yep. what evdog said.
best bang for the buck and fun, varied terrain.

Hey Scott - the Caldera 250/500 in the Eastern Sierra should be going off again this year...probably in Sept. again.

Here is a link that will be updated as needed:
http://fatbikemammoth.com/events/caldera-500-9-18-15/

this cage
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/water-bottles-cages/vo-retro-cage-with-tab-new-version.html

set up like the photo shows.
The Smart Water 33.8L is sweet. Just need to velcro the top as already mentioned

don't post much, but to this I must say something.

Race the CTR (as is) the best you can.
don't dumb it down.
the Coco format is sweet and perfect for it  but leave it in Arizona. Many strong men and women have toed the line to test themselves against this masterpiece of trail, you do the same.

not everything has to be divided into neat little niches so you feel good.
leave awesome as awesome and rise up.

dream4est (and many others) are a good example of rising up. thanks all for your inspiration!

any local knowledge regarding the recent rain and condition of the dirt/mud on the first day leaving Flagstaff. It looks like the storms (which looked like lots of rain fell) have moved out and it is set to be good weather for the race, just curious what to expect on day 1. Thanks.

two weeks from today I'll be roll'n through some sweet Sedona singletrack! stoked!

looking forward to good grub and riding with some good folks. see ya all at The Place soon.
Jeremy

brilliant Art!
super effort putting down this beast. It was joy for Meade and I to pedal with you a bit on the front end of the adventure.

The first ever running of a course is always the toughest and these two finishers rose to the occasion.
Worthy rides to both Arthur and Art. Super inspiring to see such solid efforts on the entire ride.

Great job the all the 250 finishers...a mighty course in its own right.

also, hats off to all who toed the line and gave this course a shot. I know you found some adventure out there. The classic highs and lows of mind and body are sure present on this course.

Big thanks Alan for bringing this all together in world class style! I know the Caldera made a mark in the bikepacking world.

Hope to see all you back and some new faces on the next running of the Caldera.

Keep pedaling all-you-all!!
Jeremy

thanks honkonbobo. my daughter has a small 29r so I'd probably run into the same problem. What did you end up using?

looking to find a mid-sized seat bag for my daughter.
if you got one you want to let go of, let's talk.

had to wait until the last minute to make sure it is a go. Sign me up...i'm in! I like the new route especially that it is a big loop, well done fellas.

What is the current status on the lakes and streams/rivers for reliable water (especially from the start to Soda Springs)?

Erin reports a park water spigot in Bryce Woodlands which is about an hour (maybe less) past Tod's. Look back in this thread for the location. <cya>I have not seen it before, but haven't looked either</cya>

I filled up here a couple years ago. Nice large park on the left and the spigot is right on the road.

Not in this year but will watch the action. It is a fantastic route.

done.
#858 of 100,000.
need 99,142 more.
share it.

what are the color 'codes' on the blue dots.. like Dejay is a 'translucent' blue.

it think the translucent is that the spot has not updated for a while. The solid have current updates.

this IS going to be a GOOD race. Lots of fast talent out there.

and Scott thanks for all the cool new features that you have put in trackleaders...even easier to waste time at work.

they started a couple hours ago and off to a strong fast start.
Should be fun couple days of blue dot watching.

Check it out here: http://trackleaders.com/stagecoach15

there is probably 30-40% ST. the remaining in primarily old double track that rides like ST. A bit of gravel grind and the obligatory asphalt transfer sections round out the rest of the tread.

As JRA noted, the terrain is quite varied in all respects, desert to alpine, soft sand to moist firm dirt, volcanic tuff (compressed volcano dust) to white granite, 4K' to 11K+, hot to cold, up and down.
Yeeha!

sweet...it looks like all things are coming together and I'll be able to toe the line on the 17th.

Looking to see if the shuttle still has seats (if so I'll take one) and/or hook up with other racers to get to the start from SB.

A stop at Great Basin Bakery would be good hit too.

best cinnamon rolls on the eastside.

Stop at them both (and Mahogany Smoked Meats) because once you leave Bishop its a long tough push to the next resupply.

start/finish in Mammoth Lakes.
yup, Schats mammoth will fuel you up until Shats in Bishop.

On the other hand my heart tells me it isn't going to be the bike that ultimately gets me to Utah. 

that is the mantra running through my head..."how bad do I want it?" baring any race stopping mechanical or physical problems. It sure is physically tough out there on theses races, but it is the mental that will make or break you. Oh, and I'm running my trust 26", FS, 3x9, old habits die hard...

trebor - check this http://www.aztrail.org/shuttles.html