I did, which is what wasy swaying me to look into it a bit more.  I was hoping you and Scott (when he get's done) and some other folks would also chime in and give me your opinions.  If it weren't for that dad-gum Cass and her awesome write up and pics, I'd be focusing on the AZT, but man she got my blood flowing with the description of everything.  

Cass is a guy.  He's British and has ridden self contained all over the world.  He just added a link to my photo album on his Coco blog post.  You'll see him numerous times in my photos.

Gary

I've added in a Coco Lite paragraph to the trip report, suggesting a couple of ways of avoiding some hike and bikes - which would probably suit a bikepacking newbie!

I'm not a newbie, just old.  I think the Coco-lite course you describe is great.  This fall, maybe? 

I might even skip some of the lower section of Munds Trail just above Sedona since the road is right there anyway.  I did enjoy the upper section.

Gary

Post up in two weeks and let us know how that stomach is doing.  That just sounds CRAZY drinking that water straight. 

Well, it's been a week and a half.  We're fine.  You could see the water flowing right out of the inlet.  I think we're lead to believe any water not out of a spigot should be treated.  Based on many years of drinking water I disagree.

Gary

You won't miss it.  Well, maybe you could in the dark.  It's on the right, probably 50' after starting the trail.

Phenomenal photos Gary, thanks for taking the time to set that album up. 
Looks like you had a Saguaro on the rear and I couldn't quite make out what you had on the front.  How did they do for this trip?
Thanks!

I do have a Sagauaro (non TNT) on the rear.  The front is the old style Michelin Wild race'r.  I have the same set up on Patti's bike and am quite happy with both tires.  The sidewalls are pretty tough and they're not too expensive.  The Saguaro wears well too.  The TNT Saguaro is hard to impossible to mount on Stan's rims.

Thanks for the comments!

My wife and just got home from our trip touring the route.  We took 10 days to do it, quite casual.  We finished the day before Caroline started her ride.  I want to send out a huge thanks to Brendan and crew for developing this great route, it had to be a huge effort to put all of this together.  You'll know what I mean after you ride it.  Keep an eye on your GPS constantly.

Photos here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/111911279427601394343/Stagecoach?authkey=Gv1sRgCJap4ZWy-YXRqgE

Gary Blakley
Del Norte, CO   

Greenwater, thanks for the info.  The Cedar Mesa area is one of my favorite places.  I've done more hiking than riding there.  Another good ride is the old Mormon trail from just west of Bluff up to the Cane Gulch ranger station, the loop could be closed by going down the Moqui Dugway and through Garden of the Gods.  A potential bikepack trip I'd like to do is the 4X4 road just north of Natural Bridges (Woodenshoe?) heading west and coming out by Hite.  Riding the pavement section to close the route would be a bit boring though.  Maybe there are some dirt options to get back to Bridges, I need to do some research. 

Gary

Nice!  I've ridden up to John's but not up the canyon, as a day ride from the Goosenecks.  Is there water in John's after you get up a ways?  How far up the canyon were you able to ride.  I'm assuming you did an out-n-back?  Thanks!

Gary in Del Norte. 

Great write-up Denis! Congratulations on a great ride!

It was also an honor to get to meet you.  I assume the new tire, shifter and chain worked out fine?

Gary in Del Norte.

I use a 3M ProPore 02 jacket which I've been told is virtually the same as the Frog Togs.  I live in SW CO and our storms tend to be short but often intense.  I'm happy with the jacket for these circumsatnces.  I carry a 3 oz windshirt too and wear that the bulk of the time for cold or light drizzle.  I use nylon rainpants though, mine are some old Red Ledge @ 6.8 oz.  They are used as camp pants for warmth, bug protection and rain.  I'm on my knees too much around camp and hiking through brush to depend on the ProPore pants for almost daily camping use, they would be worn out in no time.

For the price and weight the jacket is hard to beat but I don't need to use mine very often.  If I lived somewhere like the the PNW I might look at a longer lasting option.

Gary

Ben Oney and David Goldberg stayed with us in Del Norte last night.  David asked that I let everyone know his Spot unit is broken and he'll finish the ride sans Spot.  David cut a sidewall north of town and we got him set up with another tire.  They both are doing well.  They're packing up to leave now at 5:00 AM (Sat).

Gary

There have been a few questions about SPOT and battery life... 

Amy, thanks!  I have read that using alkalines in a Spot 2 will damage the unit, which seems a bit odd.  It will also apparently void the warranty.  So, you're confident that it will not damage the unit?

Folks, Amy does more research on gear and destinations than anyone I know.  I have used her knowledge, and it's usually documented, several times.

Gary

Kurt stopped in Del Norte this AM about 9:00 AM.  He looks really good!  I never would have guessed what he's been through had I not known already.  He's sharp, talkative, very relaxed and confident.  He says his aches are actually improving now, not that he's pain free by any means, you should have seen him walking down our stairs.    He ate a big breakfast and had his first shower.  Then he took time to check out the Leaderboard and didn't seem to be in too big of a rush to leave.  As relaxed as he seems I think he's going to be hard to beat to AW.  Jefe didn't call us.

His seat bag is Cuben Fiber, custom made by Eric (Revelate)  He's got a White Bros. carbon fork and the Ti Salsa frame is custom built for Kurt.  He made his own frame bag and he's using an early version of Eric's harness and front pocket.  He replaced his rear Nano with a Wild Race'R a ways back and likes it.  He still has a Nano on the front.  He's using 9 speed Sram.

Gary

Denis Chezelle (NoBo) stopped in today (Del Norte).  He got a new tire and chain at the post office and his almost brand new X-9 rear shifter had failed.  We found him a shifter and got everything set up.  Yet another Nano sidewall cut, his rear tire had a cut I could stick my little finger through. 

He's using a seat post rack.  The first one failed before Grants.  He found another at Wal-Mart, I hope it makes it all the way to Banff.  Has anyone completed the GDMBR with one of these racks that survived the whole trip?  This is probably around the 10th one I know of breaking.  Too bad some riders aren't aware of the issue with them.

Gary

I think I read where Paul plans on doing the regular route.  Is so he is going way to fast as the snow still won’t be low enough to truly see what kind of sanctioned time he could lay down under more normal conditions.

Yea, Marshall, that's what he told me.  He said he'll hike up to 30 miles of snow.  Anymore than that and he'll do the bypass.  He's putting in quite the ride.  I'd guess his tire issues are behind him.

Gary

Yep.  He stopped by our place this AM.  He got a room in Platoro last night.  He said he had 2 buffalo burgers last night!  He got here (Del Norte) before 9:00 and is having tire issues.  I helped him put new tubes in and he took three more with him!  His Nano sidewalls have been cutting so he lost his Stan's and has been running tubes and is still having flats.  He's planning to be at Absolute (Salida) when they open in the AM and get some new tires.  He's in a hurry!  Patti has just returned home from her Divide ride and made him some Breakfast.  He's happy doing well, and his only frustration after the heat down south, has been flats.

Too bad the Nanoraptor is gone.  It seems the Nano is only the same tire in tread, not in quality.

Sorry, we were busy with the bike and he was in a hurry so I forgot to get some photos.

Gary

Patti has been riding the Great Divide Route for the last week.  She found a GPS between Silver City and Beaverhead Work Station.  If it's yours describe to me where you lost it and what make/model it is.  I'd like to get it back to you.

Gary Blakley
719 849-8183
gcblakley<AT>gmail

Reconnaissance on Indiana Pass was performed 10 days by Steve B. (Rec Specialist for Rio Grand FS district). He's currently touring the route from AW and may provide additional reports. He said the snowline there was about 10,800 or so.

When Steve rode that section we'd just had a bit of snow and it was cold.  Today we're 88* in Del Norte and the wind has been insane for weeks.  There may be a drift or two over Indiana for NoBo riders but don't fret it.  Wait to fret for the snow up north!  From the Mexican border to Platoro is good.  I had two sisters riding the route NoBo call last night, they chose to bypass Indiana Pass but said all of NM is good to go.

The SW is burning up.  All the areas to the north stole our moisture this year.  There's a fire in the Gila, two fires in AZ and and fire in NM SE of Taos.  The San Luis valley is full of smoke at the moment.

Steve B called from Separ today about 1:00.  He'll probably average 100 miles a day so I'll update the Indiana Pass conditions when he gets to Del Norte- too late for racers though.

I haven't been following this thread too closely- 61 pages!- but thought I'd look in to see what the latest was.  For those riders that don't know, we're on the map as a place for bike repair and camping in Del Norte.  It is NOT a business.

Gary

Just thought I'd throw this in- Pumps need maintenance.  If a pump isn't working well the first thing to do is take it apart and clean and lube the plunger.  If a pump is mounted on the downtube it's especially vulnerable to contamination.

I have half a dozen different pumps and they all work well.  Blackburns are probably my favorite because of the lifetime warranty, they work well and they're inexpensive.

I like the bungee with hook to secure the under downtube bottle.    I've always used a toe strap but I like your idea better.  On really rough off road stuff you may (or may not) need a bit stronger bungee.