Little blue pills, eh? Gotta be Viagra. Definitely against the rules, as that certainly wouldn't qualify as self-support.

nice one Toby.
I've been lurking in this topic a while and that post got me to chime in. Very useful discussion I might add.
carry on...back to my coffee...

just curious if the ATA Databook is available in a spreadsheet format.

in for the 750.
just joined the ATA. Looking forward to short days and long nights for some serious map study.

The fun begins now.

Great race Blake. Taking the west by storm!

Hey Blake,
the thought crossed my mind. However, there are too many variables regarding departure from home and the ride itself for me to commit to carpooling.

see you at the start...and other familiar Cali faces!

Jeremy

Hey Rod,
just notice your post. There is lots of opportunity for excellent bikepacking throughout the entire eastern sierra. What are you looking for? the area offers a full range of goods.

well done Erin!! way to push on thru...sure is a beautiful route huh.

Absolute NO.
Let's not dumb down our sport to the least common denominator.
Ride your ride...don't regulate mine.

Like Woodland said...8 hours sleep...can't remember when.

Great ride Steve. Way to take a chunk of time out of the course record. Rest up.

Steve is in the thick of it right now...but will see the light of day soon. He'll be at his car with daylight to spare.

Impressive ride

Sure wish I was in that photo...and riding...
nice pace by Steve and Josh. good work fellas.

The ghost rider in the front looks to be off track for the most part. Following roads and such. Although he now gets the joy of lumberjack-a-bike on the spruce trail

I will be there one way or another with a few cold beers to enjoy with the remaining field of 4 (plus Dave) tomorrow evening.

...bring some wine for Linda

have fun out there all you who will make it!!
it is a fantastic ride!

Erin...bummer, but a fall ITT with the changing colors might be spectacular.
Mark, enjoy the ride and I look forward to your write up.
Steve. push hard like last year and bring it all the way through.
plesurnpain - no better way to baptize a frame. I did the same on the Stagecoach 400 last year.

I'll be watching the dots and remembering the fun. In between work that is.
Ride hard - Jeremy

hey Blake,
I'd like to get back out there and that is my tentative plan...but time will tell. good work on the TDLP race, you looked strong and steady.

hey erin,
its a high quality route. rough numbers might be ST 60%, DT 30%, road 10%. the 200 is great...i hear the 311 is pretty stiff. check out this thread from last year.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=3070.160

I might get on it again this year.

Dave...any thoughts on a start date this year?? Solstice?

thanks Gerry. had heard and i didn't see it on the cues either. Thats what i was hoping for.

we'll be riding out of Idyllwild about now (6am post)...next week. looks like a large field, fun stuff.

finishing touches on the rig this week and ready to go...got some needed parts yesterday.

the stoke is rising...looking forward to new and old faces...

remember the time change this weekend...gives us more nighttime daylight and the full moon will be on Sunday.

I liked the tunnels too...super unique.
Thanks for the link.

I rode an ITT last year with the 2012 gpx and did Kane rd. then watching the blue dots in April 2013 saw everyone pass it. good change...tough road and it made the resupply option 20 mile longer. Is the Desert Ironwood RV park in Ocotillo reliable?

Jeremy, I would like your comment, but Bikepacking.net doesn't have that feature. Ha ha.

Nice Blake. Like.

thanks for the sneak peak Roland. a plus for that option is that it does keep us on dirt instead of the road/residential section.
bummer about the tunnels. what is the reason for their closure?
The 6am start is great! gives us a shot (if meager) of agua caliente before they close.

Is the Old Kane Spring Rd section going to be replaced with staying on 78 to Ocotillo Wells?

sure wish it was on here BP.net (why abandon a good thing??)...or that non-facebook types could at least see the conversation on facebook without having to join. I don't have an account, don't want one either, but it would be nice to be kept in the loop.

I ran an ITT last year and it was fun. I just want the updated gpx file...i know it is being worked on still.

See you all in a few weeks!!!

this on has been on my list for more than a few years also. I just seems to stay on the back burner because of other races, work, family... I know I'll get to it one of these days. Maybe that day is on the horizon. What do you deem would be the optimal start date? I sure would love to explore that piece a plant earth for all the reason you stated.