My book just arrived (books actually - I bought 4 additional copies to give as Christmas gifts for supporters) and I just quickly browsed through it.  It looks like a job very well done!

Thanks Chris!  And good luck in the London to Istanbul race in 2014...

Jeff Mullen

James Hodges (age 62) has finished several times with this year being his fastest time.  Robert Orr (age 58) was probably the fastest 55+ rider this year finishing in 22 days ?? hours.  Despite losing almost 2 days in Pinedale, WY due to knee issues.  Robert could have possibly finished in under 20 days without the knee issues and if he had chosen to push it.  Until Pinedale, WY he rode with Kent Davidson (age 62 - mentioned in previous post in this forum) and Kent claimed that he was holding Robert back.  Robert and Kent have a long history of road racing and adventure racing together.

James, Kent and Rob were 3 of my favorite riders out there.  All extremely fit (I wish I had half the leg muscle that James and Kent have) and seemingly in it mainly for the adventure and camaraderie.  Definitely great examples for the rest of us when we get close to 60.  None of them were doing blogs or following what was being said in the TD 13 forum (at least I don't think they were).  When reading all of the (in my opinion) ridiculous posts about what a competitive TD time is, whether there should be a "relegated rider" trackleaders screen, etc. I always wondered what the opinion of these 3 veteran riders would be.  I personally hope that we leave everything the way it is now (it is perfect) unless the Grand Depart numbers get so large that something absolutely has to be done.  And hopefully I didn't just cause this discussion to start again.

I'm 54 and finished this year in 23 days and 17 hours.  I don't believe age played any part in how fast I finished other than that it gave me the experience to never once think about quitting.  Not sure that would have been the case when I was in my 20's.  I think there are a lot of folks out there in their 50's, 60's and even 70's that could put in very fast times if they chose to do the Tour Divide.  I know a bunch from New England where we have some incredible master xc skiers and cyclists.

It also should be noted that 8th place finisher Saemi Burkart (from Switzerland) is 51.  Great job!

I was definitely impressed by all of the riders under the age of 25.  Lot of strong young riders this year.  All of them are pretty amazing!

Update to my previous post.  I forgot that I had used a different credit card while in Canada.  One with no fees for foreign transactions.  I had $270 in charges on that credit including $83 in bike related items that I picked up in Banff.  Thus total spent was close to $2,000.

It looks like it cost me around $1600-$1700 from the time I arrived in Calgary/Banff (3 days before the start) to the time that I finished (23-24 days of riding with 6-7 nights in a hotel or cabin).  $1,450 confirmed from my credit card statement and probably another $150-$250 in cash.

$400 of that went to bike work and parts/gear in Steamboat and Salida.  Most of the rest was for food as the cost for gas station food and restaurant food can really add up.  I tried to hit grocery stores and Subways whenever possible to save a little money.

I thought I did it fairly cheaply also.  I rode my bike from Calgary to Banff to save on the shuttle cost.  I was also fortunate in that I was offered a place to stay in Banff which saved me money on a room and some meals while waiting for the race to start.  Sharing hotel rooms on the trail also helped out.

I would think that a budget of $1500-2000 makes sense unless one is staying in hotels most nights.  I'd be curious as to how much others spent.

Adding a post to get this thread on the first page where more easily seen by others.

The AML 400 starts 2 weeks from today!  See Chris Tompkins post for link to see race info.  Last I heard there were around 15 people that were going to do the race this year.  Anyone else interested?  I did it last year (my first ever bikepacking race) and loved it.  Blacksburg, VA is a great place to start/finish and the course is beautiful (great fall foliage in some sections).  It made for a perfect trial run before tackling the Tour Divide this past June.  Similar experience with lots of climbing and long distances between services at times.

Can't wait to do it again this year and it sounds like all the top finishers from last years race are returning.  Should be fun!

Me and Robin Scwartz get into Calgary on the 10th at around 5pm.  We'll be putting out bikes together at the airport that evening then probably ride somewhere and camp or crash at the airport.  We'll be heading out sometime in to morning, you're welcome to join us.

-Eric

Thanks Eric...  I just sent you an e-mail to see if possible to hook up on 6/11.  FYI to others that I hope to be on the road by 8:00 to 9:00 AM on 6/11 if possible.  In case anyone else is riding to Banff on 6/11.  I know that Craig Stappler has organized a ride to Banff on 6/12 which sounds like fun.

Is anyone riding from Calgary to Banff on June 11th (Tuesday)?  I get into Calgary late on June 10th (hopefully stealth camping in the airport) and plan on riding to Banff on Tuesday.  Would love some company if anyone is riding to Banff that day.

Also - I noticed (on the mtbcast website) that Ed Turkaly is raising money for Shwachman Diamond Syndrome (SDS) in honor of his son.  Good luck Ed with your fundraising (I'll add my donation shortly)!

I've also recently decided to use this ride to raise money for a worthy cause.  The Vermont Cancer Center where I was treated for colon cancer in 2008.  Being 5 years since my diagnosis/surgery/treatment it seemed like the perfect time to do this as a "thanks" to the VCC.

Following is a link to the Facebook page that I created for the ride -

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tour-Divide-2013-Jeff-Mullens-ride-to-support-the-Vermont-Cancer-Center/156726794501270

Sorry for including the plug here but it seemed like a good place to maybe get some additional "likes" on the page and possibly pick up a few pledges from Tour Divide fans.  Following is a direct link to my pledge page -

https://docs.google.com/a/gmavt.net/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Avk_B1qdxv4WdHAyakFIZnVRSGRPYTUwcm9IQkhtVnc#gid=0

Thank you for reading!

Thanks Bob...  Does sound nicer and much more convenient.  Definitely want company, cameradie, etc. and will need to weigh that against cost and better sleep.  Just the way I've learned to travel - that keeping costs down is part of the game.  Doing the TD has already proven to be an expensive proposition and still a month away from the start!

Likely I'll be at the YWCA...

One month until the start - getting excited and need to get in some big training miles (I definitely won't be overtrained)!  Planning on a 3 day ride this weekend to help get the legs, butt, etc. ready for the long ride.  And make sure that my gear is ready. 

FYI that I booked a room at the YWCA last week.  So there were still rooms as of then.  I'm in a bunk room which is $30 when you mention that you're riding the TD.

Though may still cancel if the weather sounds good.  Camping at one of the Tunnel Mountain campgrounds is $27 something (plus tax) but is per site.  So would offer some savings if 3-4 people were to share a site.  Is anyone interested? 

Or is there good reason to definitely stay at the YWCA?  My goal is to keep expenses down (as few hotels as possible) and I sleep better in my tent anyway.

Yes - I'm going with a tent (around 3 lbs.) but for my first TD I really want the peace of mind that having a tent along will give me.  On the last night of the AML 400 last October I had about the best night of sleep I ever had (was just incredibly comfortable in the tent).  Helped me feel super strong and competitive on the tough last day.  So am hoping that an extra pound or 2 won't matter much.

Good luck to everyone with final prep!

Thanks Chris...  Sounds great!  Let me know if anything I can do to help.  I'm hoping to be back for the AML 400 next October but probably won't know for sure until next summer.

Jeff

Hi there...  FYI that there is an airport in Page, AZ.  Actually very convenient as within walking distance to everything.  I flew into there a few years back on a United flight (I believe) for a kayak trip on Lake Powell.  Connecting through Phoenix.

Thus likely rental cars in Page also.

Just now seeing this forum.  Yeah - thanks for the pictures Taylor.  Very nice!  And great job Taylor and Chris for flying around that very difficult course.

Hopefully the AML becomes an annual event.  Has anyone heard from Chris Thompkins lately?  Chris did such an amazing job putting this together but I haven't heard anything from him after the race.

Thanks Ron...  Yeah - I would love to do the ride with a group on Wednesday.  Sounds like fun.

But with my flight coming in on Monday night, Tuesday seems to make the most sense for me.  Unless I can find someplace inexpensive to stay in Calgary on Tuesday night.  Might be fun to see Calgary for a day.

Jeff

Thanks Bob...  You're right.  It looks like I misread and it will only be $100 to bring my bike on the United flight.  Not too bad though probably better on some other airlines.

I started to look into shipping and it looks like it would be more than $100.  I'll also definitely feel better having the bike on the plane with me.

Anybody up for riding from Calgary to Banff on Tuesday, June 11th?  And sharing a campsite in Banff on T,W and TH nights?  Though I'm guessing that many of you will be doing the TD with either a bivy sack or a tarp set up.  I'm going with a small 1 person tent as I like the extra space and protection from the elements if we hit much bad weather.

Hi everyone...  I'm new to bikepacking.net and this is one of my first posts.  I did the AML (Allegheny Mountain Loop) race a couple of weeks ago and loved it.  Looking forward to doing the CTR, ATR, GNTR, etc. at some point

I'm committed to doing the Tour Divide in 2013 and booked my flight yesterday to fly into Calgary late on Monday night June 10th (best deal using frequent flier miles).  I'm thinking of spending the night in the airport and then biking to Banff on Tuesday.  Would love to have others join me on the ride if it worked into their schedule.

I haven't figured out how I will get my bike there yet.  It looks like it will cost $200 to bring on my flight (as considered oversized luggage - United is expensive for that) so I'm considering having my bike shipped to Calgary (or Banff if that makes more sense).  Does anyone have any suggestions for the least expensive way to get my bike from Vermont to Calgary?

Also - while in Banff I plan on camping (likely at Tunnel Mountain NP campground right in town pretty much).  The price is per site so would love to share with other cyclists to save money if anyone is interested.  I'll be trying to save money wherever possibly while doing the TD as to me that will be part of the game.  I expect that this will get very expensive otherwise.

Thanks in advance for any feedback that anyone can provide!  Good luck to everyone with preparation, etc.

Jeff Mullen
Richmond, VT
jeffmullen@gmavt.net

Hi Wi,...  Sounds great.  I've been wondering if there was anyone else from the area that might be doing it this June.  Lets plan on getting together to chat and hopefully ride.  Most weekends (and many weekdays) work for me.

Jeff

Hi David...  Sounds great.  I'll be checking back for more info.  I live in Richmond and recently discovered bikepacking.  I did the AML "race" (Allegheny Mountain Loop) in VA/WV a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it.  I've done numerous long distance self supported bike tours in the past but previously on road bikes.

Almost certain that I will be attempting the Tour Divide in June.  I know that you've done it so would love to meet/ride to hear your thoughts on the TD.

Let me know if anything I can do to help.  Is it possible to see the map of the new 420 mile route?

Thanks!

Jeff Mullen
Richmond, VT