I own 3. Best damn saddle for my rear end ever. They stretch too fast, but so comfy I'm willing to pay to replace.

The last one I got is the Titantico X model. Supposed to be for Clydes.... but I only weigh 175(ish). So far it is not stretching as fast.

Brooks Swift... not to my liking. Took it off and replaced with Selle An Atomica.

It looks chopped, I guess, because it was ridden in wet conditions and the leather stretched. A lot.

Feedback please...

I've allways used a bar bag with my flat-bar bikes for my trips. Now that I'm moving to a drop-bar set up I'm going to use a harness/sling instead. With that said, I've been looking at different types of bags to use.

I can't decide on what type/brand... those that have used such bags in their slings, have you ever had your bag "wander" out sideways on rough terrain? Compression bags have the straps to weave the sling straps through, which makes me wonder about using those.... especially the eVent style on the market. Are those durable enough (abrasion resistance I'm thinking).

Anyone use a regular drybag with an integral daisy chain? Most of those on the market seem bullet proof - are they overkill on the material?

Thoughts, as always, are appreciated.

What I've been on the last couple of years. I will be making some bags for a Fargo I've added to the fold. The Fargo will probably become the long-haul workhorse of the fleet.

I have this issue too. I have a top stitch machine - no walking foot.  So the feed of fabric through on ultra slippery material is problematic.

To counter the problem, I lowered the presser foot pressure and gave a large seam allowance. in this large seam allowance I'm able to pin the fabric without putting holes in the waterproof "finished" side of the seam.

I suspect that a walking foot machine helps a bit.... but since I haven't sewn silnylon withone, I can't say absolutely.

Maybe those with a walking foot will chime in....

Made several over the years. It's about as simple as it looks too. To add some "structure" i used two layers of this foam sandwiched between the cloth: http://www.michaels.com/Creatology%E2%84%A2-Foam-Sheets/gc1328,default,pd.html

We strategically shuttled cars so I didn't have to climb back to the top of the hill in Idyllwild - i was able to stop in Anza. We did start in Alpine. We rode from 8:30 AM on Saturday to 11 PM that night. Sunday we were rolling by 7 AM and were in Anza around 8:15PM.

There is a gas station where the route goes under the 15 at Escondido. Actually it's about 200 feet off route.

Warner Springs does have water. There is a ranger station, fire house, school, and rumor has it the gas station, that's now permanently closed for business, still has water from its spigot.

For those not able to pre-ride, there is food and water available that's not on the cue sheet. Like, when coming off Mesa Grande to highway 76 there is a biker bar right there on the right at the intersection. Little gems pop up out there. Rolling in to a biker bar clad in spandex.... classic!

Finished up the scouting of the route this weekend. Found the second half to contain more road, less tech, and finish with some long climbing. Water is readily available out there and the stretch from Borrego to Stagecoach RV being the most important to carry enough. I used the 4l MSR and never ran out of water.

San Diego is a time suck - Be aware!! There is supprisingly little food between Torrey Pines and Escondido directly on route. It's there, just off route a bit. Then again from Escondido to Idyllwild, there is even less. The hour of the day you pass through these sections will dictate availability. I realize now, I didn't really take "notes" on what closed when... dang!!

The climb back up from the coast is tough!!

yelling first to "go home."

then spray with bottle, if i have one. I don't usually when bikepacking and carrying a bladder. i've spit a mouthful with success, but they are pretty close by then.

charging with the bike works too. this weekend i was faced with a dog that wanted to go! yelling caused him to slow down. but as I turned my head to look forward (breaking eye contact) he started up again. after 2 or 3 times of this, I whipped the bike around and chased him. he went home.

I had really good luck with the plastic Velocity holder. I had one on the bottom and one on top of the down tube for Julian Death March on the Fargo and the bottles didn't budge. I used a 24 oz and a 28 oz bottle and have run each bottle in each position.

http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=723

looking at the weather forcast for JDM... i'll have a jacket on, keith so you won't see the jersey.... looking pretty chilly for the start!!

no problem. I'll be riding the XL green Fargo and wearing the pink breast cancer jersey.

Another question....what about legs/thighs hitting the bag with every pedal stroke?  Is that an issue for anyone?

No, the bag is too far to the rear to hit your legs.

I can give you my story....

I rode down Fleecer last year during TD. It's steep enough to get behind the seat. The buckles failed on my bag when I put too much weight back there causing me to carreen off the 4-wheeler track and crash in the meadow.

That took me out of the race with physical damage to me and the bike.

What I would change if I were to do over again? Walk down Fleecer and keep using seat bags. The % of time I need my rear behind the seat compared to time riding while fully-loaded with bags doesn't sway me from their use and functionality. I'll walk that less than 1% I need to and remount and keep on bookin'!

Hey all!

It's come to my attention that- for at least a few- people might be expecting the route to be a leisurely dirt road cruise. It's not!
There's soft sand, hard rocks, areas that require route finding, and lots of singletrack... especially for the first half of the route. The route is rugged, remote, very difficult stuff. We don't have the luxury of having hundreds of riders wearing grooves in the route ahead of us.

There's little to no beta.
Still not sure what to expect? Crack open a map and have a look for yourself.

agreed. she's a tough route in very inhospitable conditions. especially if the weather keeps gettin' hotter.

Keith, right now i'm 99% sure I won't be riding any of the SC course this weekend. family events this week have required an alteration in my travels.
Sorry - I hope you can still get out there. I'll be in the area next week, but participating in the Julian Death March instead.

Rob

HT 29er

No water/food from Borrego Springs to Stagecoach RV, that is correct.

I think all the on route, or close to on route, locations are in the cues. Is Lake Hemet Market listed at mile ~10? There is a store there.  I'm not looking at them this moment...

Also, food is directly on route in Borrego, no need to go off route -- however, just 0.1 miles off is a great burrito place. I ate there.

The next water after Stagecoach RV is the spigot at Noble. That's about 40 miles if I recall. Between Noble and Alpine are a couple of resupply options.

There is also a surprising amount of surface water - for being a desert and all. Consume at your own risk, of course.

From Idyllwild to Alpine is what we rode - so the first 1/3(ish) of the course.

It has been reported to me that 60-mile section is the longest without resupply. I will ride more of the route this coming weekend for more beta. I'd say it took about 6 hours riding time to cross that. Some of it pavement with a high avg speed, some of it hike-a-bike, some of it slogging through a dry wash.

The first 80 miles from the start went fast... then it got sandy. It took over 4 hours to cover the next 20 miles of desert sand.

Bivy was at 12:30AM Sat. Up by 7AM Sun. The resupply down route didn't open till 9AM - so we weren't in too big of a hurry to get up.

I'm not an expert on the weather in SoCal. I just moved here a few months ago. But my understanding is this time of year runs a wide range. Winter snow storms are known to occur as well as summer like weather. I'd plan for (and subsequently watch the weather the week leading up to) freezing and raining to 100F as the possible temp range.

I spent 165 miles on it this weekend. It took from Saturday at 9 AM to Sunday at 9 PM to cover that ground.

It's tougher than the 31K of climbing lends one to believe it may be. We were also hit with 20-30mph headwinds Saturday afternoon to Sunday noon. This absolutely had an impact on forward progress. But remove the wind and it's still a demanding route. Miles and miles and miles of sand in some sections. Long loose climbs. 60 miles or more of desert to cross without resupply.

I would carry gear to survive a night in the desert even if I was thinking of making a sleepless push. This weekend saws temps approaching 90* in the low desert in the day and in the low 40's at night.

Of course your milage may very. Along with your willingness to suffer.