I am hoping to fly to North America about 3-4 weeks before the race to acclimatise.  What is the weather like towards the end of May in the Calgary / Banff area?  Suitable for 2 weeks hard riding and a rest week?  (I am looking for somewhere warmish and dryish at ~4,000ft ideally). Another option is to fly to NM for a couple of weeks and then fly North for the start but logistically probably a bit more difficult - and expensive!

I fancy the Crush perhaps in 2012 along with Trans-Iowa or Dirty Kanza if the other half lets me out two summers in a row...  I have not broached that subject yet.
I don't mind some road riding but not if it is crazy roads like mmeiser encountered.

I have ridden the C&P / Gap as a tour and it is nice enough but 150 miles (300 both ways) along the canal is not so interesting.  I recall it being quite bumpy on my rigid mtb back in '07.  Recall an excellent pie shop and  easy navigation though!

Here you go:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/greatdivide.cfm

Looks a nice trip and an area I want to visit in next few years.  Stayed in Oudenaarde and did the Flanders sportive and watched the pro's the following day.  I have also pre-entered the European single-speed event in Maredsous.  Really enjpyed Belgium and a tour of Luxembourg can't take long...

Bob, yes 0 degrees celsius.

Got a silk liner and and Alpkit bivvy bag.  Beyond that a bit unsure.  I have a very light weight tent which I can split and just bring an outer, possibly with the addition of a bug net.  A tarp is an option though I do not have one currently. Still a bit of work to do here.

15 miles up the valley from me is a 9 mile climb.  Will spend a few days riding up and down it in preparation for TD11, may get train to and from start as well rather than a flat road.

My sleeping bag arrived yesterday, ended up with a Western Mountaineering Summerlite rated to 0degree's.  Packs up a lot smaller than my other bag so hopefully will not be buzzing the front wheel on the bumpy bits.

Well below freezing this weekend and 3 of us are out overnight - taking my 4 season bag though!

I don't know the terrain well but did do C2C last year from Montrose to Dornie and have ridden there 5/6 years in a row.  Corrieairick Pass, Glen Feshie and Glen Affric were all wonderful.  We did a bit of the Great Glen route which was surprisingly hilly - shortish, steep slopes and physically harder than you might think.  Easy technically though.

Do a search for the Tour of The Cairngorms which is ~3 day circular tour.  You could use a part of this route which is wonderful if it fits.

I am thinking of using an OMM bag next year (~1lb 2oz / 550g) - don't know model name but it is black and yellow - and which has waist and sternum straps.  It will pack down small and I can use it for a few bulky items or additional food, packing it away as the food is gorged.

I have not sorted out my frame bag yet but I am hoping it will take a 4l MSR unit as I do not want to carry the weight on my back. Will a 4l bag fit easily in a frame bag?  Its a Voodoo Aizan which has a steeply sloping top tube.

Forest,

Thanks for sharing.  I do enjoy the 'other' film but this is so much closer to what a racer would see and experience.  My only observation would be that a few short 'interviews' with some of the people you were riding with would have been nice.

For me just riding would be enough to keep me occupied but finding time to film and do some 200 mile days is beyond me.

Looking forward to following in your tyre tracks next summer.

I am more a music than movie man so perhaps need to widen the scope a little.

Something by Johnny Cash for example ' Once in the saddle I used to go dashing, Once in the saddle I used to go gay'

Actually I might need to think a bit harder about this one;-)

Thanks for advice on Reba - no decision yet as I would have to buy some rigid forks - but may stick with Reba's.  I do ride rigid on s/s over winter but as I am over 50 I was thinking the additional comfort on ageing muscles would be preferable to lighter weight.

Kev

Voodoo Aizan 29er made from Scandium.

Run with Reba forks, Bonty tubeless wheels and tyres and Reveleate bags and a SRAM / Shimano mix.

Frame was cheap, £90 ex dem and parts were a mix of second hand / bargains.

Looking at changing tyres and overhauling running gear before TD11.  Not sure about going to rigid for TD but in UK happy to stick with front suspension.

Apologies for the slight highjack:

Any views on the wingnut series of bags?  I have never seen one in the flesh though they are available over here in the UK.  Could be an expensive mistake.....

I do have a few back issues and would like to keep the weight down off my back as much as possible (I currently use a very light OMM rucsac with a bladder pocket for bike-packing duties).  Plan to be on the Tour Divide next year so comfort will be an issue.  Thanks.

Me too, must be a few years ago now.  Just done two days in the Peak District (England) and briefly recalled this article .

I have usually paid nothing flying between UK and US.  Only time I nearly got caught was when I was returning from Denver via Philly overnighting there.  At Denver they considered it an internal flight and wanted $80 for the US leg.  They offered me a through flight but I said I had now made reservations in Philly and I got away with it 'this time'.

May depend on you fly with in the end, better keep an eye on the conditions.

I plan to ride in 2011 - had assumed N>S but if there was a group going S>N then may be interested in that route. Noted that elevation is not that different between the two locations. Had assumed it would be easier riding Southwards but a cooler start and warmer finish may be beneficial to a slower rider like myself.

Managed over 200 miles on the road last weekend which was fine, but I am in generally poor condition this year.  Will have 7 months to train full time through a UK winter though.

Ordered a copy this morning amd looking forward to it.  (For any of you soccer fans over there I watched the start of the England - USA world cup game - not a good start for Barack's boys.  The French cheated Ireland out of a place last October so I am just an observer)

Flatfishy - Had to do some negotiations with Herself but they have been successfully concluded.  I am road riding in the Alps two weeks after WRT which was the problem but agreed to have a few days away camping the week before.

I have pre-ordered a copy (UK) so looking forward to seeing it.  Plan to tour it in 2011, not that I ned any motivation.  ANy footage of bears?

Would be good if Stuart has it for WRT - see you guys there..

Very disappointed in Specialized.  I own an Epic bike and some Epic Design's kit.  Read somewhere that they have even patented a shade of 'red' not sure if this is the case or mischief making.  Anyway, I will be reluctant to buy any Specilaized stuff again after this.  Cannot see where the conflict would arise.