I was looking for the same solution a while back, I found this:

http://www.multipoweredproducts.com.au/products/Freeloader-Camcaddy-%252d-Universal-Camera-Battery-Charger.html

The freeloader camcaddy, I didn't buy it in the end - a lighter and simpler solution for me was to get a heap more cam batteries to take with me, fully charged before departure. This worked perfectly, even in the depths of an Alaskan winter.

I run a SON 28 hub on my fargo, as well as an e-werk with it dialled in for USB 5volts and 1 amp. I use this power to charge a heap of things via USB.

I'm not certain of the quality of rectification/amplificiation of the 6V output from the hub, to the output of the E-werk, then if there is any current limiting internally with the camcaddy. My cam batts were only 4.8v, so the power math was fine for my application, but your batts being 7.9v, they may only receive a trickle charge. To weigh it up - look at the power consumption of your device, the length of the trip, ambient temps and how they affect battery output and storage capacity and then whether you could pre-charge additional batteries to cover the trip. A lot simpler than fluffing about with chargers and hubs. But unless your trip is months long...

I'm sure you could find a camcaddy nearer to you though. For the price, it's worth a try!

I couldn't believe that lack of snow hard for the runners and pulks! 2 years in a row of super fast courses, but 3 years ago heavy conditions... what will it be next year? Hoping to see it back to 'normal' (haha, that's a loose term for Alaskan weather) next year.

It was summed up nicely, when one racer said he felt a little ripped off, having such nice weather, I'd kinda agree with him.

Rubber ball. The ball prevents the saddle sagging in the centre. Good saddle, but getting on a bit, the ball keeps it in service.

Excellent read there Jeff. ANYONE in the southern hemisphere remotely thinking of tour divide, should have this event done and dusted in their prep stages.

For the steri-pen users, has anyone broke theirs? I love my steri-pen but it seems like it would take pretty careful packing in a bike bag to protect it.

In the top area of my framebag, goes the MSR drom, the steripen gets shoved in on top.

I've used a Classic for years, but since changing most of my powered devices over to USB based lithiums, the steripen freedom was a logical choice for me.  Having the torch as well inbuilt, I shove it into an Exposure headband and use as camp headtorch.

2 tubes, or 1 tube and patchkit, sewing kit. You're going solo, so you need to be able to fix your junk to keep rolling.

Depends on the destination and the countryside travelling in, but around here it's mostly all three - pre-filter (white gauze cloth) Steripen Freedom (awesome little unit) and aquatabs. All fit in the tiny pouch the steripen comes in. Recharge the steripen via usb on the run via my dyno hub.

I like my water to taste chemical free (unless I add a vit C tab for a bit of flavour to mask the muddy taste) , so the aquatabs are always a last resort when required.

Nice thinking. Aarn packs use a front pocket counterbalance system also.

Yep, I only use my gas tank on my snowbike, hate it on other bikes for the same reason of hitting knees.

I use a super slim X-Lab Stealth Pocket 100 in place of the gastank for my fargo and lynskey. Perfect racer size for my stuff. But I also run a bottle cage on my top tube, along with a jerrycan or other toptube bag on top for the extra storage (mainly camera)

You could also use a revelate pocket and pocket clips as a light harness system. Doesn't space the dry bag away from the bars though, and would need an extra strap around the head tube for security.

Different tools for different jobs IMO.

Sweetroll is a convenient, attached drybag, dual ended access and the pocket remains attached, but cannot deal with large and bulky items (think 40 below bag and a z-lite, or packraft and paddle) so ideal for a bag and a pad, some clothes etc.

Harness excels with larger loads.

I use sweetroll on the fargo (woodchippers), 29er and fatbike for summer trips, the harness for winter fatbike, with a large drybag, so I can detach the drybag and unpack/pack easier - especially with a large winter bag and layers.

Get both

I stitched up a quick 4th pocket from an old (single) knee warmer and straps from an old helmet, Velcro on the opening. Works a treat, the fabric stretches a fair bit to accommodate bulky fruit as well. simple shoulder strap and waist strap with clip to keep it in place.

recycling old stuff into DIY makes it kinda cool too.

Bad timing indeed. I was 'packing 'round NZ. I normally smack the spammers during the 'night shift' from down under

Disc or rim brake?

Get the gen 3, period.

I've used a gen 2 for rec riding, then bought a gen 3 for the kiwi brevet, totally improved model.

will happily run on alkalines for many days in moderate temps, but of course lithiums are better for varying ambient temps - power consumption is pretty awesome. Would not run off my powermonkey cache batteries though - the power draw is soooo low on the gen 3 that the cache thinks that nothing is connected and then auto switches off.

Makers claim the gen 3 is better on power consumption than the gen 2 - they are very right!

They both work as they should as far as gps tracking, but the power consumption is the big ticket for me - knowing you can just pick up any old alkaline batts for some corner store (when you have no other choice) and keep trucking, is a huge bonus for me. Mine ran for more than a day on low battery warning, but I changed them out before it ran out completely, so you get plenty of warning when the batts are running low. Temps were about 23C, so of course YMMV in challenging environments.

I'd let it wear through and then go build up a steel frame, and not worry any longer...  

Sorry, sorry.  Uncalled for, I know.

Steel rusts man, go ti!

As suggested, cover the frame tubes with heavy protection tape. Even a couple layers of clear packing tape will work - and even lighter than 3M tape

grand depart is this Saturday...I'm on the bird tomorrow morning over the ditch...just last minute stuff to do...sleep!

Ticks - vigilance, Bushmans (australian brandname DEET spray) around entry points on skin, regular self check.
Mozzies - Bushmans on clothes and exposed skin
Sandflies - cover up, bushmans
Snakes - luck
spiders - check locations before you setup (ie trapdoor spider, nests underground), shake boots/helmet/whatever out in the morning
Fireants - check setup location
Leeches - self check - bit of salt sorts them out.

All these and more here in Australia. And drop bears too

Ticks here may carry lyme disease, mozzies can carry Ross River Fever - moreso up north though. Not uncommon to pick up ticks along the way on the trail, and discover them during self check that night.

I run 46cm woodchippers on my Fargo, with a 120mm 17deg stem (it's really slammed), I've lobbed 30mm off the ends of the bar. Love this setup, still spend a lot of time in the drops despite the low position (still not as low as my other road bikes though) and tackles steep descents with confidence.

With your 29er you might need to experiment with shorter stems to get the fit right with any drop style bar.

I'll be running some M088 shoes for the kiwi this year, these shoes are available in a wide boot which suits me perfectly. I'm very happy with them, great to walk in with a well shaped outsole, but do look more like an mtb shoe.

I tried some Mavic Alpines, wasn't happy with them.

I've also got some Lake MX100, great looking touring style shoe, bit narrow, so had to upsize a bit to get the width right, which then makes it a longish shoe. Pretty happy with them as an all round shoe, but yeah that long shoe issue makes a difference on steep HAB sections.