Could you include age in that spread sheet?  It would be interesting to see how age plays into this.

Thanks to everyone involved in Cordillera Volume 3.  This is a great thing you put together each year and it is for a great cause.  If you are new to following the TD, this is a must read.  Just placed my order.

Speaking of Fixie Dave, I could have sworn I saw him here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hWf0qWNevXE

!  In a leopord print maybe?

Another use for drones.

My experience with cell phones in areas in NM near the course is that there are a lot of blank areas but it has been improving.  Recently I purchased an I phone 4s and that improved matters even more.  It has improved so much that I cancelled my sat phone.  When not making a call shut the phone off or it will discharge quickly.  Also ask when you are in a small town as there are often special places the locals know about where you can make a call.  For example, in Pie Town reception is poor to non-existent but if you stand in front of the post office next to the flag pole you will most likely be able to complete your call.  Don't ask me why and don't listen to the guys in the cafe that say you have to lift one leg, I tried it and it didn't help.

There is also some fine taxidermy in the cafe in Reserve if that sort of thing blows your skirt up.

The bright side of the reroute is there is a lot of water availability.  Also east of Reserve there is a RV campground that has showers for non-guests for $5.00.  It not just a luxury, it is a public service.

Check out the RUSA store they have a bunch of stuff to make you more visible on the road.  Also consider lighting options see Peter White Cycles.

Congrats on the new frame and all the best for your ride.

"Of course, there's no Gary Fisher dealerships any more, it's all Trek  icon_puke_l"

Well said.  I go way out of my way to avoid Trek products no matter what name they are hiding under.

I am heading out to Mojave and Death Valley with my 12 year old son for a week or so of riding and camping.  Anyone know any good rides?  We are leaving Sunday morning.  I am in desperate need of detoxing from civilization.  The best fix for that is camping under a gazillion stars.

I think the Marin guys show more evidence of smoking a few prior to the ride.  That was a key element. 

Another wholesome after school activity was short tracking around a swimming pool.  First everyone got really stoned, then two riders on 10 speeds would match race around a swimming pool.  This was really hard on the bikes as you would blow through the tires in an afternoon.  Furthermore the best way to pass was to establish an outside overlap and force your opponent into the diving board.  The winner would take on the next challenger.  This type of fun resulted in a hard to explain to the parents black ring on the concrete around the pool.

One of the best "seemed like a good idea at the time" moments was when we had trashed all our own bikes so we borrowed the kid's who house we were riding at parent's (picture Ward and June) pristine matching 10 speeds.  We returned them to the garage with both bikes having flat tires and one had bent forks.  Sometimes I think I have Eddie Haskell DNA.

I purchased a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlite in the early 90s for a bicycle tour in Ireland.  Close to 20 years later and I still use it.  They must have made millions of them, they are the VW of tents and last forever.  They are super fast to put up which is really important when the weather is bad, it's dark and you are exhausted.

I came across this:  http://biketouringnews.com/hors-categorie/advocacy-hors-categorie/fat-tire-pioneers/

The video is from the Evening Magazine a local TV show back in the day.  The town is Fairfax before it got yuppified.  Back in the late 70s I used to live on the San Anselmo / Fairfax border, up the hill from Gary Fisher's shop.  Back then a custom Fisher was $600.00, more than most could afford.  The video really captures the feel of those long gone days in Marin.  Yes I am an old fart.

I wasn't saying any one was ripping the guy but the whole thread seemed to be going the same way as the one I was speaking of.  My intent was to urge restraint because obviously something is wrong and it would be very unfortunate to worsen the situation.  I also have some ethical concerns about broadcasting difficulties in a private transaction.  In support of doing so there is the argument that it is simply consumer protection.  On the other hand a one sided or incomplete view of the situation can cause irreparable harm to a small business.  Since our words here could equal a death sentence for the business I think restraint is in order. 

Then again, maybe it is just me.  I am very sympathetic to the struggles of small businesses these days.

The Golden Rule of Small Business:  Bad News travels fast.  This is truer than ever with the Internet.  I participate in another sport where recently a small custom manufacturer for the sport had similar delays.  He wasn't returning calls and he was way behind on orders.  He was depositing deposit checks quickly.  This guy was getting bad mouthed all over the net. 

Finally his wife saw some of the stuff posted on the net and responded.  It turns out the guy was having a really tough battle with depression.  A lot of the people who made the harshest comments felt like real creeps, rightly so in my opinion.  I agree completely that nothing excuses failing to communicate when you have accepted a deposit.  But on the other hand I can understand how facts not generally known can mitigate the fault too.  In the case of the depressed guy I think all involved are relieved he didn't go jump off a bridge.  It couldn't have been easy to live with the burden of what was being said on the net to the rather small community of enthusiasts.

I have no idea whats up at Carousel and I can only wish them the best.  For those that have had less than satisfying experiences think twice before typing.

Very nice!!!

I agree on the balance issue.  I haven't tested it (yet) but I believe I would be happier spinning at 2 mph than pushing a fully loaded bike.  Maybe I should have loaded up the bike and tried it on rollers at 2 mph first.   

My hat is off to the single speed guys and the guys doing those amazing divide rides day after day.  I am just out for fresh air, exercise and scenery and maybe a bit of adventure.

Thanks, great info and great pics.  Your experience is consistent with what I have heard regarding 9 speed.  So here is the big question, does the 20-30-40 gearing meet your expectations, that is from theory to actual use? 

My eyes glaze over talking about gear inches (must be a result of my misspent youth).  However I intuitively get the idea of gear development.  With that in mind what is your actual speed in your lowest low at 80 rpm cadence on pavement?

With my present gearing I am right at 5 mph at 80 rpm cadence.  Most discussion on gearing assumes you are better off walking based on a 4 mph walking speed.  I walk a lot and I think my speed is average and my Garmin 410 tells me my walking speed is a lot closer to 3 mph than 4 mph.  I believe pushing a loaded bike up a steep grade would probably be about 2 mph.  Traction issues aside this implies I can go a lot lower in the gearing dept.  Furthermore I am not a racer and I honestly find I don't need the higher high end.  Thus it makes sense for me to move lower.   

The project is moving forward.  I got a quote on the Middleburn cranks and chainrings, $446.00.  That is just the parts.  I spent a fair amount of my LBS mechanics time discussing the options.  I think I owe him a case of good beer.  I decided not to go with the Middleburn because there have been shifting issues with the ten speed version.  The idea of spending $446.00 to get more frustration is not appealing.  I am using Shimano Deore cranks because I can get them for 10 speed with a 22t inner chain ring.  I am keeping the X9 in the rear.  I have had a lot of trouble with it but I have read and heard many good reports on it.  I think my problem is most likely shifter related and not the actual derailleur.  I will be using Sram bar end shifters and Cane Creek brake levers.  The front derailleur will be Shimano but there is some question as to which model due to the frame braze ons.  A new Shimano chain is also included.

The entire cost for the above is $425.00 parts and labor.  If it works I think I'll make it two cases of beer.  I ordered the parts today and I will have the work done in the middle of March when I get home from a trip to New Mexico.

If this doesn't get me the "Willys in 4 wheel low" low I am looking for I will try putting an Actiontec 20t inner ring on it.

Many thanks to those that helped here and elsewhere.  It was surprising to me how hard it was to get good info on such a project.