2nd  on Lake wides.

Has anyone tried this thing?

http://www.camelbak.com/en/government-military/accessories/6l-waterbeast-reservoir-200oz.aspx

I live in the springs and exclusively bikepack on a single speed.I am 42 and have been ss for 12 years now. Simplicity is best IMO.

Weird... I am 42 and have been SS'n for about the same amount of time...
You aren't me are you?

I was and sometimes am.  For big multi day trips I'll be using gears from now on.  My knees didn't do so well on the CTR so I've decided to use gears for things like that.  I'll stick the the SS for around home though.  In the end just have fun with whatever you've got.

Just curious, how old are your knees?
Mine are 42.

I rode the BC portion this year, from Banff to Victoria.  Some nice parts, but lots of grinding rail grade plowed up by quads.  Banff to Elkford was spectacular.

How long was that ride?

Me.
We are not alone.
I have run 3 speed as well (Front derail only). Love the simplicity. Been riding SS MTB for 10+ years.
I have a complete set of Epic design bags that Eric made me.
Plan on doing a major summer long epic ride in 2011.
I'll post pics of the bags on the bike this weekend.

Just wanting to know how the basics, what is the weather like? What are recommended places to start for an out and back ride?

Speaking of food...
More bears than people up north.

I going to add a portion of it to my "big ride" that I plan to do in 2010 or 2011.
I'd like to use the sections in Alberta, British Columbia and The Yukon Territory with the goal of getting to Alaska.
Basically I want to start in Banff and ride to Anchorage.

From what I can tell a large amount of the YT is NOT yet completed.

Still working on a plan.

I have tried baggies and find them too hot.

That was what I was afraid of.
Heat and I do not mix well.
I like your idea of a pair of nylon shorts.
Thanks for the tip!

I have been a "tight" shorts guy for over 20 years.
I want to try some "baggies" for the pockets and less stares as I ride in to a remote town.

What is everybody's favorite "baggy" short and why.

Thanks!

[cycle]

Has anyone seen this:
http://www.tctrail.ca/thetrail.php
"The Trans Canada Trail is a 21,500-kilometre recreational trail winding its way through every province and territory, from the Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic Oceans. When completed, it will be the world's longest recreational trail, linking close to 1000 communities and over 33 million Canadians. Today almost 70 percent (14,500 kilometres) is developed. Thousands of people are taking to the Trail to walk, hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, canoe and snowmobile."

21,500-kilometers is 13,359.5 miles !!!

one more for the "bucket list"

Anyone ridden the Katy trail in late winter?

Thanks for sharing, nice stuff... Even though last year I bought my packs from Eric @ Epic Designs. Couldn't wait for Jeff's, his delivery times were much longer, at the time. Still awesome stuff he makes;)

Not to detract from Jeff but, I'm down with Eric as well. Eric managed to get my setup done in a timely manner and they are bomber.

Scott,

Assuming I do leave Albuquerque in early April...
What about snow as I get into Flagstaff?
On that note,
Will I have too much snow to deal with when I get onto the CDT/GDMBR in Colorado?
What would be the earliest time of the year to try getting onto the CDT/GDMBR?

Im planning a similar weekend run.
Do you have a map of where you went?
How many miles did you cover?
Where did you start?

I have a pretty good plan for Spring/Summer 2010 in the works.
I'm telling everyone that I am going "on a mountainbike trip next summer". Very few know that I am quitting work for 5-6 months.
What started as a just the CDT/GDMBR out-and-back, has blossomed into quite a trip.
I want you to know that your comments about the GDMBR and the CDT on this thread have influenced me greatly, thanks for the inspiration!

At this point I plan on starting here in Oklahoma mid/late-April and heading to Palo Duro Canon (TX) for a few days of riding then on to Albuquerque. I'll then pick up the GET to AZT to Moab to Fruita/CB down to Durango and then pick up the CDT/GDMBR then north to Banff and then west, maybe north to AK, ferry to Juenau, not sure at that point??? Thats all I have so far.
I have a solid year to work out my route but I do want to try and have a basic itinerary with no set in stone dates or plans. Just go and come back before Winter.

Ill be searching for tips and ideas so feel free to shoot them my way.

Matty-B

Scott,

Great write up, thanks for sharing!

You mentioned some possible loss of riding area.
Do you know if the new Land Bill will convert some of that riding area to wilderness if it passes?

Let's see.  If I had one trip, Mexico to Canada, I'd start with some version of the AZT, cross the canyon somehow, then head onto TU towards Moab, eventually hooking back up to the CT / CDT in Colorado, then make my way north along the GDMBR / CDT.

This assumes you have a good experience base with bikepacking, and it sounds like you do. 

While the New Mexico is a good / interesting state along the GDMBR, the CDT (in my experience) is either one of A) non-existent or B) very hard/slow/hike-a-bike.

Some sections of CDT in Colorado are not to be missed (the GDMBR route is sub-part through Colorado, IMO, you miss a lot). 

GDMBR in Montana is good too -- some interesting stuff there for sure.

Hey Scott,

Any deviations off the main route of the CDT/GDMBR once you left Colorado or would you truck on to Banff?

Im a huge fan of my Showers Pass Elite 2.0. Cut for a cyclist vented for a cyclist. It uses eVent fabric which is VERY breathable. Best jacket I have ever had.
http://showerspass.com