I'm looking at this race as well. I'm in Olympia, WA. Haven't it done it before.

Spot Gen3's are on sale 50% off at REI, pretty good deal.

https://www.rei.com/product/860469/spot-gen3-satellite-gps-messenger

I've recently purchased the Revelate Viscacha bag and have noticed on the bumpier terrain it rubs the bag if my suspension isn't locked out. I've found some tips for remedying this, but none prevent the rubbing altogether. Has this occurred for other bikepackers? On the trail I had to lock out my rear suspension, so it was kinda useless having a full suspension bike in this case. Is there a way to secure the bag so it's angled higher on the bike, or does that just depend on how much you have stuffed in the pack?

Heading out to the 300 start tomorrow morning, no tracker unfortunately, but maybe will see some folks out there! Planning for the 300, and a chill ride back to Flagstaff, if all goes well.

I agree with you on the tent - I just don't feel comfortable in a bivy.  Anyway, have you looked at the Tarptent pro-trail - it is only $225, less than the BA UL1.  It weighs 26 oz, though poles are an extra 2 oz, so not as light as the BA UL1 fast fly but lighter than the BA UL1. 

For poles, I don't know about the BA UL1, but my poles are about small enough when folded that I can slip them thru the Velcro on my top tube bags, along the top tube (and this can probably be done as well along the bottom tube).  I also tie the front end of the poles to the bike so they won't slip down (look at the pic and you will see the orange cord).

Is that a Sea to Summit drybag on your handlebars? I have one of those as well, and am wondering what is the best way to mount it securely.

Ive had problems trying to load huge tracks into my 510 as well. I think breaking the track into smaller sections should allow you to do it without sending your garmin into mass storage mode. Maybe somebody can chime in and explain to you how to either simplify the track or cut it up into pieces.

So the ATA has this page, maybe for members only? http://www.aztrail.org/passages/passages.php#notes

It's got 3 different downloads you can do per passage, and I just added the first passage onto my Edge, going to see how many I can load up and still have the device turn on. Not super familiar with the courses function, but it would be better than winging it with cue sheets.

Adding to this, are some of these passages hiker only as I'm guessing? I don't know if they make available the mtb routes separate from the hiking trail.

I haven't ridden all of the trail north of picket, but the Canelos can be tough without a gps. In the dark it can all be hard, ripsey is iffy in spots when your half asleep. Do you have a cycling gps? You can likely put a gpx file on that.

I've got a Garmin Edge 510, it doesn't have the space to load the whole AZT topofusion file, I've tried, but maybe others have had luck. i could try to load passages I'm unfamiliar with, aka everything south of the Mogollon Rim.

What is the hardest passage to navigate without a GPS? I'm pondering a 750 ITT run this month, conditions permitting. Just curious if the trail is difficult to navigate in certain sections without a GPS. I can imagine, though I'd like some input from experienced individuals. Getting an eTrex at this point isn't going to happen, but if I can get everything else together I'd love to ride the trail before wildfire season starts for me in April.

The record was set on a Salsa Spearfish, so maybe that is a good starting point. I have the 2016 Spearfish Carbon XO1 and it is pretty sweet.

Some research and consulting has lead me to many other suitable bikes, Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt, Trek Fuel EX, Specialized Camber, Cannondale Trigger. I don't think Salsa is the only bike for bikepacking, though they have positioned themselves as an adventure bike company. The record holder being a Salsa sponsored rider.

Should've clarified, but AZT would be the main focus.

I'm wondering what are some of the cheapest bikes price-wise that would be rated as "trail-worthy?" I understand the components and weight drive the prices upwards, and rightfully so, but on a budget, what would you all recommend? In addition, other than Salsa, what companies have bikes that are well-suited for ultra, bikepacking and endurance trail riding.

I'm curious what type of mechanical issues have past 750 finishers, or not, encountered along the route. I'm definitely interested in getting into this, however I haven't done a long race like this before and am unsure of the toll it would take on my bike.