Undivided

As far as route from Banff to Elkford - you can't get there from here, or there. More than just goat creek trail washed out.

We are starting mid July and are in the same boat - having to divert start to Fernie or thereabouts. Kiss ITT goodbye for this year.

Good luck

   Oh crap-I delayed my start until July 15th...

I guess lack of water won't be an issue. Was looking forward to Flathead Valley- now not sure I can even get to Elk Pass. Who makes alternate route decision? Any good rumors? If the Flathead is impassible, the NOBO's will do...what?

Really tho, let's all keep those poor flood victims in mind - riding is way secondary when all is said and done.

Bad Karma all around

Glen

Blackhound

Are you still on schedule for mid July departure from Banff? I'm looking for people to ride with, same 60-70 miles per day relaxed pace, and wonder if you are considering adding riders to your group?

My schedule is flexible (I am semi retired), and was originally planning on the June 14th mass exodus/scramble but so far have not found a riding partner. If your plans permit adding a fourth, let me know and I will forward my info for your consideration.

In any case, have a great ride!

Glen

Hey Marco,

Take a look at: http://www.ibycus.com/ibycustopo/ and http://www.tiredofit.ca/2010/05/30/free-canada-topographical-maps-gps/ . There is a big 3 gig file you can download, and the second site has links to instructions for torrent download method.

See ya in Banff!

Glen

[Bike Trailers:]

This is my first Tour, so I'm trying to prep based on your experience to reduce 'one less thang', as Momma used to say...

Bike Trailers: So, on the flick of the 2012 depart showing equipment, I didn't see any bike trailers. Since I am seriously considering towing a single wheel of my own design I'd like comments re doing so from those who have used one, given that I am planning 'touring speed' (sub-warp), not racing. If I'm totally out of it with the trailer idea, I plan on making my own soft gear/bags.

Snowpack: Anyone know what the current Canada/Montana snowpack is relative to last year? (Yep, I know it can change).

I found this re Montana snow per hydrologic basin: http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/data/comparison.html

If anyone is interested, my compulsive overplanning nature made me do a Google Earth display of the GPS track from Banff to Roosville, and I added elevations every 100-200' or so for grades, along with some notes re mileage and percent slopes for major climbs  (Galton Pass 4.5% climb and 9% descent, average, for example). The route notes/mileages are the ones posted here in another email for the 2012 Tour. If I can figure out how to export the data I'll be happy to share. Of course if you actually use the data from a rookie without checking it yer on yer own...

Currently, I am training with the plan to make 60-70 mile chunks every day, depending (on weather, route conditions, 62 year old legs...), and would like your experience with camp sites from Banff to border. From what I've gleaned the ones of interest are at lake near Elk Pass, the cabin past the pass, Elkford, Sparwood, Butts Cabin, possibly a cabin/guesthouse after Cabin Pass (?). Others I may have missed? I've ordered the maps and notes, so may have answers in them.

Hope to see you all there!   

Glen

[Obsession]

For 2013...

Curse the day the 'Obsession' descended upon me! My days and nights are tormented with endless network searches for Tour lore, reading and re-reading Tour books, waking at night with feelings of guilt at not having taken that last hill at full pace, building a bike trailer, and explaining to my wife, for the tenth time, why I am a perfectly sane 62 year old, and not crazy at all.

The torment will be exorcised by riding fast enough to lose those demons chasing me, and end at the finish, where tired beyond belief, smelly, sweaty, hungry and thirsty, I can scream wild-eyed to the desert that "Never again will I ride the Divide!! Never!" (while the demons whisper that, yes, you can be faster, and perhaps next year...)

Glen
Reno NV