open from 11 onwards today. message me if you guys need a hand.

Hi Everyone,
In addition to the bike retail stores at the start line, I'll be avail again to help riders and racers with bike mechanical issues, etc in Banff.   I've been wrenching bikes for 20+ years in stores in the Banff area, and working independently for 10+.   Lots of work from the home, from kids bikes, to top XC and endurance racers, as well as working lots of races and events (Single track6, Transrockies,  MDH100, lots of grand fondos, etc)   I have also ridden the Banff to whitefish sections of the TD route (a few times) so have a good idea of what both the bike, and you will encounter on the first section.
http://www.fatskideals.com/race_support.html
I have basic parts in stock, and can order most things for you with a few days notice.
email or text is best way to contact me,
403-762-8566
dave_williams@shaw.ca   I might not be as fast with messages thru this site.

Let me know if I can help you guys out with the event at all.   Happy to do repairs, or just a consult over a beverage.   


(also, moderators of this site, I hope this post is OK, and not crossing some line of "advertising" vs "helping"    please contact me, and we can make this work for the riders, the moderators, and me)

thanks   

dave

bump:    I'm around and have most basic stuff you might forget, or want to have as extra, but always best to bring your bike to banff ready to roll.    I'm around for the next until the GD, and avail for mechanical work as needed.    email or text is best to contact me before you arrive, or we WILL make time to fix yours stuff when you get to banff too.   

if you flat, add a tube, and keep riding with a bit higher pressure until you find a shop with stans and a compressor?     Maybe just one tube and a few patches?    (the peal and stick ones dont seem to last, get ones with real glue)

this might help people prepare there bikes for the event too.  I wrote it for 7 day stage races (more singletrack, less total days) but most of the bike prep is about the same for the TD as well.

http://forums.mtbr.com/endurance-xc-racing/what-expect-multi-day-races-your-bike-621685.html

Yeah, I'm sure JayP gets a load of his stuff like tyres for free, so probably not the best example to blindly follow! I've had good experiences with Specialized fast tracks and with Nanos too but tyre choice is a person to person thing, ride a few until you find something that works.

exactly,   and I'm not sure its the tires that allowed him to do so well.

also a ACC hut at Elk lakes that is $25/night, but need to pre-book,   its 110ish km from banff.     this is NOT the free shack that is 10km further on the road, that is talked about above.

Hi Everyone,
In addition to the bike retail stores at the start line, I'll be avail again to help riders and racers with bike mechanical issues, etc in Banff.   I've been wrenching bikes for 20+ years in stores in the Banff area, and working independently for 10+.   Lots of work from the home, from kids bikes, to top XC and endurance racers, as well as working lots of races and events (Single track6, Transrockies,  MDH100, lots of grand fondos, etc)   I have also ridden the Banff to whitefish sections of the TD route (a few times) so have a good idea of what both the bike, and you will encounter on the first section.
http://www.fatskideals.com/race_support.html
I have basic parts in stock, and can order most things for you with a few days notice.
email or text is best way to contact me,
403-762-8566
dave_williams@shaw.ca   I might not be as fast with messages thru this site.

Let me know if I can help you guys out with the event at all.   Happy to do repairs, or just a consult over a beverage.   


(also, moderators of this site, I hope this post is OK, and not crossing some line of "advertising" vs "helping"    please contact me, and we can make this work for the riders, the moderators, and me)

thanks   

dave

Just south of Elkford, the bridge over the Fording River is out and has been since the floods. Is everybody just hiking down the steep section, fording, and hiking up again? How dangerous is that?

joshafine falls is the re-route,  5?km of single track.

Apparently he had a shredded tyre, and then a failed fork.

Robin?     Hes all fixed up and in banff.   might restart.

Yes.  Goid call on bills

for people new to banff, and looking for some meal suggestions...

Bfast:    Coyotes (SW/mex)  or Tooloulous (lots of options), or Melissas (trad bfast)
Lunch:  Nester grocery deli, sushi train, or JK bakery
Coffee:   whitebark, or JK bakery
PM:   Walk around and see what bars have what food specials going on. 

Banffs first farmers market of the year, is on Wed, on bear street, so go check that out for food options too.   10-5ish

 

I'm MUCH better using my bike repair tools, then with Garmin.  Sorry

paper :   http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/great-divide-mountain-bike-route/

online:   http://td-2015.eatsleepridegreatdivide.com/

I rode the J falls section last year,  early july.   Was fairly easy to find.   From Elkford, go left/east, up the hill.   big parking lot on right/south side, with a JF trail sign and map on it.   As long as you follow the trail (singletrack) nearest the canyon, and keep going south bound, you will get on some fireroads, and keep going south onto better labeled/marked roads.

I would suggest adding the aero bars, and if you are not using them in the first week, remove them..

maybe take a picture, or photocopy of passport to carry with you as well

or take "full" passort, and mail it back to yourself once you cross the boarder?

bear spray is avail in banff in LOTS of stores,   dont worry about that.   $40-$50 CND.

I'm in banff and can box up a bike for you.    I posted on page 32? On this thread.   
Dave_williams@shaw.ca

Also 3 bike stores in Canmore and 1 in banff
Dave

Hi Everyone,
In addition to the bike retail stores at the start line, I'll be avail again to help riders and racers with bike mechanical issues, etc in Banff.   I've been wrenching bikes for 20+ years in stores in the Banff area, and working independently for 5+.   Lots of work from the home, from kids bikes, to top XC and endurance racers, as well as working lots of races and events (Single track6, Transrockies,  MDH100, lots of grand fondos, etc)   I have also ridden the Banff to whitefish sections of the TD route (a few times) so have a good idea of what both the bike, and you will encounter on the first section.
http://www.fatskideals.com/race_support.html
I have basic parts in stock, and can order most things for you with a few days notice.
email or text is best way to contact me,
403-762-8566
dave_williams@shaw.ca   I might not be as fast with messages thru this site.

Let me know if I can help you guys out with the event at all.   Happy to do repairs, or just a consult over a beverage.   


(also, moderators of this site, I hope this post is OK, and not crossing some line of "advertising" vs "helping"    please contact me, and we can make this work for the riders, the moderators, and me)

thanks   

dave