I gets in! 30x20 and 30x22 are here for testing. Will acquire bigger if those prove to be inadequate. Now just waiting for the Fatback to arrive.

You know if it wasn't a 27 hour drive or flying with a Fatbike...I would. Otherwise it's a little too far for training

Hmmm interesting on the dune road. Too bad you can't ride at the dunes them selves

Snow is not a problem really. Lots of that around in a little bit. I actually want sand specifically.

Eye perfecto! One of these near Moab would be great too

I'm looking for a couple sandy test routes for the coming Fatback. Water not necessary, 4wd roads fine. Looking to start with an overnight and stretch to a week long trip slowly so any options from a long day to a week are good. Utah is ideal as it's closer but Arizona would be fine too.

Fred, DH, Scott, Chad...I'm looking at you guys here. Where should I point the TopoFusion screen?

Man I so wanted to get out there. This one is on my schedule for next year. The well spaced towns lend themselves to aggressive experimentation.

Oh DH, the nail in the tread/sidewall. I feel ya. I've done that twice and it is the worst.

Rescue units can charge, esp the fire department, heli's, etc. I would think the national parks can too. In general there has been resistance to charging so as not to discourage people who really need it from calling for help but I'm not sure that matters. If I truly needed help I would call no matter the cost since it was my life or a partners on the line. If no one's life is on the line then a call isn't necessary anyway.

The problem is that the people discussing this are thinkers. What thinking were the Grand Canyon people doing?

Can't fix stupid. Fine people making blatantly unnecessary calls? PLB's have been available for a while, I guess a SPOT is just cheaper.

My SPOT was on tracking mode when the avalanche took my partner and me down. He knew I had it and we were both hurt bad enough we could hardly walk (broken ankles). We discussed our options before the 7 hour very painful but doable self rescue. We got back to the car while it was still light and though ridiculous, neither of us agreed the day was all that epic. It was still the afternoon when we arrived at the car and drove home to pack bags for the oh so fun emergency room.

Sending a SPOT 911 call would have endangered a large number of rescuers, the weather was too bad for a heli and it potentially exposed us to spending the night. I'm happy with the call we made but I regard the 911 button the same as I do with 911 at home, for serious emergencies only. If you call 911 with a non emergency matter you're taking services away from people who really need them. Not sure how to convince others of that.

Wired is probably the safer bet. I went wireless and it did okay. A lot of water this year seemed to find it's way into the lower battery housing and has a few issues later in the race when it was cold or rainy. I had GPS backup so it wasn't too big a deal.

Whatever you do, run TWO mileage counting options (GPS and comp or two comps) unless you're like Matt and have the course memorized

No tubes with sealant I'm guessing LW? Doh. Hope his glue supply holds out to the end.

I agree arguing about rules is boring to most but it is important to some of us. In the past races have been small, issues few and the rules sufficient. I think the passion that some of us debate/argue with is only to try to preserve the same pretty seamless rules we've had up until this point in large fields that more recent races have drawn.

So basically, if this is unappealing conversation I understand if you all don't jump in. But don't take the debate as mean spirited, it's just some passionate people trying to keep future events with a level playing field and still keep them fun with as few rules as possible.

Sweet. Go Dave go!

Cool beans. Sounds like a fun challenge!

Maybe the Uni is lighter to push/carry?

Coney to DGO. Longest. Hundy. Ever. Hahaha

Only temporarily.  I also volunteered myself as cutting the course (I followed the GPS track, on the road, not the new trail by Twin Lakes) in 2009, once I learned that Stefan relegated himself.

Since both the GPS and guidebook tell you to take the road, either route was deemed acceptable, and he reversed his relegation.

As a total side note, I've got to go dig around at Twin Lakes again. I only remember riding trails around there but also following my GPS track which I think was different than what you guys used this year? I'm really curious what the difference is and if I did what you guys did or if I took the trail.

Toby,

Course deviation is and always has been a major, non grey area offense. I fail to see how the "method of detection" has anything to do with whether or not the offense took place. The standard is that you follow the course 100%. I fail to see how carrying a SPOT or not has any bearing on that standard?

FYI, Stefan has even relegated himself in the CTR...

Let's get specific, since you seem OK with it. Are you arguing that it's up to Stefen to decide whether you deserve a * next to your name?

I'm not DH but...it's up to the race promoter and I'm okay with that. While Matt and Stefan have had to relegate people, I haven't seen anyone relegated for anything they didn't deserve. Usually it's been a significant course infraction which is pretty clearly, not a grey area. Relegation to this point has not been taken lightly. It's been self enforced or from a clear rules violation.

Can we get an example of an arbitrary one?

If you like Monarch, the Vapor Trail 125 course would be cool. I wouldn't get too hung on mileage, just figure out what works best from a logistics perspective and your best time guess. Some parts of the CT are sloooooow so it will feel harder than your average 10 mile section.

I'd say the last 100 miles or as close as you want to get. Great scenery, high elevation, you could practice town stop in Silverton and the final drop into Durango is really fun.