Really don't understand why the orignal poster calls front derailures a pain.
The only time they touch the chain is when shifting, so they basically don't wear out.
They don't get sucked into the spokes.
They don't tension the chain.
They are fairly well protected from rocks and sticks.
With 2 or 3 chainrings, you nominally spread the wear accross the chain rings, improving their lives.
I've gone through maybe 15 rear derailures to one of the front, and the front is still going strong.
Where is the downside? 


OK, the cable/mechanism can freeze, but at least in some conditions, you can reach down and give them a little help.

You might want to search
www.crazyguyonabike.com for ideas and experiences.

From my prior readings there are arguements for and against going for the least common denominator (26" wheels, schrader tubes, rim brakes, steel frame) when traveling in less developed countries.

The Surly Long Haul Trucker is a touring bike that is available with 26 or 700c wheels, I think.

Redline offers budget mountain bikes:

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb

Some Michaux pics from mid April 2013:

Can't help with the organized group time trail depart...

I'm sure you realize that that route is published by the Adventure Cycling Assoication and is always available to ride.

If you are traveling from Alaska to ride West Virginia and like technical single track... ditch the ACA route and ride the trails!

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,3147.0.html

.....Wind chill aside, cycling is generally a warmer activity. So, in true three-season conditions I need less clothes than a hiker. .....

I do not follow the logic of the above statement:
1.  Hiking:  0-3 MPH,  Cycling 0-30 MPH.  While riding there is a wind chill... it can't be ignored.  Descend 500 vertical feet at 25 MPH on a dirt road at 40 Deg F... it will cool you down signficantly
2.  Ride in temps >85F with some humidty... at speeds >10 MPH sweat evaporates, aided by wind chill, come to a steep climb and slow to 4 MPH... the wind chill stops aiding the evaporation and you and sweat stops evaporating as easily and you get wet.
3.  Once in camp, either hiking or cycling, major physical exertion stops.... both the hiker and biker need the same amount insulation for comfortable sleep. 

Michaux is a good destination and a good place ride... solid, eastern style single track (roots and rocks) with forest road alternatives.

Why or why not?

Sandsurfer:  The topic isn't that old, just dormant, awaiting some contributions from the southerners!

If you have tracks or GPS data, post them... I have a master file with some knonw tracks.... see Reply 17
of this thread:  http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2163.0.html

JHL99

Someone has to ask the question:

Why would you go to college, and incurr debt, in order to maintain a career as bike mechanic? 

Think of all the bike stuff you could have purchased with the tuition money!

You might try contract this guy:

http://runutsadventures.com/bike/

This guy, Craig Bierly, has been living out a van, mountain biking around the US for a couple of years.... he seems to move as the seasons change.... he will definitely have first hand knowledge regarding climate, trails and camping/van living options.

Make your own:  http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,363.0.html

Not super lightweight, but no failures after 4 years.

NOTE:  Links to plans are broken in original thread.  New links below:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bx33lLkX0pjbakc0UDByMWdtNjg/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bx33lLkX0pjbZVpCaVY2UTNxVEk/edit?usp=sharing

** edit:  added links

One of your criteria should include what type of weather you want.  As stated early, March and April can mean melting snows and muddy trails at elevation.  Spring time in some parts may include stretches of cold, damp, rainy weather.

You are probably better off in the Southwest... but a location in the eastern US that might fit the bill would be Asheville, North Carolina.  Elevations only go to slightly above 6,000'.  There are nearby National Forests with free camping.. one stipulation is that you can't camp for more than 2 weeks in the same spot.

Asheville is an eclectic medium sized small town with a big music and art scene and is known for outdoor recreation.

There is strong mountain biking presence in western North Carolina.   The Blue Ridge Parkway is a car only road (not trucks) that cuts through the area and offers great scenary for a bike tourists.

As far as  'staying in one spot' while camping almost implies that you would have to stay at a privately run campground.   KOA  (Campgrounds of America) is one chain that may offer longer term accomodations, although the arrangements are definitely not like the outback.  Generally, formal campgrounds, run by a goverment agency, either the Federal Goverment or a State Government generally limit stays to 2 weeks.  If you can be a little more flexible and slightly nomadic, you can probably camp for free for the duration of your stay--by staying in 'dispersed camping areas'.

A couple of us on the forum reconned a North-South route across PA in 2012... the idea was sparked from this thread:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2564.0.html  (NOTE:  all the links to Windsteam URLs are dead).

We are putting the finishing touches on complete documentation of the route.... it should be released in 4-6 weeks.   This route runs as a point to point through central PA.

JHL99

Did you guys sleept on the packed snowmobile trail?
Wow.  If you did that on a Pennsylvania snowmobile trail, odds are that you would risk being run over.... the snowmobilers run as much as night as in the day.


 

Those lookouts are all midgets!

In the east, they have to be built high enough to be taller than the trees!

Should be fixed...

Here are some pictures (some as photographed and some after some tweaking) from 2 weekend rides North Central Pennsylvania in November 2012.

Ride 1 started with typical November weather, cold, damp and dreary.  I met up with Forum Member RuthSLP early on a Saturday AM and we were off.  

Ruth

We where headed to the PA Elk Visitor Center.  Yes, PA has small herd of elk that are pseudo wild.... we saw the elk and warmed up in the visitor center.

Elk Visitor Center;  Cold, damp and gray

Later in the afternoon we saw this guy:

Black Bear

A quick stop at the convenience/antique/sawmill/used car/truckstop whatever place:

Ruth gets supplies

Dirt Climb

Normally I'm not much one for campfires, but since darkness came about 5:30 PM, we gathered enough firewood for an evening fire and a morning warm up.

Sunday AM was a great contrast to Saturday... the sun broke through and started casting long shadows.

Sunday AM

More forest road

Climbing up from Mosquito Creek

By midday, it was warm enough for shorts:

On the home stretch

*******
Trip 2
*******
The next weekend was a solo strip in the same area.. with the objective checking out some trails that show up on the topo maps..

This particular Saturday was the first day of the PA bear season... so it was prudent to accessorize with blaze orange

Did another campfire...

Checking out some new to me dirt roads

Along a ridge, with some artistic license:

Looks like I'm along a body of water... that is not the case!

Out of use and forgotten road that winds it way down the mountain:

Some blowdown to contend with near the bottom

At the bottom of the mountain, a ford of a small trout stream is required:

The End

If I was going custom:
0.  Geometry that fits my posture and riding style--otherwise, what is the point?
1.  Cables routed on top of top tube.
2.  Custom designed rear rack bosses and rear rack.
3.  Bottle bosses under the down tube, just in case, probably would not use them + 1 set on seat tube and one set on down tube
4.  Some kind of eyelets on drive side seat stay to zip tie spare spokes to frame
5.  Rigid front fork... eyelets on both top and bottom of dropout.  Mid blade braze on and
custom mounting bracket at crown for custom from rack/lowrider
6.  If I wanted single speed capability... 'alternater style' rear dropouts, but I don't
7.  26" or 650B wheels, with room to put a standard sized frame pump behind the seat tube and in front of the rear tire
8.  Steel construction
9.  More of an old school main diamond shape vs modern super sloping top tube
10.  I would look long and hard for a production frame that I could live with... which I found, for a fraction of what custom would cost.....your milage may vary!

So they are on route on Friday with perfect fall weather!

Go Ruth!