Anybody know what's up with Terry Smith?  Looks like he took the Smith-Dorrien around Spray Reservoir.

Looks like he missed the right turn into the forest at the top of the climb out of Elkford as well. Maybe he doesn't have the latest .gpx? (But both those routes were in last years race file)

I saw a comment on FB under an Adventure Cycling post about the route ...  writer said there were lots of down trees on the Richmond Peak segment from last year's fire ...  any locals been up there ?

I can't comment on the current condition of the trail but it would be nice if they cleared the ST. That was one sweet descent.

On another note, is anyone aware of Guy Martin's intentions? He isn't listed on the Trackleaders tracking page yet.

Here's one of my favorite downhill segments into Salida:

https://www.strava.com/segments/12203784

Starts at the county line. Tough climb to get there, and the it's mostly bliss, with just one little rise before the huge downhill into town. Gotta get to the bike shop early to get in line for repairs! I stopped the segment at the stop sign at the junction. Please don't blow through it

That was one sweet roll. Lots of loose, drifty corners. I wasn't aware of that (or any) segment otherwise I may not have stopped to take photos last year. Still, top 10 though. Is that Mr Hall in 20th?  

Fingers crossed that the snow is gone before the racers hit the passes this year. It would be fun to see another fast race.

["Richmond Peak Downhill"]

Lot of snow falling in CO this weekend. I would imagine many of the passes still have snow on them.

Still time to melt in the next 3+ weeks though Justin?

Does anyone know how Richmond Peak is looking this year?

Last year was fast and dry. When I got back from the race I noticed that it has a Strava segment on the first 1000ft of descent, on the single track between the regrowth. While I am certainly no Cjell $, more his "mid pack amatuer" that hates braking, I did snag a top 10 position.

Now I know us bikepackers aren't a bunch of Stravaholes, but how about laying down a "Richmond Peak Downhill" segment challenge for this years racers? I know Brett Stepanik has an awesome video of him getting air off one of the waterbars on the way down. 10 Points for style......

https://www.strava.com/segments/1773728?filter=overall

Either way, I am looking forward to Blue Dot watching this year. Good luck everyone!!

How much chamois cream (and what kind) are you all bringing with you? I typically don't need any, but I will not be taking any chances on this! Is bringing an entire 8oz tub uncommon?

Hey Joraff, I used an Altoids Smalls (Wintergreen flavour if that makes a difference) tin last year. Just filled it with chamois cream from home them refilled it with 3 or 4 small disposable sachets from Orange Peel bikes in Steamboat. Held it closed with a rubber band. Those 2 small tins full did me the whole race with some to spare and it takes up no room at all.

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?

Sorry if this was posted before, but does anyone have the distance or GPS coordinates for the water supply between Atlantic City and  Wamsutter?  Thanks!

Not trying to be a smart-alec, but if you guys want the low down on the Wamsutter section with all the info take a look at the 2015 TD discussion thread. There is discussion on this page - http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ultra-racing/2015-td/800/ but have a trawl through all of it. You may have questions that you have not even thought of yet answered! It will be like getting into a time machine and going forward in this thread by 4 weeks!
Unless there is a last minute reroute this year everything should be the same. That said, if there is a reroute Matt and Scott should communicate that to everyone via email as has happened for the last few years. Make sure your email is up to date on your letter of intent/google docs page. We got some updates via email in Banff last year the day before the race. These guys are volunteers providing this info for free, so patience is a virtue.  

Also, my blog also has the .gpx of each day from my race last year and you can probably copy/hack into my Strava for the Wamsutter/Diagnus Well section if you need. http://dave-livingthedream.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/tour-divide-day-11.html

Also check this out- https://td-2015.eatsleepridegreatdivide.com/

Good luck! It is getting real people!  

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?

Dave. Aim to nap for 30 minutes and no more for a quick top up. If you go longer you risk going into a deeper phase of REM sleep. Waking from the deeper REM is what leaves you groggy.
Having said that, you will be so shattered that it takes a whole bunch of willpower and a loud watch to make you get up again!

Like you, I went with two tubes, a pump, patch kit, and two small bottles of stans. I also took a couple of tire boots, and curved needle w thread to help sew up any sidewall cuts.

I carried the same as Steve but with just a single Stans bottle.(didn't use any at all) This is a big race,  time and money wise, so don't risk it by saving weight in the wrong areas.
I had one flat coming off Stemple Pass and that was it for the entire race.  The Specialized Fast Track Control (front) and Maxxis Ikon (rear) in 2.2 were a perfect combination for me. You want something fast rolling as there isn't any real singletrack in this race. By the time you get to the CDT singletrack  at Sapillo you will be lucky to keep it on the trail, let alone rail corners.
Good luck!

what gps/mounting system would you get?

what bivy would you buy?

what would you splurge on in terms of gear in order to make you the most competitive?




hypothetically winning the lottery,
cb

Ride your bike A LOT. That costs nearly nothing yet will make you competitive.
Sometimes no amount of money can buy what you need. Thats why I like ultra endurance bikepacking.

I didn't want to start a new thread about this, but is anyone willing to split a hotel room in Banff? I'd gladly split the cost, but all my money is going to gearing up, and I'm not too wild about staying in a hostel with 6 other people in my room.

Please help!!!

You can get single and double rooms in the Y for a modest price and the Y is TD central, so you get the whole pre race experience too.

Josh,

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't crazy then. I found the data very useful as well

Got in contact with Tom Chen via a FB group. I'm working on reviving this thing.

Steve

Awesome Steve. I missed that link previously and would be keen to see my stats and those who rode around me during the race. I hope you can breath life into it again.

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.

Just put subway bags over your socks ala Marshal Bird or do what most others did, plunge in and suck it up. Wet feet for an hour will be the least of your worries on the TD.

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I have an Eddie Bauer rain jacket which works very well, just doesn't pack as small but that's okay as long as it does the job. I did part of the divide last summer and used it a few times and seemed to work great. I've seen a few people using those cuben fiber material mitts to use over their hands. So maybe just use something similar to that for over the hands and shoes would be a good idea.

Extra large dish washing gloves over my gloves worked an absolute treat for me last year. Well, until I lost one on a descent in the Flathead! Do you think I could find XL gloves in any supermarket in the US after that? Do guys have small hands in the US or just not do any washing up?

Also, if you don't know who Guy Martin is have a watch of this. https://youtu.be/oXwyhMunrXY and this https://vimeo.com/109761230
A funny, complex individual who I am sure will relish the challenge of the TD. I just worry what the inevitable exposure might do for the race. I am all for more people cycling but the wider the exposure the TD gets, more people who don't get the ethics of the challenge will be attracted.

Good luck to all of this years challengers. May your training and gear fussing go smoothly!

What is the youngest solo age of a racer completing the tour divide, I'm 19

Luke Bodewes was his name and he was just 16! He finished a few hours after me, so about 20D 5H or so.

The complete finishers list and photos here courtesey of Bikepacking Mag-

http://bikepackersmagazine.com/2015-faces-of-the-tour-divide/

Mike, flying into Calgary and catching the shuttle to Banff is soo easy. Of course unless you want to do a road trip...

Great effort Chris. I am sure it is a thankless task at times for you and your assistants but I am glad you persevere. The TD is such a personal experience when you are out there but one doesn't know what is happening just a few days ahead or behind. I am looking forward to reading about other racers experiences this year.
Three books ordered here. I am hoping to get some others hooked. The Cordilera makes great bait.

Also, thanks also to Sam Newbury for the amazing cover photo, Scott Thigpen for his cover design efforts, and proof readers David Morrison, David Phillips and Megan Dunn.

Cheers
Dave

I have to disagree with 4est.
I took a tent because if I was camping I wanted/needed to get a good nights sleep and didn't want to be kept awake being eaten by bugs. I didn't suffer the mozzies in Montana or Wyoming that many did but the sandflies(I think) south of Grants were viscious and I was so glad of having a bug proof spot to eat/plan/sleep that night. It just depends on how comfortable you are with being uncomfortable. I saw many a racer this year that pushed it too much, had a bad nights sleep and were zombies, crawling along, for the next day of so. Not getting quality rest, on top of 12-17 hours per day on the bike, really does your head in.
There isn't a "best" option. It merely comes down to what works best for you. Don't discount the mental comfort that a quality sleep setup will bring. Having a great setup will give you the confidence to ride past hotels and wild camp when needed. The towns along the route are not simply spaced a days ride apart.
As someone once said, this race is 90% mental. The other 10%....is mental. Whatever you can do to strengthen your mental resolve with good kit will help tip the odds of you finishing in your favour.

Dave, Cues are just a backup, gps is my main guide.
Thanks for the description of the trail.
Phil

Phil, yes my mistake. I see you didn't ask about that. I was sort of throwing it out there because there is someone every year who wants to race it with no gps. It would have taken me days longer this year if I was just using maps/cues.
Cheers
Dave

Question to the Vets of 2015, there is a new section just past Elkford, BC. After the climb out of town you turn right on to a dirt road or is it single track? Whats this like? All rideable or is there HAB sections in there and is it longer or shorter than before? Also, does anyone have the cues for this?

Thanks!


Phil

Phil, use a gps and just follow the line on it!
The trail climbs into a logged out forest and while a little used single track, it was mostly rideable for me on a woodchipper equipped bike, even though it was quite wet at the time.There were a few small hike a bike sections but that was mainly because I was saving my legs. It is rough as I saw one bottle and one can of bear spray lying on the trail.
Hope this helps.
Dave
P.S. If you aren't using a gps for nav you are going to be pretty seriously handicapped as a rookie imho.

OK, everyone, Chris Bennett NEEDS stories if we are to have a Cordillera published this year.  ANYONE can write the story of their experience of the race.  Writing the story of your experience, whether it is as finisher, DNFer, stay-at-home significant other, blue-dot junkie, or whatever, is EASY!  No writing experience is needed and Chris is a VERY easygoing editor.  Just put your race in words and send it in.  The cause could not be better; I met Dave Blumenthal in 2010 at the Y in Banff and can attest to the fact that he was an incredible human being - modest and yet amazingly accomplished.  Had he survived his crash I'm sure he would have been back the next year to compete again.  The proceeds from this publication go entirely to his young daughter's college fund and I am proud to be able to help Dave out by contributing my story.  Please send in yours as well!

Thanks for the reminder Bob. I only just finished getting my blog up to date last night, so I can concentrate on the Cordillera now. It was a major source of information and inspiration during my preparations for this years race and I definitely want to pay it forward. Helping Linnaea out would be cool too.