Off I go to test out the bikepack time trial waters. A full summary was in the xxcmag.com Feb 2011 issue, but here is a quick overview of what I think is a super new type of riding for me to move on to.
I have a few wilderness fears to conquer first(!), but for now the TransGA seems like a fairly safe first timer unsupported, unmarked course. At this point, my nav skills suffer so luckily I hook up with a similar paced rider who has the maps down...we make it through w/ cue sheets, maps, odometers....not the easiest but we forgo the gps option on this round.
A full description of the 2010 route, rules, participants, results, etc can be found at:
http://www.firstworks.com/tnga/index.html
In general, I learned a lot of things doing this for the first time. The most important is that I LOVE the format. I love that support is completely not in the picture and that your independance is a big part of actually getting through each portion of the route....ahm.....that is if you can manage to nav yourself to stay ON the route:-)
In any case, this was organized awesomely, and gave me some basic skills to put a few more bikepack TT on my future goals hopefully next year!!
