AZT Prep_part one- Goals and Plans

From Velocitramp

I'm going to be making my own Frame bag for use on the month long AZ Trail.

My goal for total bike weight including water and two days food is 40 lbs. Most of the cold weather equipment needed during the Northern Section will be dropped of in Flagstaff. I will switch sleeping bags also for a more ultra light one when I'm in town.

(I am using the Mogollon Rim to differentiating the Northern and Southern sections of the route.)

I am guessing it will take 3-days to get to Flagstaff. I'll do a short ride down to my storage unit in Mountainare to change out equipment, then reroute back to the AZT. I've already done most of the AZT in the area, so I won't miss out, might even end up having to ride more mileage. On Day 5, drop past the Mogollon Rim and continue the journey from there.

Soon I will ask my old friend and coach Dan Large to build me a wheel for this adventure. Some sort of double-walled rim-brake hoop, laced to an ENO FXD/SS eccentric hub, using DT Competitions . Dan has built and serviced the majority of my race wheels in the past and I consider the energy and soul he puts into it very beneficial.

Here's the gearing I plan on using:

Chainring: 32t Surly Stainless Steel

Fixxed cog: Surly 17/20t and a separate 22t cog for steep rock crawling.

Single Speed: 17tooth freewheel (I don't have anything special yet.)

Here is a list of all the projects I have for this trip:

1. Fab a frame bag that will easily distribute as well as stabilize gear and water by using compartments.
2. Rear wheel built for Yeti
3. Install padding underneath the nose of the saddle for shouldering.
4. Install over sized disc rotor to front brake (lots of weight, lots of descents)
5. Some sort of carrying device for the long haul into and out of the GC that carries disassembled bike by the bottom bracket. That section will be almost 30miles of hike-a-bike. I will likely ditch it in Flagstaff...unless my foot dictates otherwise.
6. Of course, reach my actual bike weight goals.
7. Fab a bar map holder; Double sided, two separate holders. I will locate some vinyl and make it from scratch.

From Velocitramp

I believe this photo is from the Trans Rockies...?or was it the GDR?

Well, something like this guy.