Superglue. Electrical tape.

I don't carry a full derailleur for backup but I have started carrying a spare pulley wheel just in case.

Anyone have experience with both? I'm familiar with the SOL Escape, but noticed they have an Escape Lite available also. There doesn't seem to be any good comparison chart on SOL's site for these two products other than to say that the Escape is 8.5oz and the Escape Lite is 5.5oz. Product description wise the Lite version doesn't have the paragraph about rugged durable fabric so I'd guess they made up 3oz on thickness of fabric or such but that's just a guess. Anyone have any definitive input on the differences? TIA!

One last note to see if anyone needs a rider to the 750 from Colorado, I'm willing to split costs. I hate Greyhound but soon that's what it'll have to be for me.

The last pieces of the puzzle are in order and I will be flying into Calgary June 9th at 11:40; 1:30 shuttle to Banff; dorm bed at the Y.  Plan is to assemble and test drive the bike that afternoon.  Wednesday will be shakedown ride and supply purchases (including pepper spray).  Thursday morning 5am is the plan for the start of my run - officially an ITT since it is the day before the GD.  I will be the rabbit, albeit the world's slowest rabbit ☺. At least this way I stand a chance of seeing/meeting most of my fellow riders as they pass me on the route.  The goal is to make the top of Galton Pass before getting passed; if someone like Jefe is riding this year I will not make that goal.  I also avoid being the 150th rider to stop at Boulton Creek, Elkford, etc, that first couple of days when everyone is still pretty bunched up.

I dropped in Eureka in 2012, so now I know what I need to work on the next few months - thighs, weight loss, and mental toughness.  Man, am I ever looking forward to this!  Best of luck to everyone on their preparations.

Best of luck to you Bob, I'll be watching your SPOT!

I would also add that no matter how well your bike fits, you should make sure that some(much) of your training regimen is on bumpy, washboarded dirt roads this spring. I did 3000 miles on dirt roads in the spring leading up to TD and didn't have call to use any chamois cream at all while on TD. I had zero saddle sores, no problems at all down there. I rode and spoke to many, many others who said they'd wished they'd have put more dirt road miles in their training regimen because they were getting physically pounded in the backside and were having all kinds of problems down below as a result, chamois cream literally oozing out of their shorts(gross!). Get chapped down there, it's the best defense.

Definitely doable solo, look at all the ITT's that have made it. Just gotta trust yourself and manage your risks, same as any backcountry adventure. Have fun!!

You might try saliva, works for goggles.

2. Injury. This race is a classic example of repetitive use injuries. Hard to avoid as one is trying to get somewhere quicker than touring.

I was worried that you were going to be out of the race as I pedaled past you walking your bike up to Red Meadow Lakes. I'm just glad the 5 mile HAB in the snow actually helped your injury!

Tunnel Mountain Campground worked out great for a group of us as well if you care to camp. Spent a few days there prior to the race last spring, friendly people, easy/quick ride down to town.

Anyone from Colorado or thereabouts still looking for a rider to head south with for the 750? Please drop me a PM if you have a spot available.

Makes sense to me and I do not disagree with the logic. 

Same car still at the gas station The road to Separ was a very memorable section of TD for me and gave me a real appreciation for the beauty of the desert, riding past the yucca looking like bizarre little people just after dawn on the last day, thanks for the memories!

The red in the spring snow is an algae that starts growing as the days get longer.  It can give a red tint to large areas.

Interesting, I saw the ski lines coming off the ridge and no discernible skin track going up and figured that the skiers were most likely marking landing zones for heli pickups(most of the red patches were right at the bottom of the ghost ski lines, or so it seemed). You learn something new every day. 

Just thought I'd chime in on the subject of snowpack resources, I always find snotel to be very helpful:

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/index.html

How is Colorado this year?  The whole southwest seems warm and dry.  Is a very early start possible?

Speaking for northwestern Colorado it's been a low snow year. I live on route near the Clark Store in Clark, CO. Steamboat just missed having it's driest January on record, a storm on the last day of the month got us over the record low, barely. That's not to say the snow blower can't still turn on, we could get 300 inches in the next 2-3 months if the jet stream moves south. I dug a snow pit yesterday at about 9700' while backcountry skiing and snow depth was at about 4', there's definitely been a lot of melt-back recently with the warm temps. I'd say you'll have to keep a close eye on snow depth reports for the next couple of months and make a spot decision on whether you think it's going to be doable early, remember that many times when thinking of winter in-like-a-lamb means out-like-a-lion. I'd also be keeping a very close eye on the Whitefish Divide and Canadian Flathead, the jet stream is pushing storms north, a NoBo run at a solid pace only buys you an extra two weeks until you'll hit the Red Meadow Lakes and the Whitefish Divide, which could(probably will be) buried. Last year in June it was hopping/carrying over huge debris piles in avalanche chutes on the Whitefish Divide and a 5 mile HAB through the snow at Red Meadow Lakes, the red paint and ghost ski tracks were still visible in the snow from helicopter skiing pickup sites at Red Meadow Lakes. Flathead Pass that time of year could also be a really hairy affair, in June it's an ice cold river running down the trail, I think I counted 17 fords before I stopped counting.

Just got maps in the mail last week and they are incredible.

Hopefully they've changed the elevation profiles to be.... ahem... more accurate.

The Super Cell fixed hood is designed to go over climbing helmets and it went over my bike helmet snugly, kept my chin warm and was almost perfect.

I'll second the fixed hood that goes over a helmet. I rode last year with a Sherpa Adventure Gear breathable shell that had a fixed hood big enough to go over my helmet with a wire brim, the wire brim was great for shaping the brim so the water never dripped in my face. The hood over the helmet also kept rain water from making it's way down my back. I definitely also liked the pit zips and velcro wrist adjustments, which I feel are a must even in the best breathable fabrics.

I noticed at least one of our forum members here at bp.net put together a great video and is in the running. Go Iohan!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfqQG3aTkBI

Let's see........I'm planning for the AZTR this year.  I've got a 2011 TD finish and a 2014 CTR finish under my belt, and I started each race at the grand depart.

So, I could be a Triple Crown finisher, but not a Triple Crown Challenger with all events in the same year, right?

You got it right from what I understand Norb, by completing the AZTR750 you will have completed the Triple Crown and be listed in the Triple Crown Finishers list.

Just posted Episode January 24, 2015 – 2014 Funnies! It features some funny moments from the AZT, TD, and other races last year.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

I'll have to listen to the last couple minutes tonight but listened to most of the gag reel last night and it was hilarious. Thanks for putting this together Joe, and thanks for all you do over at mtbcast!