Gaaahhh. Yea, I guess I'll take the 20 degree bag and ship myself that extra sleeping bag liner along with my "bike carrying backpack" to the post office

Woah, I was expecting some freezing temps, and am planning on my 32 degree bag + a liner for sleeps, but I wasn't thinking that it would get down into the teens the last couple of days. DANG. Maybe I'll bring the 20 degree bag. Not much heavier/bigger than the 32 degree + liner ......

Thanks for that. I just read their note and kind of forgot that gas station and the small town stores might be raided and not have stock of powdered donuts.

I think it might make sense to hold off on this

Anyone considering the AZTR 800 coronavirus edition?

We quit our jobs and have been traveling the world since Jan 1 and this thing has forced us back into the US. We?re going to lay low for a few weeks, but I was thinking of doing an ITT around April 13th or so.

Good idea? Great idea? Terrible idea?

I don?t think virus impacts to the communities/stores would be much of a concern, as its really buying stuff at convenience stores and such.

If the Grand Canyon is closed, I guess I would just ride the road to Lake Powell or something?

I wasn't going to leave it on the side of the trail! North Rim has plenty of facilities. I can always throw it away there

So a few questions I wanted to ask that will potentially save me a bunch of research time

1) How do you get back from the Northern Terminus to somewhere that has an airport? What IS the closest airport?

2) What about the southern end? Figured that would be easier, as I'd fly into Tucson and catch a ride to the border from some sort of shuttle company

3) I've seen quite a few contraptions for carrying the bike. Anyone do an external frame pack? That seems to be a pretty easy button and I've seen them on Craigslist for $20-30. Figured ship that sucker to the South Rim post office, do the hike with it, and then just put a free sign on it and leave it for someone

I ran a XX1 drivetrain with a SRAM steel 28T front (10-42 cassette) on the CTR last year. I plan on doing the same for the AZTR750 if everything materializes for 2018

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

The warmth of it does appeal to me, but man, I think I might have to stick with the Big Agnes. The pain of carrying a tent stake are offset by the supreme ventilation, more room, and it's also lighter as a whole. I figured the times I really do need to actually use the tent vs just throwing down the sleeping bag on top of the footprint is when it will be raining, so I really do need good airflow in a shelter.

I'm currently waffling between the Nemo and the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1. The fly creek is lighter (900g all in), but has tent poles to deal with.

I was also thinking that in certain situations, the Nemo might actually be warmer. Certainly on a windy cold night at elevation, I could see the Nemo being much warmer as there is no way for that wind to get into your tent.

Anyone use one of these that has some direct feedback? I purchased one on Amazon that can return, and after trying it in the back yard, I'm thinking of sending it back. Wondering if my concern is invalid. It's pretty much a trash bag/oven in terms of ventilation! Granted I am trying it on a nice sunny day, in the back yard, in weather where I'd normally not have a tent at all, but damn is it a sauna. Also thinking with that and morning dew/condensation, it would be kind of a wet mess possibly.

Does it breathe better than I'm thinking? Anyone in love with theirs? It packs down super nice, 1000g all in, and I like not having to deal with tent poles.

As a slight follow up, I've got the Fly Creek UL1 and the Nemo GoGo setup in the backyard. The GoGo is WAY WAY WAY warmer. The way the Fly Creek is setup with a fly and tent, the wind gets to come under the fly into the tent. The Nemo is basically a rain fly burrito.

Now I'm not sure which is better here, since we're talking about rain + cold + colorado elevation. Might mean the Nemo gives me more warmth, which lets me pack my 40 degree bag vs 30 degree bag.....

If it's warm and not raining, I'm sleeping under the stars anyways.

Maybe, it's just me, but even with the 8x10 and "thinking to setup" at 13oz, then you still have to have a floor cover.

With the UL1 I can be at 18oz and have a "Fast Fly" setup with the rain fly, poles and footprint. The only negative is dealing with pole storage.......ugh

If you need a cheap 40 degree bag, it's hard to beat this one: http://www.rei.com/product/896028/kelty-cosmic-down-40-sleeping-bag-mens?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-8960280001&CAWELAID=120217890001859982&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG

It does say 1lb 12oz for the regular, but mine is right at 1lb 8oz. Then again, I've got last year's model, which is the all yellow one. Since it was $80 and so light, we actually bought it for the dog when we were backpacking and camping below freezing.

IMO, the REI Flash at 30 degrees compresses a bit better and is a bit lighter, for a few more bucks. To me, it's a bit more useful as with a liner (http://www.rei.com/product/797113/sea-to-summit-reactor-plus-thermolite-compact-liner) it's actually comfortable down to the low 20s, and unzipped as a comforter, I can use it into the summer when it's in the low 50s. I like multi-use things

I'm planning on 7 day CTR run. Figured 18 hours of ride time, 1 hour of setup/teardown/chillout, and 5 hours of sleep a night on average. That's my impetus for taking a tent. Not going "full race mode" on my first attempt.

I figured if rain/storms are definitely on the radar, I was going to go full tent, which will help with warmth too, and take a polycro ground cloth. If rain is less likely, then go fast fly only. What are the chances of getting 7 days where it doesn't pound rain overnight at elevation in CO?

Going to try to setup the handlebars setup today as suggested and see how that feels.

Also not sure why I haven't seen anyone put them outside the frame bag, like mtnbound above. That seems like a good plan. I could just get an extra couple of velcro loops sown in and be good. Hmmm.

Lastly, as far as the Tarptent ProTrail. Definitely looked at it, but as you mentioned, the UL1 Fast Fly is lighter AND I get a choice of having a full double wall tent. I figured having that option AND having REI at my back was worth it.

The UL1 is very much like a "bivy plus". I'm 5ft 10in, and it's nice and roomy for me, and fairly tall, so I can sit up, comfortably change, etc etc. The *only* thing that is giving me second thoughts are the poles, but I think that's just me being dumb.

I also just found a Nemo GoGo 1LE on Amazon Prime for $220 with a sweet return policy, so I'm going to try that as well to see. 30 day return policy on that one as well, so we'll have a living room tent off

edit: and as far as price, the UL1 on sale was $239, so it's $60 cheaper than the Tarptent stuff

I impulse bought a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 at REI the other day as they are having a nice 25% off sale (nice return policy if I change my mind after trying it in the living room). I have the UL3 as our backpacking tent and it is awesome, so figured the UL1 would be great for bikepacking. I recently moved to Colorado from Georgia, and I've either stayed in hotels, cabins, just not slept (for ~2 day races), or slept in a hammock for all my previous bikepacking adventures. My big adventure this year will be Colorado Trail and next year Arizona Trail, so I don't think the hammock will be a great idea.

Having said that, I'm a bit skeptical on bivy sacks from a weight to coverage perspective and also moisture, and as much as I want to be a badass, I'm feeling very meow about doing what Long Ranger suggested: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11685.0;attach=7227;image Not sure why. I just appreciate being in a tent for some reason. Same thing I guess when you're under a tarp wrapped up in a hammock. I dunno what it is.

The Fly Creek UL1 is 2lbs total, or 1lb 4oz if I fast fly (footprint, stakes, and rain fly only, a freestanding, better coverage version of Justin's setup). It's basically the same weight, or lighter (fast fly option) that doing a bivy, and I can be way more rain proof and store my crap inside too. Was thinking Tarptent Moment DW, but it's more expensive, same weight (2lbs) and it still has a pole, and I can't return it. Any better "buy it now" tent recommendations?

Having said all this and TLDR: If you have a tent like this, or a normal tent, where do you put your tent poles? Was thinking possibly underneath my handlebar bag? If I stick it inside the frame bag, I'm afraid I'll give up enough room to where I won't be able to fit my 100oz bladder that I like carrying in there. Backpack? If I crash that could be very non bueno for the poles. Or should I just sack up and do what Long Ranger does....

That sounds like a pretty awesome plan. I work remotely, so could drive down to Durango on Thursday afternoon and work all day from a coffee shop on Friday as you drive my car back to Denver. I've got a Subaru WRX hatch with a double bike rack, so it could fit 3 people/bikes.

Let's talk when it goes closer. Best idea so far IMO

I've been thinking of heading that way also.Live in Denver and it would make it a lot easier to arrive in Denver.I'll keep you posted.I would  have my girlfriend drive me down(98lb Rottweiler also for the ride:-)If I do your more than welcome to jump in.I have an SUV,so plenty of room.I'll have my plans wrapped up by end of May.

Awesome! Let me know what ends up happening. Sounds like we should ride together in Denver some too.

Had some long conference calls today so been noodling. If something like splitting a ride like this with someone going doesn't work out, I think renting a car is going to be easiest for me. Looked at some sites and a one way, one day rental from Denver to Durango is going to be $90 including taxes, for a hatchback like a Focus. $90 is easier than talking the wife into 12-14 hours of driving my dumbass back and forth Even better if someone else wants to come and split.

I've gotten there over time, but now have what I consider to be the ultimate setup. The thing is, your ultimate setup depends on the kind of adventure. Singletrack? Doubletrack? Tour Divide? CTR? Rowdy?

Bike: I choose between a Trek Superfly SL Full Suspension or a Kona Raijin (Lynskey) Ti 29er. Hardtail has sliding dropouts for making an SS. I can choose the FS bike for more rowdy trail or take the HT if it's smoother.

Components: Both are identical. XX1 with XTR brakes. SID forks on both. Rear on both is a Nox Carbon wheel with I9 hub, Front is a China Carbon with SON28 Dyno front hub (can swap front wheel back and forth)

Bags: Frame bags on both. Revelate on Kona, Rogue Panda for Superfly. Viscacha Seat Bag, Feed Bags, front sling with dry bag, Top tube bags, etc

Shelter: Hammock or Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 or SOL Escape Bivy or nothing, depending on adventure

It's "horses for courses" vs just one perfect setup

Anyone going backwards (Durango to Denver)? I live in Denver, so really like the idea of getting shuttled out to Durango and then being able to not have a time limit/person meeting me on the ride home. Planning on 5-7 days depending on how the nights go.

Speaking of shuttle, how have you guys gotten to the start/from the end in previous years? Anyone services run a Denver to Durango shuttle or anything like that?