Foster, I don't have a file but I would be happy to ride with guys to Cochrane. You'll get the cool local route that way, from there it's just follow the 1A. Let me know when you want leave, Cadence is ideal location to meet.
Craig.

I forgot to add my e-mail.

stap93@hotmail.com

Hey everyone. I've had several replies, so this should be fun. The plan will be to meet at Cadence Cafe in Bowness, northwest Calgary at 8 am for breakfast. Hopefully everyone is staying close enough to make it there. I know that Kevin and Martin rode from near the airport in 2011. This should be added value for everyone, Cadence is a cyclist friendly place with great food and coffee. We'll aim to ride by 9. From there the ride will take a favorite local route through Glenbow park to Cochrane and stop at another spot for coffee. It's about 80km to Canmore from Cochrane on the 1A. In Canmore we'll probably stop at a patio for a late lunch or slightly early dinner, maybe a beer, of course a beer! Depending on time we can ride the goat creek double track of the race course backwards to Banff or a paved pathway along the highway. This is about a five hour ride at a crisp pace on a road bike. I'm estimating eight hours at a very friendly pace on loaded TD bikes, plus two hours stop time, totaling ten hours. So we should make Banff by 7.

There will also be a get together Tuesday night in NW Calgary. We're going to head out to a pub near the university, Moose Mcguires. We'll share some stories, beers, wings and a meal with some friends from the Calgary cycling scene who want to wish you well. 7 pm, Tuesday the 11th.

If anyone needs help sorting out last minute supplies or bike shops, a ride from the airport or to the pub Tuesday night let me know. I have a big van so it's easy through bikes into. For those riding to the pub, my van will be there for bike storage as well.
Craig.


http://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Cadence+cafe&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=Cadence+cafe&hnear=0x537170039f843fd5:0x266d3bb1b652b63a,Calgary,+AB&cid=0,0,7461944652300991244&sa=X&ei=qV-uUbTlDMbXrQGajIGwBA&ved=0CI0BEPwSMAA

http://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=moose+mcguires&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=moose+mcguires&hnear=0x537170039f843fd5:0x266d3bb1b652b63a,Calgary,+AB&cid=0,0,1487376699465302394&sa=X&ei=aV6uUd_tE4nxqAHqr4GQAg&ved=0CLsBEPwSMAA

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/133/1762/1600/585984/20061119_%20013.jpg

As a novice, a non elite competitor but most importantly a Dad and a husband, I have what I suspect is a fairly common take on the rules.  I will do whatever I deem to be the safest and most time efficient way to get myself going again.  If I am 10 miles from safety ahead, but 100 miles behind, there is no way I am going back.  Equally I have a window of time that I hav to complete the event.  I'm not unnecessarily wasting 48hrs for the sake of sticking to the rules religiously.  If that results in me being disqualified, so be it.  I won't be complaining.  As long as I get to Antelope Wells under my own steam and complete the entire route, I'll be claiming a completion

I don't think it's reasonable to start an event intending to not follow all of the rules. No one is forcing you to "race" under the TD rules, you can ride it under any rules you want. If the forward progress rule has indeed reverted, one obvious, plausible and rule following answer to the dilemma you cited would be to walk forward for ten miles. Self-rescue, sort of the point and what the rule is trying to promote.

Also, anyone planning on riding from Calgary to Banff on June 12? It would be great to ride with other people.

Here is my tentative plan:
June 11th: Start riding away from the Calgary airport around 3pm and stay near Cochrane
June 12th: Ride to Banff

Forest that is pretty close to my offer to lead a group ride. Breakfast at 8am on the 12th at Cadence cafe, in Bowness, NW Calgary. Ride around 9. I have 5 or 6 firm commitments so far. Should be an enjoyable ride and a chance to spend some time with other TD riders before we all spread out in the race. We will pass through Cochrane on our way. I'm thinking of having a send off bbq for the riders on the evening of the 11th. I don't have accomidations to offer but if you're willing to stay in NW Calgary for one night you and anyone else is welcome. I'll start a June 12th ride to Banff thread in the next couple weeks.
Craig Stappler.

I think riding to Banff makes a lot of sense. Living in Calgary that's how I get to the race. It's a nice warm up, shake down etc, about half a TD days ride, beautiful views, easy surfaces. Around 130 km/ 80 miles from NW Calgary, riding the 1A to Banff. It rakes about 5 hours at a steady pace on a road bike. 10 hours would give time for an easy pace on a loaded TD bike, and a stop in Canmore for a late lunch. I've offered to ride people out the past two years and would love to meet anyone who wants to do it this year. In 2011 I took Kevin Cunniffe and Martin Wimpenny. I'd like to head out on the Wednesday, have Wednesday evening and all of Thursday in Banff. We'd start with breakfast at our local cafe, bike path with some single track out to Cochrane, coffee at another usual cyclist pit stop, 1A to Canmore, lunch, goat creek trail to Banff.
Craig.

I used a specialized s-works renegade as a front tire. I planned to use renegades front and rear but had last minute doubts on the tread lasting as a rear tire. I ran the front until Salida, it had about 30-40% tread left. I replaced it with another renegade from my mail package. Great side walls, excellent bead, beads up with a mini pump on the trail, zero flats. About the fastest safe tire I can think of, super fast rolling, 460- 500 grams per tire. Fast tracks are interesting as well. They seem to roll almost as fast, slightly heavier, much more tread depth but potentially softer dorumeter.

"training"

The training...currently:
Saturday:100 - 125miles with 10k+ of climbing
Sunday: 50 - 60 miles with 4-5k of climbing
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Intervals on flats - total ride about 90 minutes
Weds:  Ride with group, 2 hours
Thurs: Hill intervals - total ride about 90 minutes
Friday: Rest or easy spin

Looks great. Similar to what I do but more structure. Try and get out for some practice runs with all your kit, maybe a couple early season races and you'll be set.

These are on sale, btw:

http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4636/1600FQ0008013/Rocky-13''-GORE-TEX%C2%AE-Socks/

That's what I have and they are excellent. That's a great price. The material is partly stretchy but mostly rigid. It takes about 5-10 seconds per sock to put on or take off. I thought bunching may be a problem so I bought my exact size. Size 9, I wear size 43 shoe. I was only bringing thin wool race type socks otherwise and they fit inside just right. I didn't up size my shoes or socks, no need, everything was perfectly comfy. I almost got a small blister on one heal from hiking in them but took care of it before it manifested.

Scott, to each their own. If you're asking my opinion, both booties and your x-alp pearl izumi shoes are not the best choices. Booties only help to a point, are crappy to hike in and will only survive so much of that stuff. Gortex socks for example are much more reliable, keep you drier, warmer. I had both, in the worst conditions, I don't think that the booties added much. For shoes, I used my favorite old pair of race shoes. They were three years old and knew they worked for me, riding all day or on hike-a-bikes. The shoes I used were one model down from the top, still carbon soul but slightly softer than the top shoe and a full tread. It's a peddling race more than anything, look at all of the top riders from any year, mtb racing shoes exclusively. Last year was pretty easy, I hiked the tops of Flathead pass, Galton pass, Red Meadow lake and Richmond peak. That was it, maybe 6-8 miles of hiking out of 2730. The hike-a-biking on the divide isn't technical, just be sure you can hike for at least two hours at a time in whatever shoes you choose.

Hey Adam, sure, I love to talk about myself.

My clothing was just right. The wool undershirts were my insulation layer. I have a ul down jacket but I decided not to bring it. My sleeping bag is plenty warm so it's not needed at night, it's not really breathable enough to ride in. I figured on riding, eating or sleeping so I left it behind and never missed it. I was warm enough the entire time as long as added layers before I got cold. I was also able to keep my cycling shorts, jersey and my base and insulation layers dry for the entire adventure. Water absorbing clothing was either worn in dry conditions, worn under gortex or stored inside the same ul dry bag that held my sleeping bag.

You're correct I didn't use a sleeping pad. From my 2011 ITT experience in August and September, I found I was comfortable just sleeping on the ground, even concrete. The night time lows in the fall were equivalent to spring so I figured I was good to go. I did fail to realize that the temperature of the ground is much cooler in the spring. Day time highs for northern Montana in late August 2011 were 80's even 90's. Last spring for the first two days maybe 40's - 50's. I spent night two, right at the critical edge of comfort, in my mummy bag and bivy, sleeping on top of every piece of clothing I had on the ice cold concrete floor of the Tuchuck campground outhouse. My thoughts were/ are, you carry your gear 16- 20 hours a day, you sleep 5 or 6, it's a balancing act but excluding your bike, you spend far more time carrying your stuff than using it and that should factor into your choices. I always feel I carry too much. This year I'm adding a 3 ounce close cell foam half length pad but I got a new custom cuben bivy that's 3.5 ounces lighter so...

Like Chris said, let's get back to what's really important, Tour Divide 2013! I'm stoked, especially for the rookies.

Talking about cool weather gear. How cold can you expect to get in Canada. I have seen many pictures/movies of some serious snow. But what will the temperatures be like? I can do cold but how cold are we talking? I am hoping to bring 1 long sleeve jersey and one windbreaker/rain coat (haven't figured out which one yet) and arm warmers. Plus knee warmers and tights for the bottom.

You need to be prepared to ride in temps just a few degrees above freezing for extended periods. Last year on days two and three the leaders had periods of cold rain from the Flathead all the way to Whitefish. It was comical. It would be raining at lower elevations but as we climbed, the rain would turn into snow falling, I hope that gives you an idea on temp. Before the race I was waffling on bringing some sort of rain pants or not. I took the inter-web advice of veterans like Kurt. I also think I read somewhere once Jay P saying when putting together his kit he starts with full rain gear. I took rain pants, jacket with a hood and gortex socks. I was glad to have everything I did. I was pretty much comfortable except for wet, cold hands. This year I'm adding waterproof shells for my hands. IMO, tights aren't great for this race. Gear should be more versatile. Carry rain pants or knickers instead, about the same weight. You'll be temp and precip covered.
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,3854.msg33033.html#msg33033
In the pic, I'm wearing every piece of clothing I have. I also had booties that I brought along in a last minute panic. I wore them for a couple days because I had them with me but they are the one thing I'm leaving behind this year.

my 2012 clothing

upper body:
short sleeve sugoi race jersey
defeet tank summer undershirt
icebreaker lightweight short sleeve merino tee
mec lightweight long sleeve merino tee
sugoi helium vest
marmot nano paclite jacket
dakine blockade gloves
pearl izumi fingerless summer gloves
louis garneau winter cap
summer skull cap
catlike whisper plus helmet
adidas evil eye half rim glasses with rx

lower body:
sugoi rs bibs
mavic knee warmers
lightweight merino race socks
rocky gortex socks
gore alp x paclite pants
shimano m 230 shoes
sugoi booties


 

[You're]

Don't take anything anyone says about your TD too seriously. You're the only one that matters.
I like some things Jay P says and strongly disagree with others but that's OK.
For my part, I'm 100% bike racer, 0% adventure racer. I unapologetically tried to turn my TD into a bike race, which I feel it is anyway. I somewhat planned to ride with others before I started. Anyone plus or minus 2% of my pace I would ride with. As a near rookie, I felt the advantages of sticking together would be an asset. Of course, we didn't start to "wait" for each other until maybe day 3, after we had eliminated most of the group and established our commonality.

Na, Ollie is unbreakable. He was just bent a bit.

Okay, I'm gonna jump in here with sort of a little on/off topic comment to the current convo being had. Just asking, but per the "Tour Divide's" official page, it states in two parts - Under rules, the particulars, section 3 it reads that "challengers must always ride 100% of the most current map edition of ACA's 'main' Great Divide Route." Section 4 states - "Advancing (forward) on the route by any means other than one's own pedal power is strictly prohibited." Okay, reading both those lines leads me to believe that without any such issues faced due to mechanicals, the ENTIRE route must be ridden totally to be officially acknowledged if finished. What I am throwing out there is what of all the pictures I've seen posted online from other riders, walking or pushing their bikes up a hill. Around or over an obsticle. What of footage shown in the film "Ride The Divide," which depicts riders pushing their bikes. Does this action of moving forward render them all officially void of their effort, even if fully finished the entire distance? As for mechanicals, it seems pretty logical I think as to what would render a mountain bike totally unrideable.

Yes you have to clean the entire course, no dabs allowed

Reminds me of lava mountain trail last year. I'd normally walk the steep bits and save my legs but when Ollie and I hit it he just kept riding. So I buckled to peer pressure and we both stayed on our bikes. Then right before the downhill Ollie loses his balance skirting a mud puddle and dabs. I spend the next 10 minutes ribbing him about how he ruined our potential call in about cleaning lava mountain trail.

Aidan in 2011 and Erik Lobeck in 2010 perhaps even more so. I chatted briefly with ML last year at brush mountain lodge about it. You are correct the rule has changed, you can move forward on the course not under your own power. I believe it is restricted to mechanicals.

Thanks Joe. You are a real value added for everyone racing and following along. Stickers would be cool, I'd leave it on after too, street cred bling.

You guys are so structured! I've been riding year round for the past five years. I guess you could call what we do in the winter gravel grinding. Usually ride 100-160km both days on the weekend with some of the better riders in the city. Gravel, single-track, frozen rivers, railway etc, mostly on cross bikes. Fit in what I can, if I can during the week. I got out today from 4pm until 7. This usually amounts to about 5000km from November until April. I don't keep track or really have structure. Ride faster/ harder if I feel I should. Ramp up for early season racing in the spring. I'm a big believer in building fitness from racing, plus racing is fun. Before the divide last year I think I had raced three xc's a marathon and a road race in the spring. Then I went on a bike race holiday to Spain and raced the Andalucia Bike Race. I also did a couple 170 mile over-nighters in May, to get in the right mind space and test some new gear. This year I'm going to Portugal in May for Garmin Trans-Portugal. It's a grueling 1200km, 9 day mtb stage race where you follow a line on your gps, just like the divide. Awesome event, I did it 2011 as well.

[advertised]

The advertised start time for TD is 9am, leave it at that. All you need to really know is be ready to roll the morning of the 14th.

I ran a snakeskin tubeless ready racing ralph for a rear tire last year. Super fast rolling. I considered going the whole way on it but ended up changing it in Grants. By the time I did, the tread was worn smooth and when I stopped for a period of time I would notice about 40 pin holes weeping stans. Never needed to have air added though, zero flats for the ride. Snake skin ralphs would make great divide tires if you rotate them or change them half way.