If it works out that way, and that may be a big IF, it would be way cool to see Craig and Ollie finish together in a mutually-shared record time.

While everyone has to do what makes them most happy, it would go to my belief that there is soooo much more to biking than just comparing oneself to timing numbers on a website or a piece of paper.

Keep rockin' it everybody!

Snow speculation in SE BC is bang on.  Buddy just came down from work at the Fernie ski hill base and said it was snowing there.   Ski hill base is at ~1100 m.  Not sure if was snowing down to the base, but was just a bit higher.

Also, snow is reported as sticking in Elkford area.

But, nothing another 50 mm of rain or a day of sun won't take care of!

Just stalked Warren down in Fernie and had a quick chat.  He is totally fine and in good spirits.

He said that he chose to take the Fernie alternate after he encountered conditions near Flathead Pass that he wasn't super comfortable with and that moving 20 miles in a day wasn't too attractive.  He reports that there is snow in Flathead Pass, including a nice combo of snowpack with small streams running through it.  That, plus reports from a couple snowmobilers he talked to that Cabin Pass was still pretty snowy, made him question his personal comfort level with having soaking feet etc. and likely being completely alone in the remote Flathead section during our present rainfest.

It didn't sound like Flathead Pass was impassable, just that Warren wants to do his ride in a manner to maximize his own enjoyment of the journey.  I, personally, think that is great and of utmost importance to such a grand scheme!!!

Canadian snowpack update (sort of)

Tried to drive to the Flathead today, but got stopped short by snowpack.  Snowline was around 1700 m in the MacLatchie/Harvey Pass areas (10 km SW of Flathead FSR/MacLatchie FSR junction - NAD 83 11U 0664882/5462594).  Reports from hunters there was that snowpack was about 3' deep through passes, but there was a D8 dozer sitting there that will be opening up some passes on Monday - not sure that will be of any help for anyone though.

So, here is an unverified guess - as most of the Flathead FSR is at lower altitudes it is likely relatively snow free, other than in some shaded areas and in the main passes (Michel Creek into it, Cabin Pass out of it).  Water on road may be a bigger issue (esp. from Michel Creek headwaters down into the Flathead), as streams are bankfull at present and heavy rain is predicted over next several days.  Again, I can't get in to see for sure, so this is just a local guess.  Don't bet the house on this info!

Have fun!

I wouldn't go so far as to say that as a local I'd have no worries.

It's an individual thing, really.  Stats would show that the chance of a bear, griz or black, getting at you when you are sleeping is somewhere as likely as being hit by lightening or bit by a shark - but of course it does happen.  It is a beary area for sure - some people would be nervous, others not.  Can't advise more than that.

But on the flip side of things, there were 2 grizzlies walking, wrestling, and lying down on a residential street in Fernie yesterday, so you never know what you may encounter where!

That campsite is a recreation site not a provincial campground, and in BC that can be a huge difference.  In this case, last time I looked you'll find an older wooden single hole outhouse and an old picnic table, but that isn't guaranteed.  The Ram FSR-Wigwam FSR junction is a good location (bit of an open area, nice Ram Creek), but I wouldn't recommend detouring north a few miles to the rec site off of the Wigwam FSR itself - OK spot, but down a steep doubletrack, and not as convenient or nice as right near the junction of Ram and Wigwam FSRs.

Pretty much unlimited camping wherever you wish in this region too, and you don't lose much for amenities bush camping vs. at a rec site.

I'd say Fernie snow level/depth is about the same as last year at this time, maybe slightly less in valley bottoms due to lots of rain and a bit of a higher average temperture this spring than last.  But more snow than in an "average" year.  This link gives some idea of this year vs. last vs. average.  It was a big year at the ski hill - >12 ft. base.

http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/data/asp/realtime/asp_pages/asp_2c09q.html

As I posted a week or so back, the snowpack situation for the TD start is really determined by factors between now and early June.  Sun and heat vs. rain vs. cold and possibly more snow all affect the situation.  You also have to consider that some passes on the TD route are used by lots of sled traffic in winter, so the situation can be a bit complicated due to the effects of sleds packing snow onto the roads thereby slowing melting.

Checked out a local logging road passes a couple days ago and for one I hit post-holing snowline at ~1200 m (Elk Valley bottom is 1000 m in Fernie).  This is a N/S aligned tight pass.  Got to ~1350 m on another wide open, E/W aligned pass with no snow other than old plowed snow in ditches.  Doubt any of the higher road passes on the TD route are rideable.  So, for this area it is still very snowy overall, but probably a tiny bit ahead of last year's melt, and there is lots of time before the race.   Will keep posting Fernie/Elk Valley/Flathead observations over next 6 weeks.

The initial appeal of the GDMBR and the GDR and the TD was the grassroots element, the adventure, the personal challenge.  Others have said so in elegant terms, but I have to add that all this talk of times, things "official", records just taints it for me, personally.

I've had lots of time to think about these things, and can say I can't see any good reason (except for maybe pros or aspiring pros - $$$) to compete against others in any activity that they enjoy.  At all - but it seems especially short sighted in ultra events.  Period.  Such a focus lessens the experience that you can get by just doing what feels right - not pushing for a time that will be "better" than some other number on a piece of paper or website somewhere.  Competing against others seems to spawn from our western upbringing to be "the best" - meaning faster, richer, or some other kind of easily measured (and by necessity, shallow) parameter.  I know that I am at my "best" when I don't compete against others, just do what makes me happy, push my personal boundaries (slower or faster than some perceived "important" measure of "goodness" or self-worth), support all those around me, smile, and let a wonderful life be what it is and will be.  And, paradoxically, this attitude usually results in a faster time, but much more importantly a much better time (life experience) personally.

You either get this, can get it, or won't ever get it - but I won't defend it if you don't agree.  Have fun out there!

A quick non-scientific local's perspective on the Elk and Flathead areas in Canada is that there is still a lot of snow here.  Ski hill had similar huge snowpack as last year - about 12 ft base now and 35 ft of snowfall this year - but overall it looks like a bit less in the valleys and lower slopes than this time in 2011.

Guessing that snow will be less of an issue in Canada this year than last, but certainly more than usual.  But as I say each year, weather over the next several weeks is the key to how much snow will be on the ground come mid June.  Can keep everybody posted if you wish.

The veterans seems to love A+D ointment (baby butt cream) for chafing and it works great for me too.  Cheap and available at most pharmacies/Target/Wal-Mart? type stores in US.

As for the boil type, the solution is a bit more of a puzzle I find.  If I get one early in the season, it may stick around in some form or another for months if I keep riding but you adjust.  An ingrown hair at the butt bone pressure point is usually the cause.  If you can prevent or get sorted early in the season, rest of season seems trouble free.  Would also highly recommend investigating the best seat width for your butt.  Try the Specialized device at a LBS - it gave me a much different butt width number than I thought (much narrower than I had measured at home).  So, you get the right width measured, then measure seats at you LBS (not total width, but where you butt bones would sit based on the measurement), and then pick one.  Seems to have helped immensely for me.

There are some problems with the TransCanada Trail between Canmore and Vancouver.

1.  There isn't really a seperate one until Sparwood, rather you are best on the GDRMB route.
2.  From Sparwood west to Cranbrook, there are much better options as parts of the TCT route are (hmmm - how to say this nicely) stupid.
3.  Don't know firsthand, but know that there are some big issues now on the rail trail portions from Castlegar to Hope.  Lots of off road motorized vehicles have made for very poor riding conditions, from what I've heard.   A real shame.

If you want more details of some better options, PM me.

Elk Valley/Flathead snow update.

About 1.7 m (5'5") of snow the past week.  But snowpack data shows average year to date.

Check out this vid to see what the blower pow was like last week at Fernie Alpine Resort.
http://www.skifernie.com/video/videos.aspx

Fernie/Elk Valley area has basically average snow depth/moisture for this time of year, above ~1500 m that is.  Less than average in valley bottoms.

But I wouldn't get too excited as by far the majority of snow comes in the next few months, so what is on the ground now is often meaningless by spring.

And let's not badmouth snow too much - it's fun stuff and a great change-up from just riding.

Off to shred some gnar - later!

Craig looks to be moving again, back to the route.

Good news hopefully!

Re: Stappy

I'll throw in my WAG (Wild Ass Guess).

He posted back in June that he had to skip the June grand depart due to a nasty Achilles issue, but this may be more of a mech issue.  Backtrack could just be a navi error in the dark, and unrelated to whatever the bigger issue is.

But yes, the drop in speed also makes for more WAGging re: injury issue.

Hope all will be OK!

Stappler's speed is well known in western Canada, and beyond as well (believe he won two stages of TransPortugal this spring, unofficially after an electronic tracking snafu on a previous day).

His one-day to several-day endurance is also not in question, but a two-week plus effort at this pace may be unknown territory.

That's in part what makes this fascinating watching - speed vs. endurance decisions, veteran vs. rookie experience, clean shaven vs. mutton chops, etc.

Any reviews on the Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29 tires for the TD/GDMBR?  Can get with sidewall protection (Snakeskin) for minor weight penalty.

I love the Schwalbe Rocket Ron tires as they hook up way better than they look like they should and are very fast, but they have very thin sidewalls and wear reasonably quickly so not a great choice for this application.

latest river forecast centre snow pillow info for fernie/flathead area

http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/data/asp/realtime/asp_pages/asp_2c09q.html

this is great news for those who like to see all time records about to be surpassed!!!

that said, trails in the elk river valley bottom have opened up a ton in the last couple weeks and several of the low elevation (~1000-1200 m) and south facing trails that make fernie one of the best mtb singletrack locations in the world (blatant plug for my town!) are in great shape.  you could still ski top to bottom at the ski hill though (top elev=1900 m, bottom elev=1100 m).  so really a mixed bag out there.  would imagine that there is significant snow along flathead route through the passes, but haven't seen firsthand yet.

streams are rising and are approaching average spring runoff peak levels, but will most likely rise significantly higher based on above.  if we get warm rain (forecast) on large snowpack up high, could see repeat of 1995 when major flooding and loss of numerous bridges occurred throughout region.  stay tuned.

Anyone interested in teaming up to do the TD or GDR route N to S starting mid-September 2011?  (This feels like a dating site post or something!)

Hoping for around a 20 day finish (give or take a couple days), and I would consider philosophies ranging from strictly following the TD rules to a team time trial format (~2-4 persons) sharing info, gear, drafting, etc.  Looking for a fast, light tour approach, but primary goal is MUST HAVE FUN!!!, and looking for a broader experience than just racing for a result (I do some racing too, don't get me wrong.)

If interested, please PM me.

(Have to take a shower now, I feel a little desperate and a bit dirty.)

Any Canada firsthand snow updates?, Erik asked.  Here's the interesting news.

That Elkford pic is deceiving.  Snow in the Elk Valley bottom roads is starting to get scarse or is gone, if the road was occasionally plowed in the winter or is south facing.  Otherwise, it is a near record snowpack for this time of year.  Sorry to say, the actual snowpack is either stable or increasing at altitude (~1800 m).  Ski hill is still perfect with no bare areas showing (>4m base). Has snowed every day this week in Fernie, but not really accumulating on the ground in the valley bottoms at least.  Above ~1300 m, it looks like it is sticking.  It is really sad actually, at least from a biking perspective.

Now for some good news, in the south country (similar conditions to Eureka) the snow is basically gone and even the singletrack is good now.  Unfortunately, the TD route only visits this country for about 30-40 miles before climbing back up again.  But who knows, maybe there will be lots of melting soon?