I have been a big fan of alcohol stoves for nearly a decade, but I have had trouble with them in cold temperatures (<15f).  They are tough to light in those conditions and take forever to boil water or melt snow. Preheating the stove and fuel may help.  That said I've carried one for the past four years at the AHU (never used it, but I should have).  

This year I'll be using a Whisperlite Int'l because I expect to be melting snow on the second half of the course (I'm skiing again).  But since you'll be biking you may be able to get enough water at checkpoints and not worry too much about the stove.  If I were biking again I'd probably use an Esbit, though I haven't tried one in the cold yet.  As I recall they are as slow or slower than the alcohol to boil, but in a pinch they'll do.  

Those are indeed Nevegals, but, believe it or not, they are 2.7".  They were pigs.  Great grip on the hills, but heavy and ridiculous rolling resistance.  There is a good reason that the Endomorphs have a low profile tread.  In the soft stuff big, tall knobs can really slow you down. 

My rig from the '07 Arrowhead.


Almost identical to my '06 rig, but with slightly larger tires and thermoses instead of a Camelbak.  It was a tough year though and I wasn't tough enough.

Hello, I'm Matt Maxwell.

I live and work in Ames, IA as a bike mechanic. 

I've been seriously biking for about ten years now.  I do commuting, gravel road rides and races, the occasional 24 hour race, and I especially love snow biking.  I've done a little bikepacking (overnighters mostly), but would like to do longer rides/events (should I ever have the time).  This winter though my focus is on ski-packing. 

I look forward to learning from everyone here.

Matt

I have used an Adventure Medical Thermolite Bivvy on a couple of trips with mixed results (http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com). 

One was a weeklong kayaking trip at Isle Royale in Lake Superior.  Temps were in the high 50s at night and I was reasonably comfortable with long underwear and the bivy.  I woke up damp a few times because the bag isn't very breathable (especially if I tucked my head inside), but I didn't suffer too much for it. 

The other was a minimalist overnighter on the bike to a nearby trail/campground.  It was the 4th of July and I was expecting temps in the 70s at night, but just as I was falling asleep a huge T-Storm hit and temps dropped into the low 50s suddenly with heavy wind and rain.  I was using a poncho as a tarp and it didn't provide as much protection as I would have liked.  The bivy kept me from getting hypothermic, but it was one of the most miserable nights I've ever spent out. 

One of these days I'll drag it out and try it again.