Looks like a nice crew and a good time. Even a tandem in there, yea! TFPU.

But wait a sec. If I sleep in the middle of a 3-hour ride, does that make it bikepacking? I reckon it does : )

Choose a destination and figure out a route to get you there and home. Or choose a route, path, trail, etc., and figure out how to get there and home. Check out ride reports here and at other sources. Talk with your bike/outdoor shop people. Become an Adventure Cycling Association member.

Check the Routes section of this site for some ideas, including just a small portion of a route. There may not be something listed in your 'hood, no matter. There's plenty of gorgeous countryside in New England. Franconia Notch, North Conway etc., seem like great places to include in a trip.

Digital tools like Google Maps can reveal little-used ways to bike through places; use the biking and hiking modes in GM.

Campgrounds work well, but primitive camping in open space does also, assuming you have some experience backpacking or camping light. Nothing wrong with a night in a motel if that feels right.

The main thing is to have fun. Don't try to do too much, just take little steps toward whatever bigger thing you may end up doing. Chivalry isn't dead; take the lion's share of the load and work so your lady will stay psyched to partake Lots of little details can help, but it's mostly common sense. I think you're just in time for the black flies to subside in the White Mountains...go have some fun. Report your findings here 

Shimano brake accessories seem to be about the most likely brand to be in stock at a shop. How often do you see Royal Blood on shelves? That reason alone puts me in the Shimano camp.

I have XTR M988 with several years on them, and a newer XT set. Both unfailingly reliable performers, and easy to bleed.

I would do some soul searching and try to project what riding you'll be pursuing most, then gear up for that type of riding and suffer compromises elsewhere.

Ortleib makes burly gear, but heavy beyond reason in stock form. I modified two sets of their panniers, essentially hacked off anything extra like the silly mounting system. Cut the bags' weight in half. Mounted them permanently to racks and ran them successfully (primarily forest road riding). For a single bike I think the small (front) panniers make a good rear set. The actual rears are so large in capacity..too large for almost any "mountain bike" trip where multiple bags are used, evidenced by riders loading them up and regretting it. I do really like the basic shell of their bags, and the ease of access is superior to some bags like handlebar rolls and seat packs.

Edited to add: I think most will agree that a traditional bikepacking-bag setup (frame, seat, front drybag, optional backpack) is the way to go for more rugged trails. These setups better enable a full-suspension bike, which can make rough trails more fun.

Thanks for that info, ev, much appreciated.

Nice going as usual, ev.

How is the AZT as far as navigation? Compared to CT? Signage, mandatory GPS, etc? TIA!

I've used and loved that unit for many nights on multiple trips. A really useful and versatile piece. You can use it stake-less if needed. A helmet shoved into the foot creates loft and warmth. Non-claustrophobic bug net. Todd-Tex is really light, somewhat burly and storm-worthy – we have it in our I-Tent also, used extensively. Rinsing with Mira-Zyme every so often is recommended to keep mildew from forming. Other than that, super bomber and maintenance free. It's not UL gear, but it works well and lasts.

All sold.

I've had success finding XS and S bikes on the pinkbike.com classifieds.

Rack eyelets is bound to kill some possibilities. Used Salsa El Mariachis can be found for under a grand. Edit: Not 27.5, but heli-versatile and comfortable. Put your lady on a 29er demo or parking lot ride and see what she thinks. My gal is small and I would not shy away from 29" wheels if I was shopping for her HT.

Used Ti El Mariachi is always a viable thing if you can find one...

Large on MTBR right now, just reduced to $725. Scramble!!!!!!!!!!!

If you aren't cooking, chances are, all your food already contains all its water. This can be very very heavy over 5 days.

That's the crux of it in my mind. If water resupply is plentiful, it makes sense to carry as little as possible, including in your food.

I've had great service from a snow peak isobutane stove and ti cup. That plus one small fuel can and foil windscreen is a pretty small, convenient kit. A hot beverage in the AM and freeze-dried/dehydrated meal after riding is a good compliment to snacking all day.

Depending on the ride, a stove can be a safety item and allow you to slice the clothing margin a little thinner. I have used one to bring up core temp, and was glad to have it.

I'd say the answer to your initial question is yes.

I'll take the thudbuster if it's still available.

Cheers,
Kurt

PM sent, Kurt.

Hey b-packers,

We sold our Fandango tandem frame and fork thinking we would use the parts on a different frame/fork. Now we’re seeing the tandem direction doesn’t work for us, so I’m selling the parts. We rode many of these parts on the US Great Divide and various trail rides locally. (The front wheel and Thudbuster were not used on the Divide.) The gear is all used with requisite surface blems but perfectly functional.


Wheelset:
Rohloff Speedhub 14 speed internally geared rear hub, 40 spoke, Black
White Industries Venti Front hub, disc, 20mm axle, black
Sun MTX33 29" rim - Black - 32/40 spoke, w/ eyelets
Sapim 13/14 butted spokes, BLACK 68
Spare Disc Brake Rotor for Rohloff Hub -203mm
$875

Rohloff Chain Tensioner for Rohloff hub
$30

Magura New Louise BAT Tandem disc brake, Front and Rear, tandem-length line, with adapters
(3) Magura Storm Disc Brake Rotor 203mm, 6-bolt
$225

Drive, all right-side:
Shimano UN 54 Square Taper Bottom Bracket
Bushnell eccentric Bottom Bracket
Middleburn RS-7 ST Crank Arms, 160mm, Black 2
Middleburn RS-7 ST crank arms, 175mm, Black 2
Middleburn Dual 4 Arm Spider, 104mm BCD, Black 2
Various chainrings
$350

Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension seatpost, 27.2mm
$50

FSA XC Riser Handlebar, black, 680mm width
FSA XC 180 Handlebar, 25.4 x 600mm, 5°, black
(2 pr) Ergon GX-1 grips
Thomson X-4 Stem, 90mm 10°
WT B Speed V ProGel MTB saddle
WT B Speed She ProGel MTB saddle
Thomson Elite MTB Seatpost, 410mm length, 27.2 Black
Control Tech Alloy Stoker Stem, Short 190-230mm, Black with shim for 27.2 post
$200


All for $1200.

I could break up the component groups, but honestly, someone should grab the wad of stuff at the ridiculous price and build a tandem. One could purchase a new Fandango frame with fork from MTB Tandems for $2600, then complete the build with the parts (plus pedals and tires). These parts also will work on Ventana’s FS El Conquistador de Montana with 135mm rear spacing (Both frames are mfr’ed by Ventana.)

Action photos here: http://forums.mtbr.com/passion/honey-wanna-go-bike-ride-914081.html

Buyer pays shipping from 92688. PayPal.

Thanks for looking…

Mike

I used the Salsa Anything racks on my Fox F29 fork last year for AZTR 300.  I put 2L water bottles in each and had them filled to the top way too often. Unfortunately my fork sort of crapped out early on and I had it locked out for the majority of the ride.

Were you able to determine what happened to your fork and why? Do you think 8+ lbs of water on your lowers could have made a difference?

Sure, it will work if you secure them well. The cage you mention looks pretty bomber, but I would bolster it with some sort of strap that surrounds both the fork leg and bag as opposed to solely trusting a cage mount. Maybe NBD, but it sucks seeing cargo falling off your fork in the BC, and there is a good bit of rough terrain on the CT (and I presume the other trails you mention).

Considering the light payload that lowers-mounted bags usually see, and their limited capacity, If I'm going where a squish fork is de rigeuer, I'd rather put that cargo almost anywhere, including on my back. The best MO is to pare down the kit to eliminate the need for the fork-mounted bags. Trails like the ones you mention are more fun with less gear and the most nimble setup.

FWIW... Mainly, just go ride and don't bail. 

...I'm becoming more and more convinced that the additional sweat/salt crystal buildup that happens inside clammy, padded shorts contributes to chafing, esp. on long/multi-day rides.

Agree! Doubly so if you're a sweat hog.

I've stopped using any sort of pad for mountain biking on any ride. Selle Anatimica Titanico X, WTB Silverado.

LOL Alpinist

I don't think there is anything to have concern about in the lower 48 except the odd grizzly, brown or moose, and your chances of a bad encounter are, as Harry inferred, not worth ruminating over. Do moose and griz even live on the course? Everything else will run from you.

Reel yourself in, relax and have fun. There's no end to things you could worry about if you start down that path.

I have to be able to eek out a last XX miles and throw down a slealth bivy wherever I end up. I can't see that happening if my bivy depends on two trees of a given dia., a given distance apart. Am I missing something?

Sleeping pad, definitely. Closed-cell foam or bust here, trimmed to shoulder-hip length. I like my old, smashed-down ones unless it's cold.

Considering Harry's weather prediction, I think a tent is worth bringing. Many lightweight and small options exist for 1-P tents.

A bivy sack looks great on paper, but once you've spent the night in one during a storm you'll realize that saving weight via sleeplessness is a bad value. A pole or other means to loft the shoulder area changes everything. Stiff wire a la Bibler doesn't cut it for lounging or sleeping.

Modern UL tents are just as light and compact as many bivy sacks. I spent 40 nights in a Nemo Hornet 1P last year, and was very happy with its performance. Right off the shelf – no seam sealing.

A tarp is a valid direction, but you'll spend more time finding a good site and pitching it than a semi-freestanding tent.

Have fun tooling up!

Very cool, Payton. Thanks for the update