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Clipless mtb shoes or platforms?
  It really depends on the race, but if there is going to be any amount of "hike a bike",  I recommend going platforms with mini-clips, or clip and strap.  In last years sea 2 summit, during a long section of "hike a bike" I developed blisters and wore half of each of my metal cleats off while walking on rocks.  However, if there isn't going to be much "hike a bike" and you can manage to stay on the bike, clipless will give you more power and more efficiant use of energy for distance.  Not to mention, it will help keep your feet from going numb by giving you better support on the souls.  

Lighting
After trying a few different types of lighting, our whole team came to an agreement: L.E.D. is the way to go.  One l.e.d. light that we tried wasn't all that spectacular, but it was the only one that didn't have a lense over the bulbs.  All together, the L.E.D.s last the longest, are the lightest and smallest, and do an excellent job lighting up the trail right in front of you.  All though you aren't able to look as far ahead as you would with an eight hour standard bulb like the Princten tech solo, or the equivalent Petzl, you have much better coverage on the trail directly in front of you.  In technical situations, this will help you distinguish between wet dirt and deep mud puddles, or give you the ability to see details of the trail easier.  With my princeton solo, I was able to look ahead on the trail, but looking down in technical areas, I was having to move my head around a lot to see details.  I also had to change batteries twice, while my team mates never lost any visability do to power loss and never changed batteries.  It became clear very quick that the L.E.D.s  were the most efficient way to go.  They cost on average the same as the long burn head lamps, but are lighter, require less batteries (in the long run), and give better lighting in technical situations.   Two that we recommend, are the Petzl Tica, and the Energizer brand L.E.D. head lamp.  The energizer doesn't have the warranty of the Petzl, but it's cheap (about $15), and bright!

Water Purification Iodine vs purifiers
The big debate: iodine or purifiers?  A serious question....  Personally, I like my Pur Hiker.  It is only about 8oz, and filters one litre per minute.  Two of my other team mates were impressed by its capacity and ease of use, and agreed that the extra weight and extra space would be worth the sacrafice, but one team member reminds us that even though iodine doesn't taste good, or filter anything out of the water, and that you can only use so much each day before hitting a toxisity level, it takes less space, it's smaller, and it kills viruses that the filter doesn't.  What's your pic? E-mail us, and tell us what you think.
 
 
 

Truely cool:
The "Backside" puts out a bivey sack made of ripstop, waterproof, breatheable nylon, that weighs only 2lbs including pole and stakes.  It has one pole to give you room to read, or just to breathe if you have a problem with small spaces.  The pole is shock corded to self-erect, and the stakes are a light weight, heavy gauge aluminum.  This thing packs up about as tight as I could roll my fleece head sock, taking up almost no room in your pack.  The coolest thing of all though, is that it is available at Skookum Bay Outfitters for less than $100!!!  Most biveys run in the $300-$400 range and aren't even as nice.  I trail tested this one personally and now own one myself.  I recomend it to everyone.         -Marshall-
  • Specs from Backside:
  • Great for bicycling or light weight trekking. 1 pole stake-out design provides plenty of headroom and a huge window for viewing wildlife..
  • D-Style Doors zip open on the side for free and easy entry. Side door ties keep it out of your way.
  • Large zip down mesh window provides ventilation and good views of surroundings.
  • Heavy duty YKK zippers and clips.
  • 2 side pockets to store your gear.
  • 1 inside loop for hanging gear.
  • 210D Oxford nylon bucket style floor with 4000 PU waterproof coating. No need for a foot print with this tent.
  • Ultra light 9.5 mm air-craft quality aluminum poles for durability and simple set up.
  • Blue color is easy to spot in low light.
  • Double stitch and bar-tack design webbing for longer life and extra durability.
  • High tenacity breathable ripstop nylon walls and ceiling.
  • Comes with guy lines and stakes.
  • Comes with free 2 strap nylon ripstop carry case.