I started a Trans Iowa planning thread over in the racing forum.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4963.0.html

I know its not bikepacking per se, but its the next event I'm really amped up about. V8 left me feeling like a candy @$$, so I'm especially anxious to get things right this time. I'm sure there's a decent number of folks on this board who are racing; who's in and what are your plans for being ready for 325 miles of gravel this spring?

The only thing harsh about our weather right now is the lack of snow. 

I'm in! Looking forward to going back for a redemptive effort after last year. Currently I'm hoping to avoid the trainer altogether this year, but we'll see how that goes.

Any news from Rob Roberts? I see his SPOT hasn't updated for almost two days.

Does anyone recall the name of the guy with a fat front setup who was pictured somewhere in this years TD discussion thread? I'd be curious to hear how that turned out for him.

I need to stop listening to the post-finish call ins. Each one leaves me wanting to return for another go just a little bit more.

Congrats to Dave G, who is just about 20 miles out! Looking forward to hearing about your ride at the CTR start next month.

This year was my first Trans Iowa attempt and I DNFed around the 65 mile mark. I rode a 29er, and but will probably return with a cross setup next time I attempt the event.

On top of what Steve said, I think the high attrition rate has a lot to do with the strictly enforced checkpoint cutoffs which require racers to maintain an average speed of about 10mph. If the multi-day bikepacking races discussed on these forums ever adopted similar cutoffs, I'm sure we'd see a lot fewer finishers (or starters).

One further challenge that I struggled with this year was TI's 4am start time. I always toss and turn the night before a race, but the extreme early start contributed to me feeling borderline sleep deprived when the race began. From my outsiders perspective its hard to see why this start time exists other than to throw an additional challenge into the mix, but its part of what gives the race its own unique character and allure.

Awesome photos of and call in from Cjell Money! It's great to see a native Minnesotan tearing things up out there. Did anyone else notice his request for a spot stalker to 'drop him some nuggets'? Maybe Tetontodd? 

Looks like Katherine is on the move south of Rawlins!

Sounds like Max Morris is a little upset at two guys drafting.

http://mtbcast.com/podcasts/2012/TD12/MTBCast_TD12_20120618_1340038806_28.mp3

Woody

Good to see racers willing to call out this bad behavior in public. There was a very similar situation last year, but I'm not sure if it ever became 'public knowledge' to spectators on this forum. Maybe its time for some bilingual volunteers to start working on translations of the TD rule page.

Is posting the above pedantic and not worthy of posting?  I find routing 'variations' interesting but I won't post them if it is immaterial.

Please keep posting them! Definitely some of the more enjoyable observations to read, especially the ones where I can actually recall the turn.

Hey Boney, do those Mountain Laurel Rain Mitts stand up to much time on the handlebars? They look awesome, but looking at the weight, I'd assume that they would wear through pretty quickly.

So far so good! I've only had them for about a year, but I used them fairly frequently on the TD last year and they still look basically new.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=51

These have worked well for me and I'd recommend them to anyone who can stomach the price tag. Otherwise I think there are some less expensive options on sites that sell motorcycle gear, but I can't remember where I've seen them.

Well said. Perhaps hold off on the  "Occupy Divide Racing" movement until after the event and you are still not happy?

Man, I hope Simoni is still following this thread! I'd buy an #OccupyTD shirt and it'd be a great way for him to support his bikepacking habit.

Sanjuanrider, I just sent you a PM.

Thanks for the info bartspedden and Toby!

My vacation request was approved yesterday and I bought my ticket to Denver, so I guess I'm doing this! I'm unfamiliar with the city and am on my own for lodging/transportation prior to the race, so what do people suggest? I assume that people stay in Littleton, but anywhere in particular? Also, if any racers in the same boat are interested in splitting a hotel room or something, hit me up.

I didn't see any bears last year, but I did quickly learn that my Montbell bivy was susceptible to mouse attacks. I woke up with the little bastards inside the bivy on two separate nights; after I started hanging my food away from me it ceased to be an issue. Other than that the bivy worked great and I'll be using it for races in the future. 

I'm getting pretty tempted to drop my name in the hat for this year....

Drop it!