Hey, I just signed up, 7 days, about 500 miles, 11 passes and about 35k vertical. If anyone else is participating, let me know and we'll do a cup of coffee! I hired Shuttleguy.com so my tent and gear will be set up each night when I arrive and taken down and transported to the next destination each night. The only way to camp!
Even if you're not participating, Google it, good reading, videos and info! Really decent prices as well. Raydog

[QUOTE=raydog;12615088 I hired Shuttleguy.com so my tent and gear will be set up each night when I arrive and taken down and transported to the next destination each night. The only way to camp![/QUOTE]

I have a dollar to a dount that says that there are a lot of people in this community, including myself, who do not feel the same way.

Whether I am on my own tour or participating in an organized event (I have done three Cycle Oregons among others, I like chosing my own camping gear and my own campsite. Even if I take my large 4P tent, it's 10 min. max to set up and break dowm. Less if I am with someone. A few more minutes to sutf the sleeping bag and roll up the mattress. And I have no problem carrying my own bag or tipping "sherpas" to do so so they can buy new sports equipment or take a class trip to NYC.

On Cycle Oregon, of which I have done three, they have something similar called tent and porter service. All the tents are set up extremeley close together in a large open space. The eleimnates the possibility of fiding a more secluded site under a nice tree and away from such thigns as rows of porta-potties, the doors of which some inconsiderate people will let slam shut in the middle of the night. I would definitely bring earplugs in the event you are sleeping next to the same people very night like on CO. You might get stuck next to loud snorers, frequent coughers, extra-early risers and/or people who get up to use the bathroom several times a night.

Well, I find that when I get to know my neighbors, those relationships soften potential irritants (the kind that are so much more intense from strangers). As to being alone under a tree, for sure that setting wins but when I crawl into my tent I will either have my music (via earbuds) or be fast asleep. This isn't a camping experience for me, it's hammering over mountain passes in the daytime and being really tired in the evenings. I'm simply not interested in fumbling with equipment after a high altitude day of intense bicycling, it's not like I haven't lived in the wilderness and it's not like I won't do it again. For this trip, this time, I think my choices are valid and I'll have a great time in part because, besides my gear, I'm bringing a really optimistic and positive attitude to the game! There's no proper way to do things, just each of our preferences.
BTW, my comment, "the only way to camp" was said with humor and the lightest of intentions.

Yo 'dog, I'm probably there. I'll check back here once plans finalize. I'll be in the regular camping, not because I don't want someone else to deal with the tent, but because I don't want to pay for it. Camping on BTC sucks, no matter which way you do it, but the route this year is a good one.

If you haven't been on the BTC, you'll have a great time.
I've done it 4 times. This 2011 tour will be 5.
See ya there.

Very cool you guys, as soon as I get my tent number in the tent ghetto, I'll post it, then you can come knockin on my canvas door! Shuttleguy will have a covered sitting area with coffee, etc. each day. I promise I won't try to be your "new best friend" but it'd be fun to connect! Hey valygrl, do you mean San Fernando Valley? I grew up there, also have good friends in Boulder. Great place to live, nothing like a chocolate chip cookie on a bench watching the peeps on the ped mall!

Heh, the "valley" in "valygrl" is Yosemite Valley, I used to climb there a lot before I moved to the republic. I grew up in east San Diego, though, so it might as well be the San Fernando Valley.

I'll try to look you up on btc, i usually end up with 1200 "new best friends"

Great, I'm Doyle Smith