Today was a good day to confirm clothing choices....

May 6, Edmonton River Valley

Tom, I hope the Edmonton area is waaay colder in general than the Banff area. I have fingers severely crossed for a hot, dry year. But I have just purchased some Seal Skin socks-hoping for the best, planning for the worst. 

Does anyone know what the snowpack is like in the north?

On another note, I will be flying into Calgary on the 9th and have booked into the Y for that night. I have a spare bed for a non-snorer on the 9th/10th if it helps anyone, but it is already booked for the 11th. PM me for details.
Cheers
Dave

Hi there...
Normally I have never had to concern myself with how the butt may go whether touring, bikepacking .... but for riding down the divide , it is probably a different matter.

I have read in old blogs info spots that US bikepackers like to use Anbesol when the going gets tuff on the butt

Is this the product they mean?  -Anbesol Maximum Strength Adult Oral Pain Reliever .33 oz  - This was in gel form also available as cream

Never used this stuff however I can recommend for the australians and NZ folks Lanolin - 100 % no petroleum additives - The brand is Essentials. No doubt 100% lanolin is available in the states?  I will be bringing it along

cheers
simon

 
]

Simon
I have seen a cream called A & D recommended on here before by TD racers. It is a nappy rash cream that contains lanolin and Petrolatin(Vaseline to us Aussies). I have been trying Bepanthin when I have any irritation but can't really say anything for or against it yet. I prefer not to get the "rash" in the first place. To that end, I have just procured some Ground Effect Exocet knicks and after a recent 3 day bikepack averaging 8 hours a day saddle time I didn't have the slightest rash. I think buying the best quality knicks you can will go a long way to warding off monkey butt. It probably won't completely erradicate it in a race this epic though.

Yes,  you are right....   It is a problem I have, and you are absolutely right about flexibility.  Not my strong point!  Have to work on that in these last weeks before the start.   I have a rigid program of flexibility training...

Thanks for your comments!   I need to chill....

Lol. But don't take advice from me. I tend to under prepare but this "coming from the other side of the world to race" has me suitably nervous and is rapidly curing me of that affliction!

[Regarding Tour Divide race information, You may not hear much from me in the short term, but as reports of route conditions from local residents start to come in this Spring, you'll receive at least 3 unofficial official communiques: A route discussion, a rules discussion, and an email simply about the live tracking details, which preliminarily are as follows]

Hi,  I totally agree with the comment about the gps,  I did the same last year (I dropped at Butte).   The gps was fine.   I'm talking cues purely for the sense of being more connected with the route, and having some things to "check off" as I cycle by.   I know for me personally, that would have been helpful.   

I will be using the gps track as my primary navigation tool.   I'd like to use the cues as a backup tool, as well as a small source of "diversion" as I am riding.   My previous comment was simply wondering why it's not easier to have these more accessible.  This is a forum where we "discuss" the route.  But somewhere  (my 2 cents worth) there should be a place online where the definitive cues reside, and a sense that someone is keeping them UP TO DATE.   A file like that, say in CSV format, could include the various alternatives.  This isn't the first year the route will be followed.  I know there is always the chance that we might get sent in a totally different direction because of ongoing conditions and issues,  but if everyone had these alternatives (or at least easy access), then a change because of fire or whatever could simply be ... take alternative A  or something like that...

Anyway,  enough said about that.  I am obsessing about something that I might not even use. 

You could be over thinking this Tom. The route is always changing and there is little point "nailing it down" all of the time. We only need to know the route for the period of the race, some 3-4 weeks, not all year round. That would be a full time job-something that the ACA do.
From my LOI response from Matthew Lee-
Regarding Tour Divide race information, You may not hear much from me in the short term, but as reports of route conditions from local residents start to come in this Spring, you'll receive at least 3 unofficial official communiques: A route discussion, a rules discussion, and an email simply about the live tracking details, which preliminarily are as follows
I am going to construct my cues from the ACA cues and be prepared to rewrite one or two cues, subject to what comes from Matt. Being flexible in all areas seems to be the key to this TD thing.

Hey Flinch and BobM. I am just to that point in my prep and have never had experience putting cues together before. I know how important they will be, so thanks for the ideas for cue sheets. I like the idea of colour coding turns and call me a traditionalist but it would have to be red for left and green for right for me. Thanks for posting your examples.
Tom, I agree with you on knowing what is coming up to help with situational awareness versus blindly following a pink line on the gps.

The only thing I wouldn't count on JayP doing is being behind any of us.

Maybe he will ITT it a few days after the GD so that he can pass us? (just so we can say hi, of course!)

Hello
Still playing around with getting  a Garmin Etrex 20 to charge with a external cache battery.

If anyone is using a cache battery set up with a sinewave revo and dynamo hub , what gps is being used and has it worked sweet

Now tried with garmnin etrex 20
Factory reset
Battery re charge
2 x different etrex 20 GPS
4 x different firmware 2.8 3.0 3.70 , 4.2

Anyone using Etrex 30 and finding it works ?  or for that matter the 20 ? Am i missing something really obvious? ( have charged usb mode etc)

thanks alot

simon

Hi Simon
I am running the eTrex 30 with the full K Lite bikepacker setup and a 6000mAh Limefuel cache battery. It has simply worked as a plug and play setup, no issues at all. Is the eTrex 20 different to the 10 and 30 in terms of input voltage?
My setup is described (eventually) in these two posts
http://dave-livingthedream.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/the-power-to-shine-dynamo-powered.html
http://dave-livingthedream.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/s-24-o.html
Good luck and see you in Banff.

Hey EndoAgain, That wouldn't be a bad idea either. Warm the legs up prior and find any issues in the rig. I have a ticket into Calgary for Tuesday the 9th around noon and an 80 miles ride shouldn't be all that bad considering, hah. I'll figure out my sleeping accommodations for that Wed/Thur night.

Hey Beatty. While I don't have my flights booked yet, I am planning on being in Calgary on the Tuesday and riding to Banff to get a feel for the altitude and stretch the legs. I will let you know closer to the date once my plans firm up.
Dave

If you are capable of racing the route in 20 days and you list 25, you are touring it.  If you are 60 years old and arthritic with atrial fibrillation and you push yourself as hard as you can for 26 or 28 days, you are racing.

The Rules only state that 25/29.5 days is considered to be a "competitive" time, whatever that means; 25 days ain't gonna win it.

I was just making the point that it is a race. Races are competitive activities. To be competitive there is a stated time limit in the rules.
I was not implying that some are less worthy or aren't trying as hard. I may well find that I don't make my goal time(or even finish for that matter) but to be considered competitive one must meet the cut off.
To be brutally blunt, everyone that doesn't actually win the race is "an also ran" so unless you think you can do this thing in around 16 days why toe the line? Well, for the reasons Kato listed above-to challenge yourself while having the self discipline to follow the spirit of the rules. Only you will know that you did or didn't do it right.
This thread really is going around in circles but maybe it is a discussion that needs to keep on going so that future racers are able to see the complexity of these few simple rules?
I think I miss Toby too. 

Don't feel bad. You make a good point.

If you have listed more than 25 days (for males, 29.5 days for females) as your target time in the Google doc, then by the rules you are touring the route, not racing it.  

Edit: Added gender specifics.

Ok, despite the lions and tigers and bears, I will be in Banff on the 12th this year.

My lovely wife and family have given the green light and work has also come through with the required leave. My letter of intent is here if you care to read such things. http://dave-livingthedream.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/letter-of-intent.html

See you in Banff in June!
Cheers
Dave

Just saw this photo. It is a Griz that is sedated for tagging.
 


Clearly, serious respect needs to be shown to these things!

AB Folder, message received. (insert salute here)
You are now bordering on Toby like fanaticism with regards to bear information. I am suitable worried and have taken on board the excellent information from all of the links you have posted. I sincerely thank you for the information.
I understand that you are worried about the bears as well as concentrating the gaze of officialdom on the TD  but I think we are suitably warned now.
Lets talk about tyres or dyno lights or how much our toothbrush weighs for a change........

Crikey, Dave, you must live a sheltered life: http://www.hotelclub.com/blog/australias-top-animal-hazards/ . Besides jellyfish in your neck of the woods -- folks, they actually use chainlink fence swimming enclosures to keep those deadly pests out in Queensland -- you also have the disemboweling champions of the world, the cassowary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLXGSVGerT8 + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA58sS3x2Oo . I mention the latter because I had a male cassowary (with growing chicks -- the male is a Mr Mom and takes care of them) chase me around my car up at the birding hotspot of Mission Beach http://www.missionbeachcassowaries.com/ (note the cassowary deaths due to vehicle collisions on the map insert -- a fate they share with griz in the Canadian Rockies). And let's not even touch the subject of crocs up Queensland way. We got as far as the Daintree Rainforest on our wanderings while living and working in Oz for 5 years. Great place but I like Canada better -- at least when I'm not shovelling snow for 8 months of the year or thinking about trailside grizzly bears the other 4.

** Afterthought: The odds of seeing that male cassowary emerge from the bush 20 metres away from where I was standing -- with two youngsters behind him no less -- rates with winning the Lotto in terms of likelihood of happening. In fact, it easily trumps encountering a griz or cougar on the Tour Divide. Just because the odds of having an unexpected (life threatening) wildlife encounter are infinitesimally small, doesn't mean that it can't happen.

I may have been talking slightly tongue in cheek there AB. If you stay out of the water here you are pretty safe. Nothing is going to eat you alive, unlike bears and cougars where you are. The chances of meeting a Cassowary are extremely slim for 99% of the population with their habitat being a relatively uninhabited section of the country.
I guess what I mean is that I know how to manage our risks having grown up in the bush(Australian for a small country town). They are instinctive but going to a completely foreign environment makes you acutely aware of how much one's local knowledge can be taken for granted. I will be educating myself and packing spray.

Regarding the route out of Elkford, I put the question to Matt Lee a while back, and here is his response:

So it sounds like Matthew will engage the whole 'routes & rules' discussion a bit closer to race day.  I bought the maps and cues (txt file), and am in the process of adapting them (the cues that is) to my own sinister purposes.  Having said that, a while back someone mentioned that the Canada portion of the GDMBR may be updated early in 2015, so there may be a new map on the horizon - and presumably, new cues to match.  In any event, make sure whatever cues you use follow the latest greatest ACA maps AND addenda when you line up at the start.

-dp

DP, thanks. I will watch this space regarding a rules spruce-up.

[however]

Hi all. I am gearing up for an attempt on the TD in 2015 after watching and lurking around here for 3 or 4 years now. I am just waiting for holiday confirmation before I throw my hat in the ring and punch off an L.O.I. In the mean time I am riding as much as work allows, building a new bike and generally gathering information.

As I said, I have been reading along here for a few years now and think I understand the rules, however, just looking at the "official TD rules" website and it appears to me that there have been some recent tweaking of the rules.

To Quote-
Advancing (forward) on the route by any means other than one's own pedal power is strictly prohibited. No drafting. Use of any type of air scoop or umbrella sail intended to harness wind power is also prohibited. TD is a solo challenge, however, racing in the company of other challengers is tolerated. Again, no drafting, and each rider must maintain separate gear. One complete survival kit per rider.

In the event of a serious mechanical that renders a bike unrideable, a rider may hitchhike[3] by motor vehicle in ANY direction to repair the problem. The location of the incident must be well documented by SPOT tracking or other GPS logger. A rider may also receive assistance returning back to the exact location of the breakdown to begin forward progress. Again, the entire incident, form breakdown to return to the route must be fully documented by GPS. Item 4 FAQs

The "serious mechanical" bit seems new in that you can travel in any direction to have your ride fixed, just as long as you return to the exact point where you accepted a lift. To confuse the issue slightly, Rule 4 endnote spells out travel off or back only. Not forward.
Forward for a fix, on the route is now ok? Is this new/correct?

Coming from a gentle, welcoming country like Australia, where we have no dangerous wildlife to speak of......the main thing scaring the tar out of me isn't the 2745 miles of trail but the prospect of bears....and thanks to ABFolder, now Cougars! Obviously the statistics speak volumes but I guess I will be educating myself, then packing for my fears on that account.  The unknown factor of bears, cougars, snow and high mountains plus indistinguishable food in US gas stations is all part of the adventure.

Anyway, hoping to add my name to the list soon.
Cheers
Dave

Dream4est, after reading all of your prep posts here in Bikepacking.net I was looking forward to hearing your "what it was like for me" in the Cordillera. You don't have to write a blow by blow account nor do you need to say anything about other riders. Karma will sort them out. The highs and lows as you saw them are the takeaway from your time on The Divide.
I am looking forward to the next Cordillera. Thanks in advance go to Chris and all of the contributors.

Here's the URL: https://www.facebook.com/jill.hueckman

From her blog http://allthingsepicwithjill.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/sitting-duck-in-fernie.html

I just finished The Cordilera V5 and I must say well done to Chris Bennett and all of the other contributors. It is the best yet.
If you haven't picked up a copy, do yourself a favour and grab one. And if you have bought one, buy another and donate it to a local library.

Great ride by Jefe! Each year there are only one or two riders that are a level above(or have everything go right for them). How much harder has it been for him to ride alone for so long? Also, I see that JP's flag is between 2 JB dots!

I hope BL is ok overnight and has some warm kit.

On the "rules" discussion, perhaps there could have been more pre race discussion of them? The pre race thread is full of gear, gps and tyre questions but I can only see one question regarding the rules. I guess in an undertaking this big, the practical distractions of logistics are much more easy to sink you teeth into in the planning stage than wrangling with rules and how to interpret them. Maybe a lot of riders are subconsciously really only touring?
I guess this race will be ever evolving and my hope is that the positive interactions (TM) continue to occur and mishaps don't put the TD on any authorities radar.

And I saw he visited the hospital in Rawlins as well. I suspect to say thanks and maybe shake some hands. Made me laugh anyway. Everything from here will be new to him and Colorado is a different kind of beautiful to Wyoming.

Ahh, yes. I see that now. Good on him. I bet it was a satisfying moment for him to see them on his own terms.

Walter Brumniach has made it past where his race ended last year after he was hit by a pickup. He is powering toward Brush Mtn lodge. Go Walter!