Thanks Scott for posting the '13 Calendar. Let the planning begin!!   

I believe I have narrowed my choice down to the following three full suspension bikes:

Hey there 13tdhopefull,

You might rethink your bike choices since full suspension is really unnecessary for the TD. No need for the extra weight and potential failure of the rear shock. Plus you have better options for bags when you are not dealing with a shock in the triangle.

Lots of rigid frame options out there but you might consider an El Mariachi or a Fargo (add a suspension fork if you like).  Just my opinion....

Best of luck in your race prep and selection of gear. That is a truly rewarding part of the journey!

-N

Endurance training and speed work (IE..cyclocross) can work well together. If all you ever do is ride long and slow, well, that is what your body will be trained to do. Add the interval component with a weekly cyclo race over the next couple months and that will help overall performance. 
Just pay attention to the aches and pains that come with speed work and dial it back as necessary.
Endurance and interval work = big heart, lungs and strength.
Good luck in TD '13. 

Tyson's Blue Dot is bouncing! 

Well done and see you when you are back in Boise.  Love to hear the stories!

Great Job!

Looks like he will finish on Monday even though he wanted to get done today. He still needs to get to Silver City. Stay safe, watch out for the goatheads coming up too.  Safe travels to those still out there by him, the Ohio guys!!! Aaron H. And Louis N. 

Diana

Way to go Tyson.  Your in the home stretch and ready to finish out this race!!  Fantastic job! 

Congrats to Fixie Dave.....been a long time coming. Your determination to slay this beast has been impressive. Great job!

Nice finish Sara!  Way to stay strong while battling flats and very little sleep.

Congrats to all finishers and to the ones still riding - keep those wheels pointed south!  Almost home.

Many congratulations to those who have finished the race.  And many kudos to Ollie and Eszter for some record breaking rides!!  You guys all racked up some serious daily mileage.......unbelieveable!!

The heat is on for the field in the devil's playground, New Mexico!  Can't believe those temps and as miserable as the CDT Alternate is with good weather it will be TOUGH!!  Hang in there everyone and be safe.

Will continue to enjoy watching the blue dots............

Screening in Boise July 10th. Can't wait!

Great pics... They all look so clean and fresh!  And still smiling' too!
The commaraderie starts Day 1 and friendships made will endure. 

Three days before the 2012 Hunger Games begin...

I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every TD rider this year a successful race.  You've worked hard to get to this point so enjoy the experience.  The race will challenge and inspire you in ways you cannot imagine.  Don't force it, but let each day ebb and flow as your front wheel is pointed toward Mexico.

Can't wait to watch the blue dots and listen to MTBcast over the next several weeks!!

"In the parking lot behind the Banff Spring Hotel, begin riding south on the Spray River Trail". It still gives me chills!  Enjoy your race, be safe, and best to each of you.

N

Christopher,
Last year I tried many times to contact Carousel Design for info/map case.  Not sure I ever did get a reply, but what I ended up using for TD '11 was the Bar Map of the Gods.  Worked very well.  Check out Amazon for one of these map, cue sheet holders:

http://www.amazon.com/BarMap-GODS-FOLDING-MAP-HOLDER/dp/B003N9W1JI

Good Luck!!

Dave..........
  
If you can fly Southwest they will only charge you $50.00 for shipping the bike box.  Get to Banff early enough to put it back together, get some rides in and the kit whipped into shape.  As Big Poppa said, fly with your machine!!

I'll never be in his shoes, but I've enjoyed watching him do some very cool things, while bringing exposure to some terrifically good causes. Seems to work for everyone: he gets to live an exciting life, average guys like me get inspiration, his sponsors sell more products, and charities receive exposure and/or money. Do you think that there's a better way?

Well said Toby in regards to your bro.  What Jay P. is doing is HUGE and it takes a major commitment of time and money to pull this kind of stuff off......impossible for most of us.  And the cause is real and it may open peoples eyes.  Hell, I've already learned that we waste 3.8 million gal. of gas a day just idling our cages!!

Best to Jay in this tri-fecta endurance adventure!

I really like the idea of using my 'soon to be arriving' Revelate bags on my roadbike.  I used to do long distance road touring and looking back I am amazed at all the junk I took with me.  Had rear panniers, front panniers, handlebar bag, a mini frame bag, bottle cages for fuel and H20.  I have an entirely different thought process now, but then it was all about creature comforts.  However, with new technologies you can have a certain level of creature comfort in a lightweight package.

Now, I can see riding the carbonTT bike, aero bars, & Revelate bags with a light and fast approach to riding pavement - but maybe only for a few days at a time 

Getting down to the real business TD rookies and even sophomores need to know: Where are the brew pubs on route? Search criteria are not ideal for vagabonding. One ought to be able to search by a KML file. Maybe Scott can whip up some TF code for them.

Been away from the site for a few days and I come back and I see the important issues are finally being discussed!  Let's talk IPA's as a full on TD recovery drink!!  Great carbs, makes you feel good, improves metabolism, cleans out the arteries and is a scientifically proven stress buster. 

Thank you, Mathew, for bringing this very important issue up...........I've been kicking around and thinking through decisions regarding the new GPS and the options for good hops on the route.........lots to ponder.

I never knew Dave B., but I feel like I have gotten to know him through his Blog and the writings and images by him, and of him.  He was an amazing and passionate adventurer and family man - it is evident!

As I have been searching the web for bikepacking stuff it seems I always come across something 'Dave'.  I think it's very cool that his memory lives on for so many folks, and I have learned a bunch from him through his postings. 

Thanks Darren and Dave for the terrific info and the link.  I just made a contribution to Green Mountain Club in Dave's honor.

For the CTR, I used this on my head:
http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/myo-series/myo-rxp

And these on my bike:
http://www.rei.com/product/786357

The headlamp was terrific--lots of light when I needed, plus a spot mode for seeing way ahead and a diffused mode for seeing up close. I set three different programs (one for walking and maximum battery life, one for average-speed riding, and one for fast and scary downhill riding). The "fast guys" might find it a bit heavy though.

Hey Toby, what kind of clips did you use to attach light to helmet?  Is it easy on - easy off?
Thanks,

Bags over feet? Barefoot? Waterproof boots?

I've been using waterproof socks - Seal Skinz - and they work very well for warmth and keeping feet dry in 3 - 5 inches of water. 

man, that landscape they went through is incredible:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AbvqfAXLizw/S451AEr4ECI/AAAAAAAAAiY/0o6uq11-uCs/s1600-h/Singletrack_NewNowheres_Page_1.jpg

Now that is inspirational!!   

That's intereseting to hear, I'm sure I'd read on here that all of the US maps were due to be updated this year in April?

Yep, heard the same thing but when I checked they indicated no new maps coming anytime soon.  Not sure I could wait until April if they were.....I've spent a week just planning logistics for the first two days!!