Tiana Tallent (ITT) must have dropped something. It appears that she backtracked by several hours yesterday and then camped in the same spot 2 nights in a row.  That must have been a bummer.

Don't do it. I had a 3 bike, 1-1/4, tray style on my car for a bit. With 3 bikes it drooped so much that I had to use rope to pull the bikes back towards the car via the luggage rack. Sold it after that trip. Too much invested in bikes to risk a problem.

Looks like Ron Williams (ITT NoBo) had to turn around in Colorado.  Not familiar with that spot myself.  Snow, I'd assume?
http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide15i.php?name=Ron_Williams

I can only speak to the formal camp spots in Montana bear country.  If you stay at a Forest Service campground they will either have a bear box to give you, or a shared one for the group.  I know that the campground at Red Meadow pass had a shared steel box. I also know when we stayed at the campground in Seeley Lake, the host gave us a bear box/canister. 

Any informal camping will not have any provisions.  This of these spots as just wide spots on the side of the road, you are just setting up on your own.  If you bring 50feet (or so) of lanyard, and learn how to string between trees, then you will be fine. 

I'll add that if your "tarp" is the typically blue/gray hardware store style, it will be very heavy.  Try to find some Tyvec (or similar) house wrap to use.  It is expensive if you need to buy outright as I've only heard about them selling in 100' rolls.  However, if you can find a 10'x10' at a construction site, then it would be a light-weight alternative.

What are the best weather apps for Android for US weather? Something with 48 hours of hourly temperature, precipitation and wind direction. I'm in Europe and use local apps which don't cover the US.

Cheers,

KiwiDave

I like Accuweather. Easy app, fast loading map.

Weather.com is ok, but loads slow for me. Probably due to the ads.

Train to Whitefish, Mt. Tour Divide route north and south, side trip into Glacier National Park. Distance north and south dependent on days available.

Looks really sharp.  I really hope to be there this fall, but it will depend on my kids athletic schedules.  Can you give me an idea of the distance/places that you traveled each day?  Did you make it to or past Sturgis on the first day?

Yes, that was just before the lovely hike over Red Meadow Pass.

Not Red Meadow, but the first one out of Eureka (Whitefish Divide). Big hike last year, over lots of downed trees. This Snotel is approx 2miles from that summit and the avalanche path.

Nice weather in Eureka lately (apparently as I'm not there).  Graves Creek Snotel site just listed 0" of snow as of today.  http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/reportGenerator/view/customSingleStationReport/daily/500:MT:SNTL%7Cid=%22%22%7Cname/-29,0/WTEQ::value,WTEQ::median_1981,WTEQ::pctOfMedian_1981,SNWD::value,PREC::value,PREC::average_1981,PREC::pctOfAverage_1981,TMAX::value,TMIN::value,TAVG::value

This Snotel is at 4300 feet and just west of Whitefish Divide summit (approx. 5250 elevation).

I tested my Viscacha in the shower with paper towels inside.  Sprayed it for 10min without any issues.  It is "rubberized" inside so it appears to be built like a drybag.  Even so, I put my sleeping bag/stuff sack into a grocery sack to ensure no problems.  Once I got the packing/system down, I didn't experience any issues.

What type of ride are you looking for?  The Mickelson is a limestone rail trail, so flat/slight incline/slight decline and easy. Scenic, yes.  But, if you are into MTBing and singletrack, we could point you to much better stuff.

Same for me, just that little nudge that was needed to get me started. Kinda like your first Bikepacking trip

Lived in Montana and spent a bunch of time in Helena (but have not lived there), nice town. Typical capital city with decent amenities. Good MTBing and lots of skiing within 2hr drives. Nicely located in the middle of the state. Just on the east side of the divide, so seems to always have a little less snow than the western part of the state. I'd definitely consider living there.

Bear Spray - where to carry?

Hi,

I'm looking at racing in 2016, and I'm going to carry bear spray. (As they say, "you pack your fears", and I'm scared of bears.)

Can someone with experience of riding with bear spray please give me a heads up of the best locations to carry? In a handlebar bag? On a harness?

Cheers,

Dave

Center jersey pocket. If you pack on the bike and then wander into the woods for a nature break, it won't do you any good on the bike.

Where at in western WA? North, middle, south?

Nice idea, especially to use with a bivy and still allow it to be unzipped for temp regulation.  What size is your tarp?  8'x8'?

Following along with all of the comments in this thread and remembering comments from past years race thread. I just don't see the controversy. If you sign up for the "race"; and want credit in the book, on a web page or respect from others that follow this niche sport, then you ride the same route (to me this seems to be the biggest controversy and advantage). The premise of a race in any sport is that we are competing on a set course or route. All other rules can be debated, but this cannot and should not be.

Starting with the Grand Depart and not planning on doing the exact route? Then you are not part of the race, but doing the route (which in itself is pretty damn cool!).

Trying to source what my options are for forks that have the triple cage bolt/mounts.

Salsa Firestarter Carbon (483a/c, tapered, thru axle)
Salsa Firestarter Steel (483a/c, straight)
Salsa Fargo V2 Steel (468a/c, straight)
Salsa Enabler Steel (468a/c, straight, mid-fat, 135mm hub)

I'm not finding anything else, but they must exist.  Besides going custom or using hose clamps, what else exists?

After spending 5 days on the route this past July, I'd definately lean towards fast rolling,, of course durability.

I rode the Specialized Renegade Controls, with limited tread, they work well. But I think the durability would require replacement at the midway point.  I also see why the Nanoraptors are so popular. That center roling tread would work well.  I think they wear well, but it has been several years since I put miles on them.