Also, Rob (nice guy) has a motel attached to the shop (Day's Inn?? I think), or vice-verse, so if TD racers need sleep and bike fixin', there you go!

For an hour of entertainment, ask Rob about Lance Armstrong...heh-heh.

PS For swelling legs, compression socks are available across the street at the drug store. Get the 'Dress' version, not those for Diabetic Control. Don't ask how I know...

Looks like Bill Peshka made Butts Cabin - way to go Billy !

Not yet.

Also need cues for Josephine Falls and the Wamsutter reroute.

{{ Modified, added mile 4.8 to be clear where single track ends }}

Mile   Dist   Turn   Comment                  
                        
0                Leave Elkford, cross Fording River uphill                  
2.4   2.4   R   0.25 after uphill curve, at pullout, 'JF' sign?, on dirt rd                  
2.7   0.3   L   At Y                  
3.4   0.7   LB  At Y                  
4.3   0.9   R   Single track 0.15 after wide area in rd, 0.25 before end of road   
4.8    0.5   R      Track crosses primitive road, turn R towards main road            
4.9   0.1   L   At T                  
12.5   7.6   S   At jnct: old route comes in from left (mile 15.7 on old route)                  

Where R = turn Right, L turn Left, LB Bear Left, S = Straight. Sorry for formatting.

This is my Google Earth take on the JF reroute, so buyer beware 'cause I ain't been there to smoke test it yet!

Anyone know the time we actually leave Banff on the 12th (versus the planned time)? Gotta figure if I need to do ITT early to get to Elkford in time for brunch  . Save ya some lithium batteries - honest!

I see Bill Peshka did a 5 am-ish depart, looks like he makes Elkford tonight. Of course he's older than me (by a few months...eeek!)

We be jammin' 

Eureka weather - Eureka is the low point (harr harr  ) in the elevation plot for the route, thus higher temps. You won't spend much time in the town. Fortunately there's a cooling trend from June 12-17th, temps in mid 80's, cloud cover, some precip. By the time you climb out of Eureka onto Whitefish divide, temps will be low 80-mid 70's.

The whole region is expecting a moderating/drying trend from last and next week weather. 'Dry' is a relative term :>

Then again....

Don't tell anyone, but Jeff has a half dozen bike boxes. Shhhhhh!

Anyone on the same shuttle as me?? Banff Airporter - 1230 YYC to Banff - Jun 10 2015
Good to know who I will be riding with!!!

I'm arriving at 12:00 on the 10th, and booked for the 1:30 Airporter, but if I can grab bike quick, will take the 12:30. Stay at the Y also.
See you there.

A couple of notes re shuttle/bus/taxi. Jeff Sharp is the guy you mentioned. I'm using him.

Shuttle/Taxi

Whitefish Bike Retreat / Whitefish, MT
www.whitefishbikeretreat.com
406-260-0274
email: info@whitefishbikeretreat.com
Shuttles available for guests.

Jim’s Taxi / Flathead County, MT
www.jimstaxiservice.com
406-890-8920
Drive 4 U / Kalispell, MT

www.drive4u.org
406-212-7361
406-730-2879

AllTrans-Grayline / Jackson, WY
www.jacksonholealltrans.com
307-733-3135
800-443-6133

Jackson Hole Express & National Park Tours
Buckboard Transportation / Jackson, WY
www.buckboardtrans.com
307-733-1112
877-791-0211

Sleeping Bear RV Park / Lander, WY
www.sleepingbearrvpark.com
307-332-5159
888-757-2327

Car rentals/shuttles available;
discounts for overnight stay; call for details.
Navajo Transit System / Gallup, NM
(group charter service only)
charter.navajotransit.com
928-729-4114 or 4116
866-243-6260

Albuquerque Cab Co. / Albuquerque, NM
www.albuquerquecab.com
505-883-4888

Sunport Shuttle / Albuquerque, NM
www.sunportshuttle.com
505-883-4966
866-505-4966

Gila Hike and Bike / Silver City, NM
www.gilahikeandbike.com
575-388-3222
May provide shuttle on a individual basis; call
for details.

Shuttle to/from Lordsburg, NM
Lloyd Payne Roger Payne
lpayne@aznex.net rlpayne@powerc.net
Home: 575-542-8078 Home: 575-542-3518
Cell: 575-590-0316 Cell: 505-250-8277

Shuttle to/from Antelope Wells, NM
Juan More Time Shuttle
Home: 575-388-9272
Cell: 575-590-4426

Shuttle to/from Antelope Wells, NM
Southwest Trailhead Hand
Jeffery Sharp
575-436-7200
email: sharpjeffery1@gmail.com

Banff Airport Express & Shuttle /Banff, AB
www.banffairporttaxi.com
403-678-2776
403-762-2024
877-992-2633

Shuttles between Banff and Calgary, AB
Kootenay Taxi / Fernie, BC
www.kootenaytaxi.com
250-423-4408

Shuttles between East Kootenays and
points in BC or AB
SunDog Tours / AB
www.sundogtours.com
Banff, AB
 888-786-3641
Jasper, AB
780-852-4056
 888-786-3641
 
Capitol Taxi Courier Service / Helena, MT
www.capitoltaxicourierservice.com
406-449-5525

GO Alpine / Steamboat Springs, CO
goalpine.com
800-343-RIDE (7433)
970-879-2800

Shuttles to/from Denver and
Silverthorne
Colorado Mountain Express /
Denver, CO
www.coloradomountainexpress.com
800-525-6363
970-754-7433

Shuttles to Summit County
High Valley Bike Shuttle /
Poncha Springs, CO
www.monarchcrest.com
719-539-6089
800-871-5145

Valley Lodge & Cabins at Platoro /
Platoro, CO
www.platorovalleycabins.com
719-376-2321
877-752-8676
May provide shuttle on a individual basis;
call for details.

 Greyhound bus and Amtrak train both stop in Deming, NM and there is also a FedEx Shipping Center in Deming.  Deming is about 100 miles from Antelope Wells.  So, you could fly into whatever major airline hub would give you the best rate, then take Greyhound, or Amtrak to Deming, and then ride the last 100 miles to Antelope Wells.  Greyhound requires your bike be boxed and the Amtrak route doesn't have bicycle roll-on service, so the bike would also have to be boxed.  I don't think the Deming Amtrak stop allows checked baggage, so you may not be able to take the bike on the train (unless it is a folder). Amtrak has on-demand stops at Lordsburg and Deming (routes from Los Angeles to Chicago and Los Angeles to New Orleans), they only allow FOLDABLE bikes.
 
 Antelope wells...I'd talk with the gents in Silver City at Gila Hike & Bike and also folks at Adventure Cycling.  If these folks can't help they may know someone who is.  Many of the Peloton spent the night in Lordsburg post race, you can catch Greyhound to Tuscon or El Paso for a flight home.
 You could ride from Antelope Wells to Hatchita  (45 m ), then Hwy 9 to Columbus (30 m food  & water ), Continue on NM Hwy  9 about 60 miles to El Paso. Two lane good paved road, Border Patrol uses this road a lot. Maybe a 150 miles from a large airport to AW.
 
 According to the bike shop in Silver City Jeff Sharp (home:575-436-7200; cell:575-574-7210) does shuttles in the area (Jeff the Ranch Hand (mentioned above) is a great guy who will take care of you.).  He lives near Hachita.  He might have some good advice as well.  The ride from El Paso is the most dangerous part of the trip.  If you can afford it (Bike Flights is cheap) ship your bike to Silver City bike shop.  They are accommodating in case you have any transit damage.  Then get Sharp to shuttle you to AW.

 
 Bikeflights: Service to ship bikes, fairly cheap (ie $51 DEming NM to Reno) https://www.bikeflights.com/default.aspx
 
 Airports:
 El Paso International Airport-TX (2.5 hours) (www.elpasointernationalairport.com)
 Tucson International Airport-AZ (2.5 hours)  (www.flytucson.com)
 Albuquerque International Airport-NM (4.5 hours) ( www.cabq.gov/airport).
 Grant County Airport -Silver City, NM  has a small regional airport with two daily flights from Tucson/Pheonix AZ, but flights can be unreliable. If you choose this airport, please allow extra day for erratic  and unpredictable flight changes.
 
 Ground Transportation:
 After arrival you will need to take Bus or Trains or arrange other rides to Lordsburg, NM.
 Amtrak Train Station: Amtrak train station Lordsburg, NM has a platform only, no shelter, without Wi-Fi, with parking, with accessible platform and no wheelchair available. This is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM.
 
 Greyhound Bus Station: Greyhound Bus Lines travels daily to Lordsburg, NM, this is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM. The station is next to the Days Inn in Lordsburg and just .25 mile from the Econo Lodge.
Other Ride Options in Lordsburg/Silver City Area: If you need rides between Lordsburg, Silver City or other surrounding areas, please check out these other services. Also check out Corre Caminos transit out of Silver City.

Just curious...

The latest track on the trackleaders site shows the TD 2015 route at about 2867mi.  That's a significant increase to the Tourdivide.org site which lists the route at 2745mi.  Is that just a GPS mileage anomaly - or has the additional sections/re-routes over the past few years actually appended that many more miles?

Hmmm...Google Earth ( click on main route line,  click on "Track no. 1" in Places list, Right click Properties, Measurement) shows the tracks, both TD2015 v2 and TD2015 10k versions, as 2654 and 2649 miles respectively. Maybe Trackleaders includes local beer runs??

I strongly suspect the actual length is the #miles per day ridden, times days riding.  

Odd question, updating my que sheets:

On Map 2B, mile 103.4 ACA note says 'Outhouse on right'. I saw it in 2013, but didn't stop. Any idea what these are for (insert scatalogical humor here), campsite, hunting access, or??

Gracias

It's a Loves Truck Stop...I feel the Love already. 

Sign up:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Q1UHjIKml475yatejXB3fSql5jZyEQEEhqPlvY6T_1c/viewform

[TOURDIVIDE]

Banff Airporter: Use the code TOURDIVIDE in the box on the form for discounts. Gets a 10% discount.

Could you please elaborate about "volume". I am curious as to what you mean and how you address it as a variable. Do you run a lower PSI to absorb the bumps? Can nanos run lower PSI than other tires? How stable are tires at low PSI? Im a fathlete and have never tried low PSI for fear of instability and washouts.

Elijah

The large volume tires mean just that - lots of air required. Most tires in widths 2.1", 2.2", 2.3" etc. are considered high volume. There are some fat tire bikes that run really big volumes of air. However, the key factor is the tire thickness (rim to tread). Thickness follows width. Hi volume tires have more thickness to absorb bumps better. Nanos are no different than other large volume tires re PSI, etc..

Yes, the larger the volume the lower in pressure you can run them - to a point. Personally I run my tires at a higher PSI than most. The upside for me is less flatting. Downside is that the tires can get 'springy' and rebound over bumps too much, rather than absorbing bumps. There is some research re running tires at lower pressure to reduce rolling resistance. This only works where the 'bumps, (or rocks, washboard, etc.) size is less than the thickness of the tire. In other words, lower pressure lets the tire deform around the bump, rather than cause the bike to rise and fall, taking energy from forward motion.

To a point, lower pressure does not cause tire instability. There is a point at which you can cause the tire to partially roll off the rim, and 'burp' air. I did this on Whitefish Divide in 2013 on a partially flat tire by side skidding to a stop - showoff- and had to install a tube (no asking why I did not have CO2 cartridges for the inflator! ).

Good to see you tackling the TS agin - see you in Banff and good luck

Glen

So I have finally read through this entire thread and there has not really been any significant mention of how people are getting from AW back into civilization.  I originally had it arranged for a family member to come pick me up, but that is not going to work out.  What are the realistic option that have worked well for others?  What I would like to do is get somewhere where I could rent a one-way car.  Thanks

MikeBike,

I've got the same questions. The following is my unformatted note stream from other posts. Not sure how up to date it is:

<<<<<<
 Greyhound bus and Amtrak train both stop in Deming, NM and there is also a FedEx Shipping Center in Deming.  Deming is about 100 miles from Antelope Wells.  So, you could fly into whatever major airline hub would give you the best rate, then take Greyhound, or Amtrak to Deming, and then ride the last 100 miles to Antelope Wells.  Greyhound requires your bike be boxed and the Amtrak route doesn't have bicycle roll-on service, so the bike would also have to be boxed.  I don't think the Deming Amtrak stop allows checked baggage, so you may not be able to take the bike on the train (unless it is a folder). Amtrak has on-demand stops at Lordsburg and Deming (routes from Los Angeles to Chicago and Los Angeles to New Orleans), they only allow FOLDABLE bikes.
 
 Antelope wells...I'd talk with the gents in Silver City at Gila Hike & Bike and also folks at Adventure Cycling.  If these folks can't help they may know someone who is.  Many of the Peloton spent the night in Lordsburg post race, you can catch Greyhound to Tuscon or El Paso for a flight home.
 You could ride from Antelope Wells to Hatchita  (45 m ), then Hwy 9 to Columbus (30 m food  & water ), Continue on NM Hwy  9 about 60 miles to El Paso. Two lane good paved road, Border Patrol uses this road a lot. Maybe a 150 miles from a large airport to AW.
 
 According to the bike shop in Silver City Jeff Sharp (home:575-436-7200; cell:575-574-7210) does shuttles in the area (Jeff the Ranch Hand (mentioned above) is a great guy who will take care of you.).  He lives near Hachita.  He might have some good advice as well.  The ride from El Paso is the most dangerous part of the trip.  If you can afford it (Bike Flights is cheap) ship your bike to Silver City bike shop.  They are accommodating in case you have any transit damage.  Then get Sharp to shuttle you to AW.
 
 Bikeflights: Service to ship bikes, fairly cheap (ie $51 DEming NM to Reno) https://www.bikeflights.com/default.aspx
 
 Airports:
 El Paso International Airport-TX (2.5 hours) (www.elpasointernationalairport.com)
 Tucson International Airport-AZ (2.5 hours)  (www.flytucson.com)
 Albuquerque International Airport-NM (4.5 hours) ( www.cabq.gov/airport).
 Grant County Airport -Silver City, NM  has a small regional airport with two daily flights from Tucson/Pheonix AZ, but flights can be unreliable. If you choose this airport, please allow extra day for erratic  and unpredictable flight changes.

 Ground Transportation:
 After arrival you will need to take Bus or Trains or arrange other rides to Lordsburg, NM.
 Amtrak Train Station: Amtrak train station Lordsburg, NM has a platform only, no shelter, without Wi-Fi, with parking, with accessible platform and no wheelchair available. This is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM.
 Greyhound Bus Station: Greyhound Bus Lines travels daily to Lordsburg, NM, this is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM. The station is next to the Days Inn in Lordsburg and just .25 mile from the Econo Lodge.
Other Ride Options in Lordsburg/Silver City Area: If you need rides between Lordsburg, Silver City or other surrounding areas, please check out these other services. Also check out  Corre Caminos transit out of Silver City.
>>>>>

Be nice to have a sticky/seperate section where this topic can be fleshed out.

Good luck
Glen

Conti Race Kings - used 'em in 2013, other than one flat (metal water bar gouge) no issues. Run tubeless. Low rolling resistance. Two new ones are on the bike for 2015. I used to run Nano, and they were OK, but like Conti better.

I know a couple people who run these and they stick with them. I believe Mike Hall ran these as well, and in fact used one tire for two TD races.

Cheers

Luas - Rule of thumb for clothing: Layers =  like jersey, long sleeve polypro or similar, insulated jacket (like Nano Puff/similar), and outer rain jacket/pants. The latter are very valuable as windproof barriers, even if not raining. A major survival tool is a decent insulated hat - doesn't have to be thick or heavy. Last year hypothermia caught a lot of racers, with a few rescue efforts that could have been avoided. Its a balancing act to not bring too much, yet to have enough.

Sleep system: If in a tent/bivy, then 40 degrees bag plus/minus, should be good, assuming you have a sleeping pad/mattress with some insulation. Everyone has different cold tolerance, so your shivers may vary.     Many days you also have a choice to stay in motel if things get too brutal.

Is the India Pale Ale still flowing cold at the Sail and Anchor in Fremantle?

Cheers

For all the more 'mature' riders (aw heck, even for those who wish to bask in our glory):

Let's plan on a beverage or two the night of the 11th in Banff. Anyone know of a good hangout? I'll be bunking with 7 others (not all in same bed!) at the YWCA. Little do they know I've been practicing my snoring for years! Bwaaaahaaahaa   

At the beverage meet, we can discuss senior racer activism and laying down across the start line in a 'protest nap',  ....er...what was I thinking about?

Glen

Co-foundering and member of the *TDOFR society
*Tour Divide Old Fart Racers

Scott,

Will you still have the option-w-fee to register a rider-owned SPOT?

Thanks

Just did AZTR they were 3A as were they in 2013 TDR. They normally rent about a month out , getting close! Have no idea what generation they were but one set of batteries lasted me my whole race about 9 and a half days.

Thanks! I see that you are a member of the distinguished, ahem, 59+ year old club, as I am. Are you racing this year? Perhaps we should have a 'mature rider' get together in Banff for all those who lead the way (in years)!  Last count 12 riders age 60+ have signed up.

Glen