https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBe78QlMC-/?igshid=1957w76xtw82s

Mud!!!

Josh I. and Lael look to have both backtracked to the lodge. Wonder what's up? Just the weather and conditions, or something more?

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Lael Wilcox WINS the Trans Am bike race !!!!!!!!  18:00:10

That is amazing! Go Lael! I can't wait to hear if she passed him when he was going the wrong direction this morning. I like to think she did and he's like, "oh no." 

Hey, so what happened with the record pace markers ("ghost of JP", etc.) that we saw the last few years?

Best of luck and fun racers!

Glen

...and am I envious...

Hey Glen! After some quick research, Josh is running 8min faster this year @ the Elkford Split. Who knows about Phantom Mike Hall though. Ditto on it being a bummer for track leaders not showing the record pace or 15, 20, 25day markers.

I like to think that Mike Hall turned off his Spot so the other leaders don't know where he is. Crafty... 

Last year a rider running 40c tires on a cross bike crashed out on day one and the other rider I ran into riding a similar set up was having a hell of a time on the downhills. Do yourself a favor and go with wider tires. Your wrists and a maybe additional body parts will thank you.

The Gold Dust would be a pretty fun toboggan run right about now I'd imagine  

That is a rad downhil Long Ranger and a great town to finish rolling into.

I know I'm just being anxious but has anyone else not been added to track leaders? I have a confirmation email that I registered on Saturday, but I have yet to see my name pop up on the page. Safe travels to Banff or NM everyone!

Sorry for the niave question but, where is the 2015 route available for download?

Has anyone found a battery that the tout terrain plug can charge? I naively bought THIS ONE and it doesn't seem to charge, even while rolling well over 10mph.

Speaking of Letters of Intent. Everyone that submitted a LOI, did they get a confirmation email that it was received? I never got one.

You didn't say what you were using for brakes, but if they are mechanicals, I'd replace cable and housing.

Thanks sufuller, I'm running BB7's and just had the cables and housings replaced a week ago(but I'm happy to do it again). Maybe the Rohloff cables/housings should be replaced too... hmm.

Thanks guys! Good tips on keeping the bugs away...

Changing gears to well, gear. I'm replacing all components listed below soon. Anything else I should consider switching out on my fully rigid Rohloff equipped El Mariachi before June?

• Bottom Bracket
• Chainring
• Chain
• Rohloff Sprocket
• Tires
• Handlebar grips
• Pedals

Mosquitos and other winged pests, How does everyone deal with them during the race? They seem to love me on the local trails since the temp has risen, I'm about to spray some OFF all over my helmet.

I'm taking three pairs of SmartWool running or biking socks; 2 medium 1 ultra thin.  I ride using two pairs in various combinations and keep the third pair (always dry) for sleeping.  I also wash everything when staying in a hotel.  Never had a problem. 

Thanks vmjim! I plan on having two pair of wool socks and one pair of waterproof so it sounds like I'm on the right track.

Sorry to get gross but how does everyone combat(or plan to) athlete's foot during the race?

I wish this thing would be available for this year's race.

NAKED FILTER

How cool would it be just to fill up bottles?!

what does everyone use for filtration? (I'm sure this has already been discussed so feel free to just point me in the right direction)

Thanks everyone for the input! I'm glad to know that it doesn't matter how you set up the hub. To answer B@se We're both running a the same twist shifter on both bike.

My friend and I both had Rohloff hubs set up on our bikes. One bike's granny gear or easiest gear is #1 one bike's granny gear is 14. Which bike is set up correctly? Does it matter? Thanks!

Feel free to just "nudge" me in the right direction but where do you go to get(free or paid) consistent maps for garmin basecamp of all the states and Canada sections included in the route? I just got an etrex 30 and am still getting to know the unit and I have a GPX track, I just need the maps now. Thanks in advance for any help or links.

Disclaimer: I plan on buying the paper Adventure Cycling maps too.