Crazy Larry posted a YouTube video of the group assembling for the start at the YWCA.

http://youtu.be/8h4xPTvguHU

Last question-- if I wanted the next layer of detail (e.g., the name of the peak/pass at mile 240 sobo, town stops, etc), would I buy the ACA cues and maps or are there other tools I could use?

Just trying to maximize my follow-along pleasure here to get the most out of this year's race. Thanks!

To get to the next level of detail, download the .GPX track and manipulate it in a GPS software program like Topofusion Pro. You can always get the KML file and play with it in Google Earth.

The section they are going through today is the Canadian Flathead. It was not part of last years route due to the snow re-routes. From the pace, I would say they are walking through snow/mud. Expect plenty of comments when they call in from Eureka, hopefully tonight. If Justin   (aka Long Ranger) calls in, his insight will be particularly interesting since he did the Flathead last year.   

"Snow speculation in SE BC is bang on.  Buddy just came down from work at the Fernie ski hill base and said it was snowing ."

Better strap some snow shoes on, you might be able get some on the cheap in Banff if you hurry !,

has or why hasnt anyone done it on a cyclocross bike?

I considered the same thing thinking the savings on rotating wheel weight would be beneficial, but figured I would try it on a 29r the first time and am glad I did. In hindsight from my experience in 2011, if you get the right tire/wheel combo, you aren't too far off from cyclocross ride quality. Another benefit of 29r's is the disk brakes are not on cyclocross bikes (until recently) and I would not want to deal with rim brakes. There is a class of bikes called monster cross that are basically 29r's with dropped bars, similar to a Salsa Fargo, that are used regularly.

we're discussing the TD over wine/snacks on Sunday, one of the members just rode the Divide from CO to Canada on his dual sport BMW in 13 days & he CAN'T IMAGINE that it could be done in it's entirety on a mt bike time we're talking so I'm gathering a few fun facts to discuss about the TDR.

As a person who has experience in the TDR and dual sport motorcycles, I think it is possible for an experienced dual sport racer, say someone who has done Paris Dakar, to do the complete motorcycle version of the TDR route, Banff to AW unsupported, camping along the way, in less than  7 days or even faster. This assumes a rideable course (no snow slogging) and an allowance for the fact that motorcycles can't go on some parts of the TDR route. There are motorcyclist who have done the route.
Check out http://www.twotaildog.com/Motorcycling_the_Great_Divide/00Intro/Great_Divide_Intro.htm

I have been stitching together Eastern Continental Divide route options for sections in Ga, SC and Southwestern North Carolina. It is basically the trans North Ga Route connected to a segment I call the SC Connector connected to another segment called the Pisgah Traverse.
The SC connector is all paved because there are no unpaved public roads to use. It highlights some of the most scenic terrain in the Upstate.
The Pisgah Traverse brings in single track, gravel and more beautiful terrain.
The total distance: Pisgah Traverse + SC Connector + Trans N Ga is 620 miles.
There is more work to be done on the Pisgah GPX track. The section around Old Fort on the “Old Toll Road” needs to be verified. I have not identified services, although they are abundant in the Pisgah and SC sections.

A GPX track of the route can be found on RidewithGPS.com at: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/700184

Without a doubt, the South East has some of the most challenging conditions and weather anywhere. We don't have the elevation that the Western states cycling routes do, but the humidity, technical single track, vegetation, and climbs make for super humbling mix of adventure. These ultra athletes are amazing.

The rain bands from TS Lee are just entering the state to the south with a prediction that north Georgia could get 3-5 inches of rain across the northern sections and 5-8! inches in the western part of the course in the next 48 hours.

Looks like a late Northbound entry named Lee has started. The big green fella moves at a good bikepacking pace. Looks to be on schedule to finish at the SC border by Tuesday/Wed time frame. Hydration wont be a problem. 

I stopped the SC Connector just past the top of Caesars Head at the Eastern Continental Divide sign.

Continuing on 276 and taking a right onto Reasonover road, then going through Dupont Forest (gravel and single track) to Cascade Lakes road (gravel) and then to Brevard (paved), coming out at the Lowes is what trained on for the Tour Divide this year.

Here is the link to the SC Connector: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/637197

It features Lake Jocassee, Table Rock State Park and the legendary Caesar's Head climb used in the Tour Dupont and frequented by top Pro's such as George Hincapie, Craig Lewis and Chris Butler during their training.

The views of Lake Jocassee, Table Rock and from the top of Caesar's head are some of the best in SC. Services are ample.

I took Stephen's que sheet, drafted a downloadable .GPX track and posted in on RidewithGPS.com at

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/581925

This gpx track has not been validated yet, so if you ride the route, use a combination of Stephen's que's AND the GPX track, defaulting to the que's as needed. The section representing the Old Toll Road is probably not correct on the GPS track.

If you lay down good GPS track of the complete route, let me or Stephen know.

I also have a route I am calling the "South Carolina Connector" to connect the Trans N Ga start on the Chattooga River to Pisgah. The SC Connector is 76 miles long and features some beautiful scenery in the Upstate SC. The only problem is it is all paved, because there is no gravel or ATB allowed single track between the Chattooga River and Pisgah.

The long term thought is to connect TNGa  ---> SC Connector ---> Pisgah Traverse and work out a route up the Eastern Continental Divide.

Cheers,

Richard Ridlehuber

My copy of the "Book of the Bivvy" by Ronald Turnbull finally arrived, and I must say it is quite entertaining. Here is an excerpt:

"A bivvybag may not be all that expensive, but it is not a way of saving money. It is, rather, a new way of having fun. A bivvybag isn't simply an extra bit of kit that has the backwards effect of making the rucksack lighter. It's a new attitude, a new way of being in the hills. It rearranges the co-ordinates of space and time and allows us to wriggle through the wormholes into a different universe."

I am beginning to believe that solo adventuring, especially the Tour Divide is: "All About the Bivvy".

I found a copy through an Amazon.com search of the title. It was shipped from a bookstore named "pbshopus" for $15.84

Having been DQ'd myself when I had to visit the hospital due to an asthma attack my medication couldn't control (flagged a ride), I do think that this rule should be reviewed. There are not always hospitals or bike shops back/perpendicular to the route (eg. where this happened N. of Silver City you would somehow need to get to Santa Fe.  

I think that for medical emergencies when the rider with treatment can potentially return they should get to the nearest hospital and then return to the place where they had to leave the route.

I agree the rule should be revisited. What difference does the direction of travel off route make? The participant is already loosing time due to the situation. As long as the participant returns to the same spot (100 foot rule) and resumes progress under one's own power, they should not be DQ'd or relegated. I would like to know the spirit in which the "no forward progress" clause is intended. I think it is being misapplied.

Re: TD'11 Race Discussion
« Reply #1959 on: July 10, 2011, 03:37:51 PM »
   
By the way, he probably wouldn't want me to tell everyone, but James is 60!  So I think he is probably the oldest rider.

David Horton is 61 and is the oldest finisher of the 2011 TDR.


You two ROCK!  Just goes to show age is ONLY a number :-)

As another fund raiser idea for Linnaea: I'd think there are many people like me that'd be willing to pay good money to be able to talk to or have a question and answer session with some of the TD's bigger names such as Matt, Kurt, Jefe, Deejay, or Justin. I know I'd be willing to put in a benjamin to have that sort of opportunity. Not sure how to handle the forum such as a call, VTC, email, or even in person lunch opportunity, but it seems like we could figure that part out case by case. Perhaps make it an auction or raffle, or something like that. Anyone have any thoughts or alternate idea's on this?

Justin is a screen print artist. Maybe he could design a t-shirt with the route he followed artistically enhanced with: snow sections, bears, moose, deserts, and rail trails, etc...  and offer them for sale.  

Every CD finisher needs a Crazy Larry cheerin' for 'em!   

The Crazy Larry Finish Line Welcome is enough to inspire more Northbound riders in the future !!

" :thumbsup:I just checked the Cordillera sales and we sold 14 books yesterday!   "
......what book??

I ordered volume 1 and 2. Thinkin about Dave Blumenthal's daughter.

Looks like Josh Shifferly is headed home?? Off route in Gunnison 

Apparently they have been riding together all day. 

I saw them hanging out with Justin Simoni in Banff learning the words to Kumbaya.

 

A short question to the veterans: Is credit card accepted by the majority of the shops/lodges etc. at the GDMBR? Or is cash required? How many cash would you carry?

-- sigma7

Use American $$$ in Canada. I bought Canadian currency only to find out when I got to Banff, they accept $$$ on par. Let your bank and CC companies know you are traveling so they don't cancel your cards when transactions show up in small, strange places. Carry small American bills. When you pass a $50 or $100, they check for counterfeits and some places don't want bills over $20. A Discover card is one of the safer/better CC cards to carry.

Safe Travels my friend.

Looks like David Horton spent the night in the Great Basin and is up early and on the move. He likes early starts. Maybe he will call in?