The Ergons are leaving my R. thumb  numb. I think the Ergon little fin thing is doing more harm than good on these rocky portions.

Try the GA1 grips from Ergon. My hands are a bit small for the fin-style lineup, but I really like the tech series.

I like map scourin', so I'm happy either way. Whatever we do will be new to me.

Ah, thanks.

So if 22/23 are still closed on race day, what are the detour options like? Pavement, dirt road, etc? Would it be possible to create a GPS file that included 22/23, but also the possible detour? If not, heck, what's a little old school navigatin'? Adventure awaits.

I've been watching some CT through-hike videos. I'm pee-my-pants excited for 7/21!

The new data book lists Tarryall as the official Lost Creek Wilderness bicycle detour. Was that always the case, and the CTR just used 285 instead?

Got the data book also. It's great!

Does the Dixie 200 relate to any portion of the KT? If so, please enlighten me...

A disclaimer first: I've not done the 200, just the Dixie Lite, which covered a large portion of the current 200 mile route.

There isn't anything as technical as the Loma area singletrack on the Dixie. There are some rugged segments on the VRRT, but it's alpine-style trail: rocks, roots, yes. But not ledgy, sandy. Some of the dirt road segments on the Dixie are a bit like the La Sal sections of the KT. Smooth/rideable doubletrack, through the forest.

One of the most challenging segments of the Dixie Lite was the Hatch-Panguitch ATV trail, which is the segment from Hwy 89 to Panguitch Lake. It was a solid slog in places - faint trail, rocky, barren, and a lot of rolling hills. Of course, there's some good dirt road in there as well.

Some of the trail leading into Navajo Lake is rough and faint. But I may be remembering it being harder than it really should have been, since it was at the end of the Lite.

Overall, the two routes have some general similarities, but mostly, they are quite different. Navigation is harder on the Dixie, there's more forested riding, more single track, and a lot of variety in terrain. Both are great routes!

You ate your chain?

Mine has always worked pretty well. I upgraded this spring to the newer model, and it's been fine so far. Customer service, etc, has been fine. I get an annual email telling me I'm going to be billed on XXX date, with plenty of notice to cancel if needed.

I got my work cut out for me! What's a realistic finish time?

For a TT? Depends on the rider.

Anywhere between 12 and 30 hours is pretty common.

Did the Spruce Trail ever get cleared of deadfall?

I'm hesitant to vote. I'll be a CTR rookie 2013, so I have no experience either way. I think Jefe is on to something though. Maybe eliminate 285 when the CTR starts in Denver again, and then leave it out for good after that. But either way, I'll be in Durango on 7/21/13.

I wrote a detailed breakdown of my 2013 bikepacking gear list here: http://grizzlyadam.net/2013/03/bikepacking-gear-bonanza.html

Feel free to add any of your own ideas for improvement. Most of what I've included I learned here, anyway.

Grizzly Adam, I am curious if you would run a test sometime...

I'm not equipped to perform a test that would mean anything. About the best I could do is turn the light on, and wait. I don't have any means to measure output or voltage, or anything like that. The light is regulated, and from what I can tell, Fenix has some of the best circuitry in the business. As I get more time with the lights, I'll certainly share my experiences.

Twofish offerings:

Helmet mount: http://www.twofish.biz/attach-a-pump/blog
Bar mount: http://www.twofish.biz/attach-a-light/lockblocks-flashlight-holder

I've just put together a refreshed bikepacking light set up, (upgrading from 2 PT Eos lights) and so far, I'm really happy with it. I'm using 2 Fenix PD32 flashlights, one on the helmet, one on the bars. I picked up 2 mounts from Twofish, and they fit the lights perfectly.

The PD32 runs at 130 lumens for 8 hours (claimed) and 315 lumens for 2 hours. It uses 2 CR123's, and while I was hesitant to make that commitment because of availability, I realized that 10 CR123 batteries only weigh ~5 oz. The light, with 2 batteries is around 3.5 oz. I think for any race or ride that isn't the Tour Divide, carrying a few CR123s is perfectly viable. My SteriPen runs on the CR123s also, so I will be carrying a few anyway.

If I ever race a lap 24 hour race again, I'd use the PD32s without hesitation. At their brightest setting, they are BRIGHT. The lowest setting is plenty of light for slogging up a hike-a-bike, or climbing a smooth dirt road. The 2 and 3 settings (there are 4 light levels, plus SOS) are both bright enough for regular riding. I feel like these were the lights we all dreamed about having (but never thought would happen) 5 years ago when I was doing more solo 24 stuff. Small, super light, really bright, interchangeable batteries.

All that said, the LD22 is also a very nice light. My dad has one, and aside from being very long, I like it. It's not as bright as the PD32, but then, bright lights are not always a priority in a bikepack setting.

Fenix also has a PD32 Turbo that has a 700 lumen setting, and a line of bike-specific lights that look promising.

The great thing about a flashlight, however, is that it's valuable away from the bike. I keep one of my 32s on my bedside table.

Check that... YJ can be bypassed via Highway 128, not 191

Yellowjacket, the area described above, is traditionally the most sandy section on the route. It can be bypassed via Highway 191. Both times I have ridden through YJ, however, the sand was not too bad.

The Entrada Bluffs section can get pretty shandy (Mike C's word), that is, a power-sucking combo of sand, shale, and loose dirt churned up from moto traffic. It's not a big deal if you are riding eastbound (from Moab), as this segment is mostly downhill. But climbing it (even during good conditions) is a challenge.

There is always potential for sand in Rabbit Valley (usually deep sand in short segments here, anyway), Fisher Valley, North Beaver Mesa, and all points in between, but traditionally the route is pretty solid. It's a beautiful ride - even the Cisco plains.

Thanks guys.

Fred, good to hear from you! I haven't reset the bearings at all, I just got the bike. I've only ridden it about 10 hours. But I've been told that resets are needed about every 10 hours of ride time. Maybe I've been misinformed?

Fellow Lefty owners, are you resetting your Lefty bearings out on the trail during multi-day races and rides? any secret tips? I plan to just carry the BB tool needed for the job, and resetting the shock (2011 XTR) once a day or so (every 10+ hours).

Any update on the BT recall? Fenix lists them online as in stock, and ready to ship. I've read a few reviews over at the CandlePower forums, but even the latest posts don't mention the recall, or the problem. Any news?