Trans Am Borrego Springs training dates have been picked. March 24th to March 28th. Looks like 5 people so far.

I had some trouble navigating amtrak's site to see what I would need to connect to the coast starlight if I wanted to get close, any ideas?  I'll look more into it later but I'm maxed out for the next few days.  Would love to make it down for some warmer weather!

Self supported racing in Italy now.

May 1st 2014 - Tuscany Trail
600k, 50 percent off road

http://www.bikepacking.it/tuscany_trail.php

What's the 3rd - Transcontinental?

That would be correct! The Transcontinental, Trans Am, Trans Afrika

So we've got a triple crown of road bikepacking this year now with this little gem.

http://o5demo.com/transafrikabikerace/

The Trans Afrika is an unsupported Adventure Bicycle Race from Beitbridge to Cape Town South Africa.
Riders are autonomous and not bound to one fixed route; they must only visit the mandatory checkpoints below.
There is no minimum kit list; the rules only serve to prohibit outside assistance and provide a level playing field.
Resupply is permitted at commercially available services only.

CP 1: PIGGS PEAK CASINO, SWAZILAND
CP 2 :TOP OF MOTENG PASS, LESOTHO
CP 3: PRINCE ALBERT, SOUTH AFRICA
FINISH: LE MED, CAMPS BAY, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Trans Afrika Bike Race - October 12th
http://o5demo.com/transafrikabikerace/

The Trans Afrika Bike Race is on and the triple crown of road bikepacking is now legit. 

Re: "cheap" and "week"
We're talking about the Sinewave Cycles Revolution and NOT the Bike2Power LightCharge, right?
Depending on the type of plastic, it might be more durable than an aluminum cased version. Have you cracked yours? "Week" [weak] - real experience or speculation about output or potential to break?
Compared to some of the other USB chargers out there, the Revolution is one of the few that does NOT shut off output then you're going really fast, will output a full Amp and it IS waterproof. If I had time to research AC to DC converter circuits - where is my old Electronics 101 text book? - I'd build my own. Yes, one could probably DIY one for $12-$15, but I don't have the time. For any product to be profitable, the ratio of retail price to manufacturing cost needs to be at least 8:1. That's just the way it is... unless you're Wal-Mart. I could be wrong, but I doubt the guys at Sinewave are driving Lamborghinis...

Yes, total speculation, I think my review was pretty honest though.  It's a nice unit, it has worked well, but it seems a little too lightweight/fragile to me.  That said, looking at the e-work, it looks about as fragile, so whatever.  I think it's a good unit but I think all dynamo technology has a lot of room to evolve.  Seems like that's just the state of dynamo systems, they've gotten pretty good though, I'm impressed.

[Sinewave [formerly Brightbike] Cycles Revolution]

Sinewave [formerly Brightbike] Cycles Revolution - Here's another dynamo hub powered USB charger option
http://www.sinewavecycles.com/collections/all/products/bright-bike-revolution

I've had some direct and second hand experience with this unit.  I built a bike up for a tourist with a shimano hub, I like the overall simplicity of the unit.  Though honestly it seems a little cheap and like something that could be cranked out for pennies on the dollar.  That said my buddy has ridden across the country and is still out riding now well into the winter and the unit has held up for him without fail.  So I can speak for the reliability and functionality of one unit and I would say that I'm reasonably impressed.  Personally the unit seems really week and easy to break so making sure it is securely mounted would be extra important, I guess that's the price you pay for having an electrical system on your bike, but it would be nice to see the system evolve to something more durable, like a metal case instead of plastic.  Drawbacks aside, I like the little thing and it's a decent price.

This Cascadian is all over racing that route, keep me posted, heck I'm willing to help administer it.  Also is there a link for the 420?  Sounds like my sort of race.

I'm also guessing you mean Tour Divide (Banff to Antelope Wells), and not the Great Divide Race (Roosville to Antelope Wells).  I only say that because I believe I was the last person to race the GDR, I really like knowing that fact and I can't resist the chance to point it out.

Registration is going to close tonight on this one folks!

Nope, it's a total rumor at this point, Andy Masters hit me up about it.  Don't think he's moved to far forward with it, yet.  He was talking about doing it October.

Rumor has it a Trans South Africa is in the works, then there could be a legit triple crown in the road bikepacking scene.

4!  Edward, Shawn, Jason, and Peta.

Nice work Scott and thanks!  Not sure if Velodirt's Oregon Outback fits on here but it is worth mention.  There's definitely going to be a fair amount of racing going down, haven't heard anything on Spot tracking though.
May 23
http://velodirt.com/the-oregon-outback-a-360-mile-dirt-odyssey-across-oregon/

Then of course there's more road bikepacking with the Transcon. August 9th.
http://www.transcontinentalrace.com/

There are rumors of a Trans Afrika road race in in October, it's just a rumor though, I would say it hasn't quite hit the planning stages.  It would be cool though, a triple crown of road bikepacking!

Oh yeah and JayP's Backyard Fat Pursuit March 1st.
http://fatpursuit.blogspot.com/

All amazing rides, I would add Billy Rice's TD yoyo.  Hall's divide race probably kept me the most engaged.  My brain hurts thinking about it.

Okay now that I look again they all hold 10,000 trackpoints which is plenty high enough resolution to get the full route on there.  I would say the 10 should fit basic racer needs, the 20 seems like you're just paying for color, the 30 is for a little more bling with the wireless, none of which really seems essential.

Non GPS expert here, but I would go with the 20 just because it holds more waypoints.  Higher resolution routes means easier navigation.  Then 10 only holds 1000 points, where as the 20 holds 2000.

Entry is now open!

http://reportage.transcontinentalrace.com/?page_id=108

Paolo,

Google Earth has good days and bad days.  Often it's elevation calculations are incredibly wrong.  

I recommend using http://www.topofusion.com/for estimating mileage and elevation.  I don't believe that it's perfect but it seems to be more accurate.

Not to just throw money at the problem but you could get a folding bike if you are traveling so much.  At least then it's a smaller footprint and it's MORE of a workout if it has 20" wheels.  Not sure if that counts with "can't bring a bike" as they fold up pretty small these days.