"Idle hands are the devil's workshop," it says in Proverbs. So while I wait patiently to leave for tomorrow's drive down to New Mexico, I thought I'd fill some of the time with a last post on Rambleur before my northbound Tour Divide start. Here's a look at the bike and some of the gear I'm using this year. I have utter confidence in all my equipment, in terms of reliability and my ability to keep it rolling smoothly underneath my tired legs.

If you'd like to follow along and stalk my Blue Dot, here's the link to my TrackLeaders page: http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide17i.php?name=Nick_Legan

The cockpit: navigation, lighting, charging, and nutrition all within reach.

I met up with Salsa athlete Jay Petervary on his way to Emporia for Dirty Kanza. He handed off a dozen top caps that award each Tour Divide racer two slices of pie in Pie Town, NM. Honored to help!

I find reminders of why I do these types of events helpful. Mike Hall's passing was a tragedy but helps me keep things in perspective. #rideformike

I'm carrying most of my spares kit here this year. It's super handy and keeps weight low. In a pinch I can also put it in my seat bag and use it to carry a 5th water bottle.

Using the light mounting points on the Ortlieb Seat Pack to mount my Spot Tracker. With an old Genuine Innovations Big Air mounting block and a couple Velcro straps I have a nice, secure way to carry it and with a good line of sight to the sky.

I like to adjust my seat height based on how I'm feeling. If I'm loose and relaxed, it'll be higher, if I'm tight it'll go down. Why not put on a quick release and save the time of pulling out an Allen wrench? This is a bit of an experiment. Time wi… — I like to adjust my seat height based on how I'm feeling. If I'm loose and relaxed, it'll be higher, if I'm tight it'll go down. Why not put on a quick release and save the time of pulling out an Allen wrench? This is a bit of an experiment. Time will tell.

My frame was made in Boulder, but the localism doesn't end there. This is the sticker for this year's Butter Gold Ride, a social 80-miler on gravel roads north of town. Had a blast riding to the event, joining others, and then cruising home for a ni… — My frame was made in Boulder, but the localism doesn't end there. This is the sticker for this year's Butter Gold Ride, a social 80-miler on gravel roads north of town. Had a blast riding to the event, joining others, and then cruising home for a nice, long day on some of my favorite roads. Thanks Mike and Paul!

Our riding crew is lead by the Barchecks, Aaron and Liz, who had a knack for ruining legs with gnarly rides. Once you've survived a few rough days, you can earn your "Barchecked" merit badge. A reminder to smile through the pain!

Super stoked to install an Enduro XD-15, ceramic, angular contact bearing bottom bracket before heading out. They roll so smooth, in all conditions, and decrease drivetrain resistance. Thanks Chuck!

Info overload is entirely possible when prepping for 2,700 miles of self-supported racing. I put together 2 documents to help me with pacing and resupplies. The pacing notes may go straight into a trash can if weather throws me some big curve balls.… — Info overload is entirely possible when prepping for 2,700 miles of self-supported racing. I put together 2 documents to help me with pacing and resupplies. The pacing notes may go straight into a trash can if weather throws me some big curve balls. But doing the research required to make them was extremely educational. I also carry all the cables necessary to reboot and upload to my Garmin GPS devices.

Here's my sleep system. I use a Borah Gear bivy, Exped pad and pillow, and an Enlightened Equipment quilt. The small yellow ball is a bag used to inflate the sleeping pad. There's a mosquito net to help with both sleep and on-bike insect encounters.… — Here's my sleep system. I use a Borah Gear bivy, Exped pad and pillow, and an Enlightened Equipment quilt. The small yellow ball is a bag used to inflate the sleeping pad. There's a mosquito net to help with both sleep and on-bike insect encounters. Inside the bivy, you can see a small yellow pocket. I stuck that to the inside of the bivy and keep ear plugs in it.