Thanks to John, Joe, Marshall, et al. for some great back-and-forth on the shelter dilemma.  I have a minimalist bivy on order from REI which I will try (and probably return).  Oddly, it is Eric Bruntjen's LOI that is tipping the scale for me.  I need to remember that my goal this year is to finish, so my 3 pound UL backpacking tent is likely to be what I bring.  That is a something less than 1.75 pounds more than the REI bivy plus small silnylon tarp, but then again, a liter of water is 2 pounds, so it's all relative.  Lacking a crystal ball I think the smart choice for me will be something I know I will look forward to getting into after a long day and which I know I will get out of in the morning whether raining, buggy or whatever.

Bob

Thanks for the feedback Bob!

No, Thank YOU,Joe!!  And thanks to all the other veterans who are taking the time to both provide nuanced insight and, when necessary, state the obvious.

My hang-up regarding shelter comes from nights spent "sleeping" out sans tent in warm mosquito weather, which we may well have this year on route.  The last thing I need after a long day on the bike is 6 hours of slapping myself, and when it's warm, cinching down the hood is not a very good option either.

Then again, as Matthew has said, once you get out there you will survive with whatever you have.

OK - cut it out!  You're confusing me! 

Geez - now I'm thinking a bivy bag under a fir tree or a gazebo or an abandoned gas station (or in a Montana Hilton) might work and would save me a couple of pounds.  Now I just need to decide whether to spend the money and try it out. Hmmmm.... maybe buy a bivy from an outfit with a liberal return policy and try it a couple of nights in my woods.

Thanks guys.  If this works out the climbs will be a (very) little easier.

P.S.  Joe Meiser seems to have a dry sense of humor, so I'm not sure if his tarp-only post is for real or he's just trying to see if anyone will bite. 

Hi Phil,

I think it goes back to some of the previous thoughts about "what will it take to get you past the motel and down the road."

I have never used a bivy bag and the thought does not appeal to me.  I think if I took a bivy I would find plenty of excuses to motel it - bugs, rain, etc.  I've tented for 44 years now in all kinds of conditions and I know that for me, the tent will be what I need to get down the road, even if it is heavier.

Bob

I would say plastic is good to have along, also some cash. In some of the bigger towns you should be able to get money from a bank teller.

I was wondering if any of you are having problems with training. I seem to be having a bad year so; sick, injuries. Sometimes I wonder if I will get in enough miles in my legs before June 11th.
 

Hi Phil,

Things are pretty good here as the snow is melting fast, but still only doing around 30 miles/day with climbing in my first week off the trainer.  Will be stepping it up as the legs catch up with the distance.  I'm not sure how one trains for a "race" where you go 100+ miles per day for 3-4 weeks; I guess I'll just focus on increasing saddle time and make sure I throw in enough climbing.  If I can get my body used to consecutive 16 hour days pedaling then I think the miles will take care of themselves.

Bob

Only in an email from Matthew a few months back.  There will be an FAQ added to tourdivide.org as well, but I don't know what the time frame is.

Hey drjon,

That's a little different.  He says his build queue is around 3 months, so something's not right.  I got replies from him via email regarding the ordering process, but ultimately went with Eric because I found his web pages/ordering process to be more user-friendly (for me, anyway).

Bob

Ordering bags from these guys is like ordering a sculpture from Michelangelo - he can't just pull one off the shelf.  Quality takes time and custom quality takes more time.

I think Rick Ashton was 62 last year, but he dropped.  I will be 55, so I'm gunning for the "oldest to finish" award this year.

Bob

Hi Phil,

There are hundreds of choices.  When I bought my camera a few years back I had 2 requirements:  AA batts and fits in a pocket.  I got a Canon PowerShot A520.  Won't break the bank and takes video clips as well as still shots.

Bob

Thanks Chris,

That's exactly what I thought.  My worry is more some bored kid than a real thief who could get past a lock in 10 seconds anyway.  I had a friend who used a black plastic chain - weighed an ounce or so but looked real from any kind of distance.

Bears - we have black bears all over the place around here, but moose actually worry me more when I meet up with them in the woods.  The bears want nothing to do with me.  I realize grizzlies are a bit more touchy than blackies, but I figure if they really wanted to stalk and attack humans, bear bells and whistles would be a Very Bad Idea.  I figure on just making plenty of noise in thick cover, near streams, or approaching blind corners.

Bob

Hi All,

So, the consensus on my question about the dangers of the trail seems to be that the rider him/herself is the biggest danger, especially when tired, bored, or otherwise not fully engaged.

Another thing I have wondered about is bike security.  I'm pretty paranoid about leaving an unsecured bike when I shop at a convenience store, etc, but I can't imagine a weight-conscious rider bringing a big u-lock or heavy cable.  Do most folks just trust to luck?  Thanks for all the info!

Bob

Hey Chris,

Is that a misprint or do you really have a one ounce closed cell foam pad?  If so, what dimensions?

Bob

I am sure my sub 2 lbs of sleeping system does not slow me down, and oh boy what a level of security, safety, and another way of leaving an open ended strategy along the way.

Hey JP,

I don't expect you to give away specifics, but does the 2lb include bivy, bag, and pad?

Bob

Matthew has talked in the past (vaguely) about the dangers of the route and how caution must be thrown to the wind (to some extent) in order to race it.

Question to all veterans:  what are some of the day-to-day dangers other than bears?

Bob

Poor bastard it was six trucks.

After the first one I don't think it matters much.