Bobby,
Rig looks good...I'd just buy a revelate seat bag and be done with it...it's probably the most difficult bag to make and making something that doesn't sway would be tough. (w/ a SS, it's a must). 
Regarding gearing, 32x20 for the AZT300 would be good with a pretty light setup (like Chad's when he did it).  I used a 32x21 this year(DNF due to circumstances outside my control) which seemed pretty good although the guy who took 3rd place (Pete Bassinger) used a 32x22.  He's no stranger to these kind of events and I think there is some merit to preserving the legs through some of the tough climbs.
I'm planning on doing the Coco although I'm still a bit undecided on a 21t or a 20t....
Ray

cyclist designer,
Sorry if this comes off wrong, but all of your questions can be answered by simply reading more of the posts on this site.  There is a recent post on rig pics, plenty of gear lists in the personal setup list, training regimes on various posts, and a post or two about the ultimate bikepacking bike.  Just grab something cold to drink and start reading.

I'm not a super experienced ultra racer, but in training for the AZT300, I just made sure I was doing enough long rides (50-70 miles) but more importantly, doing them back to back days.  Gotta figure it's one thing to go out and do 10 hours in the saddle, its another to do that day after day.  Mixing in some higher intensity stuff was good too as others have said.  Some might disagree, but I think in putting in those long rides, I think it's better to do two days of 6 hour rides, than one big 12 hour day while training.  I mean, you gotta mix in a biggie so you know how your body reacts, but if it sacrifices your overall volume due to rest, then it's probably not helping much...

I found that the head tube badge on my Lynskey was held on with a few screws that wanted to wear a hole in my handlebar harness.  So I removed the badge and then put a 5" strip of gorilla tape (1" wide) down the head tube.  Works great...doesn't look all that good, but functional.  I did try the clear tape thing but I used clear packing tape...horrible results...wore quickly, and really hard to remove.

Tim/Scott,
Not sure how much route work you've done trying to hook in BCT, but I do have an almost all dirt route that goes from NE corner of phx (64th street and Bell) up to BCT just south of Emery Hendersen.  It goes through some recently constructed trails called the sonoran preserve. I think there is a mostly dirt route going SE from there along some canals.   Other option would be to try and take it up through Fountain Hills, through the McDowell's, and try and hook into the maricopa trail. (which then hits BCT just west of Anthem).
Anyway, there's some options...let me know if you need some gpx's.
Ray

Mine has done very well.  The crack was down on the chain stay, at the weld between the little brace between the DS and NDS chainstay.  Appeared to be a weld occlusion (like a blister).  Can't even tell it was fixed now.  Mine is 2010 and also has a 31.6 seatpost. 
Too bad they (Lynskey) doesn't do some basic failure analysis...if they pulled apart that crack, they could see where it initiated and infer the failure mode.  Like I said, it wouldn't surprise me that it initiated at a surface defect due to finishing. (someone got too heavy handed with the sandpaper).
Best of luck with the repair!

Thanks...that's pretty interesting...looks almost like the crack initiated at one of the grooves created by the polished surface where the principle stress direction was perpendicular to the surface scratches.  Too bad they don't shotpeen or change the direction of the surface finishing.
How old was the frame?  Lynskey going to warranty it, right?
btw, interesting to me since I own a Ridgeline that has cracked once (not at same spot, but now fixed) and I used to design titanium airfoils for turbine engines... always specified direction of hand-finish lines and subsequent shot peening to improve fatigue life.

gdillon, can you post a picture of the crack you found in your Lynskey?

Been running BB7's with SD7 Levers on my Lynskey SS for several years.  Super simple, plenty of power, and easy to fix trailside. 

my rig for AZ

She is...I saw her at the store in Sonoita after she'd done a faceplant...washed it off and got back in it.  Heck of a competitor!

Looks like my riding buddy Steve Wilkinson for the first 2 days of the race fell behind Pete on the climb.   Either Steve had a mechanical, fatigue issues or Pete is just hammering that 32x22 gear...

oh man...looks like Jonathan had enough! Maybe his spot fell off and someone in a car picked it up on their way into town...let's hope!

I ride 26psi F&R but then with BP gear, I up both to 30-32psi.  I also increase the pressure in my reba front shock.  Works well.  btw, I ride a rampage on front, and a michelin racer on back, both on stans arches. (29").

Maybe a dumb question, but regarding the list of water sources, are the ones with "spigot" in the description safe to drink w/o purification?
specifically Kentucky Camp, LaSevilla, Pallisaides TH, ORacle State park?

Awesome trip this weekend...check out the blog for the writeup!
http://onegear-ray.blogspot.com/

Windowace...I'm in Flagstaff this weekend at 7000 ft and the snow from earlier this week is almost all gone.  Gotta imagine Tuscon is similar but depending on the shade, I'd think you'd encounter a little.  Probably the worst thing though will be the mud up high.  I've never ridden those trails off the back of Lemmon, so I don't know how well they drain.  Hopefully Tim or someone else will chime in.
Best of luck...looking forward to hearing about your trip!

For those who have a Spot 2, how are you attaching them and where?  I've reserved one from Scott and would like to be prepared to secure it properly!

Maad,
I just bought a pair of the elites (arrived yesterday) and wore them around the house for a while.  They do seem to articulate under the ball of your foot and felt as comfortable as a running shoe to walk in.  I bought a size 44, and was surprised that on a scale, they are exactly (within a few grams) the same as my Shimano M086's.  BTW, got them at Bike Bling and with a coupon code, they were $110 delivered.
Ray

I've been rolling a Rampage on front for the last 2 years on all of AZ's terrain.  Great tire...  I know people that run them on the back but seems like a slow roller there.  I've had good luck with the Michelin Wild Racer tires....inexpensive ($30), 700 grams, seal up tubeless well.  I've worn 4 of them out and only put a minor cut in 1 (that stans actually sealed!).  I'll be showin' up with that combo...