As I recall Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia tried to market a pack with a tumpline back in the 60's, never really caught on obviously. Though I see he is trying again http://www.coolhunting.com/design/patagonia-tumpl.php

Congratulation's to Mark and Kurt an amazing job by both, Mark, while slower certainly endured greater extremes in weather at least in the beginning. I would never have believed anyone could ride all of the single track as fast as Kurt did. Oh and welcome to what is for now a fairly short list, though I should think that may change over the next couple of years.

I have a Jandd handle bar bag that I use all of the time, their stuff is very durable and so not the lightest.

To be honest there is likely no high quality, cheap answer, you might be able to find a local company that can make something similar and that might be faster but I doubt it would be cheaper.

I made my own frame bag and handle bar harness (if you are putting a sleeping pad up there all you really need is straps). The frame bag was a pain in the ass and I have done some sewing in the past, by the time that was done I had had enough of the sewing machine. For the harness I just used a sewing awl (a hand held needle and spool type thingy) to attach a couple of straps and buckles to a square of cordura fabric. It's pretty basic and really just holds the sleeping pad in place while I thread a strap around the bars, the strap does most of the real holding.

You could also work out a way to strap a sleeping bag on to the seat with store bought stuff sack and some straps. I have seen this setup at the AZT 300 and a buddy of mine is planning on using the same set up, certainly qualifies a cheep. I tried to work something out this same way but decided it was a pain in the ass and went with Epic for the seat post bag.

Thanks Dave I see it now, I have fond memories of the Highline as well even though it is slow going or maybe because it is slow going challenging trail. And then you still have to do the straight up hike a bike to gain the rim itself, after that it is still a long way to Morman Lake. After that it's quick and easy  (by comparison) to Flag. Flag to the Canyon should go pretty quickly for them, once they are past the snow and mud around the peaks. The worst part of the Coconino Rim might be blow downs, seems like there is one section through a burn area before Grand View lookout, that can be real bad for down trees. I don't remember much about the Tusayan bike trail it's all pretty easy.

Looks like Kurt just past Ian, Ian seems to be at the bottom of east Clear creek doing the hike a bike out and getting up on the main plateau of the Blue Ridge/Happy Jack section. Kurts already up there in the bumpy stuff Mark mentioned. Depending on the snow and what they get to ride there is some great ST and some real bumpy stuff like the section with no trail just bump across the field of rocks looking for AZT sign in the trees and the occasional post or two.

Mark makes the Canyon that's great where are we at here anyway from the original start date, for the two left who started in the snow, day 12+?  And Kurt is only 4+ is that right?

1 - those birds that sleep on the trail. Are there no predators round here?! You can get within inches and I had to brake for a few on the second days singletrack, a ton more last night into Payson, and they fly about 10 metres away and settle down for the night again right on the trail! Crazy...

Ian

The Crazy bird is the Common Poorwill a type of Nighthawk, they are actually hunting bugs along the road you just keep catching them by surprise. If you get a chance to watch one they will jump up and catch bugs.

Tim

Alright Mark and Ian, of those that started at the border the two with the most difficulties are the last two moving that's great. Looks like Kurt is off and running, conditions are likely perfect out there.

Looks like Ian is about to finish the 300 if he hasn't already, way to persevere out there.

I had a similar conversation with him he was definitely against off course travel. Back in 06 I had to go all the way to REI in Phoenix he couldn't see how I could go so far off course and then still be motivated to go back to the trail. I guess I just got used to it all things considered off course travel became par for the course.   

DIY stuff is pretty cool and there are some enterprising folks on here. One in particular is out racing the AZTR right now. Mark Caminiti in having all kinds of mechanical problems out there one biggie is the loss of brake pads his fix glue a piece of plastic (from a patch kit) on to the old backing plate.

Welcome to the world of bikepacking it is starting to gain momentum with great new innovative products to help lighten the load.

As for bike builds there are a few threads out there on this subject though most do try to keep things bikepacking oriented. I would suggest trying MTBR but feel free to post up here as well.

Alright Mark way to stick with it to the bitter end. Don't stop now no mater how far off course you have to go to get what you need. Extra miles can be inevitable don't think about them they don't count it's just something you have to deal with.

Ah the Highline trail built by mules in the 1880's and parts of it really do seam that old. Definitely not a trail for everyone but there is a lot of fun to be had for the more adventurous.  

Todd your welcome glad you had a good time here in AZ.

Thanks Scott after two years of not getting past Tucson I really wanted to make it all the way again this year.

It was great to see so many at the start even with all of the snow and actually having others to ride with out there. I had gotten used to everyone being long gone and riding alone for the most part. Finally more normal humans mixed in with all of the mutants.

Mary congratulations on making it back to Tucson and not giving in to self doubt and call in from Madera. Sometimes the hardest part of sticking with the AZT is all of the easy ways out, especially when you are local and know all of the easy ways around the hard parts.

Jefe way to go shattering the record, to all who lined up no matter how far you got I hope you had fun and got to ride some great trail. I really enjoyed riding with the North Carolina crew at the start then Mary and Lee for a while heading in to Patagonia also Mark and the Austin crew around Redington.

The last rider I saw was Mark out on the Gas line he was fighting flats at that point, heard he went into Hayden for a resupply. Just keep plugging away man don't let things get to you, every mile down is one less you have left to do.

Just got home hit the finish line at 1:35 this afternoon. That's all I got for now I just need a shower.

So much for all of those days I intentionally rode in the heat of the day trying to get ready for hot days. Well then again at my pace I will likely end up in the heat out at the end anyway.

Lee looking forward to seeing you. Steve S is driving us down he will also have his bike to do a day ride.

I have Sierra Designs quick dry stuff it is plenty durable not entirely waterproof but the price was right. I also carry an ultralight  poncho worse case scenario I have to get under that http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/6 it was a little pricey but it works good as a bivy shelter as well

Part of the Coco 250 route is on the GWT. Fall line pain=down hill fun.

Finally, starting the race.  Right now the GPX track starts at the Mexican border on a 4x4 road.  The actual start of the AZT is up much higher, on singletrack, where an international border obelisk sits.  The problem is that bikes are not allowed on this 1.6 mile piece of trail.

I have started AZT thru-trips both ways.  Each has their pros/cons.  Any opinions on which you guys would prefer?  I have thought of making both options OK.  There won't be a huge difference in time.  (The 4x4 road version requires a ~6 mile out and back ride to the border).  For the hike option you leave your bike at the parking lot at Montezuma pass and hike down with nothing more than a water bottle or maybe a pack.  Pick up your bike and continue riding on to Parker Lake.

To get an idea of the two options check out the first and fourth pics. http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,611.0.html

Shot one is at the Start of the official AZT at the border monument, hike in the National Monument. You can see the valley where the bike route starts down the fence line over my left shoulder.

In shot 4 I am on the fence line road the one you would come down and go up, is on my left.

Both have merits one is more scenic the other lets you ride your bike from right on the line. 

That's a lot of snow to walk with the bike on your back. It's starting to look like being slow might just be an advantage. Looks like things are melting though, in some places melting pretty fast, if someone has the time to do a 20 plus day trip they may have a chance at riding most of the trail.