Sounds like you are getting there as long as is doesn't rain your set so the question is do you need to stay completely dry if it does rain. Or will you be able to get somewhere and dry out (home/motel room). If you can then leave the tarp at home.
I like to have a light 5x7' tarp (and 4 12 foot pieces of string) added to the bivy sack once set up I can keep my gear dry my head and body are under the tarp and only my feet (inside the bivy) are sticking out. Unless it is really cold I sleep with the bivy open to prevent condensation.
IMO the 30deg bag is enough with out the liner first the bivy adds 10deg to the bag then if you have a light pair of thermal bottoms and a mid weight top on you can add 10deg to the bag. I like having something dry to put on in camp anyway let the bike clothes hang out too dry just be sure to put them away so they stay dry over night.
While preparing for the full AZT a bike shop owner gave me the idea of carrying part of my load like a duffel bag. He was talking about panniers thou I didn't end up using them.
I did have a Jandd Rack Pack Duffel and it did make sense to carry it that way and so why not the bike too.
I thought it worked out well having the weight lower and dispersed to 4 straps instead of two. I used extra clothes to pad out the one inch straps I used to hang the bike and duffel.
The set up worked great in the Canyon on the nice wide trail but was a little bit cumbersome on the overgrown four mile section north of Patagonia.
For starters I guess I just don't like guns and I admit I don't travel in Grizzly country. The main thing here in AZ would be along the border and a potential run in with smugglers. I can't imagine any thing that would work. What could you possible carry that would help if you ran into AK toting smugglers. The one time that I was attacked by a wild critter I am glad I didn't have a gun I might have shot myself in the foot trying to the the dam thing off of the end of my sleeping bag.
Just had it back on a second time and added the string up over the stem. Seams rock solid it does rub on the headbadge but not bad doesn't seam to affect steering.
The stem is only 60mm I tried it on the bars again but I didn't like the way it was going to rub on the spot where the hydro housing meets the lever.
I like the looks of the harness but I think the other issues will still be there with it.
I am on the schedule with Eric for a seat bag I was thinking Super but after thinking about it and (having someone point out how far back it would stick) I think I should split the load and put the bag up front.
I haven't told Eric yet but now I am also thinking about a frame bag and I just don't want to have to buy 3 new items all at once.
The last pic is the full bivi kit with the pad and bivi sack and tarp on the seatpost (with strings temporarily) the bike feels nicely balanced.
Thanks for the input it got me looking more at and I still think I like it there.
The first thing with the bag on the bars is all of the cables and brake housings Then there's GPS, light and handle bar bag that I don't want to give up.
If anything it is rubbing on the steer tube which has a big ruff voodoo head badge.
But no I haven't been on trail yet but it seams to be set pretty solid.
Not worried about anything from the front wheel and it seams like it would keep the weight lower then on the bars. And it doesn't seam like the tire can hit it.
Not sure what to do about the headbadge take it off or just cover it with duct tape to smooth it out maybe. Could probably put a little duct tape on the top of the stanchion as well I don't think the wipers ever get that far up.
Lastly maybe double up the material on the spot where the outside bag hits the headbadge.
Word is the new trail is pretty good so mostly likely a lot easier Zach and I flew on those last 2 miles in 07.
As for north of the Gila right now would be a good time to hit the new stuff. As long as the river is low the crossing is easy. The dam is turned off right now the flow can be checked on line at.
After fording the river there is a flagged route to the alignment and then fresh trail cut all the way to Walnut Canyon and then 4x4 roads lead to Battle Axe or Cochran and another ford of the river or continue on to Martinez and the Box.
Just back from the White Canyon work event sounds like there is now 8 miles of new ST south of Picket Post. Details soon to come but it sounds like 1.5 miles past the old turn off and about 6 more miles of new trail than last year.
Some thoughts on your last leg of the AZT not sure but you may be the first bikepacker to break it up this way. I know lots of hikers have done the whole thing in segments but it seams like all of the bike trips have been more of a one push kinda thing.
Breaking it up is going to be a big plus on this leg. It should be reasonable to make reservations well ahead of time and then just back plan for your start date.
Starting at the border are you doing the Buckskin Passage. There is a lot of slow ST should be all ride-able but Winter road will get you there easier and faster. You should make Jacob Lake easy if you skip Buckskin. Then from there to the Park the next day seams doable.
Then there is 10 more miles in of trail riding in the park do you plan to pay and spend a night in the park or camp out side the park and ride in to meet shuttle. Can the shuttle bring backpacking gear. You should be able to do the ride meet the shuttle and hike to Cottonwood all in one day. To make it to Phantom you might want to be staying in the park.
Phantom is great and worth the cash the dorms are reasonable thou someone may snore all night long. But if the shuttle can bring backpacking gear you could have a stove and make your own food by not carry the bike you should be able to carry a good amount.
I would think it would also work out good to start in Flag do the most direct/best dirt route the south rim. Some blend of the AZT and the Moqui Stage route. You could camp out side of Tusayan and then ride in to the park in the morning meet a shuttle and then still make Phantom before they stop selling beer I forget if it was 3 or 4 in the afternoon but they close the store to get ready for dinner. Beer was free with the steak dinner. If you end the ride at the state line finishing with the Buckskin Passage is great the last switchbacks are fun, fast and flowing down to the finish line and the State Line camp ground is a great place to spend the night.
Either way you go, be sure to look for the new carsonite signs on the south rim the AZT is now officially in and there is some great riding on the rim trail just south of Yaki point. This is the only part of the rim trail where MTB’s are allowed. Most of the signed route is on the old entrance road and goes pretty fast.
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