Looks promising, actually. 1.65 pounds for everything including the poles, stuff sack, and seam sealing.

I think this will be an awesome adventure. So long as nothing comes up I'll be there. And I may drag a couple of others with me.

A new facility has opened very near to the GDMBR that would be of interest to those touring the route. Likely not so much racers of the TD, unless an emergency resource is needed.


Whitefish Bike Retreat just opened its doors this week. A bike based hostel with camping and bunk rooms - and a limited number of private rooms. Cricket Butler is the owner, an Ultra rider/racer and general adventurer and bad-ass.

She's offering shuttles as well as lodging. Could prove a great resource.

http://www.whitefishbikeretreat.com/

its a gamble... i did slice a Conti Race King (non-PROtection version) on the front. about a 2" gash. though TD lacks technical riding in the sense of burly singletrack, it is demanding on tires. loads of sharp rocks out there. any advantage of a lighter tire can be lost on repairs in the middle of no-freaking-where.

Nice trip! I dig how you turned your grip shift over to gain some space.... that's something i've never thought of but can come in handy!

One more section to go!

Girls dancing tights is a tip I've heard. Just get the white ones and get them soaking wet.

But how do you see through the crotch of the tights while over your head?? I joke, of course

I'm surprised that there is not much talk about Specialized tires.  Both the Renegade and Fast Track are awesome fast rolling tires that wear very well.  I use them on all my mountain bikes.  They work fine with Stans sealant also. 

I had the Renegade S-Works 2Bliss as a rear last year for TD. It did work great - but didn't last long. It was nearly bald by Pinedale. Still lasted without a flat until Steamboat, and by then it was as smooth as a baby's butt.

I've used Pearl Izumi and the REI house brand. PI seems to fit well but the fabric isn't that durable. The REI one's a bit short for my arms... but i've got long ape-like arms, so that's likely my problem. They seem equally or slightly more durable than the PI.

The SPF built in is the real deal. I use them all the time without any indication of sun exposure. The "cooler" part is that you are generally wearing "cooler" white vs. black in the heat of the sun, i think. However, in the shade, soaked with sweat, and with a nice breeze they do give an opportunity for a bit of a cooling effect.

As far as coolers vs warmers doing double duty, the coolers aren't really "warmers" either. On a cold morning they provide very little warming characteristics in my opinion.

Peripheral nerves (outside the spinal chord) do heal eventually as long as they haven't been severed. Spinal chord nerves don't heal. But I would not assume it's OK and do it again -- they can only take so much abuse. Fix the issues so it doesn't happen.

Agreed... get that fit dialed in. Each time I get it, it gets a little worse and recovers a little bit less than 100%. I've discovered that if my gloves are too form fitting, that's when the tips of my fingers go numb. That usually goes away in a week or two. If I get wrist pain that leads to larger areas of numbness, that will take many months to bounce back.

Compression socks also make my feet numb if I ride in them versus just sleep in them... YMMV

I use a wrap of inner tube and hose clamps with "regular" cages. A bit of velcro to not have the bottle fly away in the rough stuff. They never rotate like this.

I got the Mavic in the mail. it has some pretty slick features and isn't to bulky. I will use it on the Stagecoach next week - if there is any significant weather I'll test the crap out of it!!

thanks!!

I used a Marmot Precip for several years and, although it was decent, I always wanted something better. I looked at the Gore stuff but couldn't get my hands on them. I ended up looking at the Mavic line of gear. It was really more than I wanted to spend but seemed nice. For some reason, I lucked out and the guy at the shop offered me a substantial discount and I bought it. There is a HUGE difference between it and the Marmot jacket in terms of breathability. It probably packs down the same but that wasn't ever my concern. I had some buyers remorse for a few weeks after I bought it until I got caught in a downpour. Don't want any other jacket.

Could you offer the model name of that Mavic jacket? I'm still in search of a jacket to my liking.... always searching...

nice ride, Forest!

The spigot at Noble is on the trail, at the trail head, as soon as you turn off the pavement. Easy to find.

right here, Forest: http://goo.gl/maps/3VTil

These are take-offs from a new bike:

I have 3 take-offs from a new El Mariachi that I don't really need.

Pro Moto 1 stem - 120mm, black/blue, +/-5 degree: $50 plus shipping
(http://salsacycles.com/components/pro_moto_1_stem)

Pro Moto 1 Carbon Flat Bar - Carbon/Blue, 660mm uncut, 11 degree sweep, 31.8: $70 plus shipping
(http://salsacycles.com/components/pro_moto_1_carbon_flat)

Pro Moto 1 Carbon Seat Post - Carbon/Blue, 27.2 x 350 mm, 2.5mm Offset: $60 plus shipping
(http://salsacycles.com/components/pro_moto_1_seatpost)

Buy all 3: $160 plus shipping

No crashes with any of these components. They are like new and have been test ridden only once before they came off the bike. The only indication of use is the less than perfect shine on the seat post where it was inserted in the frame and the bars show the marks where the brakes and shifter were installed.

They came off because the stem was too long, the seat post too short, and the bars don't have enough sweep for my wrists. No other reason; they just don't fit me.

After descending off the top of Verde Mesa (or is it Mesa Verde?) at the highway intersection there is a biker bar on the right. Hours vary. This is before Warner Springs.

I've too used the camp store in Warner Springs. But if you are leaving Escondido at night.... and pushing hard, you many have zero services until Idyllwild. That stretch is desolate.

80 miles, 14K climbing. 6 guys riding for the fun of it!