Regarding snowpack in the Rockies: I drove through the Crownest Pass from Coleman, AB to Sparwood this afternoon and it seems really sparse. We've had a dry winter in southern Alberta and it was almost summer-like when we passed the Corbin road turnoff. Ski resorts have closed earlier than normal, the bears are out early - we're certainly ahead of where we've been at mid-April for the past few years at least. Some of Kananaskis had a dump of snow last week at higher elevations, but my assumption is it will be gone sooner rather than later.

And yes, the big truck is still in Sparwood.

Gary

Wonderful, Mark. A superb ride, a great report and an inspirational message to bikepackers everywhere. 5 finishes on the AZT 750 where most of us dream of competing in something like that just the once. Outstanding. 

Ride on.

Gary

Is it possible he lost his Spot? It doesn't seem to be moving at all; still in the area of Alfa Fia Tank.

Gary

Cancel that; just saw him entering Flagstaff. Too bad...

Aaron Denberg appears to be heading back to Flagstaff after taking a rest below Snowbowl.  He went briefly forward on the AZT, and is now going backwards.  Hope everything is OK.

Is it possible he lost his Spot? It doesn't seem to be moving at all; still in the area of Alfa Fia Tank.

Gary

Since becoming enthralled with bikepacking and ultra-racing late last year, this is the first time I've been able to follow a race on trackleaders and listen to the reports on mtbcast. This is absolutely riveting stuff. Such an awesome display of athleticism, endurance, perseverance, bike handling, risk-taking, logistical/mechanical magic - all of you give an old guy from the currently cold foothills of Alberta a great deal of inspiration and I admire each and every one of you.

Good luck and stay safe. I'll be keeping an eye on the dots and an ear to the true-ups. Oh, and riding my bike when I have time in between.

Ride on. 

Gary

Her dot is easily found by showing only the women riders.  Near tante verde on the east edge of Tucson.

Yeah, sorry, I just found her. Call it a trackleaders rookie error.

Gary

Is Alice Drobna out? I can't see her Spot any more.

Gary

I solved the problem by buying a Marin Nail Trail 9.6 with fully enclosed cables. I think I'll upgrade to Jagwire next winter, but for now everything works fine.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Ride on.

Gary

Thanks,

I obviously missed it on the TD site. See you all in Banff on June 12 (or before...).

Gary

I've been lurking around the bikepacking.net forums since watching Ride the Divide and becoming interested - nay, obsessed - with the Tour Divide and bikepacking in general. Perhaps I've missed it, but is there a firm 2015 start date yet? I live in Calgary, and while I would never be able to attempt something even approximating this trek, I would like to see everyone off at the Banff trailhead for the 2015 Grand Depart.

Any timings appreciated. Good luck to everyone with their training and preparations!

Gary

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a 2015 Rocky Mountain Trailhead (a minor upgrade to my old Fusion) for trail riding and hopefully some shorter-trip bikepacking. The Trailhead has its cables routed along the bottom of the top tube on their way towards the rear of the bike; the derailleur cables are "open" (not enclosed in cable housing) and I'm worried that a frame bag would interfere with rear derailleur operation.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of design or opinions as to if it is indeed a problem?

Gary