IcySmooth52

Me and a friend are planning a gravel full-century next month. What do you guys bring on such? You're not near civilization like a road century where a Visa can be all you need with a tube + inflator.

FrozenK

I would take a pump, two tubes, a patch kit, multitool, spare chain link and tire boot. And then clothes, food, and water would depend on weather and where you can resupply.

On the Denali Highway this year (125 mile race, there was one lodge where I could have stopped for stuff) I brought along enough food for the whole ride. There was a campground to refill water, so I had a 70oz bladder and a bottle on the frame. Because it was unseasonably warm (80+ degrees), I didn't bring extra clothes. Other years I've carried a jacket, arm warmers or rain gear. You may need to add sunscreen or bug spray depending where you are.

Barrettscv 

Concur with FrozenK. In addition, I like to pack one folding tire. I usually select a folding tire from my collection that is smooth and light, the Vittoria Voyager Hyper is easy to pack and tough enough for a thousand miles of gravel.

IcySmooth52

The Voyager Hyper seems a tire I wouldn't trust unless it was a well packed road all the way through and dry. I'll probably bring tire boots instead, and we won't be running anything cheap for tires. (I won't rely on patch kits of course).

I like the idea of a chain link, but I'll let my friend pack that. (Have Gate's Carbon Drive). But clothes? Maybe socks, but what are you thinking? That seems a bit much to me.

Barrettscv 

What tires will you mount on the bike?

IcySmooth52

Probably a moderate tread on front (Clement MXP), and diamond tread rear (LAS). But I might go with a pair of X'plor USH if it were a very well packed road and it was dry. The Voyager Hyper seems very slick for what we could encounter.

Barrettscv 

It's a slick. It's reliable on dry gravel. I only recommend it as a spare. It packs very tight because it is a slick. It also has reliable flat protection. It's a highly regarded fast touring tire and touring cyclist need to use ultra reliable gear that is light. It also can be found at a modest price.

FrozenK

Clothes includes rain gear, arm warmers, knee warmers, a vest. It will depend on the weather.

If you are going to use a belt drive I would bring a spare belt. I know they rarely fail, but should it happen to fail you are SOL.

ksryder

I take the same things I take on shorter rides - spare tubes, patch kit, tools, boot kit.

I just take more food. I plan for eating something roughly every hour, but I always end up taking more than I need.

Liquid is the hard part, but with 3 bottles I can get pretty far and can usually find a town/farmhouse/ water hydrant in a church yard to re-fill.

IcySmooth52

Liquid will be a hard part because my cross bike doesn't have any bottle cage bolts! (It's meant as a minimalist racer) But I have a 3L hydration pack that'll also have all the room I need for the food and clothes. But one thing you guys haven't listed that I know I'll bring is a beer for the half-way point.

FrozenK

I've brought beers along for gravel grinders before (and road rides, and mtb rides) I would suggest you avoid stouts and porters. Riding right after drinking one can be somewhat unpleasant. IPAs are nice but lighter beers are what work best. I hate to admit it, but PBR is actually a good mid-ride beer.

And you may want to put your beer in a can koozie, they serve a triple purpose: they keep the beer cooler, they keep the cans from banging around and they keep things discreet.

If your bike doesn't have bottle mounts (and even if it does) I suggest looking into a frame bag like the Revelate Designs Tangle bag. You can put a hydration bladder in it and get some weight of your back, keep food/arm warmers/phone within easy reach. And you can fit a six pack

sgtdirt

think about it, you're not going on some exploration where you are delving into the unknown. what would you carry on a normal 35 to 40 mile bike ride? bring that.
clothes? WTH? are you planning on going to a dance or club? bring a rain jacket. it provides warmth and not a lick of water repellant.
the one thing i do adamantly recommend is food and drink. bonk breakers, Clif bloks, clif bars, hydration packs...you get the idea. nothing will make your journey a nightmare more than bonking at mile 75.

BTW, BEER = GOOD!

DirtRoadRunner

I bring a water filter (MSR Sweetwater) and filter water out of creeks. Much easier than trying to fit 3L of water on to your bike - and then you have a limitless supply of water.

Other stuff:
-First aid kid
-Dog mace
-Cell phone auxiliary battery (Duracell makes one for $7 that gives me half a charge and is very small)
-Space blanket
-Electrical tape
-Lots of candy bars & gels
-Bike multi-tool
-Leatherman multi-tool
-Extra chain master link
-Rain jacket if there is a chance of precipitation

I generally go on my gravel expeditions solo - so the survival gear is a necessity for me. But it might not be as important if you are with a group - if you had a major mechanical issue or crash, your riding partners could go get help. I REALLY recommend the water filter though - I've used it for backpacking for years and just started using it for gravel rides. I now never have to worry about water.