I have no opinions regrading the TD.


I do think the "singlespeed is harder on your knees" things is complete armchair QB crap.  SS can be harder on your muscles, if you're not fit.  If you are in good shape and the gearing is not ridiculously far off for the conditions (and you're trained on the SS!), it is no harder on the connective tissue than spinning gears.  It may be differently hard on the muscles, but not categorically more.

Whether it is more efficient is a different question.

If going CW on White Rim you can access the Green River late in the loop.  Silty, but quite drinkable.  Water on Koko isn't a big deal (by desert standards).  The various creeks in the Moab-Dewey section are good, and the longer section from the last CO river access to Westwater is fastish.  Salt Creek is drinkable, but tastes pretty bad (been there).

I've done WRIAD numerous times in both directions (several times rigid and once on a cross bike with a 35c tire in the rear), and Koko in a day once each way (E-W was rigid SS). 

Koko is much harder and more punishing.  After that rigid ride my pinkie fingers were numb for several days (and I bought a suspension fork).  Rigid on the White Rim is not a big deal if you're properly conditioned.  The cross bike sucked because of all the sand.

Easiest way to do White Rim is CW from the bottom of Mineral.  Climbing Mineral is much easier than climbing Schafer.  Hardscrabble is easier CW, Murphys is easier CCW. 

Don't overthink it though, the biggest difference by far will be how much headwind you get.  The time I rode it with the best fitness and the most effort was the slowest because I had a headwind from Hardscrabble all the way (CCW) back to the truck at the Mineral turnoff.

All depends on what you want to do with the boat.  There are good reasons why Alpacka dominates, mainly because they hit the intersection of weight, toughness and functionality dead on.

If you'll just be doing class I, a Flytepacker could be a good option.  You'd want to add tie downs for your bike.

Feathercraft makes the Baylee packraft, which is heavier and more expensive than the Alpacka, though reportedly the self-bailing floor works well. 

That said, my Yukon Yak is an incredible tool for wilderness exploration and adventure.  Strong candidate for best single piece of gear ever.

I made a seatbag from stratch that was functional enough, but my original plan didn't work and so much improvising was needed at the end that I couldn't recall specifics in a coherent fashion. 

I'd advise building the first few protos with cheaper packcloth, dial in the dimensions and placement of straps, then make a final bag out of primo fabric.

I think cycling in Death Valley would be very fun in the winter.  Sticking to the rougher, rocky roads as much as possible would be best, as the smoother dirt roads have the most absurd washboard I've ever seen.

FWIW, I drove up the Lippincott road to the Racetrack ages ago in a standard 4x4 and didn't find it at all bad.  The NPS descriptors can safely be taken as hyperbolic.

Ogre has shorter chainstays and less BB drop.  It'll handle differently.

I'd say if you don't get on after several thousand miles a new frame is in order.

There seems to be a huge amount of variability in what amount of backpack weight folks find tolerable.  It's probably a trainable quality; if you don't ride with a 20 pound pack, it won't be very sustainable.

Unless you're hellbiking, I don't see any reason to have a pack bigger than 25-30 liters for bikepacking.  If you can't fit your kit in that sort of pack, a seatbag, frame bag, and maybe a bar harness you have way too much.  Excess capacity is nice, so you can put more weight on the bike for dirt roads and more on the back for technical singletrack.

I've carried 6 liters of water and a full load of other junk in packs like the Talon 22 and found it just fine.

sold

I'm a menace with tools.  Seriously. 

(When they say measure twice and cut once, that measuring should include the head tube length AND stack height of the headset you intend to use.  Just sayin'.)


SOLD!

Like the title says, the 350 Thomson I've got is a bit short for my new Mukluk.  Must be setback, ideally black. 

Gimme a buzz if you got one laying around.

One question before I start cutting fabric:

Any problems with moisture accumulating inside the insulation if using non-breathable fabrics for the shell?  I'm planning on using a heavier silnylon for the top/sides/front, and a breathable non-WP fabric underneath.  Climashield and fleece inside.  I'm thinking moisture accumulation is not a big deal just off the hands.

Sold.

It would appear that the Lenz is spoken for.

I've got a hardtail for the AZT.   

Yes I'm selling my bike again.  But I'm serious this time.  Simply put, I don't ride the stuff that needs a fully much anymore, and want to fund a Pugsley.

This bike: http://bedrockandparadox.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/img_7238.jpg

Bike is a 2007 model 3" travel Leviathan.  Size large.  Geo of that vintage is identical to the current model, save longer chainstays (and the longer wheelbase which results).  Paint is a matte darker blue.  Shock is a RS Monarch, which was brand new in spring of 2009 and has been ridden very little since (hence selling the bike).

For the first ~18 months of it's life this bike got ridden a lot.  (Lived in AZ at the time.)  It has plenty of dings from rocks, rub from frame bags, wear inside the chain/seat stays from mud, etc.  There's one slight dent on the top tube near the rear cable guide which you'd be hard pressed to find without looking closely.  It's been ridden like a mountain bike. 

The seatstays are custom (2 made, ever) jobs which have rack mounts.  I used a Tubus Cargo with zero brake, heel, or travel interference.  Nifty.

Purchase includes a frame, shock, the frame bag pictured above (made by me, simple ballistics cordura with downtube padding), and an extra derailleur hanger.

I realize this isn't worth all that much, being used and a bit dated.  I want to see it ridden rather than sitting in the basement.

Make me an offer.  A serious offer, please.  Feel free to message or post with questions.

Cool TR.

No bikes here, at least not this year.  I do flatter myself to think that some might find this interesting:http://bedrockandparadox.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/2011-alaska-mountain-wilderness-classic-race-report/

More breathable than Goretex, but really weak fabric.  You could easily tear the jacket in half with your hands.

Well done E.  This years course looks good.