I don't think it is a matter of no one wanting to share, but more a matter of the complexity of such a project.  The seatpack is, by far, the piece of the common bikepacking kit that requires the most engineering to achieve a well-performing result.  Have a look at all the of the better-known, commercially available seatpacks and you will see that they have gone through a fair number of design iterations through the years. 

I think that in order to describe the build process on a pack like this, on a forum like this, would be like trying to talk someone through landing on the moon from your bathrobe. 

The best advice that I can give is to have a look through all the images on this forum and those that are available elsewhere online, make some sketches, get some cheap materials, and give it a try.  Go ride it, then make another one.  And another one.  I think that the best way anyone can give good critical advice, is when you have something that you have made, that others can look at.

I know this may not be the advice you are looking for, but maybe it can point you in a direction of starting the project.

Good luck and please post some pics!
Scott

I built a set of pogies last winter in a double skin fashion, ie, non-breathable outer shell with a doubled fleece liner that velcroed together at the arm cuff.  I found that even on longer rides, I was getting littler moisture build-up.  I would assume this is due to the shell-liner technique, and the fact that there is just enough ventilation between the layers. 

My arm cuffs were not tight to my arms either, but I never found that my hands got cold, even when down to about -30C.  I would also wear thin XC type gloves when it got below about -20C. 

Scott

He's back on course!  Phew!

Go Craig!

Scott

Craig has indeed had issues with flaring Achilles.  He had a good taping and body-awareness routine worked out when he was here last week.  Hell, he had a good routine worked out for just about everything!  Very well prepared!

I hope the injury is not the cause for the troubles, but I do fear that it may be...

Hope you are doing ok Craig!

Viva Stappy!

Scott

Go Stappy!

Craig Stappler, aka 'Stappy', left my place just before 6am this morning, and is riding Rundle Riverside to begin his ITT.  He looks really good and is in good spirits. 

Good luck Craig!

Scott

Hey Adam,
  I've done quite a bit of riding/backpacking/bikepacking up in K-country.  Email me at theporcelainrocket@gmail.com and we can talk about all the different routes.  If you can, get a hold of the topo maps of the area; they are very helpful in getting an idea of what is and what is not reasonably rideable. 

  It's a stunning place, no doubt.

Scott

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Anybody hear from Mathy lately?  Seems as though he left Helena, then went back?

Hope all is alright with him!

Scott

Hey all. Errin V here. I finished pushing my bike through the snow at about midnight last night. Bivy'd under some tree cover, but not enough, and soaked my gear. Got a room to dry out my gear and do the climb in the morning. Starting a climb in the late afternoon wasn't a good call by me and I didn't want to do it again. Hoping for better luck tomorrow.

Good to hear from you, Errin!  Keep it up!

Scott

Anyone know what's going on with Errin Vasquez?  Seems as his SPOT has not updated in some time.

Did he get sucked in by the luxury trappings of Bigfork?

Banff Photography on the corner of Banff Ave. and Buffalo St.

Looking good today in Banff!

Scott

Snowing in Banff this morning...

Thanks Jill.

Perhaps 'overwhelming' was a bit strong, I'll go with 'significant'.  

As a mountain biker in Banff, I consider myself lucky to have the few trails that we do have.  In most National Parks in the US, mountain biking is illegal, from what I understand.  I would hate the reputation of mountain biking, and therefore the legality of riding a bike on National Park trails, to be tainted by a single annual event.  Am I projecting a bit?  Probably, but it does come to mind from time to time. 

I agree that the Grand Depart has a certain competitive motivation that lacks in an ITT.  I think this is where Toby's ideas have some good merit.
 
I want to see the TD continue as much as anyone...but I am worried about next year.

Scott

Good thoughts, Toby.

To further the debate, what about doing away with 'Grand Departs' altogether?  I cannot claim this idea as entirely my own.  A few of us have been discussing this issue locally, and this has been thrown around quite a bit.  

Look at the NOBO's.  They seem to have figured it out without an official Grand Depart from AW.

I think it could be interesting to see it basically become a bunch of ITTs, and if folks felt like proposing a couple of different group starts, it's left to them to figure out.  This forum is a perfect place for such organization.  Or perhaps start a discussion forum on the official TD webpage.  It would also be an interesting way to finally find the sweet spot of departure times, rather than going on one person's opinion of when the optimal time to race the route is.  Personally, I think there is a better time than the current agreed upon Grand Depart.  

This seems like a way to maybe get back to the roots of the TD, and not have the overwhelming impact that the race may have this summer.  Just a bunch of guys and girls getting together to ride a long ways, really fast...

Scott

Well said Jay.

I cannot help but agree with you in almost all respects. 

The Great Divide Route is an amazing experience.  I toured the entire route in 2008, and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life, no doubt.  I've even had thoughts of attempting an ITT, now that I have significantly more bikepacking experience under my belt.  In my opinion, your comment about seasonal timing of the ride is significant.  The Grand Depart date is very early, and there are, again in my opinion, much better times to ride the route.  Setting up a group tour of the route in early Fall would be amazing.

Also, as a resident of Banff, the rapid growth of the TD has a frightening impact on our tiny community.  With only one 'real' bike shop in town, 100 riders will undoubtedly overwhelm the staff at the shop.  I know the owner has his concerns.  Smaller resupply points, like Boulton store for instance, on the route will also suffer.  While I'm sure that they appreciate the business, having a month's worth in a matter of hours must be scary.  This also affects racers, if you are counting on a service to exist, and upon your arrival, you find the stock pillaged by racers in front of you.  Food for thought (no pun intended).  I won't comment on the concerns that exist within Parks Canada, as I am not well enough informed, though I certainly know they exist. 

I will forever support Divide racing, as I feel that there is something out there that cannot be found anywhere else, but I certainly hope that the popularity of the TD plateaus, and soon.

I appreciate that this topic was raised on this forum, as it seems to be the elephant in the TD room.  I also think that one should consider doing a bit of touring on the route before attempting to race it.  I know that I will, if I ever do attempt an ITT, have a lot more confidence in myself and what to expect, now that I have physically seen the route with my own eyes and tires.  There are many sections that deserve the attention that is paid to them in Divide lore, and there are others that I feel get overlooked.

I'm not certain what I've accomplished with this post, but I'm definitely excited to hear others' opinions.

Scott

I rode the entire AZT last September, and I can assure you that August would be brutal!  Granted, as far as I understand it, last summer was a particularly hot one.  We rode through 100+ temps nearly everyday in late September/early October.

I think if one could choose anytime to ride, it would be mid-October starting in the north.

Scott

Rob,
  I've found Dumonde lubes to be stellar.  I use the blue lube that smells like blue cheese (really!).  I run it on all my bikes year round here in frigid KANADA.

  Scott

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