Looks like Garrett is in---good job!!

Someone, possibly posting here, has been training with a fully loaded bike at Marshall Mesa in Boulder (who also evidently likes the Southern Sun, too).  Are you on here?  That is my neighborhood, too--love to share a beer at the Sun when your race is over.  I am definitely out--the clavicle surgery just didn't leave me enough time to recover this year (among other things) and I wish you ALL a ton of good fortune and good weather!  (best of luck on the Weather thing :-))

Nice craftsmanship--

I have downloaded the waypoints for the trail on my Vista HCX, but I don't really have a good "base map"--I was wondering if there is a good colorado map that I could also download that would show more details, even trails--I am new to GPS, but a fast learner, so if anyone could give me some guidance, I would appreciate it.

thanks!

I have ridden in some pretty cold wet weather and showers on the trail are almost a given.  I am bringing my pants for sure.  I have some older marmot Precip pants, about 7oz, so not very much weight.  Wet legs+motion=extremely cold.

Mark--I see in your pic that you used your drop-seatpost.  Man, that is my biggest debate--I LOVE mine, but I didn't know if I could justify the weight.  To do over, would you use it again or ditch it for the weight?

Looks like things are shaping up to be an epic mosquito year, folks!  Lots of moisture going to be around, even in August, I predict...

I know the snow pack is HUGE this year in places.  But I no very little on how it affects rides like this that late in the year.  Are there any concerns?  More just curiosity since my neighbors are heading up to go skiing at a-basin in the morning...

I just picked up a Garmin Vista HC X at REI--$150, ($100 off on sale).  Fairly light, takes an micro SD card, and takes 2xAA batteries so you don't need to recharge.  I searched quite a bit, seemed like the best bang/buck/weight.  Played with it for a few days, seems like it will do the trick.   I'm going with the Steripen if I don't just take the pills.  Pills are much lighter and bomb proof.  Steripen will taste better.  Definitely not taking a pump filter or gravity filter.

It is an unsupported race, no prizes, just bragging rights.  You will also need a SPOT if you plan to participate (as well as signing up so people know to include your SPOT).  But yeah, it is basically a show up and ride theme.  There is a defined route/detours that, if you claim you "raced", you have to stick to.  That said, it is also an amazing ride, which is how I will be treating it...

First and foremost, for those of you with standard fitting shoes, your feet are going to really, really swell.  Just FYI. Gregclimbs mentioned that his current shoes don't have room for bags in them.  Trust me when I tell you that a full size bigger than normal in shoes may not be enough for some people.  Swelling doesn't effect everyone the same, but most people underestimate how much your feet will swell.

Secondly, I just broke my Clavicle.  Had a plate and 9 screws installed on Tuesday--pretty bummed.  Not going to do the race for sure--planning on doing a 10 day ride starting August 8th instead.  I can't even really train for at least 4 weeks according to the doc, but I will get on a stationary bike before then.  Just kind of bummed about it.  Mountainbiking accident.  Still can't wait to do the ride (all things going well).  Only hurdle I have is if I can get the time off work since I have taken a week for the recovery up to this point...

I run tubeless all the time and will run this trail tubeless (with a spare tube as back up).  SLX cranks are vary tough and reasonably light--I recommend them.

Splats.  Yeah, but No.

I'll check out the Merrell--worst case, swap the sole.  Thanks!

I think some sort of ultralight waterproof over-shoe-cover is in store.  I'll either find one or make a pair.  Does anyone know of any?  Not even sure what they are called.

I was going to order my wife a down jacket but the size sold out before I was able to.  Get it while the gettin's good :-)

Hope this is alright to post here--I just ordered myself a Golite Ultralite quilt at 40% off using code BSF10.  This code will give you 40% off anything including multiple items to the best of my knowledge and is good until 3/31/11.  Just a smoking deal and wanted to pass it along.

Chris

I hear you, Dan, but riding THAT much with wet feet is a receipe for disaster.  Just no two ways about it.  Wet feet=soft skin that breaks too damn easy, at least that is how MY shoes will do it.  Normal perspiration is on the bottom of the foot and we have very tough, thick soles.  Sides of toes, too.  But when your shoe is soaking wet up top by the ankle (the entire rim is thick with water absorbing material, those idiots), your ankle is going to get "crinkly skin" (reference to looking really old after sitting in a hot tub, all crinkly) and it's just not tough. 

I get you, though, and I am going to find a solution.  I don't mind the weight so much (I would love it to be lighter), but that drying thing...

MonkeySP, yes, I have looked at some of those and I own several others--I am (was?) more of a climber than a biker (although last year was probably the first cross-over where I biked more than climbed 'cause I am lovin it so much) so I have experimented a bit.  The biggest factor on the bike specific shows like the impact and freeride editions are that they have a very flat sole akin to skate shoes--no arch or taper in the middle, and have a more rigid platform.  What this does is 2 thing--it allows maximum contact with the pedals (and their pins) which is very noticable in how well they "adhere" to the pedals (they are much wider throughout their sole) and it also (and more importantly for long hauls, especially wearing a pack) distributes the load over a greater surface area on your foot.  I have the 5.10 guides as well as La Sportiva approach shoes--love them both for short rides, work pretty good, but the longer I am in the saddle, the more I notice the pressure around the arch in the foot which doesn't occur with the Freeride versions.  Those Chase shoes looked promising but nearly 15 oz!  Even heavier dry than mine, but I thought the sole looked pretty good.  I will experiment and look around--if I find something good, I will definitely post back--and please keep the suggestions coming, I would love to dial in this component/system as it will help  a lot for any flat pedal fan...

goldenboy--that is a great idea--thanks for the advice on that!

Sherpaxc--the soles are sticky climbing rubber so they are awesome for hike-a-bike except when it is muddy and then the SUCK but most things suck when it is muddy although cleated shoes suck less.  Flats with 5.10 rubber 90% of the time rock--in Moab, it is the best combination I could dream of.

rperks--I have looked at Keen but they are mostly SPD compatible and don't have the sole that really works for flats.  They do have a model or two that I have seen, but I have not tried them on.  It is a good suggestion and I will take a look at their offering.

Not really--The whole deal running flats, and the second you try this you will fully understand, is to run a shoe with a flat sole and sticky rubber like the 5.10 rubber such as their Freeride models.  The cleats/pegs on flat pedals sink into the sticky rubber and the "attachment" you get with the pedal is unbelievable compared to other shoes.  I have tried my approach shoes and they work great but they are a little soft in the sole for long rides, so something with a moderately stiff sole would be ideal.