Hello from Philadelphia,

 Just my two cents, but try and keep the route away from long stretches of technical terrian.  One of the nicest things about the Tour Divide is that it's mostly ridable.  The challenge is in the distance, not that it's rock garden after rock garden....









Many of us here would strongly disagree with this statement.  Many times mileage isn't important at all.  It's the funnerific trail during the journey.

We'll nothing is actually wrong with it I guess.  I did have 2 of them quit working on me.  Both during bikepacking trips.  The first time I thought it was a fluke, the second time I was done with it.  Luckily I had pills as a back-up.  I don't want to rely on something with batteries anymore.

For real.  It's totally possible if it's a dry winter (which it was).  Do a search on mtbr and I think there is a guy named Peter that used to live in that area that did it in January as well. 

Mike Brown could totally help you with areas to bikepack out there.  Ping him. 

Wow, nice Blacksheep.  I'm uber jealous.  Do you have that wheelset set up tubeless?

I'm not going to vote since I won't be starting with the group.  Myself and 2 others will be starting on July 23rd.  I'm giving myself 10 days to finish. 

Looking for some redemption.

I've done the ORAMM route in January.  It was a great day.  I think finding Heartbreak Ridge is easy enough if you know what mile marker to look for.  Do a search on MTBR and you should find turn by turn directions.  Should be good fun!

Maybe you should have prototyped an extra pair of socks huh?   Here's hoping for no cut out old school shoes and no trench foot in 2011

Seriously, please be dry this year!

Do we know if Segment 1 is going to be apart of this year's race? 

I have a question about resupply.  Is there enough food to stock up at Princeton Hot Springs for the journey to Silverton or should one load up in BV.  What type of food does the Hot Springs offer?

I would have to consider ML an elite athlete.  Pretty dang nice guy too.

Jill...you're such a runner now.     Coming on here trying to make examples using runners.  Geez, what's the world coming too!

I am not going off with the CTR starters as my schedule just won't allow it, but I will be doing the full route a week before the starters.  I know that around 5 or 6 Austinites are in for sure for either the race or a thru ride.

It's been a long time coming for me.  I need some redemption after my first attempt.  I just want to finish it and be able to hold my head up high.

I don't want to be the person who starts the thread, but I do have some CTR questions for next summer.

I've got a contact with the local Osprey rep in town.  He let me borrow a new pack they are working on.  Kind of a scaled down 22.  I'll try and get more info about it on here for ya'll.

Mostly.  It can get super cold there though if a strong front blows through.  The locals obviously are able to ride it (mostly) year round. 

Yep, hail.  Sucked!!!

My favorite was the last night, laying in my warm and comfy hammock with it pouring rain outside.  That was some good times.

Here is a video of a trip I just did with a couple buddies.  Enjoy!

Arkansas Bikepacking Trip 2010

Thanks Mike.  That is the one I was thinking about getting.  I willing to take on the bulk/weight for piece of mind.  I almost had a travesty on my hands this weekend when all my chemicals spilled.  Luckily there was a backup. 

15 years of use, no stomach issues. 4-5 element changes.  Use the lubricant periodically.  Hundreds of times used, never an issue. 

http://www.katadyn.com/en/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-wasserfilter-backcountry-series-produkte/katadyn-hiker/

Which one do you use and why?  I've tried the chemicals and the Steri-pen.  Neither have worked for me.  This weekend we finished our first day on the trail dry and needed water quick.  I went to treat my water from the creek and my chemicals bottle cap had busted open and I lost the ability to treat my water.  Luckily my buddy had brought his filter and let me use it.  I'm convinced I will carry a filter.

Which one do you have field experience with and what makes it so great?

Thanks a ton for the info.

Can't both be done at the same time?  Meaning you have the thru racers and the stage racers.  Just a thought.

look around on these boards.  Especially the "Personal Setups" at the top of the page.  That should be a great starting point for you.  These boards are kind of dead lately...

Have you bought the Peapod yet?  If not I'd recommend skipping on it.  I've had one (sold it).  Good concept but it didn't work out as well as it should have. 

I'm on the way "off the ground" - ENO doublenest, Speer "PeaPod", researching the tarp currently....I'm not a gram counter....I'm looking for the tarp to serve as a "make shift bivy" if I'm in a spot where no trees/fixed objects exist to hang from...