Who let the Aussie sign up??

Roland, Matt,
Thanks for the updates.  I am done!!! yay!!  Trackleaders shows me camping outside of town about now...must be a few updates behind...but I made the shop about 7:50pm.  The sign-in sheet had me in 15th place, not 13th as TL shows.  Presently in the hotel with a finished meal, beer and chocolate!  Jill is right on my tail and should be done real soon.  Yes, there were some rather unflattering photos taken as I stumbled across the door mat, so I'm sure they'll be out soon.
Everyone, this route is phenomenal!  Truly amazing what you can see in such a short amount of time. This will be classic in no time, if not already!  How Brendan and Mary put this together is beyond me, but as Roland said, the type of trails and riding you could never imagine could be linked together so compactly (if you call 380 miles compact!!).
I highly recommend at least touring this route, if you do not join the race at some point.
As noted there was a small snafu at the beginning, with a (very) nonbikerfirendly land owner.  Hats off to Brendan and Mary who heard the commotion, backtracked and escorted a large group of us via two single track connectors to get back on the route.  Not too sure what us out-of-townies would have done if it wasn't for them doing this.  At least all of the first day(or two) B & M were out there helping with directions, getting people fed and watered and genuinely making sure everyone was OK and having a great time (as we were!).  They were/are fantastic hosts.
The group of racers were a superb bunch and everyone seemed very willing to help everyone else out.  The night before the race the eventual first and third placers were helping me finish a .gpx upload on my gps.  The first day (yes even with said gps working) I still missed a turn and it was the hooting and hollering of a racer behind me that got me back on track a lot sooner than I would have otherwise!!  After the second half of day two I only saw about four other racers, as the field spread out so much, so the camaraderie early on was very welcomed.
Roland, remind to tell you a story about my cages!!   It was a pleasure meeting/biking with you.
Huge congrats to Estzer, Tracy, Jill and of course all the boys as well!!
I'm off to sleep! 
Groundedkiwi

Wow, great updates!!!
Rock on Jill!  Go go go.........

Hi Leila,
I also bumped into Mark two days ago...on the Apache trail, just east of Tortilla Flat.  Sorry didnt get a pic, but he was pretty focused on moving along and I didnt want to bug him.  Gosh if I had known your name then I would have asked him for a smile for you!
Anyhow, he was saying how much tougher that 300 course was from a few years back.  I made sure he knew where to find water and he said he was real familiar with the area, so all looked good.  As I cycled away he yelled out that he was going for his second finish, so I've no doubt he'll make it!!
Take care,   Groundedkiwi

[Sightings on the Apache Trail]

Sightings on the Apache Trail

Hi everyone, was out training on the Apache Trail today and bumped into BearDog and Jill, both cruising along on the AZT 750.  Both looked in excellent shape and in high spirits.  Didn't get a photo of BearDog as we were too busy chatting and I had held him up too long as it was, but was ready when I stumbled across Jill and promised her I'd get it up on bikepacking.net tonight. 

First time loading a photo so hope it works........

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!

Locust, Do you have any camping/bivy gear with you?   Or are you thinking of hoteling it?
Thanks!

Pokey, your page is not working for me either...

I've had a similar experience.  I think two emails to Carousel, expressing my interest in purchasing four to five custom pieces.  No reply whatsoever.
Emailed Scott @ Porcelain Rocket, brilliant customer service!  Lengthy, detailed replies to all of my queries and ideas, with a healthy does of his expertise and advice thrown in.  ALL emails answered in less than 24 hours, often way less!  (Hopefully I haven't set him up for many late nights answering emails!!).
Don't have the bags yet, but he was waiting on my frame pattern, so hopefully real soon!
I can't recommend him enough from a Customer Service point of view.

I'd be keen on the webinar.   Sorry, couldn't make a trip to Gunni for it tho.

I'm so grateful for the Southwest Airlines plug (yes we do charge $50 for your bike, much to my chagrin), but sorry we're not serving Canada (yet!).  Also don't forget, always two free (50lb) bags per passenger!
Cardboard throw-away bike boxes are best, pack well, and for-goodness-sake, CHECK IN EARLY!!!!!   (If you want your bike to travel on the same flight as you!)
TSA MUST still check the inside of the box.  Most airports now have oversized scanners for a box this size, but same may not.  If they do, it will possibly take extra time (again, check in early!). 
If they don't, they may (and will if they damn want to!), open the box.  Therefore make sure everything is tie-wrapped or taped together, so that parts don't fall out.  Although they're pretty good at re-taping your box back together, they generally don't have tape of a decent quality, no better than what you would get at Staples.  If you ask politely at check-in (and this will vary greatly with different airports), I have been able to monitor the inspection, and then re-tape my own box back together.    Whether you can do this will depend a lot on the location of their inspection station and how they're feeling on the day!   If you think you might be able to do this, remember to carry a sufficient amount of strapping tape with you and either some throw away scissors (you wont get through security with them), or plan on using theirs.

Good luck with the bike transport!  I hope to see you all in Banff in June too!

Hey Denis, thanks for the info!  Again, awesome pictures!  Yes, the tent looked very comfortable!  Do you think a bivy would have been warmer?

And no I am not Chris, but also a New Zealander, now Ex-Pat, living here in the US.   And seriously considering an attempt at this epic event, possibly next year.  But as you know, a lot of getting-ready to do before then, and time will go fast!  I've been wanting to do this for years, and even bought the maps a few years ago, but was initially planning a touring type tour. However the race is very tempting and to be part of the experience with this backpacking community would be ideal.  (As I have no one to ride it with anyhow!)

Thanks again for the great write up and the photo albums!
Grounded......

Hey Denis,
I just looked over all your photos, what a great record!  What type of camera did you use to take those stills and video shots with?  How did you go for batteries or charging and did you do it all on one card?
Also curious on what type of tent that is and what you thought of it?
Many thanks,
Groundedkiwi

Oh my gosh!  Been away for a few days and just read of Justin's accident.  Bummer bummer bummer.  Justin, you have cycled the most amazing and inspirational race possible!  WE LOVE YOU!!! 
So sorry to hear of the accident, but this race isn't over for you, just delayed!  Please take care of yourself and heal quickly.  And please post here if there is ANYTHING that the readers of this forum can do for you! We want to help!
I just donated on your blog and please use this for your medical bills, transport, housing, whatever you need!  Keep up posted on your recovery, we are all pulling for you!
Hugs,
Groundedkiwi

Pedal slower Justin!!!!!!!
We need to sell more books!!

Hi Everyone!!
Gosh I've had so much fun watching this years race!  My "collectors" edition of The Cordillera Vol 2 just arrived a few days ago and I can't wait to get stuck into it.  Eric, thank you so much for putting this together, and for making the funds available to Linnaea.  And of course a huge thanks to the anonymous donor who is matching the sales proceeds until the day that Justin hits AW!  With that in mind I just went back and ordered another four copies, which I'll distribute to libraries or schools in the Phoenix, AZ area.  So go, Justin go!!!  In fact I guess the slower you get to AW now, well then the more it may benefit Linnaea huh??   Stop and smell the roses!!! (or forest fires! as the case may be.)

I seem to remember a few pages back Eric offering a coupon code and saying (please correct me if I'm wrong here.....) that it doesn't affect his proceeds.  So I did a little googling, and although the previous one has expired, I just ordered using "JulyBooks11" as a coupon code, and saved 20% on my order!

So there you have it, if you have been procrastinating about getting some more orders in (or a first), here is your motivation, and don't forget that Justin will get this done sooner than we think!!

Also a huge shout out to the volunteers that have created and nurtured this event, Matt, Joe, Scott etc etc and the Trail Angels that help the cyclists along the way and post to keep us involved, Kristian, Como, The Outdoorsman, etc etc...

And a huge hug to the girls....Caroline, Tori (whom just finished!!!), The Shelia's, Jackie and Cricket.  I hope to follow in your tire treads one day!

Happy July 4th
GroundedKiwi

Go Caroline!!! You Rock!  Awesome Ride Girl!  Been watching you all the way from Arizona!  Congrats on a phenomenal achievement.  Enjoy some time with Kurt and find some good food!  Salad sound good right now???