Hey Guys.  Looking to ride the 300 in October.  Going to be doing my first bike packing trip in a couple weeks.  Just an out and back along Passages 16/17.  Done a couple centuries on the road bike, some backpacking on the AZT.  Definitely looking forward to combining the two!

Looking for some feedback from the veteran riders here... Which section of the 300 do you think will be the most challenging for me? Also, what's your go-to no-frills GPS to use so that I can follow the GPX file while on the trail?

From the Gila River at Kelvin all the way to Picketpost is likely the toughest, not only because it is slower, rockier more technical riding, but because it comes at the end of what is already a brutal ride and you'll likely be exhausted. That, and Oracle Ridge is another morale killer. I don't mean to discourage you at all. They're both most certainly doable but should be taken on with a healthy dose of respect and humility. Best of luck to you on your endeavor!

Woot, my wife and I are doing an "ITT" beginning 3/11 too, John. We're not aiming for a time, just for some decompression from work/grad school during a little Spring Break.   Trying to figure out a ride down to PCL from PHX since our ride canceled on us. Any recommendations for shuttles?