Hey man,

There's a few of us around here in Asheville. Posting in the Pisgah Bikepacking Facebook group will probably get a response.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195634927234778/?fref=ts

I'm not a wheel expert, but wanted to chime in that I've owned both XT and DT 350 hubs. Never had a single issue with the DT, and I that I can remove the freehub without tools. The XT hubs tend to loosen up repeatedly and require wrenches to do just about anything.

Did I hear that Jay had some bottom bracket issues with the new press fit bb?  I am a Fargo ti owner who might be interested in the Cutthroat.

Kid Riemer @ http://salsacycles.com/culture/introducing_cutthroat:

"We have had great personal success with PressFit 41. Regarding JayP stopping to replace his, we made one critical mistake in that we did not send him a new BB when we sent him the proper painted frame. He moved his BB from his proto frame and that was a massive mistake on our part. PressFit BB’s are one and done in that once installed, they should not be removed and reinstalled. We have confidence in PressFit 41."

Is the dog still in the mix?

I'd love to know as well.

Who is it's rider?

I know we're not supposed to discuss rules, but I'm pretty sure riding the dog instead of a bicycle would violate a few.

Make sure your saddle isn't too high.  Try lowering it just a hair to eliminate subconsciously wanting to tippy-toe the pedals.  Relax the calves and let your ankles move freely as you push/pull on the pedals (constantly putting tension on the calves as if you were standing on your tippy toes will over stress the achilles).

+1 to all this especially the kinesio tape. One thing I didn't see noted: find a cylinder (water bottle, bottle of coke, etc) and roll your calf with it foam-roller style. You need to get it to relax a bit to stop pulling on the tendon. See http://blog.nasm.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Figure2.jpg for illustration.

Thanks again, Chris - yep, I used the 2012 GPX files, simply combining them then re-splitting at the various matchlines. Anything they contained that doesn't match the current route will show up as a discrepency.

If I were to to the same with the 10,000 pt "out and back" version you posted, would it be both accurate and useful?

No worries, and thanks for the correction! The "high-res" versions you posted fit fine on my eTrex 20, so I'm planning to just use those.

Oh - any tire recommendations? 40c Nanos on my Fargo? 35c Happy Mediums?

Hi all,

I'm looking to do this but wanted to get a better handle on the route. I've merged then re-split the GPS track to align it to the ACA maps. I can't vouch for validity of each split, but it's all based on the file on the alleghenymountainsloop.blogspot.com page (thanks, Chris, assuming you made it!) and the ACA maps as received last week.

If anyone else wants to use it, feel free. If anyone who knows the route wants to review it and let me know what I've gotten wrong, again...feel free, and thanks in advance!

Didn't say I was omitting the singletrack

Fair opinion, though.  I wouldn't fly here for it, just like I'd love to try something like the Stagecoach but can't justify the flight.

Hi all,

I've mapped out and ridden most of a 400mi+ route around Asheville, NC - about 1/2 gravel, some singletrack, and then rural roads. It covers some interesting areas, great scenery, and has some unique challenges.

When I get done smoothing out some wrinkles, I'd like to post it as a route, and was wondering:

1. Would there be any interest in the organization of a group start of self-supported ITTs? ("Not a race" language applies.) If so, I'd like to time it do not conflict with TNGA or the AML.

2. After reading some legalese, it sounds like less than 75 people would be legal in Pisgah National Forest as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway.  However, I've omitted Mt. Mitchell state park (not accessible after 5pm, vague permitting). I'm also thinking it'd be a "ask for forgiveness later" affair when crossing DuPont State Recreational Forest (vague rules) and some private land that's simply "open to bikes" nine months of the year. Does anyone have any feedback, similar issues encountered, advice?

Thanks!