I bought a $9.99 saddle from Lidl, a grocery store.... mostly as a test to prove to my wife that sometimes quality costs money.... I was wrong. I think i have like 15 saddles in my shed from all the brands. I too like WTB, they make a great saddle, but after 1000+ miles on my $9 saddle, im still using it, and its held up to the abuse. Going to keep rocking it.

Try'em till you find one I guess. Most good shops have demo or test saddles in stock. Good luck.

What a great story and a great reminder that high end gear doesn't always help your rear, or get you to the finish line faster.
All my respect to those before us who used equipment that would probably cause us to shake our heads and say 'no way' am I taking/racing/using that. Thanks for sharing!

Apologies now, not specifically a TD question but I'm getting desperate.

I'm having the worst time with my saddle selection. At this point I've gone through nearly a dozen trying to find one that doesn't turn my rear end into ground beef. I'd really like to hear what you guys/gals are riding on so I can keep going through demo's...

Brooks C15 (Loved this for the first 30 miles, the last 60 of my 90 mile trip were dreadful)
WTB Silverado (Too hard, jury is still out though)
WTB Volt (Current OEM, decent for 50-60 miles; has caused saddle sores)
WTB Hightail (hard as a rock)
Tioga Outlander (Promising)

This question never gets old to me - especially with ever changing technology and body dynamics as we age. I love the WTB but I need a full cutout so I use a Terry.

I just booked the last piece of my travel puzzle to Banff ... the shuttle between Calgary and Banff.  I tried to book it a few months ago, but the Tour Divide discount wasn't working and when I contacted them about it, it hadn't been set up yet.  But it's working now!  15% off using discount code "divide".

Fantastic! Thanks for the heads up!

Picked up my new Cutthroat last night and am excited to build it up and load it up! Now if the weather would just hold back our horrific snow and ice.....

thanks... I had a minor panic when I saw the route in Canada.

Currently reading all the bits I can..

as you can tell im a little excited and scared... I have 5 months off to ride next year and im like a kid on IV sugar!!

Tea Boy - I love your stoke. It is contagious! Looking forward to seeing you in Banff in 5 months and some change!

In once again. Looking at plane tickets now. Glad to see so many other singlespeeders signing up!!! See ya at the start.

 In reply to above... definitely check out all the previous TD threads. A wealth of knowledge on there from other vets of the race. If you have a question, its probably been asked and answered. Good luck with the training!! 

Great to hear you're in again! You single speeders are amazing!!

Post of the Year! All the best in your prep everyone.

So glad you enjoyed it!
Best to you!

Merry Christmas, fellow TD'ers!!

T’was our last night in Banff
And with grit in our hearts
Not a rider was sleeping
Before the grand depart

Our bikes were all packed
Our gear was all stowed
In just a few hours
Down Spray Trail we’d go

The rain started falling
Not a grass blade was dry
When we gathered around
For the great Tour Divide
 
A speech was given
A cautious belay
In the front entrance parking lot
Of the Y. W. C. A.

"You'll see lots of bears
A mountain lion or two
So ready your spray
And blow whistles too!”

Then off we pedaled
Excited and cold
As we bikepacked our way
To what would unfold

The route quite daunting
The elevation so high
All bets are off
On the great Tour Divide

No baths and quite stinky
A true gas station gorger
We battled the elements
And set our sights on the border

When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But a big momma black bear
And her two cubs
Oh dear

We put on the brakes
And slid to a halt
Readied our spray
And braced for assault

Her massive jaw opened
As she let out a growl
And right then we knew
We’d be disemboweled

But she moseyed off the trail
And paid us no heed
So we quickly moved on
Having just pee’d

We summited each mountain
Donning rain gear and caps
Adjusted our layers
And peered at our maps

Mountain tops and deserts
Sunrises and sets
Unimaginable beauty
By nature's quartet

From Canada to Mexico
And the states in between
Laughter and tears
And hallucinating

Our lives now altered
No endeavor parallels
That tremendous journey
To Antelope Wells

So ready your bike
Prepare all your gear
Before you know it
June will be here

Normally people send their "letters of intent" to tourdivide@gmail.com on or after the Winter Solstice (Dec 21st this year).  I would expect the list to be created after that date.

Right on!

Is there an "unofficial start list " out there yet for TD2019?
And an address for it?

Megan said she hasn't created it yet but will get to it.

Any advice on what bike computer to use. I am looking for a backup if my gps fails. Looking for a good quality, non rechargeable, wireless computer. I would love something that I could do heart rate with for training purposes but its really not necessary. Has anyone had any luck replacing their computer with a gps watch for the race? Then again, that requires charging.

A few racers had good luck with the Wahoo element this year.

Curious. Is the FB group & bikepacking.net/forum the only sources for current TD info now? The old TD site is out of date and no longer maintained, but people keep referencing it: https://www.tourdivide.org

This site should be the best source for information, especially new information, since RD Matthew Lee is here and supports this site. Happy to answer any questions.

A friend of mine just had his leg amputated from the knee down and I am about to undergo extensive surgery on my abdomen. Anyone else planning to line up in Banff with a disability or health hurdle? Though I would prefer to not have had the disease that caused my mid-section surgeries, I can't express my gratitude for the opportunity to ride TD. It's always glorious and I look forward to #3.

Any chance we can get this thread title changed to 2019 TD Planning?? Save the Race Discussion thread for the actual event.

See you there next June!!

I'm not seeing an option for that unfortunately.

@bon I feel you, I've spent the last few weeks mapping out my life over the next 9 months affording me the opportunity to make an attempt in 2019.

Good company here.
Finished my Cordillera submission Friday. That really got my heart going for June!

Seems like a good time to start the '19 TD thread. My calendar year continues to be based around the TD start. Can't seem to get this event out of my heart and mind!

Howdy All!
Angler reporting for duty.  Still hoping to photograph riders as they come thru Ovando.  Same old thing as in the past several years.  Anything new or changes I should be aware or questions, comments or concerns?

And while I have your attention, may I thank Adventure Cycling and all you cyclists for making Ovando Montana the 2018 Montana Community of the year by the Governor for tourism and recreation.  It was being cycle friendly that did it for us.  And we are and probably always will be the tiniest town to receive it. 

Thanks folks and here is to another great adventure!

Angler you definitely deserve it!! Thank YOU for all you do for the cyclists who come through your beautiful community!

Which prepared foods do people find carry well and last at least a day without getting nasty? I've carried xtra cheeseburgers from McD's, fried chicken, fries, and sandwiches...

Burritos, and more burritos. I also love crackers filled with cheese or peanut butter.

I wasn't able to make the call to ride this thing until November...kinda last minute for a race of this caliber.

I'm guessing I won't truly be ready to ride the Divide until around, oh...Helena?  

Lol I understand, trust me.
Either way, give it your best and it will pay back in dividends.

Negative 

Lol Well....Get on it! 
What do you have left to do?