Re GPS choice - I took an eTrex 20 this year and it worked out pretty well - batteries would last around 2 to 3 days per set. I loaded free Topo maps (from gpsfiledepot) for each state onto a memory card and just switched maps when I came to the state boundaries. I also loaded Scott's 10000 point TD route file including the 2012 route changes and it worked superbly.

One gotcha that caught me out at the end of a very long day was the colour schemes. I had my eTrex set to use the same scheme for day and night, and the pink route didn't show up very well over an orange road. Having emerged from the forest late at night with just a gentle roll down the hill into Cuba, I ended up going 7 miles in completely the wrong direction before I realised I was following just an orange line and not a pink one. I could've cried when I realised!  Apart from that, I don't think you can go wrong with an eTrex.

One last thing - make sure you tie the unit to your handlebars using some nylon string (or stronger) - there's a small metal loop on the battery cover. I had to grease (with lip balm) the rails of the mount to enable me to get the unit out easily for battery changes - mainly due to gradually weakening fingers as a result of hand nerve damage. Although the unit was always well clicked in after such changes, it still flew out of the mounting at least 5 or 6 times during the race - without the tether I'm pretty sure I would have lost it.

   

Hi Zohar

I have a bit of 'snow death march' footage from my iPhone on the top of Richmond Peak. I'll e-mail that to you tonight.
Hope you are well. My hands are still giving me some problems but they are gradually getting better.
Best wishes
John

Jay P making his thoughts be known....not too happy with the situation at the front this year it seems....
http://salsacycles.com/culture/tour_divide_the_view_from_the_sidelines

This article makes me pissed off and I am trying to figure out why...maybe because he is clearly calling into question the leaders' integrity, while at the end saying "I do not put anybodys efforts to the side."

Gotta say I find myself on JayP's side of this particular 'divide'. I rode this year's race in what I supposed was the intended independent manner - even to the extent of riding past a couple of planned camp sites when I saw other riders already in situ. I simply couldn't conceive of making such a massive commitment to being in the race, in terms of training effort, time and money, and then riding, eating, sleeping in lock-step with someone else, and effectively comprising myself and my whole approach to the race. (I go down to my cycling club's Sunday morning run if I want a social ride with someone else.) I guess if you have my viewpoint, then inevitably it does take a little shine off what was nevertheless an incredible ride by the two guys at the front. It just would have been even more incredible (to me at least), if they had been riding in a more obviously independent fashion, as the vast majority of the first 30 or so finishers seem to have been doing. (BTW - I think the formation of "survival groups" further down the field is much more understandable.)

Personally, I will be hoping that a 'lone wolf' zips down the route in splendid isolation to win next year, but I won't be hugely surprised if a group of 3 or 4 rides in together in less than 16 days. I think a pattern may have been set, unfortunately.

     
     

Arrived Calgary last night - bike box rather crushed by British Airways. Shuttle to Banff 09:00, then unpacking to see if the bike's OK.
Had a stressful last few days of work, getting last bits of gear, and packing bike (pedals seized). After all the dramas just getting here, the race itself should be a breeze (well relatively).

@GRB

Hi Gary

I'm the other Brit on the start-list spreadsheet, although I'm pretty sure there will be more by early June.

Arriving in Banff (Y Lodge) on the 4th, so looking forward to being woken up by you!

Off to Wales this weekend for 4 day TD dress rehearsal that may also include a little snow in addition to lots of climbing.

Look fwd to meeting you in Canada.

John P.

Thanks Georg - that doesn't sound too officious. I'd really hate to get stuck at the border for any longer than strictly necessary.

I'm from the UK and will be arriving in Banff (YWCA) on 4th June for a few days to get rid of the jet-lag and get used to the starting altitude.

I travel to Heidelberg on business occasionally - our company supplies billing software to Kabel BW. If I'm planning to be out there before June, I'll let you know, and maybe we could meet up and discuss strategy / tactics / gear over a beer or two.

John

Question for Euro-vets:

What documentation did you need at the US border - just your passport, or did you also have to show evidence of a flight ticket home?  (or even a US visa!?)

re Wireless coverage:

I'm planning on buying a pay-as-you-go phone to take with me - is there any particular wireless network that has generally better coverage than the other networks along the TD route?
 

I first learnt about the Tour Divide from a magazine article about 9 months ago. For someone whose childhood role model was the great Alf Tupper - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alf_Tupper , the attraction of this event is irresistible. Alf's main issue with the TD would have been the lack of proper fish and chip shops along the route!

So I will be there in Banff on 8th June 2012 for the SOBO Grand Départ, hoping to live up to Alf's "hard as nails" standards.

John Phillips
Winchester, UK.