When I went through northern Arizona a month ago a landslide had just closed Highway US89.  This the main connector from Page to points north and northeast.  If you coming down from the north or northwest use 89A and let anyone who picks you up at the finish tthat they need to work around the closed section of 89.  Here is the latest on the detour and when they might get the road fixed:

http://azdot.gov/CCPartnerships/News/NRel3455.asp

My exut strategy was to ride from the finish to Page. Is the road closure further North than that or do i need to revisit my strategy?

I haven't had it happen with a GPS and a wireless computer, but have had it happen with wireless computer and a handlebar light. Wireless computers are very susceptible to RF interference so it wouldn't surprise me that a GPS would send it a little loopy. Running a wired computer might be a guaranteed fix.

My gear list for the 750: Any suggestions or criticisms welcome! Particularly on clothing.

Eerily similar to mine

You see Australian snakes with roughly the same frequency that you see BC bears. In winter, they are all sleeping, in summer they are everywhere and you will be hard pressed to go on a ride of any length and not see one.

If you are pedalling, you usually are right on top of them before you realise they are there - don't be the third rider in the line - the first ride spooks it, the second rider just makes it mad, the third rider is in trouble.

I don't really give snakes a second thought while riding in Aus although I know people who are really spooked by them and will plan their rides accordingly. Different strokes for different folks.

 Bogans - now those you have to watch out for.....

Bogan train girl from Blacktown FULL LENGTH

Scott,
Is it better to simplify the track to 10K or split the track into 8+ tracks? I want to make sure the simplified track will have enough detail for someone that has never ridden the route. Assuming my Dakota 20 can hold 80,254 points.

If you decide to use a split version of the full 80k (that's what i'll do) you can save some of the grunt work of the GPS by only showing 2 or 3 track files at once. Leave the other 4 or 5 not set as 'show on map' and then the gps doesn't have to process them while you are riding. Turn them to show on map when you get to that part of the trail.

i might chuck the simplified 10k file on there as a backup as well.

That, I believe, is a spectacular idea. Maybe a little hike down to the river, too?

Sounds good. Beer at the finish (gee i hope there is a beer cache at the border)

An example would be something like flying into Perth riding the Munda Biddi and then continuing on the road along the south towards Melbourne, chill for a couple days and fly home from Melbourne. Although the Eyre highway might be a little too much of the same thing long, dry, straight, not ideal wind direction etc.

Area 54 is spot on there: I've ridden Perth to 100 mile straight on the Nullabor (knee packed it in) which is a little over 1000kms and if I'm honest, it's freaking boring. unrelenting head winds, exceptionally hot in December and the scenery is so same-same that there isn't a whole lot to look forward to each day. The BNT is likely to be a much better option.

If you are riding it and get as far as Newcastle (or the Hunter Valley), look me up and I'll bring beer and pizza.

Anyone care to guess why Chip is layed up in that particular location short of Oracle? Doesn't look to me like there's anything at that location? Is there a watersource or something close by that might have given him reason to go off route to bivvy?

Anyways, can you tell I'm excited?! Bikes are totally awesome.

I'm also excited and also like bikes, we should go for a ride together sometime! 9 days till I fly out, 8 days till finishing work. S*&t is getting real!

I saw this advertised the other day and my first thought was how useful it looked for tyre repairs...

http://www.selleys.com.au/adhesives/household-adhesive/quick-fix-adhesive/selleys-ultra-repair-glue

Ardent 2.4 front and prob a lust crossmark (its only 2.1 but i'll survive.)

I'll be running a dynamo bar light and a DIY 4xAA powered helmet light. I get about 10 hours out of the helmet light at 200(ish) lumens.

What's the long term plan Alan? Are you hopeful to have this as an annual event?

It was even better to see him broken - twas a bit warm out there

I've seen nothing but bad from the alfine 11. There were 3 bought between myself and 2 other locals just after they were first released and they all died.

The seals on mine constantly leaked and i suspect shifting performance is dependent upon oil levels because it would only shift correctly after having the oil replaced and then it would start skipping around regardless of how it was tuned. I warrantied it and then sold the warranty replacement off and won't ever touch an alfine 11 again.

The other 2 local ones all had similar problems with seals. One was put in a moonlander and lasted about 2 months before pawls were broken internally. It also had a huge problem with sand forcing its way into the shift mechanism and a: changing the cable pull ratio and b: popping the rear cog off as sand packed in and levered against it.

The same rider now has a rohloff - it hasn't skipped a beat despite numerous salt water immersions etc. Don't use an alfine 11.

Looks like "Aussie Ross" and "The Tortoise" have grabbed spots on my headed South Carpool still room for one more.

Yep, put me down for the 750. Just got home from the GDT in Aus. Now there is an event you guys should fly the other way for! It was a nice little ride. I even got to practice my walk a bike - Yes Scott, on pavement. Good times!

With enough of us looking to get from Tuscon to the border, Is a charter bus an option?

I'll just tie a bunch if S @#t to my bike and call it good!

That's the way to roll!

Bugs? Most campsite photos I see are a neoair and a sleeping bag in the dirt. I'm assuming with such little standing water that bugs and therefore mosquito nets aren't required?

That's cool, people feeding off each others excitement is probably what this thread needs now. It's all been a little academic so far. What it needs is more of this 

If anyone out there has some pictures from the route they've been thinking about throwing in here, now would be a great time!