware of limited water sources. There maybe others!  In no way should this list be your only source.  Study the ACA maps, forums and other resources and do your own homework on the subject.

The maps from Adventure Cycling Association are a great place to find water resources and much more.

NOTE that these are just a general list.  Do your own research based on the time of year and year you’re attempting the route.  Water conditions vary constantly and it’s up to you to ensure your own safety.

Tour Divide Rider Survey

The Project conducts an ongoing rider survey to help new riders try to figure out what gear to use on the Tour Divide. Undertaking a ride/adventure like can be very intimidating and the planning can be overwhelming. It’s our hope this survey will help new riders with their planning and execution of their Tour Divide ride, as well as help ensure riders are more properly prepared for their adventure.

If you haven’t taken the Tour Divide Rider Survey yet and would like to you can at the links below.

***Please pay attention to the examples for the questions where you have to type in your answer. If answers are not entered EXACTLY like the example I have to go in and correct them and it also throws off the results. Thanks in advance!

Covers: bikes, suspension, tires & wheels, drivetrain, and Components.

Covers: navigation planning, camping, logistic/travel, clothes, and more.

Both racers and those touring should consider making an itinerary before hitting the Divide.  If you’re racing an itinerary is less important but it will still serve as a guide to keep you on track.  Anyone racing who say’s they don’t have a target finish time is lying.  Your itinerary will help you meet that goal (and catch that flight home).

In my post, “ Bikepacking, pre-trip considerations “, I look more closely at Itineraries and what things you should consider when making one.  It also touches on other subjects like general planning, gear,  health and personal considerations, and electronics.  Lastly, it offers suggestions to consider in regards to what happens after you finish.

Consider checking out our Tour Divide Guide for maps, profiles and road surfaces of the Tour Divide to help with making your itinerary.

List your target day and time on your resupply/itinerary page.  Think about adding some other check points, that way you can keep on target.

More Helpful TD Resources

Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the Tour Divide.

MY PROVEN GEAR LISTS FROM THE TRIPLE CROWN

Tour divide.

A detailed look at what I used on the Tour Divide, what worked and what didn’t.

“ IF I RODE… ” SERIES

In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide again.

Gear Review - If I Rode The Tour Divide Again

Tour Divide Planning Guide

Tour Divide Transportation Guide

Tour Divide Resupply Guide

Tour Divide Rider Survey Results

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help..

Bikepacking Resources

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