spot tracker signups now available
http://trackleaders.com/julian-signup.php

Do one two or three loops. Routes listed below with links to maps.

Beach Loop: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/10393355
Mountain Loop: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/10490562
Desert Loop: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16442495

All loops begin and end in Julian.

If you do more than one loop you can do them in any order you wish.

You can start at any time during the week of 10-14-2016, in case you can't make the Friday start or if you work weekends.

Record your start and finish times for each loop from the Julian Pie Company on Main Street.

For those that are interested we will be meeting at Granny's Restaurant before the start on Friday morning. If you are renting a spot tracker they will be handed out then.

I will be starting on Friday 10-14-2016 if anyone wishes to join me.

You are on your own. There is no support, entry fee, prizes or ride organization. If something goes wrong it is up to you to take care of it.

Main page for discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1618140971756406/

Thankfully when mine was up for renewal my card on file had expired!
I don't like this business practice either. My spot tracker is now a paper weight! I agree they should send out a renewal message either by text or e-mail. Pissing off your customers is a good way for them to look elsewhere

For the one or two times a year that I need it, I will just rent one from trackleaders.

Both me and my wife like to keep track of each other when we are out on solo rides for safety sakes. We now use an app called life360 which works pretty well and is free. Since we always carry our phones with us it is one less thing to worry about batteries, bringing along and activating. Also life360 is much more user friendly. It does require a cell signal to work but generally that is not an issue.

As time goes by and more apps and other tracker systems are offered I think Spot will rue the day they decided on that auto renewal system.

Torn between my bivy or my one man tent for CTR. Any suggestions?

Trek Stache 5  29 plus 100 mm axel width carbon front fork, thru axel, wheel and 180 mm centerlock disc. Steerer tube is 6.25 inches and comes with star fangled nut installed. Fork weighs in at a svelte 633 grams. Fork has some rubs and scratches from tapeat bags and cable but it is in great shape. Post mount for disc brake only.

Rim is a mulefut 50 which is tubeless ready. Hub is Shimano SM-HB20

SALE DOES NOT INCLUDE TIRE, VALVE STEM OR BOTTOM RACE.

I really like this fork but I am going to put on a suspension fork for the Colorado Trail. I would love to have a rigid 29 plus and a front suspension 29 plus but it isn't in the budget! Looking to buy a boost wheel for my new fork so I need the coin. This would be a perfect Tour Divide setup!

Retail for fork is around $449 and Retail for the wheel is around $240. I am selling for $400 or best offer.

Shipping extra, to Continental US only please.

I think sleep deprivation can be dangerous too and not just for safety reasons but when you combine that with an intense physical activity for days on end I am of the opinion that it cannot be healthy long term. My efforts tend to be steady where I am not taxing my system. At 63 I am not interested in pushing my heart very hard.
But if someone wants to go for it that is their option, but go in with some information.
I love watching wingsuit videos but you wouldn't catch me dead trying it!

The body of evidence coming out about extreme athletic participation and it's negative health consequences is disturbing. In ultra running after a few years of peaking many of the athletes are never the same and some have serious health issues.
I heard that one of the TD winners had to be hospitalized after the race because his body was eating away at itself. The Dr. told him he had to take several years away from that type of effort.
Do I want to make rules against people pushing themselves over the edge?? No, as long as they know and accept the risks. I think the real problem is that many of them don't know about the potential long term health risks of pushing oneself to these extremes.
I organize the Julian Bikepack Challenge and in the future we will require an 8 hour layover between loops. You can push yourself for up to 30 to 40 hours on the loops so there is still the opportunity for trashing yourself if you should choose to do so.

Julian Bikepack Challenge wrap up and results

Next challenge date is October 14th, 2016
 
3 signed up, and two riders participated.

Stats according to my Strava
Mountain loop 159.6 miles 18,854 feet of climb.
Desert loop 112.9 miles 11,452 feet of climb.
Beach loop 172.8 miles 13,158 feet of climb.
Total 445.3 miles and 43,464 feet of climb.

Mountain:
Rich Wolf 35:36
Johan Cronje 42:57

Desert:
Rich Wolf 26:53

Beach:
Rich Wolf 25:48

All times are from start of loop to finish of loop

My thoughts are to suggest a minimum 8 hour layover in Julian at the end of each loop.

Also to suggest a 7 day period to finish all loops. Times will be calculated at the start and finish of each loop. Of course you could do this in fewer days with the only suggestion is to have at least an 8 hour layover each time you are between loops.

Riders can still choose to do one two or three loops.

Any thoughts on a Friday or Saturday start or just leave it up to the rider? Better yet the rider can start any time during that 7 day period for those that have different work schedules.

Julian is a wild west layover. Bring your family, friends, motor home or what have you.

Just try to be self supported on each loop. If you have a problem, get it fixed and continue at the same spot. We don't care how you get your issue taken care of. Bottom line is the best times will be those that have the fewest problems. We feel that if you take off precious time we might as well give you the best chance to complete your goal.

If you have friends and family they can ride part of the loops with you or you can organize friends and family rides in the Julian area while you are out doing your thing.

ITT's at any time. Please verify to the general public with strava. You can even set up ITT's with trackleaders.

You are responsible for your own decisions and safety. Don't be crying if things don't go your way.

All loop cue sheets and some more information added on the web page: http://www.julianactive.com/Julian%20Bike%20Packing%202015.htm

Trackleaders signup is now active!
http://trackleaders.com/julian-signup

Trackleaders will be adding us to their tracking list soon. They will be adding the desert loop to the equation.

Wheels? Don't need to spend a ton of cash on wheels to find reliability. If you have any questions probably best to get hold of Mike C at lacemine and tell him your budget and needs and he can probably set you up. If they are not laced up and tensioned properly from the beginning you are probably screwed.
Heavier stronger riders are going to be really tough on wheels, whereas peter pan types like me can get lots of miles from a wheelset without trashing them.

I heard talk of someone trying to develop a system that would charge a battery at any speed. That would seem to be the ticket.
Airplane mode is your friend. You can also adjust many phones to use less power. Keep screen off as much as possible. Charging while you are eating or where you can find an outlet is a good strategy too.
I often keep my phone plugged into my Luxos U light system and on my normal rides I always keep it topped off even in non airplane mode but as you go slower it becomes a problem and some phones play less well than others. I am using a sony z3 experia.
For AZT last year I was just going to go with the phone and no garmin but was glad I took the garmin! A smart phone can be used as a music player, camera, gps and map backup, web browser and gasp even a phone! Even on the AZT 750 last year I never ran out of phone juice but you got to be smart about it.
 I think the Tour Divide is the perfect place to use dyno power with a dyno light. I would still use a garmin which requires batteries and your spot needs batteries but having endless light and a charging source is really liberating. Just bring a backup head light for camp set up and in case you have a dyno light issue.

Really temping to come out and ride the 750 this year...

Aren't you getting a little old to do that??!!

Start list here: https://socalenduro.wordpress.com/stagecoach-400/2016-start-list/

Web site has been updated along with a map of the Desert Loop. More updates to come.
http://www.julianactive.com/Julian%20Bike%20Packing%202015.htm

Departs Friday at 8:00 AM from the Julian Pie Company. We will probably meet at Granny's Kitchen before to hand out trackers and to do a pre ride meeting. Register or rent your spot tracker from trackleaders.

Do one two or three loops in any order you wish.

Beach Loop, Mountain Loop and Desert loop. Total mileage for all three is around 450 miles. All loops start and finish in Julian.

Web page (to be updated) http://www.julianactive.com/Julian%20Bike%20Packing%202015.htm

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1618140971756406/?ref=br_tf

Agree. This is really for the situation where you are unable to score the batteries. I'm planning some seriously long bikepacking in remote areas.

Agree. This is really for the situation where you are unable to score the batteries. I'm planning some seriously long bikepacking in remote areas.

how remote? do you have to forage and hunt for food??😀

the least of my worries is my spot tracker. although lithium batteries are pricey you can get at least a week or more of tracking from a spot.
the real energy hogs are the smart phone, lights and GPS so I just concentrate on powering those off the dyno.

Julian Bikepack 4-15-16. One, two or three loops. Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1618140971756406/