Kiwidave-
  you mean people who have registered their own personal spots, right?  I wrote to trackleaders but didn't hear back and assumed there will just be enough spots at the start for the folks who submitted letters of interest. 

thanks

Click on the link in post 551 from Tanadog (20th May) - it will take you through a consent form and then a registration form for your rental Spot.

Tour Divide updates during the race.
This email was sent out to people who have already registered their Spots:
"If you are beginning your ride any time between now and late June, and will be carrying a US mobile phone, you may want to subscribe to the below text (SMS) alert group.
https://www.rainedout.net/team_page.php…
If there is an emergency TD route detour, or other time-sensitive news, it will be broadcast via this channel. If you will *not* be carrying a mobile phone, the service *does* offer the option to receive the alerts to your email."

First two NOBO ITT guys are on Trackleaders: www.tackleaders.com/tourdivide16 already.

The 2016 Tour Divide Grand Depart is fast approaching and some early ITTer's are off this week, so I thought it would be a good time to get this thread going for 2016.

Seems like well over 200 riders will start in 2016, and we're all hoping for a repeat of the 2015 conditions.

The sharp end this year has the last 3 years' winners: Josh Kato, Jefe Banham, and Mike Hall, with top veteran racers Seb Dunne, Joe Fox, Luke Bodewes and Doug Wenger returning for another crack too. Liam Crowley is back and looking for a fast time NOBO. Chris Plesko is back and going for the SS record. Watch out for Andrew Kulmatski out there - 3rd place in the Iditarod Invititional in 2015 and beating JayP by 4 hours. Add to that some competitive Rookies like Rob Brown, Guy Martin and David Markman and it is going to be a hot pace up front.

See you fellow racers in Banff on 10th June at the Y around 07:30 and looking forward to meeting some of the trail angels along the way - Crazy Larry / Angler / Rob / Russ / Kirsten.

Then why no announcement here from Trackleaders, or identification on the form?  Smells like weekold fish.

Rick - it is legit. Matt Lee sent the link from his personal email to a TD racer who forwarded it to me. I posted it on the Tour Divide 2016 Racers Facebook page and Tanadog re-posted it here.

See you in Banff in a couple of weeks.

[a NoBo Tour Divide 16]

how do I rent a Spot for a NoBo Tour Divide 16?

Email Scott Morris at Topofusion or Trackleaders (he runs both). He has the rental units and will have a solution for you.

Is this a phishing scam?

No, it's the real deal.

Any one have information on shuttles from Deming? I am riding NoBo and someone is nice enough to drive me to the start from SoCal, but it will put me in NM on the 7th with time to kill. Looks like Deming is the closest city enough to spend a few days.

Jeff Sharpe: sharpjeffery1 {at} gmail.com

How do you make sure they have a spot tracker for u to rent?

Scott Morris (trackleaders) confirmed that they have enough.

Where'd you get the update from?

From an email exchange from Matt Lee. It's actually the whole email text copy/paste.

I haven't had a reply on my letter of intent, nor do I know if I am on his starters list. My concern was the maps as Garmin and I don't get on with uploading maps and his was kind enough to reply with a timing heads up on that. I'm in touch with Scott and he is expecting to hear from Matt once the route is finalised and will update the route gpx on Topofusion shortly afterwards. http://topofusion.com/divide/gps.php

Just a quick update on the 2016 route from Matt Lee: "I am awaiting final details on one small deviation in Butte, otherwise, identical to 2015. I am awaiting final scouting from a Butte local. Track should be final by Wednesday."

There is a tough race in Czech Republic and Slovakia with a lot of single track: http://www.1000miles.cz/

Depending on timing of the re-routes, yes. If not, we will be told that it is not on the gpx and will be given enough info to be able to navigate it.

Wamsutter re-route and the other 2015 re-routes here from Bill Peschka. Note - 2015 re-routes, maybe there will be more or different ones for 2016.

Here's an extract from an email sent out in Spring 2015 in advance of TD2015, regarding all known alternates.  Doesn't mean this info will be 100% accurate for 2016, but it's a start.

1) Kananaskis Lakes Trail Bypass, AB (required bidirectionally) https://goo.gl/nhhrMi
2) Josephine Falls Trail Bypass, BC (required bidirectionally) https://goo.gl/L3O1Nn
3) Fish Lake Mountain Bypass, WY (required bidirectionally) https://goo.gl/NQu0bz
4) Wamsutter Bypass, WY (required bidirectionally) https://goo.gl/o4XwUf
5) Gold Dust Trail Bypass, CO (required sobo ONLY) https://goo.gl/6SeyCR
6) Chaco Alternate, NM (optional) See ACA Map
7) El Malpais Alternate, NC (optional) See ACA Map
Sapillo Alternate, NM (required bidirectionally) See ACA Map

I have the 2014 ACA maps so I'm missing the Wamsutter reroute.  Any chance someone could take a few pictures of the Atlantic City to Slater  section and email to me please?

Wamsutter is a TD special re-route and is not part of the ACA route, thus is not on any of their maps. Matt Lee usually will send out an email with details of all sections like this with some cues and some sort of map.

Power naps ... what do people find is the best options for power napping? I've heard some just nap for 15 mins and it really lifts them and longer makes them feel groggy ... any experience / suggestions?

Jeff Sharp has a new number. He is still doing pick ups. I don't want to post it - spam calls etc. - email him at:    sharpjeffery1@gmail.com. Or PM me.

northbound vs. southbound.

NoBo hits the high altitude quickly for those coming from low altitude areas vs SoBo which has a steady build up to get acclimatised.

Check out Mike Ingram's blog and maybe drop him a note:

http://mikesrideforcleanair.blogspot.cz/2015/07/td-2015-new-mexico.html?showComment=1462256706149#c6976925026971080777

..... how and where do we send details about our SPOTs for the race?

Rob - get in touch with Scott Morris at www.Topofusion.com / www.Trackleaders.com The TD race page will be up in late May.

... give the brand new Schwalbe EVO tubes a try...

Great tip there. Are they on sale anywhere? I looked on bike24 but they have no stock. Price is 0.16 EUR per gram saved over my current tubes ... a bargin compared to saving weight elsewhere.