I've had a few requests so here is the link to the starter's list spread sheet. PLEASE don't enter data here. It gets corrupted and we have to spend a lot of effort to sort it out.

Data Entry Form:
http://goo.gl/forms/xpZ1R6BSRy

Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ry-lZPuFXayMt8Do2k_XcidY0HlKsdjDm2iVL1MKbyQ/edit?usp=sharing

There's over 100 people now on the starters list. From prior years the list at Feb doubles for starting numbers ... so 200 at the Y on 10th June! Wow. There goes my Li battery and brake-pad supplies ... looks like some extra weight in the bags for me. Boulton Creek is going to be doing a brisk trade too. On the other hand, a better chance to be able to buddy-up through the bear dense areas of Flathead and Swan Valley.

Chris, was is the weight of the Topeak compared to the Alpkit?

The Flathead descent trail seems also to be shared with the creek, so some racers seem to take some trainers for this section.

Any opinions as to the pros/cons of taking a set of trainers for this early wet section to ditch at Eureka? With my luck I'd take the spares but drop my cycling shoes in the water.

Hey Josh Kato - do my eyes deceive me or have you just put your name down to race again in 2016? If you go NOBO I guess I'll say Hi around Pinedale.

Many people provide daily mileage, but I was wondering if there is much information available on how much pedaling time they spent each day.

Just use the play button at http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide15 and you can watch any rider and see the hours per day.

Super info Askjeff.

Can you expand a little more on the water in NM? Grants / Pie Town / Church / Beaverhead / Lake Roberts off route / Silver City (Pinos Altos) ... ?

ERV insurance for me.

... Chris Plesko and Joe Fox are also going to be two to watch this year also. Joe had an awesome rookie ride in 2015 and I think he'll do something big in 2016.

Thanks Mark for the pogie instructions.

Hydration port in frame bag - I'm getting an Alpkit frame bag and can have the hydration port in either the top tube edge or the down tube edge. Any advice as to which is preferable?

A I've seen a few people using those cuben fiber material mitts to use over their hands.

Cuben fiber mitts are great, but they are not so durable. Layering works well. I'm taking a wool liner gloves (warm when wet), standard riding gloves, cold weather gloves (good on its own to 8 degrees C), cuben fiber over glove (Zpacks) plus will have some tested rubber gloves on hand in case the first few days look grim (e.g. 2014).

Mark's freezer bag pogies are a good idea - I'm curious how they are arranged - Mark - can you post a pic?

Is the SS record still Plesko's at 19 days?

Yes, and Chris Plesko is racing in '16 on a SS and aiming to drop some time off that record.

would it be foolhardy to do this with no gps?  i hate gadgets.  i hate seeing thing like "7% power" and worrying about it. 

An Etrex with spare batteries will be far lighter/smaller and faster for navigation than maps. A dynamo hub with cache battery is another option. Pdf the maps and race cues for backup.

FWIW: I'll have the race cues printed so I've got some regular milestones during each day.

Paul Attalla in 2011 was fast - 17d 3hrs. A few hours behind Kurt's SOBO winning time.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/refsnider-first-to-finish-2011-tour-divide-race/

Long range weather forecast looks good for Canada / Montana re: snow. Colorado could be interesting for NOBO's. Wyoming could be wetter than normal (Bannock Rd!).

These NOAA forecast maps are useful:

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions//multi_season/13_seasonal_outlooks/color/churchill.php

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/

How many people change the tires during the route? Maybe in steamboat? Around 1500 miles?
What tires are you using and why?

Sandstorm - you should read this: Volume 7 of the Cordillera is now available for purchase from lulu.com: http://tinyurl.com/cordillera-7.
60% of responders rode on one set of tyres.
40% of responders used Maxxis.

The past couple of years TD threads have a lot on tyres. Craig Stappleton summed it up concisely: "I ran the lightest tires that I thought would be reliable".

FWIW: I'm riding Maxxis Ikon 2.35 on a Stans Arch Ex on a rigid 27.5 and will change the sealant in Steamboat or Salida.

How low of a tyre pressure are people running? I'm thinking 22 psi in 2.35 Ikons.

-Has anyone submitted their letter of intent yet?

-Does any one have  a link to a snow pack map?

Letters of intent - yes, it's time to start sending them in. (tourdivide@gmail.com)

Snow - This link gives detailed information for snow levels at Graves Creek at 4300 feet and just west of Whitefish Divide summit (approx. 5250 elevation):
http://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/reportGenerator/view/customSingleStationReport/daily/500:MT:SNTL%7cid=%22%22%7cname/-29,0/WTEQ::value,WTEQ::median_1981,WTEQ::pctOfMedian_1981,SNWD::value,PREC::value,PREC::average_1981,PREC::pctOfAverage_1981,TMAX::value,TMIN::value,TAVG::value

Newer map (from memory) is: www.td15-eatsleepridegreatdivide.com or very similar to that

2015 map for desktop race planning:

http://td-2015.eatsleepridegreatdivide.com/

Tour Divide: Calgary to Banff Shuttle:
Mike Yawney from the Banff Airporter is again supporting the racers and giving a 15% discount to Tour Divide racers. The promo code is: divide (it is not case sensitive).

http://www.banffairporter.com/

Are there any concerns about bears getting into food supply while camped out?

Bears:

Bear density map is here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?sll=46.7248%2C-112.807617&dg=feature&hl=en&t=h&oe=UTF8&num=200&start=0&sspn=1.269004%2C2.221985&msa=0&z=7&ie=UTF8&mid=zwdbczDNCLPA.kUOVXBi409qw

However, density and "trouble" are not closely related, so pretty much the whole route there are bears around and racers should be bear aware.

Bear safety seminar given at NOLS by Dr Tom Smith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExlT-5VU-Y

Either of these two books will give you enough information to be able to make an informed decision:

http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-Causes-Avoidance-revised/dp/158574557X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1

http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Bear-Basics-Definitive-Mountaineers/dp/1594850283/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51QnN9cJl7L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR102%2C160_&refRID=1AWHCTJ1XX1KE947487H

FWIW: I'm carrying bear spray and a whistle the whole route, will hang food, and will minimise carrying open food in the bear dense areas (Canada / Whitefish - Red Meadow / Swan Valley / Moran - Pinedale)

Power supply-

Check this out in the Q&A forum ... http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/question-and-answer/hub-dynamo-and-electronics-thread/

There is a fair bit of chatter on this on the past years' forums on this too.