Is long-term parking allowed at Waterton? If not, does anyone have suggestions for a suitable place to leave a vehicle for the duration of the race?

I've enjoyed using the MSOs a lot. From what little I have seen of Iowa B roads, they will be unrideable by any tire width if they are wet (Fuller would be a better person to ask about this). Just let the other 95% of the route guide your choice in rubber.

Whichever platform you enjoy for 'normal' gravel racing and riding is probably the best choice. I finished V9 on a Cross Check with 35mm Continental Cyclocross Speed tires. The year before I started on a Fargo and didn't finish. I definitely don't blame my DNF on the MTB, but I had a lot more fun the following year on the smaller, more appropriate bike.

Yep!

I was shocked at how quickly the rookie spots filled this year. Congratulations on getting in!

Maybe we can keep it contained on this neglected thread:

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,5983.0.html

Expect an overload of helpful information over the next 6 months via the lyrical prowess of Guitar Ted. I'll be lining up again and am starting to get stoked!

I think my longest ride pre-TI was like 140 miles. I don't plan on doing things much differently next year.

I'll second everything ocary said. Awesome course, awesome atmosphere. The 162 mile race has kept a nice low-key vibe if starting with 900 other riders doesn't sound appealing to you.

 

I'm not sure how seriously anyone should take Mike's recent twitter activity... he was 'in really bad shape' and 'about to scratch' every time I crossed paths with him in 2011 and he still smoked me on what seemed like just about every climb in CO. Talk about a humbling experience.  

I started a Trans Iowa planning thread over in the racing forum.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4963.0.html

I know its not bikepacking per se, but its the next event I'm really amped up about. V8 left me feeling like a candy @$$, so I'm especially anxious to get things right this time. I'm sure there's a decent number of folks on this board who are racing; who's in and what are your plans for being ready for 325 miles of gravel this spring?

The only thing harsh about our weather right now is the lack of snow. 

I'm in! Looking forward to going back for a redemptive effort after last year. Currently I'm hoping to avoid the trainer altogether this year, but we'll see how that goes.

Any news from Rob Roberts? I see his SPOT hasn't updated for almost two days.

Does anyone recall the name of the guy with a fat front setup who was pictured somewhere in this years TD discussion thread? I'd be curious to hear how that turned out for him.

I need to stop listening to the post-finish call ins. Each one leaves me wanting to return for another go just a little bit more.

Congrats to Dave G, who is just about 20 miles out! Looking forward to hearing about your ride at the CTR start next month.

This year was my first Trans Iowa attempt and I DNFed around the 65 mile mark. I rode a 29er, and but will probably return with a cross setup next time I attempt the event.

On top of what Steve said, I think the high attrition rate has a lot to do with the strictly enforced checkpoint cutoffs which require racers to maintain an average speed of about 10mph. If the multi-day bikepacking races discussed on these forums ever adopted similar cutoffs, I'm sure we'd see a lot fewer finishers (or starters).

One further challenge that I struggled with this year was TI's 4am start time. I always toss and turn the night before a race, but the extreme early start contributed to me feeling borderline sleep deprived when the race began. From my outsiders perspective its hard to see why this start time exists other than to throw an additional challenge into the mix, but its part of what gives the race its own unique character and allure.

Awesome photos of and call in from Cjell Money! It's great to see a native Minnesotan tearing things up out there. Did anyone else notice his request for a spot stalker to 'drop him some nuggets'? Maybe Tetontodd?