keep posting them Scott, I enjoy the reading.   Thanks

well, that's a funny story,  roping fake cows probably wasn't in the plan on the start of the trip.  HAHA

awesome,  love the pictures

hey,  thanks for responding.   I think what I'm hoping for is information such as.  Number of rides per week?  Recovery time? distance/time for each ride?  do you just ride long distances or do you train, such as interval training?  Brutal climbs? Do you crosstrain on the road?  I hate the road.  Do you eat healthy all the time?   I'm a pig and drink too much beer.  I do need to do more stretching for flexibility.  Have pretty good upper body strength though.  I'll check out the firefighter thing in the morning.  I'm tired tonight.   Thanks again

man,  that's incredible,  great shots.  wow, 

     Kind of slow on the forums.  Some of us newbies have lots of ?'s  I don't know most of you, I know Scott well enough to know he would love to see more activity.  Some of your trip posts are unbelievable,  holy shalito,  u guys are awesome.  I'm amping up my training to get ready for the AZT300.  I've just been going out and riding.  I don't know much about training.  I was hoping to encourage some of you veterans to open up and share your wealth of wisdom and let a few of us newbies avoid a few mistakes.  Any tips and ideas are welcome.  I promise to someday pass what I learn to the next bunch of newbies.  And I'm always a good candidate to buy the next round.  Thanks

HAHA.  yeah,  just picking on Rob,  I'm right behind em. 

Dang Rob,  you're old.  That aint the bike a creakin.   

whew,  that's incredible.  I love those little pack rafts.  Unreal

That sounds awesome.  I do live in Tucson though, still that sparks my interest,  how do you build a Hammock for $20?  Sounds cool.

do you think 2 of these would be sufficient for ANY trip?  A helmet and bar mount?  I might as well get stuff while she's already softened up from all the other gear I've bought.  No since having to break her down again later:)

I ordered the tarptent,  Also ordered the phantom 32 sleeping bag.  I might go ahead and get that bivy since it's only $30.  You can't have too much gear, can you?  If I order much more,  I may be living in the tarptent.  Kicked out for breaking the bank. 

     Sorry to ask so many dumb questions,  but I'm trying to gear up on short notice.  A friend and myself are plotting a trip fairly soon.  I was wondering if anyone could tell me the differences between a tarptent and a bivy.  Setup time?  Sleep quality?  And whatever else?  I'm leaning towards the Tarptent Contrail.  Man, this stuff is expensive.  Thanks. 

beautiful

just picked up the talon today and the etrex Legend HCx GPS,  now I just gotta learn to use it. 

is this a light you would use while riding?

I'm going there tomorrow,  thanks guys. 

     I have a few neck issues and plan to go as light as possible on the back,  I was wondering if I should get the bigger or smaller of this pack?   I found them on sale for $80.    Just thought I'd see if I could get some much needed advice.  Thanks

So, you guys think the fox fork isn't quite good enough for a trip?  just curious.  that's what I have on my bike.  I loved the reba when I ran it.

I'm Jobie

     I'm 37 and I live in tucson.  I've never bikepacked and just trying to get in shape,  I just did my first longish ride today.  46 miles, but only 20 was trail.  I'm pooped,  so I'd say I am the noobiest of the noobies.  I'm gonna try to do a one or two day trip within the next 3 months.  Hopefully it goes well.  I'm trying to get some gear together.  I just had Eric from alaska start building me a Frame bag, seatpost bag, and gas tank.  If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm happy to listen.  Jobie