Hey Area54, Yes I bought a 30.
There are a few areas where there is nowhere near enough detail on the Basemap softwear.
I have mapped the whole of the Kiwi Brevet on Map my Run and tried to import it.
I am a complete newby when it comes to GPS so struggling a bit to get my head around it all.
If I spent the time I might actually work it all out.
Once I have the course sussed on my GPS I would be happy to send you the gpx file.
Will have some time over the next week to play around a bit.
Hope this helps and makes sense?
Are you coming over for the Kiwi Brevet?
Cheers Scott

I toured the GDMBR a couple of years ago on a bike with V brakes. I had no problems. As mentioned further up, there are no real MTB sections, ok maybe Fleecer Ridge, but most walk the worst of that.
I started with new wheels.
I carryed spare pads, but didn't need to change them!
The only real problem I see with them compared to disc's if you you were to break a spoke/buckle a wheel, this could render the brake unusable, not the case with discs.
Cheers from a great New Zealand summer 

Hi, has anyone actually got their mitts on one of the new eTrex yet?
Keen to hear opinions?
Scott M, what's your assessment on them? You seemed very enthusiastic when they were announced, are you still that enthusiastic?
This will be my first forray into the world of GPS, with the intention of using it on TD.
Thanks for any feedback.
Scott E in NZ

Hi Nick, my partner and I toured the GDMBR in 2009, it is awesome!
A 26 LHT will be perfect. We used 26 hardtails but you don't really need shocks. There is plenty of washboard but at a touring pace this wasn't a problem.
We rode with someone on a 26 LHT and he was loving it.
It's not really about the bike, I know that's a cliche but it is true.
Just do it and enjoy!!
Cheers from New Zealand, Scott

Hey Scott, I went with Crests and am super happy with them.
Don't know how many km's I have on them but it's been a fair few.
LG rode them on the TD this year and had no problems with them, his tyres are a different story!
Cheers, Scott E in ChCh

Welcome to the forum Suzyc!
I'm Scott a friend of Lance's here in the shakey city, Christchurch. I have been keeping in touch with L throughout the race.
He's done so so well.
Am heading into the hills tomorrow so miss "seeing" his finish. I can't wait to hear all about it!
Cheers, Scott
Go Lance go

Jefe, you are an inspiration, thats for sure.
That is an amazing feat.
Thank you 

32.02miles to go for Kurt 
Paul A's Spot seems to have stopped or has Paul stopped??
My Mate Lance is camped high on the Indiana Pass road at 11224ft. That's very high for a Kiwi, brrrr it'll be cold up there.
I had my worst day of the whole GDMBR tour up there, snowing and below freezing, and yet I am still super jealous that it's not me out there camping 
Awesome effort by everyone

Thanks for the reply.
He must be there somewhere, hopefully at that cool pizzaria/brew pub enjoying a massive pizza and pint!
His Spot still shows him just out of town.
Cheers, Scott in the Shakey City, Christchurch

Hey Scott M, are you in Salida? If so can you find Lance Griffin and give him a big yahoo from his "fans" in New Zealand? His Spot has stopped just outside of town. Hoping everything is ok.

While I'm at it, thanks for all the work you have put in to this event, and of of course thanks to Matt L too.

Go the Kiwi 

So frustrating sitting in New Zealand watching you mate ride the wrong way 

Good luck each and everyone of you!
Ride safe and well.
Go the Kiwi's  

Hey Craig, no we travelled on "normal" travel insurance. It was actually just Westpac Bank travel insurance. I called to check if "dirt road" cycle touring would be covered. After a long conversation the only thing they were worried about was ensuring that I was aware that the bikes were NOT covered whilst riding.
We did not race it so can't comment on that side. Our insurance policy did however clearly state the racing, other than on foot, was not covered.
Of course the TDR is not a "race"!!!!

When we toured the route last year we flew out of Tucson to LA on our way home to NZ.
The guy at the check in on our flight was an absolute arse!! This was a United flight BUT part of our International ticket so the bikes should have travelled for free as far as we and Air New Zealand were concerned.
We checked or luggage in and before being handed our boarding passes the arse asked how we were paying the $400 for the bikes!!! LONG story short, Air New Zealand sorted it out for us. This guy's attitude was unbelievable.
I am sure if we were flying with golf clubs it would have been ok!
BTW we caught a shuttle from AW to Tuscon. They fitted our bikes, loaded, into the trailer.

Hi one and all, what are people using as light weight ground sheets under tarps, bivy bags etc?
I was keen to get some Tyvek Homewrap but I can't buy it by the metre here in Christchurch.
Has anyone tried or used a trimmed Space All-Weather Blanket?
I think that SilNylon will be too slippery, what do you guys think?
This is more a general bikepacking than SS racing set up question.
Cheers, Scott

Thanks for feedback!!
In all of your valueable opinions is 100gms an aweful lot of extra weight as a rim, considering the extra durability??
I probably can't "stretch" to two extra wheelsets so it has to be either Crest OR Arch, not both for me.
I am dreaming of the TDR having toured the route last year.
I am on a Giant 29er and will continue to use the heavy blocks of concrete the bike came with for most riding, so these would be my "race/fast" wheelset??

My partner and I toured the GDMBR last year and used Schwalbe Marathon XR's and I highly recommend them for "touring"
http://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_xr
They work surprising well off road.

Thank you all for your responses.
Have just purchased on of these as I could get it cheap 
http://www.macpac.co.nz/shop/en_nz/gear-and-clothing/sleeping-bags/express-400.html
It is slightly heavier than I was hoping BUT it has about 100gms more down.
Keep the comments coming!
Cheers, Scott

Hi all, can you give me some feedback on shoes for Self Supported type races?
I toured the GDMBR in Lake MX165's, awesome shoes, great fit, great soles, but WAY heavy. I feel like I can feel them as I peddle!!
What do you guys race in?
I would love some Sidi Dominators, but do have concerns about the rachet clasps.
Any feedback appreciated.
Cheers, Scott

Hi, anyone got any real world reports on these??
I think Marshall B ran these for the TD. They look, on paper, to be a great choice for bikepacking.
Cheers, Scott