Awesome!
I find in the northeast (plenty of trees, even more rocks, sticks, and burshes) a hammock is completely the way to go, the caveat being if you wanna do any sort of serious bikepacking out west you are SOL, so getting your tarp/tent set-up down pat here might be more prudent.
What are you guys packing for gear? those weights are insane high!!!
For an overnight/long weekend in the summer with stopping to get water/food at small towns/convenience stores every other day my entire "kit" can be under 12lbs without issue, and thats going heavy on water and food with cooking/reheating supplies. Yes thats including food and water. Inclement weather and/or colder temps makes it go up but not by much.
good book on ultralight packing is a national geographic andrew skurka book from a few years back. really lays out exactly how to do it all, and you most likely already have everything.
Anyway, awesome report and keep at it! I too am toying with the TD 2017, so I'd love to get together for some shake-down runs