Big tailwind thru the Basin for the leaders.  Looks to be 20+ mph

And RL way off track between Lima and Idaho. At least 1hr the wrong way (so far), hope he catches the error soon.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Some good racing out there.  Brendan and Jay obviously in a shootout for 1 and 2. Good tight race.  3 to 4 to 5 to 6 are all 40miles apart, which could be closed up with a bad day by someone.  I'm rooting for Lauren B, she continues to have solid efforts and is sitting in 6th with the  next 10 people within 40 miles (including the 2nd place female).  That group will be interesting to watch.

Facebook favorite Linda G was in Helena for an extended time yesterday, left late afternoon and made it to the lake south of Helena to camp. Her dots appear to have her at the Helena hospital this morning.  I hope all is well with her.  The heat we had in Montana on Sat/Sun/Mon were brutal and seems to have hit many of them hard (no idea if that was an impact on her).

Some conversation on Facebook, but not nearly as much as in the past. Unless I'm missing a group section over there....

Try these links, they shouldn't require an account. Top 9 photos at the top, below that is the most recent photos using the hashtags. From there you should be able to click onto the peoples accounts (as some forget to use the hashtag). You'll stumble into the accounts of those posting more than others.

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/tourdivide2021/
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/tourdivide/

2hrs off track but back to Ovando for sleep by midnight. That had to suck, wonder what happened?

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Can't say that I've seen a larger discussion on the ethics of it. But I have seen discussions in various places about ensuring you don't take the only restroom. Or, in general, tie it up when others would need to use it.

The reports, or instances that I remember are early season when no one is around, or during bad weather (again no one around).

I like resourcefulness, but would hope personal ethics don't inconvenience others. I can't see myself sleeping in one.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

La Nina supposed to hammer Montana.  Light snow so far, but could be a deep year. I'm looking to buy powder boards.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Go to the old racing forums on this site, they will have both pre-race and race watching threads. You'll have to go back several years back to get to the good stuff, but you'll gain good information on route changes, the why, mistakes made during the race, camping, etc.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Not sure how I'd do it yet (what crankset would work). But 30/36 up front. I like a tighter rear cassette (11-46). Even if I have to forgo the front derailleur and manually shift the front.  A taller gear for flatter days, long downhills and tailwinds.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Yes ,here is the link from when I drove it last year. You'll see 1 or 2  minor route corrections when you zoom in, but this gets you to just outside Frenchtown.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/43687868

The guys in my group that rode it hit some logging activity about halfway up. The road was tore up, but still passable. I think they said 4 miles of ugh...

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

I have your route from Superior to Missoula.  I scouted it for the WWR connector to Missoula.  I'll get that to you.  My guys rode it, a good route with a big climb. A little logging this summer, but great views.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Username was the location for the last 16yrs.  Griz is for U of Montana - but getting within 10yrs of retirement so got to move back to the mountains.

More details: (north to south)
initial climb out of Troy is a little cramped, pinched against cement guardrail and narrow shoulder, 2nd time we rode the wrong side of the road.
backroads are paved, but quiet, then you hit hwy56
i think 8 miles of pavement, decent shoulder
then gravel over the rattle creek pass
then another 8miles of pavement to the intersection with hwy 200
hwy 200 is busier, but mostly downhill towards Noxon, has a decent shoulder as well.

I scouted the Clark Fork alternate the month prior to my trip (I live in Missoula, so it is close).  I wouldn't do it, not worth it.  From the top of the pass it took us 90min to go 4 miles.  Then we camped at the bridge (a highlight of the trip).  However, the remaining 3miles took us 2hrs in the morning. The 3 or 4 washouts have you forging along the river.  We were there in late June and it got a little dicey. I wouldn't recommend if alone and I wouldn't recommend prior to July 1st.  The road from the end of the washouts to Clark Fork is really cool, but after that is mostly pavement to Noxon. 

As a side note, I rode the main route from Troy to Noxon and didn't mind hwy 56. Traffic was light (not riding on weekends), the climb up and over Rattle Creek pass was beautiful.  It would be nice to have an alternative, but the hwy wasn't that bad.

Just finished segment 1 this week. I have also done Banff to Lincoln.

WWR is more remote and wild feeling. Climbs seemed longer and supply points seemed more space. Water was plentyful.

Use the WWR app for download their waypoints as they are very helpful. Navigation can still be a small challenge,  just double check you are on the proper road shortly after major/confusing intersections.

The counties that you pass through have some of the lowest covid rates in Montana,  we took the normal precautions and didn't feel any animosity from the locals.

I'm still digesting the week, but the first tip that comes to mind is to try and time your Hiawatha trail ride after 5pm, or before 10am. The trail was empty for us at those times,  but another group said that were nose to tail with traffic at midday.

As I process, I'll come back with more info.


Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

I should have added, that if you can find a seatbag with the solid attachments, those certainly look like they are worth the money. They would be my next upgrade. Having the ability to pull a drybag off the seat to pack would be helpful

I can't speak to those bags specifically.  For the handlebar bag, just make sure you can fit what you need between the drops or hoods.  I think that would be the challenge of using them on a road bike. I use mine on a MTB and found that aero bars or BayYak are nice to get that handlebar bag away from my brakes. Using aero bars on a road bike to help mount further out might be helpful on a road bike.

I use the original Revelate seatbag, some people have problems with swaying buy I do not. You need to really work on the packing. For me, I make sure something soft is in the front/cone shaped part of the bag. Then I have my sleeping bag in a compression sack that is the same diameter of the Revelate. Then, use the interior compression strap (Revelate) to really make a solid package.  Lastly, make sure you really (no, really) snug up the straps for the bag to the bike. It might sound like a lot of work, but it's not and once you figure it out, you shouldn't have swaying either.

Good luck on the search

Try the 100, just don't fill it all the way full. The large plastic clip on the 70 might be what takes up the most space.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Another thought.. What type of bladder? I'm lucky I that I have an early model Camelback bladder with a small cap on it. 100oz. but I usually only fill 2/3rds full.  I'd think that some of the newer model bladders have too much plastic at the top to easily fit into a framebag.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Makes sense to me. Add 2 feedbags and some fork cages.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Tough call between those bikes. I also ride a ti bike. The original  El Mariachi Ti, made by Lynskey.  I know what you mean about the ride.

Looking at the gr300, do some good research on tire sizes. I think the Cutthroat will take a bigger tire than the 300. I haven't ridden the Cutthroat,  but I've been on very long gravel rides behind several friends that ride them,  I can see the seatstays move,  so I believe that design really works. It is definitely on my short list.

Probably can't go wrong with either one. 

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

I rode the "Steamboat Ramble" two years ago and the route was a lot of fun. That might give you several ideas. It goes from Steamboat to Fort Collins. I couldn't tell you the areas, but the last day definitely had option close to you.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk