Is Jefe riding singlespeed again?

last blog post has a geared machine in a picture. not sure. don't they call out the SS folks on the track leaders page?

What I think would be a good option to the 'all routes are on' idea the the long ranger suggests is a race with a mix of GPX tracks and waypoints or checkpoints. However you connect the waypoints and the tracks to get from start to finish - and in whichever direction you choose - east west north south - it's all good. With geofencing and a few strategically located 'must show face here' waypoints - it would make for an interesting event. Make the racers research and come up with route options.


Otherwise - 1 track, with reasonable exceptions for fires or floods. And maybe snow. But someone proved that the snow can be traveled with some creativity.

Ahhh. Solo trip. So the spear photo is staged. Cool read.

Wow. It's like a tough mudder / spartan race + bikepacking event. I wonder how the photographer made it out alive.

Love my G12. Keep it in a Feedbag or gas tank with a bit of foam.

If / when it should ever die I'll get something similar.

I let it sit at aperture priority with low ISO during daylight and normal riding. Can easily roll the scroll wheels to something suitable for night riding, including the 'low light' full auto setting that uses the full sensor to get out a smaller JPG.

Why not bike repair? An Eagle Scout should have a welding rig with them at all times, right? And a spare chain, cables, grips, pedals, bearings, etc.

Seriously. Because you buy food at a fast food joint that's somehow less 'pure'?

The infrastructure of the western world allows us to participate in such events. A purist wouldn't have these forums to troll for tips and tricks and even a GPX file that you yourself didn't come up with on your own.

RYOR and let others RTOR. If it falls within the spirit And even in some cases the letter of the generally accepted rules, then it's good.

If not, feel free to hunt for your food along the way.

On my Pugsley, no, I don't hit them. On my Fargo and road bike, yes, depending on grade and bike position.

i'm actually waiting for some parts to add one to the rear fender on my rando bike. perfect for extra layers / jacket / etc.

Looking for something to boil water with? The backcountry boiler is on my list if things to try. A modern Kelly kettle.

For heating / cooking? Seems there has got to be stuff on backpacking light for homemade stoves.

usb rechargeable... which would work from my dyno hub.

where is there an rei link?
love my ld20, and the 16 hour burn time on 100 lumens is nice...


edit, nevermind, found it. out of stock.
pretty good price for that light.

^^^ whole new meaning to 'anything cage'. Wow.

The struts are in the base weight. In wouldn't remove them. The middle strut to get a little ridge shape can be anything - a stick, etc. I made a thicker pole for the front - as you can tell I'm not a weight weenie, just conscious about size , pack space, then weight. 

I'll have to dig it out and weigh it.

2 tarptents side by side, a moment and a contrail:


my contrail and wil's moment by mbeganyi, on Flickr

I got the contrail as it packs smaller and is just a bit lighter. If I were to do over I would get the moment. Pitches faster, less fuss. Side entry. Options for foul weather. And more headroom. Not that I need it - but the guy who pitched next to me is 6'2 and loves it. Although for fast and light he is debating adding a bivy setup to his quiver.

Tarptent? I have a contrail. The moment is also good.

then you likely need a really long one of these:


not sure how to generate that kind of power on the bike.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=5938.0

or something like this:
http://www.ianker.com/product/79ANS1052-BA

http://www.newtrent.com/powerpak-xtreme-nt120r-b.html

Marshal - what are you using to charge? USBWerk? Sinewave?

I am hoping to get a Joystick this fall to add to my mix. Currently using a Fenix on my head - but want this to move to a USB chargeable option too.

I'm curious why you think it is too much complexity and weight? OK, weight, maybe on the hub / gear  - but not having to deal with batteries aside from the SPOT and or maybe the GPS depending on circumstances I think is ideal - far worth the hassle, IMHO, if you can build / test / break / rebuild a reliable system.

To me (not a TD racer) not having to worry about charging at a store / etc. or worrying when my light / batteries will fade / fail is a huge emotional and logistical boost. Yes, AAs can be had just about anywhere - but carrying, swapping, dealing with them in the cold / dark / wet tired state - as opposed to just flipping a switch (or switching a lead) is a no brainer for me.

Even before I carried a smartphone, camera and used GPS on rides I was using a dyno for randonneuring events. I hated the unreliable halogen bulbs - they always seems to blow or dim in the middle of nowhere when it was raining and cold... but once LED systems matured I've never wanted to look back.

(I too have the Dinotte AA light, its on my Pugsley and previous was used for my Fargo / bikepacking rig. I like it well enough - but it always seems to have issues - never on a local morning loop ride - always when I'm off on an overnight or endurance event...)

these just hit my flickr stream.

Sabot Pedal by Velo Orange, on Flickr




i'm firmly wedded to clip less and pearl izumu x-alps (for now....!).
but if i ever go flat i would look into some of those really thin designs. (not these from VO).

Same here. Fargo gen2 with 2x10. I have the 28-42 up front and. 12?-36 out back. Have debated going to the 26t or 24t front - but I need to get a different crank. The 40 or 42 rear sounds just about perfect for what I need.

http://www.mec.ca/product/5020-734/mec-drencher-gloves-unisex/?h=10+50002+50020+50089&f=10+50002+50089+50111

i have a pair, sized too small for a real liner inside. they have worked OK.
looks like they may be discontinued - only size available is xxl... which would work for a real cycling glove underneath on my hands.

i like the looks of these:

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoor-research-versaliner-glove-mens?avad=3816_a65eba57