Hi Scott,

That's for sure!!! Too many devices, some with overlapping functions and some seem to just get skipped. Your thoughts on the 810 internal battery for the TD using my Son28 hub?  If I just stick with my etrex 30,  the batteries just get bypassed when plugged into my USB-Werks. The only riding time the GPS would not be getting a charge would be at night or when my phone needs a shot.

Seems an 810 with AAA would be the perfect device.

Thanks,

Steve

Hi Cosmo,

I chose the Zpacks 20 deg. bag 6'2". It weighs 18 oz. It also stuffs into a similar sized bag. I think with a compression sack it would be 5" x10" approx.

Steve

Last minute knee issues kept me out of '13.  I'm hoping '14 will be my year...with much stronger knees!  At least my gear is pretty much dialed in at this point 

Hi Cosmo,
What did you do to rehab the knee's?

I'm a bike rider. Not an electronics expert. I was (am) riding with a Garmin Edge 305. It was great for HRZ training and had great timer / lap / split functions. I did not however have the ability to follow tracks on GPX files. I needed an upgrade anyway so with some research here and asking around, I picked the Garmin etrex 30. I picked it specifically because it has HRZ functions and all the other functions of an etrex 20. Perfect...right?

I stumbled my way through loading some GPX files into it and hit the trail. I was running both units side by side till yesterday and decided to learn the HRZ function. Couldn't find it. I called Garmin today, they were awesome. Friendly, knowledgable and courteous. He walked me right to the HRZ function. Problem is it wont do zones...only BPM. OK, I said, will my Edge 305 follow downloaded GPX tracks...UMMMM.. let me ask. He comes back and says no. Only old (I think) tpc files. Hmmmmm, I say. He said "Oh, you can convert the GPX to the old files and use your old Edge 305. Perfect.

My next questions was met with enthusiasm. "Which Garmin unit does all this"? Oh, that would be the 810 Edge. Well, I guess I either need to mentally convert BPM to zones or buy an 810. Anyone wanna buy a brand new etrex 30? 

Passport card, much easier to carry and used that as my ID for the entire trip.

I have my passport but I think I'll go for the card. One less thing to keep dry and keep track of.

The subject of passports is bound to come up. For Veterans, did you use a passport, or get a "passport card"? If you did use a passport did you mail it home as soon as you had the chance?

Thank you,

Steve

Great thread. I am going to run a dynamo hub for a front light, and to charge GPS batteries and cell phone on next years tour divide so this has been quite helpful

I know what you mean, I really struggled with my decision on lights and electronics. I chose, Schmidt Son28 hub, USB Werks and the Supernova light (and taillight) This forum was my really my only source of info. In the regular MTB world this stuff is Voodoo.

Steve

Great Topic,

Me, personally, I find solace. The pressure from a tough week fades through every pedal stroke. The pain of big days and even bigger climbs are strictly physical. There is no pressure, except the pressure I apply to myself. The destination (to me) is really of little importance . It is all about the journey.

I stopped the "normal" routine races because I felt the vibe changed with the advent of social media. The races became too "Facebook" to me.

Adventure cycling has become my safe place.

Steve

 

Hi Scott.....I mean VET....

I could not agree with you more. ALL my bikes have been fit here     www.cyclologic.com

They are a couple steps above a Specialized BG fit. They take things into account you would never even think of. He has a saddle pressure sensing pad that shows on a screen your weight distribution on the saddle. Most folks ride a too narrow saddle. Mine were (as are 99% of everyone's) 143mm wide. I was 62-38 weight (L-R) distribution. This forces you to unknowingly malrotate your hips. In my case it caused my right leg effective length, on the ROAD bike only to be 3mm shorter. He shimmed my right speedplay cleat, installed a 155mm saddle, moved my hoods back, lengthened my stem from 110mm to 120mm.

They video you and show you your bike position and wattage output results before and after the adjustments.

They made similar adjustments to my MTB considering expected time on bike, position and angle of ankle at bottom of pedal stroke. He applied shims inside my MTB shoes under the insoles in the toe box area only to change my ankle angle without changing seat height. Put riser bars on, anticipating IT bars.

The long training day comfort level difference is bigger than day and night.  

I learned volumes. His comment was "you had ZERO hope of finishing the event like you came in" he is a retired professional road racer.

Regards,

Steve

Called it in Eureka, Achilles' tendons didn't want to play anymore, cycled on to Whitefish to catch an Amtrak

Thanks for that, what will you do differently this year to prepare. I ask simply to learn from veterans reasons why some pulled the plug and to learn from them. Thanks,

Steve

Glad someone finally started this thread, abandoned in 2013, going back for another shot (SOBO).

Do you mind stating where and why you abandoned.

Steve

Also in for 2014. Glad someone started this.

It's almost like having a training partner.

I made a wild assumption the start was Friday the 13th and made room res. at the Y accordingly.

Steve
Phoenix AZ

Hi Ron,
I watched RTD when it was first out, then again a few weeks after getting back from this year's race, just craving the imagery and to be back there somehow. I thought the film simply was their experience and for me it was different in so many ways, it's a long, personal ride with so many ways to race and react. As you'll know. Perhaps it made the race seem less possible than it was, but then I though the race was less possible than I do now all the way until a day or 2 of AW. Maybe some of us just exist out there like that more readily than others and you can't be sure how you'll cope until you're ~2 weeks in or have that rock-bottom day.
Interested in what others see as any disparities, or elements they identified with. Matt Lee's connection with the route was something that came across and much of what I went looking for, perhaps my main goal out there was to feel I'd 'lived on the divide' in that way. I certainly found an experience that ran deep, something I appreciate or understand more a few months after the ride than immediately after. The after-effects can be as mountainous as the route.

Really insightful post. Thanks.

Wow, there lots of really good info in that, much gratitude for posting.

Steve

I believe it's the second Friday of June, which puts it at Friday the 13th

Woody

God I hope so, I already got a room at the Y for the 11th and 12th. Great video, thanks for posting.

Hi,

I am going to attempt the TD in 2014. I live in Phoenix which is about 5 easy hours from Antelope Wells. I will simply phone my wifey when I feel I'm about 6-7 hours out and wait for her arrival. Drive home and it's over. If I have anyone around me at that point, I would figure a ride to Phoenix to be a no brainer. Most flights to anywhere from New Mexico will probably go thru PHX.

Regards,

Steve

I went with the Zpacks 20 deg bag. It weights 18 oz. pack size about 5" x 11". I am 6 foot, went with the 6'2" bag. fits all of me comfortably.

Steve

Hi Tortoise,
I went with the Son28 and the USB-Werks. (It is a cache battery). I wanted to use the "Plug" but fork does not have a through hole and Specialized frowned on the idea of drilling a hole to run the wire up the steer tube.  I only charge my Etrex30 and run light (supernova) at night. I will occasionally charge my phone but normally leave it off. Never need to stop to charge or purchase batteries. The entire package is relatively light, efficient and completely trouble free.

Great thread,
Steve

I was just thinking of him over the weekend. I saw a older couple riding recumbent trikes on Saturday. I think he was for real, just didn't get his rig together in time.

[But it matters to me more than anything.]

From the perspective of a 53 year old 2014 TD Rookie; For many guys like me (I presume) the TD is more than a bike race. This thing is the monster that lives under my bed. I will show up as fit as I can, as trained as I can. With the best attitude and mindset possible. The best gear I can afford to beg borrow or steal. To finish in 25-26 days and to be told it doesn't really count?

This will be the singularly most significant athletic undertaking in my lifetime. It may not matter to the 17-20 day guys. But it matters to me more than anything. And that, I believe, is the real spirit of the TD

Steve