Sorry for delayed response, I don't hang out here often.
Tires:
I've used Conti Race Kings, Maxxis Ikons,  Crossmarks, and another (old Nano?) I can't recall.
My new favorite fast rolling tire, that resembles the Fleecer Ridge model, is the Maxxis Pace Tubeless. Have not run it on the TD, but it's fast and has smaller knobs. I think next race will be Ikon on front for traction (I had my front wash out on gravel/pavement in 2017), and Pace on the rear. If I get bold, maybe Pace front and rear.

A foolproof setup is Ikons front and rear. Think 'Tough and Fast' when selecting a tire. Too many racers overthink their tire setup. I don't have anyexperience with Vittoria tires, but they have a good following.

One tip is that 'mud tires' are near worthless, as the type of mud encountered will coat any tires quickly so that the knobs disappear, making it them useless. You need traction in light gravel-on-dirt, and a tough tire.

Tubolito mtn tube 3 oz
Tubolito S-Tubo mtn tube 1.6 oz (the extra light version)

Lezyne butyl extralight tube 5.1 oz
Regular butyl mtn tube 8.8 oz

I've used one tube in each of two TD races, none in a third (I run tubeless and carried two butyl). I now carry TPU tubes on my training rides. For the next TD I'm going to carry two TPU tubes, and maybe an S-Tubo as backup-backup. Oh, and the TPUs take up a hell of a lot less space!

Let's see the weights:
2 TPU = 6 oz
2 TPU + S-Tubo = 7.6 oz
1 TPU + 1 butyl = 11.8 oz
2 butyl = 17.6 oz
2 Lezyne extralight butyl (#SV19A, hard to find) 10.2 oz (they're a tad fragile being thin - I've got several and no longer will be buying them)

So, all comes down to how comfortable you feel in case you need a tube. Oh, and this neglects the ability to patch a tube after you install it, so you have a form of backup in the repair kit (0.4 oz for the TPU kit). A tube is for getting you to the a) Next shop to buy another tube as backup, or b) Bike shop to fix your tubeless setup. However, all bets are off with either tube type in goathead thorn territory! (Read: New Mexico). By the way, a lot cheaper to get the generic TPU from Aliexpress. I think they're $5 or so. Also, I carry TPU for all my road bikes, and recently had to use one - still in the tire and holds air fine.

I had FIVE flats between Wamsutter and Brush Mtn Ranch in 2015. Happened to be the hottest day of the race, and I sat on the dirt road sweating and mumbling to my self while taking the wheel off three times (two snakebite flats, one small slow leak hole, and two punctures - all within 1/4 mile!!!). However, all were my fault as I had neglected to pump the tube up at the start of the day. I had put the tube in after letting too much air out of my tubeless, and couldn't get a seal to refill it. I fixed the holes, rather than swap the second tube in, as I had a ways to go to Steamboat bike shop. So, all my fault.

During the 2013 race I sliced my rear tubeless tire on a waterbar descending into Whitefish, and installed a tube. Fixed the tire/tubeless in Polaris MT. In 2017 I had no tire issues.

Now you've got more data points to worry about! 

Tarptent Contrail, good condition,  little use (I normally take my Tarptent Moment), comes with 7 stakes, center pole (or you can use hiking pole). I think it weighs around 26 ounces. I've got too many tents, so says my wife. Thankfully she doesn't know how many I actually have!

$120 plus actual shipping - I need your zip code. If you're in a hurry, or in AK or Hawaii, Priority Shipping is $15 .

Pics at https://www.flickr.com/photos/96991004@N02/albums/72157713415206093

The SS flag says the equivalentpoint was recorded 2 days ago. Alexandera is about a day ? ahead of flag. Any ideas?

Yes, she broke the record twice, first Grand depart, section itt

""
"Gotta make some sacrifices to go as fast as he's been going."

Well he just encountered conditions that he was not prepared for and subsequently lost 6 positions....

If you think about it, he was prepared, as he knew his limits down to the temp he could endure, and did precisely the right thing by having enough oomph to self-rescue. Hats off (er, berets off?) to him for going to the edge and not falling off the other side.

We've seen a new definition: Type Five Fun

I'd be crying' like a hurt little schoolgirl...

Thanks!

Looking for a connector, preferably/primarily dirt, from eastern Idaho (Sun Valley, Ketchum, Stanley) area to western Montana; aim is to come out northeast of start, aimed towards Dillon or Butte.

Prefer not to go due east in Idaho as that route is too far and south of destination.

Anyone have intel on such a route?

Thanks!

And let's not forget leaving your backpack and riding off to wonder later where it is. Yep, a real concern.

I know, I've done that twice in three different attempts on the TD. I don't use backpacks now, except to carry the ultralight Sea to Summit pack (2,3 ounces folded) in case I need temp extra food carry. I know of two other riders I rode with that forgot packs. Oh, and never carry your valuables in a pack if you do suffer to carry one - forgetting pack then becomes a major bummer.

My 2 cents...

Same problem here. It's perhaps due to the abundant stress hormone cortisol . One word cure...Ambien 

Seriously, do Google search on 'post-exercise insomnia' .

"...I've Toby Gadd's ruleset saved as one of my bookmarks. Given the preacher like tone I'm surprised each doesn't have a suggested punishment: No borrowing of gear - punishable by surrendering your bear spray for two days..."

Actually there is a punishment for route deviation- you must have missed it in the Book of Gadd: "If ye deviate from thy route, the ear of thy favorite dog shall be split asunder, thy bottom shall chafe and burn, and all elements of weather shall visit upon thee."

I miss Toby...

And now for something soothing. The discussion re Koko Claims difficuly vs old routes - I humbly submit the elevation profiles and distance comparisons in the attached pic; hey, why not use actul data? Seems like the difference between 2015 and 2017 (two of the years I raced) shows the following:

Year   Banff to Border     Elevation Gain
2015  250.8 mi              19,831'
2017  262.4 mi              27,537'

In 2015 I made Ram Wigwam campground (just past Cabin Pass) on second night. In 2017 I made Butts Cabin second night. I though the 2017 route was much tougher, but then the first day was rain and mud fest for 2017, versus minor rain/mud in 2015. I was in moderately better shape in 2017. Strangley, I didn't think Koko was physically that big of a deal. Slow = check. Impressive = check. Hard = Not super hard. It did fool with my head until I got there though. Note for the record (and Josh can attest to this, after blowing by me in 2017 but kindly slowing to talk to an old dottard), I am not a strong rider, being 67, but for those young whippersnappers who complain about Koko, hey, I did it and I'm still kicking!

Now can someone ask the nurse to get my jello before I starve???

         

I've jokingly wondered to myself that, in order to be on the race tracker, you need to write an essay on "Who was Toby Gadd? Describe his importance to the history of the race."

Write. It. Yourself. Damnit!       This will make absolutely no sense to those who don't know Toby...

Marty Johnson had issues the first day in Separ, now I see he is in Silver City last few hours, visited a motel and pharmacy. Anyone have intel on his situation?

I rode with Marty in 2015, and bumped into him in 2017 along the trail.

Hope he is OK.

For Teton Park: "Effective June 1, 2018 - The entrance fees will increase to $20 for each visitor entering by bicycle."

As Bob says, pay at the entrance. So $20 for a bike ride on the highway. Sure...

Hal is a hoot ! Great guy, enjoyed riding with him in 2015.    [He's a real old guy though...almost a year older than me!]

Technically...he is doing a 'Yo-Yo-Yo'   

Met him in Montana on a rainy day, me southbound, him northbound. First thing out of my (tired, wet) mouth was, "Are you lost? You're going the wrong way!". Duh.

I returned mine to:


Trackleaders
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

{address no longer valid, sorry}

I got this address from Bonnie's post on Facebook TD page

~~~ Way to go Marty Johnson ~~~

Finished at AW just now after a 201 mile push - not bad for a 62 y/o guy! You are my temp hero now 

Great to ride w you in 2015, and see you again this year. Good on ya!