www.mosquitohammock.com

yes, I am a hammock fan-boy, particularly the Claytor's.
mb

sb- I  have about 1/2 of a sweet detailed route description written out for you.  I'll post it here when done, and probably add it to the routes stuff in the header.  I've got some time on my hands (injured), so I'm probably going to write up 3 or so Pisgah 2-3 day bikepacking routes of varying challenge and contribute to the site.   

SpeedCity's are super durable.  Brad Kee, perennial Double Dare and The Most Horrible Thing Ever winner (www.pisgahproductions.com) and CTR finsher rocked them for years with no issues.  They're narrow, though- that's the drawback ,IMO.  (FWIW: I own Brad's set now, the rear hub finally failed (cracked hub shell) but the front wheel is still rocking out). 

stumpbumper- tie Wilson's and Pisgah District gravel together with a Parkway stint and you have an awesome trip. 

Pisgah District trails and roads can combine for great 1-3 night options.  Routes are endless.  Emily's above is hard.  Four  of the trails are uber tech high speed rocky descents- I've done them all on loaded bikes, but would not recommend it for an inexperienced bikepacker or if you don't list tech skills at the top of your riding strengths.   I'd take 2 nights/ 3 days (with days 1 or 3 being short) riding to do it.  3 nights could be had by riding a different, easier route back to Asheville.  I can recommend easier routes overall.  What kind of ride are you looking for? 

Emily- while I agree the King BB is a great item that I use and love, IMO they have not been on the market long enough to be on this list.  The useful life of an item like that,  serviced correctly, should be 5-plus years.  So, when mine hits that point, I'll vote for it.
All the other items I've put on the list fit that criteria- taken care of and never failed within their useful life. 

seconding all jannd products, period.  Heavy but sturdy.

trianga stove.
panaracer rampage 29 tires

i agree with the too much eating comments.  it may work mathematically, but its not reality- i'm no noob and have never eate as much as that program wanted me too.
soorry about the annoying lack of caps my left arm is in a cast.

+2 for Dumonde Tech lubrication.  Also comes in handy travel size! 

Nice old school syncros post.

I did and always do, no matter what kind of ride.  Probably not necessary, but it lives in the pack.

I use a hammock and my bike sleeps beneath me and my tarp if worried about rain.

For in-town security, I use a super cheap child's bike lock/chain I've had since 4th grade.  Fits into the cup of my hand and is very light.  Yes, I could break by using the bike as lever, but it'll still stop most thieves.

I've always just double wrapped the stache bars on my commuter/ road tourer. 
What's the difference?

That looks awesome! 

I've camped in 25 degrees or so with a hammock and a therma-rest pro lite3.  Bag with colder rating, however.  Also found it helped to take my rain jacket and create an additional wind barrier around hips.  Doing this, so toasty don't even know it's cold.

15 years of use, no stomach issues. 4-5 element changes.  Use the lubricant periodically.  Hundreds of times used, never an issue. 

http://www.katadyn.com/en/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-wasserfilter-backcountry-series-produkte/katadyn-hiker/

So I've been thinking about moving to the frame/seat bag combo.  Here's my question:
Visually, it looks like the giganto-seat bags would take away the ability to get really behind the seat- I mean seat at solar plexus arse in some void above the rear tire behind the seat. 
Is this true? 
Does it bother you? 
I use this maneuver often, incluidng when bikepacking.  Part of what I love is riding my loaded bike down the same technical trails I do un-loaded.  I feel like I'd miss this, but curiousity/ desire to lose some pack weight has me thinking.

I am referring to this. Designed to work with standard dropouts.

http://www.rennendesigngroup.com/rollenlager.html

Position to maintain tension. 
Bolt into deraillerur hanger. I replaced the big ass 15 mm bolt with a same thread pitch and size 6mm hex head, works way better and don't need to carry an extra tool.
Never moves- hundreds and hundreds of miles, no dropped chains.
I tried the performance version of this, it sux, do not buy.
Misfit Psycles also makes something similiar. 

I cannot say enough about how much better this works.  Think about it- most single-ators pull the chain away from the cog, the same thing that your derailleur does to shift.  This pushes back around the cog, increasing chain wrap and making it work more better. 

That is all.
Have fun! 

Greenbike guy- I know a few people who have built a mtb from parts scrounged at Asheville Recyclery.  They end up with pretty cool bikes- if it was 1997.  I loved my bike in 1997, so that's what you'll get.

If you go singlespeed with a geared frame, one thing I highly recommend spending money on is a good single-ating device.  Rennen Rollenlager's work awesome and they're bomb proof.  The key is to get a device that bolts on for tension rather than one that relies on a spring. Spring loaded devices do not work on rocky trails.

Hiker Pro has been fool proof for me for 10-plus years. 
That's a great idea with the bladder hose, trying it next time.