To KIWIDAVE: I run a rohloff but shifted to gates carbon belt drive / 2500 miles no problems and a friend has over 5000+ without problems. If it gets cruded up-- wash off with water + spray silicone and wipe off excess every 2 weeks.    Also I lost my Etex 20 in 2012 out of Banff because I didn't have a lanyard so my Etex 30 has an attachment point on the bottom. I use a fishing snap swivel and leader as a lanyard. I too am trying to make an attachment point on my 810; I'm considering a small double eye to one of the corner screws and the same snap swivel leader lanyard.  GOOD LUCK IN JUNE!      GRAMPS

KiwiDave,  I have 2000 miles on 29er/Rohloff with Stans Arch wheels, I weigh 175 lbs.  No mechanicals so far.   Also hope your shoulder is doing well!         Gramps 

GO! LAEL!! You are putting the ENERGIZER BUNNY to shame! Impressive and I hope you have good weather south!

CONGRATS to Lindsay Shepard on an Impressive ITT with a fast last day finish. Now she can kick back and watch Lael's reride

Thanks KiwiDave, Erik and MikeI for the inputs.  2012 was a snow year, I carried 3L water plus in a back pack; to high a center of gravity--sliding around in snow/mud--and your on the ground (5 times). Injuries 1 shoulder 2 elbows--lesson learned--nothing on my back now. I'd trained hard so no problems with the usual knees or tendons or stamina. I have a new Ti bike carry 4+less weight overall and have lost 12 lbs. I have tubless maxxis lust tires on stans Z arch rims (they have served me well). 2016 plan is to AMTRAK to Whitefish and ride to Banff to help acclimation. I can achieve 4-5000 foot training here in Washington but not the higher altitude required.  THANKS again for all recommendations.

I'm 74 and average 25mpd/1650 elev on a regular training loop; double the values twice a week. I've started TD in 2012 and 2013 with DNF's(took spills and returned home to heal). The biggest difference is that I'm training at essentially sea level; I envy the folks that train in the mountains of Colorado. I would appreciate input on nobo vs sobo. I've started slowly increasing distance & elevation with a century being longest. I have 1 year to get this old bag of bones ready for my final go at TD. Any recommendations for a sub 30 day run would be appreciated.

Lindsay is in Butte getting some drive train repairs. I believe her daily average is 120+ MPD which is ahead of her last years ride. Good solid ride!

It appears Alex has moved off course. Is this at a common miss route point?

Lindsay Shepard has had a solid 2 day start on her sobo ITT.