No TD experience here.  But I do have some experience with swift water and swift water rescues through the course of my job.  Depending on the speed of the current, thigh deep water can be very dangerous to cross, even more so while trying to manage a fully loaded bike.  Use extreme caution if you choose to cross - and search for the widest, shallowest and slowest moving section of water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECs8ZrmH8D8

Love the illustrations. Is this a project of yours?

No, not mine.  I just found it while surfing the web and thought some here might enjoy it.

http://www.yonderjournal.com/msoj-bikepacking/packing

There are links to photos and blog posts about the race/ride over a velodirt.com


http://velodirt.com

No pack. 5 liter water capability. I aint giving up all my secrets though so where it all goes you will just have to guess:)

Dehydrated water?

Google search the derailleur and order it online.  You could pay for overnight delivery from Fedex or UPS.  

https://www.google.com/webhp?sa=N&hl=en&tab=lw#hl=en&q=8+speed+shimano+derailleur&tbm=shop

Be careful out there.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/booby-trap-found-on-rampart-range-trail-in-pike-national-forest

Cool photo!

At least from a marketing perspective...

http://www.rei.com/h/bikepacking

I think they could benefit from expanding their gear selection a bit.

That could turn a chamois into a ShamWow.

I put rogaine on my legs

And Nair on your butt?

Used to shave regularly back in the racing days.  Nowadays it's hit and miss.  Currently I'm a little furry.

Cool, thanks.
And thanks again to you and the ACA for taking on this route.

Casey,
I have a few friends who are interested in the loop but are not interested riding it self-supported.  Are these roads open to 4WD vehicles as a SAG wagon?  They are all capable riders and experienced campers but they're just not quite up to the idea of riding fully loaded.  I know this style isn't pure bikepacker...but I've got to start somewhere with these folks and I'm hoping this could lead to some interest in self-supported trips for the future.

Nice job!

Question for those who may be familiar with this trail:

I'm heading to the WRT with friends in a few weeks to ride the loop, (with a support vehicle).  We will be sharing driving duties and car-camping at night, (already have the permit).  My question is which bike to ride...?  I have a full suspension XC bike and a rigid Salsa Fargo.  I'm sure either would work but I'm not familiar with the terrain on this particular trail.  Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

http://theradavist.com/2014/04/porcelain-rockets-new-saddle-bag-system/

Looks cool

Thanks for all the replies. Bedrock, I am totally psyched on people like you who don't wait for something to drop in your lap; you make it happen yourself! I can't help but think of tobygadd's quote at the bottom of his posts: "Do it yourself. Dammit" or something of the like. With this type of thinking for the past couple months I have been pondering whether I want to employ my photography prowess in creating my own photo business. Might just be a pipe-dream, but making my own schedule and doing something that I would enjoy makes the idea a bit more appealing. Looking at how much wedding photographers want to charge for this summer motivates me further.... Seriously, 2k+ for 8 hours of their time. Time to get to work...

Slowride, I have really thought of doing the same. Sure, the pay might not be wonderful but you are taking advantage of some of the best years of life in the way you want to with a smile on your mug, and that is more important to me than helping a corporate company grow with data entry and spreadsheets and worrying about dental/vision insurance...

I personally know of two photographers who love to use their artistic talents to produce great photos while they shoot weddings to pay the bills.  It's doable.

Old and young, smashing it!

Ned sure rides like a youngster.  I watched him win a NORBA race in Mammoth Lakes, California back in the mid-80's and he's still killing today.