I'm a 1x9 rider (been a SS rider for 10+ years).  I just leave it in my normal SS gear on the trails but use the shifter for riding to the trails.  It's been nice.
My question with all this is, I have a 32 front ring on SLX cranks.  How small of a front ring can I go?  I'm sitting here thinking of the last time I did the Colorado Trail and how much I was in the granny ring.  What is the smallest possible front ring?

I've ridden both. They both suck. 285 sucked less to me. When I come back to ride it again next summer I will ride 285.

Would this route be rideable in late July?  As a teacher I'll never be able to make that starting date. Looks amazing.

Yeah, 22 and 23 aren't fun.  Not for this Texan.  Pretty?  YES.  But there was very little riding going on for me.  Especially on 23.  Oh, and to add to the excitement getting caught in a hail storm on a ridge on 23 didn't help either.  Makes my palms sweat just thinking about that experience. 

I'll be there again in 2014.  Not gonna happen this summer.  I love me some CT.

I have that bivy.  It's not big enough for me to use the pad inside.  I use a plastic drop cloth under my pad.  I sleep with my bag in the bivy, but that's it.  Works well for me with many nights on the ground and zero punctures. 

I'm going to piggy back on this because I'm about to be in the same water.  Can you use Topofusion with a new Mac?  If not, what do you use?  Basemap?

I take my 3.5 year old son all the time.  It's extremely fun for him (me too).

I use blue painters tape.  It has worked wonderfully well and comes off easily with no residue. 

How about some pics to sweeten it?!  This looks awesome.  I'm interested.

Now that is cool.

Keith is from fort worth.

I have total respect for all that you have accomplished.  Believe me, in my opinion you have more than earned your voice.  But, geez..............you sound like a grumpy old man! 

I'm with Dave.  It's a fine line, but it is a line.  So many people beat their chest and say "SOLO is the only way to go!" yet like Dave pointed out, they are choosing to race it with 75 other of their closest friends. 

I don't have to much of a dog in this fight, but still, I do like the idea.  Hell, in some ways Kurt and Jay both have raced on a "team" in the biggest of big races.  YMMV

I think we owe it to the race organizers to self police the crap that goes on out there. If team classes eliminated cheating, then all race organizers should consider it.

I just dont think adding classes changes this "screw the rules" mentality we are seeing here. Remember a few years ago when people would self-relegate themselves? That takes the heavy responsibility/burden off the organizers' shoulders. Now its like catch me if you can fools. A few years ago it was guys like Jason and Owen who self-relegated themselves in the CTR after amazing runs with a 5-10 mile mistake. Now that same mistake gets you an asterix finish and no one questioning your credibility for not DQing/relegating yourself? We have really lost the vision of the sport IMO. Cheaters and rule benders are making race organizers soft on DQ's and such because newbies dont understand self-relegation and place too much burden on another person to make the call. I wouldnt want to DQ anyone. That would suck.

Dont think I am bitter or that I had a bad time this year because of what I saw. I had the time of my life. The positive interactions with the ppl out there was amazing and far outweighed any shenanigans out there. Riders like Tanner M, Dave K, NTCT Matt, Dave W, Scott M, Toby, Andy, Scott J, JC, Kurt S, Arno M, Goldberg and of course Marshal were a joy to hang with, chase, pass, get passed by, camp etc. I will remember that in the years to come and not some lame team crap.

That looks like a 1040 metre would be about 3515 feet? a little conversion error there maybe?

That's what it was.  Yeah, I was NOT in a happy place up there as I was depending on it's accuracy (and it had been accurate up to that point so how would I know?).  Oh well, it was still a fantastic adventure.  Good stuff.

I hope they fixed segment 22/23 of the databook.  It was flat out wrong.  Mileage, climbing...not the best segment to be wrong on.  Especially when low on water and running from storms.

I'm not doing it this year, but thinking I may be back out next summer. 

Reeves, which gps are you using?

I'd feel the same way about someone who worries about having "camp shoes".

bread bags.

Seriously, I hate carrying an extra pair of shoes.  I just use a couple bread bags and put them on my feet if I feel I must get up to do something.  But if I'm in camp, then I'm probably sitting or lying down.

My buddy likes crocs or some other pair that he can roll up.  He got them from REI. 

Wow.  Very cool.  I'd love to hear more about his plans for the NW Passage trip.  That is some serious adventure.

I have the original Spot.  Battery lasts a good long time and I've never had an issue with it. 

Well, it's been a week and a half.  We're fine.  You could see the water flowing right out of the inlet.  I think we're lead to believe any water not out of a spigot should be treated.  Based on many years of drinking water I disagree.

Gary

I wish I had that kind of stomach.  Coming from someone who has had (clinical diagnosed) giardia a few years ago, I will not be taking a chance on it EVER again in my lifetime.