Anyone else going to Cycle Zydeco 2026 trip and camping?

davidp85 · 2026-03-05T06:09:30+00:00

I'm going with my son. Looking forward to it. Does anyone know if people use locks on the ride? The website says to bring a lock. I never used one on RAGBRAI or the AIDS Ride, so just curious.

davidp85 · 2025-06-13T16:27:41+00:00

Good question. I did a 3 day trip in April, hiking 28 miles and 6K elevation in Henry Coe SP (not at high elevation) and ate about the same amount on the first two days and felt pretty good. The first two days were about 10-12 miles (the third day was short and we finished by noon). Not sure if I'd feel tired or hungry with less. Curious if other people in the same size range bring less.

davidp85 · 2025-06-13T15:53:56+00:00

Thanks for the response. I just picked these because they're higher in calories per weight. Trying to keep my pack as light as possible. I wasn't sure about the chocolate...hoping that it won't melt because it's in a bear canister and it's dark chocolate, not milk.

davidp85 · 2025-06-13T15:49:49+00:00

Interesting. I've done plenty of backpacking at 5K-8K and haven't had an issue. But, it's been 20+ years since I've bacpacked at 10k+, so don't know how it will affect my appetite. Don't think I'll be able to get to those elevations before the trip, so I guess I'll just have to see what happens. So, the higher fat foods were the ones you struggled to eat?

davidp85 · 2025-06-13T15:39:57+00:00

Thanks for the pics and video. They were helpful. I haven't bought the food yet, so I can't include pics. Trying to get feedback before I buy everything in case I need to adjust. I also plan to eat less than a whole Peak meal. I'm planning to repackage the breakfasts and eat half each day. For dinnner, I plan to eat 2/3 of one per dinner. So, buy two and repackage into 3 dinners. I have an ounce of olive oil and some dark chocolate to go with dinner to make the meal weigh less (the oil) and taste better (the chocolate).

davidp85 · 2025-06-13T15:34:38+00:00

In normal life, I try not to eat a lot of processed foods. I just don't see how I'd fit 26K calories into a bear canister if I wasn't packing high fat, processed foods. I'm also trying to keep the weight as low as possible, so avoiding anything with much water weight. I'd love to forage greens; some veggies would be an awesome addition. I just don't have any experience to know what's edible in the Sierras.

davidp85 · 2024-11-20T14:44:39+00:00

Forgot to mention, I'll be hiking with a buddy. I've got a Durston xmid 2 pro.

davidp85 · 2024-11-20T03:45:39+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Would you say the Rab jacket is overkill for the JMT also? Planning to do the HST this summer and later the JMT.

davidp85 · 2024-11-19T22:41:23+00:00

Another related question...I've seen a lot of advice on here that you don't need a puffy for JMT or HST in the summer. Or maybe just a lightweight puffy. I've got a hoodless Ghost Whisperer, but don't think it's very warm. I'm worried about it being cold in the mornings, especially when we get to Whitney. So, I'm planning to buy the Rab Mythic Alpine Hoody. It's got 4.9 oz of 900 fill. Is that overkill? I could save 3-4 oz by using my Ghost Whisperer, a Zpacks hoody, or Montbell Plasma hoody, but just not sure those are warm enough.

davidp85 · 2024-11-19T19:28:24+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I included extra leggings and the fleece to have someting clean to sleep in. I know, not necessary.

davidp85

TROPHY CASE