I handle the cold and wet by first maintaining my sleeping bag, as you stated in a dry place. The dry sack; sweet roll is what I use from Salsa. It is more expensive but will allow you to maintain the dryness which also equates to warmth. It is a down bag to allow the warmth while a little wet, plus lighter. As far as myself while I'm on the bike I go with light layers of neoprene, wicking type material, plus the rain pants from Showers pass and the rain jacket from OR.

With the "to skin" clothing a strong wicker if something does get wet it should dissipate quicker and wick off me. If it is cold I count on my body heat to stay on-top of it. Like you said do not stop until you have cover. It allows you to appreciate the dryness better. I always am on watch for hypothermia, but I have never gotten close to that. The coldness comes quicker to me having lived in AZ now for a while. The heat is what I crave now. The hotter the better, so I will look forward to NM! So I have to get ready for it more having been out of it. I have cycled across some terribly cold areas and what has worked for myself hopefully can shed some light on it for others.

To your answer about the cold. Look at the things people bring in order to generate body warmth. Layers to the skin of wool, neoprene ect.  With leg and arm warmers and proper rain gear( GoreTex ect ) you will be dry. That saves half of it. When we are up in altitude and the atmospheric conditions kick in your moving will help. But this is part of what draws people to the divide.
As far as the ultra light gear out there, quite a lot of it is well made and durable. The waterproof socks and gloves make all the difference in the world.
Remember for every day of a bad experience comes a great memory. The divide is a unique trip for sure. Get gear and travel where you are in the adverse conditions and check out what works for you and what does not. From there you’ll get an idea.
As how cold it is going to get. Your guess is what it is a guess. Looking at the past trips of the divide. You could be going to bed in the rain and windy. Also it could be beautiful and cool.

Good luck on your decision to go. It’s going to be a tremendous trip and I’m fully in as a lot of experienced people will be going. Hope this helps!

You so right. Bike shops are really cool. We have some great ones here in AZ who take care of you on Sag routes really well. Even sponsoring for the TD. They will follow the blue dot for sure!

Yes pack the bike in a bike box. Our bike shops here in AZ cannot give them away. No one wants them. I use bubble rap and pipe Insolation on with zip ties. Pack a tool and donate to the cause. I’ll give mine to the maintance people at the hostel I’m staying at. I like the hint of Do Not send it ahead of you. Chances are it won’t be there when you get there. Put it on with you when you board the plane and get it and secure it on the shuttle with you as you go to Bannf. I’ll know it’s with me.

Take a popsicle stick and break it in half. And this can be what secures the spacing in between the disc braking mechanism so they will not compress. I hear there’s a good bike shop in Bannf so I’ll go to them the next day We’d and get my bike a once over.

I am flying in on Tuesday afternoon. I’ll get a shuttle into Bannf and will stay at a hostel. Then I have some time. Bike shop and check out the town. Maybe even ride down to the start and Canmore for a day.

When are you heading in. I tell you the hostel is the way to go since it is such an expensive stay in Bannf.

Yes the start date is the second Friday of the month. June 8th. You want to get there a couple days prior so you don’t have to rush things. I just reserved my hotel/ hostel yesterday. Costs for a hotel room are through the roof. I got 3nights for $144.00 right outside of town. 1mile down the road on Hidden Ridege way.

So all the bike info is good for someone needing a bike. They better get it quick and ride on it. Ride on it a ton. Practicing on other bikes is nothing like riding the one your gonna be married to for 15-18 hours possibly a day. Joined at the hip.

I have a question regarding the the GP3 tracking device we’ll carry. Do we need to purchase one or do we get to rent one. Now there on 1/2 price for $75 at REI.

Hey stumpy and cranky....you want a good gravel bike. I just bought mine. A Salsa Cutthroat. I just put Lauf forks on it and am getting all my bags together. Get it through a bike shop out of Boise ID and they will outfit you with what you need. If you do that you want to get it soon. You need to work it in and learn how to handle it. I love mine. Look up the Salsa brand. They are out of Minneapolis MN. Look at the Fargo and the Cutthroat. The Cutthroat was made for the TD. It’s RS mechanism through the frame, components and set up of body just make it the perfect bike. I did quite a lot of research to come to the decision I did. I feel confident you’ll be happy. Then look into the Lauf trail fork. It will be what you need to get through the washboard roads well have. 

I just finished my 4hour gravel ride for the day and gonna get down on some turkey and all the goods. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Great to see more people talking about the TD 2018. I’m ready to go. Training hard, putting the miles in and gathering better bike gear!

Thanks iowagriz for the response. I’m going this summer. I live in the desert (AZ) and welcome some snow. Plus I bought my plane ticket to Calgary already. And thanks for the links to training. It’s always good to see other methods which people consider.

Anybody out there know anything about the next years TD. Been training now since August and am getting the bike and I ready with gear and training.

Super Thanks on the date. I already bought my ticket to Calgary since it was so cheap. I got a killer deal from Phoenix non-stop. I also purchased insurance just for that very reason just in case of the changing of the flight.

Thanks Iowagriz!

The schedule has not come out yet, or I cannot find it. What is the date of the grand Depart. The second Friday in June again. I’m planning my trip and am ready to go!