Hammocks seem to be popular amongst the light backpacking crowd, although there is a love/hate thing going on with hammocks vs. tents vs. tarp tents vs. bivies etc.

The set up I'm considering is hammock and a siltarp-type tarp.  I'm not obsessed with weight issues, as the set-up I'm considering falls right in there weight-wise with a bivy and siltarp, tarp tents, and UL tent setups - at least close enough for my purposes.  I'm a fast tourer, not a real racer, so lightweight is important but not critical - comfort and versatility also important.

My use will be in British Columbia, Alberta, Montana (off pavement) for the most part.  Trees to setup with won't be an issue.  I want a siltarp for rain protection and gear comfort during multiday bikepacking trips.

I'm looking for firsthand real-life experiences that you may have had with hammocks.  The good, bad, and ugly is all welcomed.

Thanks

There isn't a real problem with ultra racing.

Ultra racing is simple - start at Point A at Time X, don't cheat, don't be an ass, and finish at Point B at Time Y.

The issue isn't ultra racing, but is with the personal biases one brings to it.  I too would stack up better against others' in a scenario where there is a mandatory daily rest period, a no night riding rule, etc., so it would be to my advantage to compete in this type of race.  Better yet, can you find me a 5-day ultra with a daily 100-mile long continuous 10% climb and a 6-hour mandatory rest period so that I can take the greatest personal advantage that my ectomorph physique provides?

But then, what would be the real point?

The real point would be to pad my ego.  As a person who suffers from TCS (Time Comparison Syndrome), I understand that I seek personal validation through "how I measure up".  Oh, and there are so many ways to manipulate time splits, Strava segments, race formats, etc. to support "my awesomeness", but it all is self-serving and destructive in actuality.

Perhaps the point is this:  ultra races exist, and if you choose to ride one do so in a manner that brings you the greatest personal satisfaction.  If it is to set a low total time, a fast moving average, etc. that you can compare to others, and that is what truly makes you feel best, then go for it.  If it is to ride only how you feel at any given moment, to smell the daisies and to run naked through the fields with the deer, and that is what truly makes you feel best, then go for it.  Either way, or anything between, is good.

And that is why there isn't a real problem with ultra racing.

Lael's situation points out an inherent issue with TD records.  Most years the TD course has had changes, either planned or due to snow or fire or even construction.  That is the nature of such a huge beast in terms of length and time to complete.  I've always thought comparing one year's effort/result to another year's is misleading.  There have been a good number of rides that due to conditions were slower in terms of elapsed time than a record, but were more remarkable.

Seems to me that records should be only considered in the context of those in the TD grand depart for that one particular year on the official TD route for that year, and that any all-time records should be on a standardized route set by the ACA.  This standardized route would have to be set as the "official race record route" and not changed over time - in a way like how the UCI has standardized the bike specification for the hour record.  Otherwise comparisons of all-time records don't mean as much as comparisons within any individual year.

In any event, super great racing this year...so many doing so well is motivating to this armchair participant.

This week on a ride from nelson to whitefish i ran into some folks in grasmere who had been riding with Jill They mentioned that at the time she had not been allowed in despite having what seemed to be to me far more cash than i or most would have had. Living near the border i have often found the canadians tougher to deal with than the us guys.


As a Canadian, I have to agree!  It is easier to deal with US than return to our own country.  The CAN officers have a new flavour of the month every time that

...one goes through, and they enforce seemingly randomly rules.  For Jill, stopping her due to a previous bike accident is so illogical.  Do they stop people in cars because there was a car accident on CAN side involving US citizens?  Stupid.

And just have to add for the record, Fernie is a great town with so many helpful people and ride options back to Flathead were offered, but

This week on a ride from nelson to whitefish i ran into some folks in grasmere who had been riding with Jill They mentioned that at the time she had not been allowed in despite having what seemed to be to me far more cash than i or most would have had. Living near the border i have often found the canadians tougher to deal with than the us guys.
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As a Canadian, I have to agree!  It is easier to deal with US than return to our own country.  The CAN officers have a new flavour of the month every time that

Sorry Stefan, I do not know if there is an associated trail closure.  From the Breck Epic website, it looks like they are still finalizing routes with the regulatory agencies, but as they are basically applying for same course as last year one speculates that they will get their approval.

I have friends who travel from Canada to do the Breck Epic every year, and they say the organization is great to deal with, so I'm guessing if you send off an email to them (to Mike Mac likely) you can get this kind of info.

I only put 2 and 2 together as I was thinking of bumming a ride down from Canada with some Breck Epic'ers so that I could do either or both the Breck Epic and the CTR (one dreams big around New Years! - before reality sets in).

Please let us know what you figure out...thanks!

Looks like the Breck Epic race is looking to again use part of Segment 6, this year on August 11, 2014.  Could this create issues for mid-to late-packers on their Day 2?

Basic truth is we don't know for sure about Canadian portion at present.  Lots of helis doing recon out of Fernie (and Canmore), but they are concerned with more serious issues than the GDMBR route.

Been told that Elk Lakes FSR has washed out in multiple places, Corbin road has multiple washouts, road through Flathead Pass area is ripped out.  Also heard road from Canmore to Whiteman's Pass (near Goat Creek TH) is washed out in 1 or more locations.  People really should google some of the pics and video to get an idea of what has happened.

So, to be clear it is early days so there are lots of rumours, but not many 100% facts yet.  But, I can believe all of this.  This event saw stream flows that are the largest ever recorded by a large margin, and there have been some 1 in 200 year events in last several years.  THIS WAS HUGE AND OVER A HUGE AREA!!!

Heli reconn saying Corbin Rd. has 6 washouts, Flathead Rd. basically gone in sections.  Will be days until total damage known, but this is truly a huge crisis far beyond GDMBR route viability.

Extremely concerned about anyone on route anywhere in Canada or in the Flathead in US.  DK and RK have old dots so hard to say where they are?  If anyone knows about the whereabouts of DK and RK or anyone else in region, please post info!!!

FYI, re. Canadian conditions

thefreepress.ca

The Elk River has crested over the dike south of the Elk River Bridge on the Fording River Highway and is flooding along the east side of Highway 43. The Elk River Forest Service Road north of Elkford has also been washed out.

Sparwood, Elkford, and Canmore declared states of emergency, as well as most of SW Alberta.  Floods in range of historic 1995 event in the region.  It's a monthly rainfall per day for 2 days kinda deal.

Amen to that bikingbakke!  Self pacing and going "organic" seems like the best way to go - esp. if you want to get the most personal enjoyment out of the ride!

Love the approach of keeping it simple and just pedal dammit!


And thanks Angler for your precise Ovando updates!  Drove through your town last month, seems like a neat little place!

Something does seem a bit off there - CS may be building lead but don't think it jumped up that much so quickly!

Stunning pace by CS though!  Know he has the real goods, but even his most ardent supporters must be worrying a bit about the huge daily mileage.  But then again, this is Craig we're watching.  Amazing engine, and super giving helpful guy in all respects.  Deserves a good ride this year!

Right you are Scott.

MH and CS are rippin' it up.  What makes it more impressive is there was a major headwind from about 35 km north of Elkford all the way to Sparwood.  They'd have a push to the Corbin turn, but then likely back into headwind when they turn south towards the Flathead.  Doesn't seem to be a problem for them though!

Paul A will get to cabin around dark - nice day on par with some of the past fastest.

Doubt he'll go further after 18 hrs on Day 1.

Wondering about typical trail conditions on the following during April 15 - May 15:
1.  Coconino 250 loop?
2.  Kaibab 125?  too snowy/muddy?
3.  AZT from Flagstaff to Utah border?

(also, North Rim is closed then but is Park access road plowed/clear from Jacob Lake, can my support drive to North Rim at this time to allow some gear switcheroo, and is AZT likely in good riding shape north of Jacob Lake to the Utah border?)

(touring, not racing, so would do some support...sorry hardcores!)

It is still in development in many areas, so it can range from smooth pavement to barely discernable track with rather unencouraging riding characteristics.

Good news though is that there is a major push on to complete the trail by 2017, as you mentioned.  And it will likely intersect or parallel the GDMBR in the Elk Valley area of BC.  Rumour is that there has been a route studied this year from Elk Pass to Cranbrook and beyond, to link to Vancouver fairly easily.  So, good stuff coming, but you may want to wait a couple years.

I know a guy, who knows a guy, who is rumoured to have done the whole trail on a bike, couple years ago I think.  If interested, might be able to hook you up?

I don't know whether to be super impressed (once again) by JP's ride or saddened.

No matter if JP ends up breaking the record, it doesn't prove which of the ITT or "cooperative riding" style is faster, as there are way too many variables (weather, hours of sleep, luck, etc.) including that JP might just be faster than Ollie and the others.  A new record doesn't prove much of substance, other than perhaps that there are super fast, ultra-competitive people in the world.

Looking forward to the evolution from the "good ol' days" of a few racers rather anonymously raced the route each year, to large mass starts tracked in detail every movement (bowel or otherwise) via SPOT and smartphones, to some future time when riders just go and ride the damn thing without caring about the world knowing that they did it in whatever time.

And I sincerely hope JP continues his great ride, and moreso that he finds some personal peace from it.

Dave H did some math earlier and posted that Craig had 20 hrs downtime in Grants.  It seems like Ollie had about 6 hrs of downtime with his light failure south of Silver City.  My math, and I ain't too bright, would be that there was a 14 hr time difference in mechanical issues, and their finish times (Dave H's math - better than mine) were different by 14 hours.  14 - 14 = 0

Is that way cool or what?  Two amazing riders!  Congrats to Ollie and to Craig, and to all riders really.

Now, Serge, get it done.  It's apples and oranges to compare one year to another, but you can arguably hold the title of fastest Fernie TD rider (Paul had to ride a faster route last year - although I know that wasn't his preference).  If you can even be close to Mr. Attalla, you are biblical!

Yes, well said bikingbakke, and several others.

As my high school physics teacher always said, "There is more than one way to swing a banana."  I didn't really understand it then, or completely now I suppose, but I think applied to this solo vs. pair issue it means that Frank Sinatra was right and who are we to judge somebody doing something "my waaayyyy...."?  No rule breaking = no issue as far as I care.

Another confusing quote of mine to ponder:  Don't hate what isn't, love what is!

Yeah, sure, who knows?

In my strange little world "best" isn't a synonym for "fastest".  Fast can certainly be an important part of best, but when fast becomes the same as best in a person's mind, ugly things happen to their soul.

That's probably just me - to each their own.

Everybody have fun tonight, everbody wang chung tonight!