Current bike and setup:

Ive got pix posted of 2 different models in a thread:

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=5335.0

I made a harness in reverse with drybag attached - a sweetroll with a mini harness ? Its simple but simple is good. I realized that I could eliminate the long straps around the bag. My spacers have never failed. I had a front harness buckle come unclip once or twice. My bar mounted velcro dealio came apart once. I think those were due to tired guy not putting sleep kit back in correctly and jamming it in there too hard.

I think in your design style you should make some type of permanent spacer and sew a cover for it and then sew it into the strap dealio you got going on there. Like a hard rubber elastomer type material sculpted to the right size or sourced just right size. It wouldnt degrade and may offer some slight compression to aid in cinching straps. Its what I think all makers who use the foam should do.

IMO foam spacers on a front harness is a cop-out to a proper design. That looks horrible and performance degrades over time. I have 2200 miles on my no foam harness design and it works way better and does not degrade over time.

If anyone wants to purchase Geronimo! Pain Cream from us and not worry about it getting to you before you leave we will be offering 4oz containers delivered to the Y in Banff. The price is $25. Paypal. Pickup will be Wed evening and all day Thursday and Friday morning. I will give you my room # info when you order. Pm me for details. Call us at 303-567-0152 at the shop 12-7mtn time if you want to pay with card.

It is my secret weapon and I usually dont talk much about it but it not only is the best chamois cream out there it is a full body pain cream, aromatherapy weapon and very antibacterial and reduces inflammation. I use no alcohol wipes, which Leila says dries out skin and is harmful. And I finish races every time with this cream. 8 for 8. One Vitamin I every 10 days I used to take 4 a day and finished 1 of 5 races in 07-09.


Thanks in advance and good luck to all. I am getting super excited cant think straight anymore!

Dropped the reserve 2 liter hydro bag. Dont need it I can get 2 bottles in a town for over 3 liter situations. Added passport and phone cord now at 32.5lbs.

I really enjoyed this process of evaluating my gear and how I carry it and what is really needed out there. Thanks to many over the years who have helped me out. Marshal got me to understand how to ride better in gearing and approach. Now I ride standing a lot and rock a 1X9. When I "got it", I started standing when I would normally hikeabike. And now I eat whenever I actually hikeabike ST and constantly when I ride roads. I never hikeabike on road detours in ST races anymore unless its a wall. I used to a lot because I weighed too much and only spun never stood and delivered.

Recently Aaron Denberg and I went over his kit in Sierra Vista, AZ before the AZT750. He was lighter than anyone ever in the 750, and it got my attention. I realized that my girlfriend was right. It is a temporary existence out there. You need to keep moving in your mind not just your body. The best way to this constant movement forward is cleaning out your closet so to speak. Weight is twice the weight really. More weight makes you slow. Then you want to carry more to ensure you make distances between supplies.

Back pack?

No pack. 5 liter water capability. I aint giving up all my secrets though so where it all goes you will just have to guess:)

Threw out every redundant baggie and rubber band, downsized tubes, baggies and other items like ties and stakes and groundsheet. Dropped some batts and straps and oil and a several other little things. Dropped back up phone battery and cord. Padded bars instead of aero cups lean on that anr harness instead better feel anyway. Reduced parts lost the brake pads etc. Took off map bag. Swapped to tabs from filter now down to 32.69 lbs. Sweet. Enough clothes for the cold and rain I didnt go light there or reduce quality. I am ready in the bike/gear department just need to put cues and maps in phone and load gps.

The World Series of Poker is also a  10k entry fee. Pros vs. schmoes. I could see where 700k first prize is enticing to big time players. Maybe even road pros or athletes from other sports. I would like to see Ned Overend hook up a fast teammate and kill it.

Not unsupported bikepacking really. I say go for it. No wonder Alex didnt bring it up here it isnt a unsupported bikepack race its a super throwdown race like the WSOP but on bikes not drinking and smoking in Vegas!

Love the info looking fwd to giving this route a shot as its in my new backyard. 

Anyone else having problems with Simons GPX links?

http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/

Stefan has full size and 10k GPX tracks of the 2013 course there. I think Toby Gadd supplied it or dialed it in at some point.

I used Tobys track once which I believe is the same as Stefans.

Drat, I keep putting stuff on the bike that I "think" I gotta have... ( from toothpaste, sunblock, STANS, TP paper.... etc )

And bike and gear ( without water ) weighs 38.6 lbs...  

Sooooo what weights are some of you running ?

I am at 35.88 lbs. Which is crazy light but I have no gear and it all still weighs 12 lbs 2 ozs? I took so much out its a 13oz sleep kit 3/2 upper lower layers minimal everything no cook kit no too many extra batteries like I used to haul all over the place. Aero cups only no bars.

I gotta find some more dead weight. Probably not much left in there unless I buy a lighter multi tool. Or dump the cool Rock Shox Boxxer tire/shock pump for a light tire pump only (which would have cost me the AZT750 this year so not likely). Or switch to tabs/2 liter drink bag backup instead of drink thru sawyer filter/2 liter bag backup. Only thing I got for sure is ESI chunkys might get me 2.5 to 3oz lighter.

So I am pretty happy with that number. On a fs bike super plush with dropper post I will take it (bike 23.7lbs naked- Scott Spark 900SL).

That new impact xvi looks like the ticket for CTR. I will be running those thanks for the link Couloirman !!

I couldnt get your links to work.

http://www.topofusion.com/diary/

http://zenondirt.wordpress.com/


Looking like you two having an adventure out there!

The regular freerider has way more hike a bike traction than the XVI IMO. And it comes in the Elements version with DWR coating. Thats what I used in AZT with good results.

I just dont think the freerider (or the XVI version) will last more than one race. Impact lo is a stronger shoe overall for mileage. I am probably gonna go impact lo for CTR as my freeriders are toast- too soft at the front of the foot.

Just got my Passport today!!! I am so that guy pushing all his chips to the center of the table while saying "All In" in Vegas at the WSOP!!!!
Lets just hope my hand is good and not like a 2/7 unsuited!!!

About knee pain I got this to add. Short stems and really high bars and really high aero pads seem to be working well for my knees but you lose a little overall speed. IMO reaching over the knees with weight for extended periods of time is brutal. Most cockpits are designed for climbing speed on short rides. I seem to avoid knee pain with a short stem riser bar setup or equivalent but seat height also plays a crucial role. I am still a couple millimeters from perfect on the seat height. I feel a little low now that I moved my cleats back.

Did the element version make your feet hot?  I worry about that.

No not really. Maybe once when I went out of saddle like super hard for hours one night.
And they failed in the grand canyon and got soft but hey thats a crapshoot at best.
For 550 mile CTR I think they are perfect.


Edit- I do believe that the 5.10 impact low may be better at hot feet issues but overall the extra weight and bulky feel of the impacts is a negative aspect that has to be considered.

I just used 5.10 freerider elements on Black Ops Nylon pedals in AZT750, best shoe to flat grippy and power I have experienced yet in the flatty world. In 20 years. Never will use a trail runner again. Pedals were old too on their 3rd race. No filing of pins stock.

Pm Dave Harris or LyndaW.

They probably have a dozen routes to let you loose on.

I dont want to freak you out Doc, but if you HAB less than 80 miles out of the 270+ climbing miles I will be impressed!!

Pizza was delivered to spring creek pass by a friend 2 years ago. in AZT300 a guy actually had dominoes deliver on route and then blogged about it afterwards. The first one is straight cheating, the second one is someone interpreting the rules and basically finding a loophole. Like Mike Curiak said about the Great Divide Race (precursor to Tour Divide) "if you find yourself looking for loopholes in the rules maybe you should wait a year until you are ready".

8am last year. Unless Matt says otherwise I would run with that.

Oh and Hobo1 you really should just post q's in the 2014 tour divide thread, not start a new thread for every question.