I've decided it would be a good idea to have at least one bikepacking race under my belt before the 2015 Tour Divide Race. Fortunately, the Trans North California race popped up on my radar and seems to be the perfect time to get some real-world experience.

This will be the first ever Trans North California so it is even more fitting to be my first bikepacking race. The race is 400 miles with 40,000 feet of climbing. That seems like a lot of climbing for a race that starts in Reno and ends at sea level.

I've spent the past week scouting out the route as best I can over the Internet. I've identified every restaurant and convenience store I could find. I've also identified bail out towns along the route if I need to return to civilization ahead of schedule. This is all set to upload to my GPS with waypoints and proximity alarms.

I'm feeling pretty prepared. I've ridden the distance in race simulations so that shouldn't be a problem. I have an idea of how far I want to travel each day and I think I know where I'll be getting food along the way. It will be interesting to see just how far I make it before I have to abandon my plans and start winging it.

The race starts October 11th. You can track me and all the other competitors at trackleaders.com.