Khg, that's almost exactly what my husband had to say about his ride! (the sandpaper down the previously comfortable shorts) I can only take credit for 5 finishes out of 7 starts (although I have 6 patches). Last year I DNFed because of a tear where the sun don't shine,and I swore I would never do it on a "regular" bike again. My first STP I sagged from Centralia to Winlock, so that doesn't really count as a finish either. That's a good idea about a STP duffel bag, though...