That's a lovely accent you have there.  New Jersey?

On a serious not, congrats groundedkiwi, and all the other racers who finished, and those who gave it hell.  What an awesome event for the first year.  It's only going to get better, and there is already talk of an October Stagecoach .004 (double ot four).  I for one demand a rematch!

Roland, I'm getting as many pictures of finishers as I can, but can't put them up until Thurs night, because I don't have my laptop here with me.

Eszter Horanyi hits third at 6:10pm!

Mister Hunter #2, time in was at 4:32 pm (pacific).

Jay Petervary finished at 12:28 pm, 2 minutes under 50 hours.  Awesome job!

I'm headed back to Idyllwild in about an hour, and hope to be there for the finishers, but not sure where JP is.  I'll try and get pics and post them for everyone.

Thanks Scott.  I'm good, just sore, but the bike is trashed.  Sucks.  There was a really great and diverse group.  What little of the ride I did was amazing, and I definitely plan on doing an ITT!

Hey all, I can probably shed some insight on the mixup at first.  I was riding, and got sideswiped by a car and am out (I'm good, LOTS of road rash!).  Evidently there was a mix up on a road with an easement issue.  Rather than argue it out, about 1/2 of us took an alternate route.

Thank you Pokey.  I'll throw an empty platy in, and if I need it, its there, and if not, its no big deal.  Thanks again for the info, and the pictures look great.  I can't wait to do it next week!

Thanks for the pics and updates, it looks like an amazing ride.  A couple of quick questions, particularly for Pokey as being she was going about the pace I hope for.  I am using a 4-liter MSR water bladder, plus a bottle, with an extra 1L Platypus bladder stored in the seat bag.  Do you think this should be sufficient for the long stretch, or should I plan on bringing a Camelbak as well?

Yes!  When were you thinking?

I dunno, but my plane leaves on the third!  Also, thanks for the G2 on the route, Trebor.  What kind of set-up were you riding?

I really like the eTrex 20.  It's very intuitive, and easy to learn to use, and the screen is really bright, even in direct sunlight with sunglasses on, I have no problem reading it.  The battery life is awesome.  Garmin says about 25 hours, and I'd say that is really accurate, and that's with regular generic batteries, not brand-name lithiums.  I'm sure you'll enjoy the 30.

Here is my video setup for the Stagecoach 400, along with a few other races and trips this, culminating in the TD in 2013. 

Surly Karate Monkey-bikepacking

Bike setup- 18" Surly Karate Monkey, Salsa Woodchippers, Brooks B17 to saddle, WTB Nano Raptors or Kenda Happy Medium cross tires, SRAM hubs, SRAM X7 everything (2x10), Avid BB7 brakes, Rockshox Reba RLT front suspension fork, and a red blinky light.  All other gear is in the video.  If you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them, thanks!

Matt the rookie

Here's a couple of great websites from friends of mine that can give you some really great and easy food ideas.

http://onepanwonders.com/

http://www.trailcooking.com

Enjoy!

It definitely sounds like a really challenging ride, but MAN will it be hot!

Sounds like a great event, but I won't be able to make this.  Always glad to hear of new gravel rides!

June 14th, right?  Haha.  Seems silly to ask so early, but the earlier I put in for vacation, the better off I am.

You mentioned the Dirty Kanza last year.  This year it is June 2nd.
http://www.dirtykanza200.com/

Just to make sure of the date, I'm tracking June 14th as the grand depart.  Is that what everyone else is, or no?