Hi all,

I'm finally taking the time (found the courage) to make cues and study the route a bit more. But I'm getting confused!! I really do NOT want to take the wrong route but it's not all that clear to me. I found the following on the Tourdivide.org website:

Challengers must always ride 100% of the 'main' ACA Great Divide Route as defined by the most current edition of the ACA maps. Previous map editions may not be used unless updated with the most current ACA Addenda.

Alternates: At times along the GDMBR, ACA maps provide cues for 'Alternate Routes'. No ACA Alternates to the main route may be used with the exception of the following THREE in NM.
a.The 116-mile section between Cuba and Grants, New Mexico. The main route is impassable, potentially dangerous when wet, so racers have the option to follow the alternate paved route.
b.The 40-mile section between Grants and the Pie Town road, through El Malpais National Monument. Zuni Canyon (main route south of Grants) is commonly closed for fire danger.
c.The ~12-mile section of Continental Divide NST between Sapillo Campground on NM Hwy 35 and NM 15 (just North of Pinos Altos / Silver City)

Alternates Notes: A & B are optional for TD challengers, however both are paved/faster, have evolved as the standard route for 'records-seekers'. Alternate C is new for the 2011 printing of Map 6 and the required TD race route.

So I understand that I follow all the main route everywhere except:
a. Chaco Alternate on map 5B (optional but really the route that is followed by everyone?)
b. El Malpais Alternate on map 5B (optional but really the route that is followed by everyone?)
c. C.D.T. Alternate on map 6A (required)

Do I understand that all right? Those are the only alternates and the rest is the main route! That's also what the official GPS track follows, right?

Then, what is that Golddust trail that I read about? Where do I find that one? Why is it's not mentioned in the rules but is it mentioned by Scott M. in the GPS-file thread? Or has that been added to the new maps and I'll just follow the main route on it? If so, what map do I find it on?
Can anyone please clear this out for me because it's all a bit confusing to me.   I know, I'm a bit slow so sorry about that.
I'm not even thinking about the snow detours...

Nice, just ordered myself a copy.

Thank you for the reply. 
I just downloaded a Montana map from www.gpsfiledepot.com and it seems to have worked out fine. Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico are up next. Gpsfiledepot directed me to the following site: http://www.miscjunk.org/mj/mp_wytopo.html and they have maps of all the states I need. I took a quick look on the Montana map and it's detailed enough for TDR I guess.

I have to admit that you totally lost me with the following though:

[You'll need a torrent client installed, like utorrent, it will take several hours to download the map while simulataneously uploading the bits you have to other downloaders.
http://www.ibycus.com/ibycustopo/IbycusTopo40.iso.torrent

Don't worry about it though, I'll see if I can find a map of that little bit between Banff and the border and come back on that later.

I'm looking for some free US topo maps for my garmin Vista HCx. I basically only need maps for the states that the Tour divide route goes through + the Canadian portion.
What is out there and what are your experiences with them. ANY experiences would be welcome, good AND bad.
I'm not very smart with electronics  so as much info as possible would be welcome.
Oh, I'm using Mapsource and basecamp as software...

Thank you.

That would probably be the Colorado Trail Race?

check this one out : http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,1698.0.html

wow. 

Good idea.  Do you mean the photo on the landing page:

Yes, that's exactly what I mean, rotating pictures would be cool indeed.
The header picture is not that noticeable and probably also harder to change so I wouldn't bother if I were you.

from the picture imo you have them way too far forward and also to low--ie for the TDR they should be a 'rest' position 1st and provide aero position 2nd

when set up right they become the go-to position as the day wears on and the body gets tired

I'll try adjusting them over the next few days and see how they feel better. Thank you for the input! It's appreciated!

just a thought.
What about a new picture on the homepage? It's a very lovely picture but it's been there for years now and maybe it would be nice to greet us with a new one? Surprise us all!
Anyway, love this site, thanks for making the effort!! 

So, after reading the replies to my post here, I went on and bought a cheap set of aerobars to go on my TD bike. I didn't waste any time (thanks for that advice) and installed them, loaded up the bike and went on a 240km/3000hm sub 24 hour ride. Some observations:

- Riding in the aerobars usually meant that I would ride 1 cog down as to what I would normally ride in that same situation without them. That means that I would go faster (+) but also wear my legs out more (-). I don't know what would outweight what over such a long distance.
- When riding in the aerobars, my arms would tire rather fast (-) and that would usually be the reason why I would switch back to the upright position. Find better position and work on those arms?
- They would indeed make for a great drying rack (+).
- More weight added to the bike (-).

Some pictures, please feel free to comment on my setup.

Great video!
It must be a great workout making those videos as you always have to back track to get the camera. I love the bit where you're breaking trail and sink in the snow up to your knees and the bike seems to float on top.

Does anyone want to discuss aerobars for the Tour divide?
Personally, I have no experience with them at all and I'm tempted to go without. Should I?
What are the pros - cons?
What model/make or what to look out for?
What problems will/can I run into?
Are they only being used on the paved sections or also on the gravel bits?

Lots of questions. Anyone can help me with some insight? I'm sure other rookies are wondering too.

Thanks.

I used the 29" Nano Raptor/Slime Tube set-up in the 2009 Tour Divide. I only used one set of tires and tubes for 2,700 miles — never once did I get a flat that required a tube change, although the tire rubber was precariously thin by the end. I only had three or four instances, all in New Mexico, when I ran over something sharp and all of the air leaked out of one of the tires. However, the Slime Tubes always sealed and all I had to do was pump air back into them. For spares, I carried regular tubes. You can always purchase new slime tubes in bike shops along the way. They are heavy, and can't be refilled.

I've had more flats and other issues with my tubeless/Stans set-up on my Rocky Mountain Element in considerably less miles, but then again on that bike I've been using some kind of wimpy 26" Huthchinson race tires, and have typically ridden it in rougher terrain than the average GDMBR mile.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear! 
thank you for the response.

from tires to tubes...
Are slime tubes a good alternative to a tubeless setup? I'm totally not familiar with tubeless and I'm not sure now is the moment to start experimenting. anyone has any experiences with Slime tubes? Can Stan's fluid be added to tubes instead of going tubeless? I'm running Presta valves because that's what we are running here. 

thanks.

You could shoot Gunnar an email and he could give the info you need. Also on the GST website there is some English info.

http://www.grenzsteintrophy.de/?p=1691

Or you could ask me after I've ridden it.   

I guess we'll read about it here then, right? 
Can you share some info here? How do you follow the route? GPS/map/signs. Your setup? Anything is appreciated!!
Thanks.

Looks like fun but... my German is not good enough to understand most of the site. Any idea where I can find some info in English. Might be interested for next year 2012.

Thanks.

Nice one! 
I always enjoy your pictures and stories. Keep them coming!

The answer for 2011 is No.

Thanks, that was the impression I was getting here, I just wanted confirmation.

There are 3 major TD route changes on the table for 2011

Matthew,

What I really would like to know is... is the route that will be on the new maps 100% the route that the tour divide will follow? Will the GPS file that will be available (I understood that right?) be 100% the route that we will have to follow? I'm asking because I don't want to spent hours/days making cue sheets, just to find out that yet another change is made to the route and I have to start over.

And the rules say:

Challengers must always ride 100% of the 'main' ACA Great Divide Route as defined by the most current edition of the ACA maps. Previous map editions may not be used unless updated with the most current ACA Addenda.
Alternates: At times along the GDMBR, ACA maps provide cues for alternate routes. No alternates to the main route can be used with the exception of the following TWO in NM:

a.The 116-mile section between Cuba and Grants, New Mexico. The main route is impassable, potentially dangerous when wet, so racers have the option to follow the alternate paved route.
b.The 40-mile section between Grants and the Pie Town road, through El Malpais National Monument. Zuni Canyon (main route south of Grants) is commonly closed for fire danger.
 

So, i get the new maps, follow them 100% and I'm ok?
I just do not want to get disqualified for not taking a detour that I was not aware of.

Again wait to purchase the narratives until after the new maps come out or else you will get 09 narratives. http://bit.ly/eg9eeu

Could you please let us know here when the new maps are available. that will get appreciated by many, I'm sure.