Hey all it is Jason from SOUL Ski and Bike in Banff.

We are eagerly awaiting your arrival this upcoming week in Banff for your Grand Depart.
Just a few notes of housekeeping, we have made a pile of space on the upper level of our shop for you to lounge in. A bunch comfy chairs, a new espresso machine and a Multiple Unit Electronic Charging Station from OUTDOOR TECH so you can ensure your goodies are charged for your departure.

Wednesday evening our friends at the Banff Avenue Brew Pub will be showing "Ride the Divide" and offering a host of specials exclusively for TD riders. Stop by the shop for more details and directions to the pub.

Thursday at 3pm, Mike Dion Film Maker of "Ride the Divide" will be showing his new movie "Inspired to Ride" at the Lux Theater here in Banff. His movie has been garnering huge fanfare as he makes his way North in his traveling self supported circus.  The Theater will sell out so arrive early and join in on the fun.

Lastly if you SHIPPED your bicycle via a courier, PLEASE CHECK YOUR tracking details.  I can confirm at least one bicycle is hung up at customs due to the waybill not being filled out correctly.  We cannot clear personal product under an individuals name if the waybill is not filled out correctly. Customs will not give us contact numbers of the shipper to reach out and inform the shipper of delays. I do not want to see any last minute panic if it can be prevented.

Thanks all we are huge fans of your adventure and look forward to seeing you all next week
Should you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to me personally to help.

Jason Kucey
Owner/ Operator
SOUL Ski and Bike
jason@soulskiandbike.com

Hey all it is Jason from SOUL Ski and Bike in Banff.

We are eagerly awaiting your arrival this upcoming week in Banff for your Grand Depart.
Just a few notes of housekeeping, we have made a pile of space on the upper level of our shop for you to lounge in. A bunch comfy chairs, a new espresso machine and a Multiple Unit Electronic Charging Station from OUTDOOR TECH so you can ensure your goodies are charged for your departure. 

Wednesday evening our friends at the Banff Avenue Brew Pub will be showing "Ride the Divide" and offering a host of specials exclusively for TD riders. Stop by the shop for more details and directions to the pub.

Thursday at 3pm, Mike Dion Film Maker of "Ride the Divide" will be showing his new movie "Inspired to Ride" at the Lux Theater here in Banff. His movie has been garnering huge fanfare as he makes his way North in his traveling self supported circus.  The Theater will sell out so arrive early and join in on the fun. 

Lastly if you SHIPPED your bicycle via a courier, PLEASE CHECK YOUR tracking details.  I can confirm at least one bicycle is hung up at customs due to the waybill not being filled out correctly.  We cannot clear personal product under an individuals name if the waybill is not filled out correctly. Customs will not give us contact numbers of the shipper to reach out and inform the shipper of delays. I do not want to see any last minute panic if it can be prevented.

Thanks all we are huge fans of your adventure and look forward to seeing you all next week
Should you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to me personally to help.

Jason Kucey
Owner/ Operator
SOUL Ski and Bike
jason@soulskiandbike.com

Big Dave rolled in around 20 min ago to a luke warm Pabst blue ribbon after riding through a thunder shower. He is at the shop decompressing and wrapping his head around not riding a bike tomorrow.

Good Morning Dividers you should all be within striking distance of Banff by now or at least on route.
My team at SOUL Ski and Banff are fans of what you all are about to embark on and are happy to host a BBQ for you all Thursday Night.  It is not a glamorous feed but it will be a great opportunity for you all to meet in one place now that there are so many of you and staying in many places having out grown the YWCA.

The details are simple:
When - 5pm
Where - The Banff rec grounds,  Less than 1km from the YWCA, There are two covered picnic shelters beside the local Basketball court, plenty of space for bikes and people, 
From the YWCA - go past the bridge(do not go over) merge to your right past the Indian trading post (you should go in and see the legendary Merfish) and coast on your bike for 300meters to the picnic shelters.
From the north side of town, go over the bridge turn right, and follow the above directions.

What do you need to bring?

Beverage of your choice and we will provide food - (Basic burgers)
it is more a place to meet other riders, locals and share a few stores and contain the nervous twitch in one place. 

Friends, family and support who got you here are of course welcome and encouraged to come.

See you all Thursday afternoon, should you need anything even just a coffee drop in to the shop and say hi.
Cheers
Jason Kucey and SOUL Ski and Bike

Sorry for another last min edit to the TD14 GPX file, but there is now a V2 of the 2014 file posted here (high-res version forthcoming): http://topofusion.com/divide/gps.php

The latest change relates to still unconfirmed conditions along the Fording Mine Rd in the vicinity of this GDMBR CA Map B cue: "11.2mi / 18km Come in immediately above water on a cliffside bench." This area slid big time in the `13 flood. It was sneakable late last summer by fording the river, but the Fording R. honks this time of year, so no way it's safely passable if the slide has not been re-benched (nearly all sources say it's not yet fixed).

Enter Josephine Falls Trail: This popular Elkford trail has been on TD's radar for a few years now. This trail heads south from Fording River Rd, exiting early from the stout pavement climb out of Elkford (exits pavement @ just 2.3mi, or so uphill from Elkford). I fully expect this bypass to be a big improvement on the 6mi pavement slog past the Greenhills Coal Mine along the existing GDMBR. The fine print: There is a 'hiking trail' connector required  (no, not like the Wigwam-Galton bushwhack) between the dead end overlook for 83ft-high J-Falls, and the upper stretches of the road described in this GDMBR CA Map B cue, "15.4mi / 24.8km Curve L onto wider, unsigned, and potentially dustier road (a sign identifying the road you’re coming off reads “Fording Rd.”) This new road also goes R, but that would require a R-hand turn of more than 90 degrees."

"This new road also goes right", is the very logging road TD riders will be ripping downhill from the J-Falls Trail connector (similar grade to the main GDMBR, it's mostly downhill). One rejoins the GDMBR proper 2 miles sooner than if the current main GDMBR was traveled but it will be a bit slower going, so I expect it to be a wash.

Here's a Google map depicting the change (basic cues to follow): https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200334849650645495946.0004fa82b409b51e2c70d&msa=0&ll=49.916525,-114.907379&spn=0.144578,0.264359

Directly pulled from Parks Canada Website, as with any trail report things can change any minute or day to day. http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/tcond/cond_e.asp?oPark=100092

This says the trail is NOT closed and fording is allowed.  I will have a staff member ride out over the next few days to test the fording potential/ discomfort level. 

Also rumor has snow still on Elk pass again will confirm this later in the week.

Stay awesome.

Dear Tour Dividers, An FYI
http://www.banff.ca/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Highways-update-from-Parks-Canada-and-Ro-32

Goat Creek - CLOSED - All three bridges are gone and massive trail damage
Smith Dorrian Highway CLOSED - several road washouts and multiple mud/ rock slides
Boulton Creek Store - CLOSED - (ive heard two stories one it washed away and one just severe flooding
regardless you cant get to it as the area is CLOSED
Legacy trail (Banff - Canmore) CLOSED - several sections are simply not there. washed away, gone etc
Highway access to Bicycles - CLOSED - being enforced - The highway has just opened but is single lane in many spots and alternating one lane with pilot car max speed 60km/hr in one section.

I cannot confirm what has happened in the Flathead Valley anyone.

In a nutshell i am a huge fan of the race and racers however i will not respect anyrider that shows up in Banff by breaching any of the closers at this point. There is significant trail damage and calamity going on. While i am not part of the Admin it is time the Admin posts a re-route alternative that is going to be a big bad ass road timetrial from the boarder.  

Kucey out.
I will post more info as it becomes available

FYI - suezim

We too are fans of Cjell but currently reiterate what KootenayB has just posted.
The Goat Creek trail is not just a little damaged it is all but destroyed, all three bridges are gone. the creek has re-routed itself in several places. Cjelll will be days away and we will keep you and all NOBO's posted on reroutes.

The legacy trail between Banff and Canmore is mostly intact, have yet to hear of the road status from above the Nordic center to Whiteman pass(goat creek trail head). This will most likely be the reroute option if riders can get through the Flathead and Kananaskis.

rockymountainoutlook.com for photos or visit Parks Canada facebook page for addition info and photos. 

Just an FYI,
Those thinking about an ITT departure from Banff in the upcoming days you need to re-evaluate things.
Banff and the surrounding Bow Valley have experienced record flooding. There is no entrance from the east in any vehicle fashion(you cannot get to Canmore from Calgary) roads in are currently closed. There is limited travel via scheduled public bus between Banff and Canmore at the moment.

Also for the Tour Admin please advise on your plans on the Goat Creek Trail section. If NoBo's can even get through Kananaskis all 3 bridges on Goat Creek are washed out and will not be replaced for some time. This trail is CLOSED indefinitely with excessive damage to trail and surrounding infrastructure.

Billy Rice rolled through SOUL this morning in great spirits.
Some new cables and some lube and was promptly off to the re tackle things in reverse.

He left healthy and during a thundershower. Confident he will be south of Elkford before a nap tonight

Crazy
 

Jay, Wake up !  ARRUUGGA ARRUUGGA wake up !
you cant hear your alarm and its going off! WAKE UP !
Pie town is opening for coffee WAKE UP !

UHM? Has anyone else noticed that Jay is laying waste to his own ITT time to date, let alone the current Grand Depart record.  Perhaps the beers at the shop the other night were just the right amount.  Keep on keeping on

Hey fans,

Cjell arrived in Banff at 4:20 and was met with a warm embrace from his dad which was still a surprise to him. I took a few photos for him and his dad and will post shortly but promptly came back to the shop to get out of the 8c and rain.  Cjell, dad and i snapped a couple of beers and a buffet of food dad brought down to celebrate with. 

Cjell is a trooper, very humble and mentioned he looks forward to not being on the saddle tomorrow and not waking up at 4:30am. 
To the rest of the riders godspeed, stay awesome out there.

woot woot Cjell has destroyed the Flathead and is crushing the miles approaching Kananaskis and the Spray Valley,
Serge is plowing towards the NM border who will win the battle?

eagerly watching and will have a cold beer waiting for him, regardless of the hour.  I look forward to meeting both Dad and Cjell

Cjell just completed a lighting fast visit to Elkford, looks like he wants to have Breakfast in Banff?
Weather is currentlly clear warm and sunny, the last storm blew came and went quickly. Calling for more unsettled hope it holds, that performance cotton tank top Cjell is wearing is no match for mother nature

Can Confirm Sparwood is dry but heavy rain in Banff and through the Spray Valley at the moment http://www.sparwood.ca/visitors/terex-titan/webcam
http://www.explorerockies.com/banff-webcam/
http://rockies.com/banffwebcam/downtown-banff-live-webcam/

Cjell is gonna have a cold night if he tries to go for it in one final push... 

The Gang from SOUL will be up and waiting to greet with both HOT Coffee and a Cold PBR if he decides to go for it tonight.  Cant help but be a fan of you Kooky riders, stay awesome.

So collectively there are many comments on Ollie and Craig riding together even some critiscm. Yet i do not see anyone questioning the packtrain of tourists riding together in the rear.  These groups bringing up the rear are just as much in question of drafting and helping each other than the leaders if not even more so.  Lets remember the roots of the event and have faith that the leaders and the packtrain at the rear are riding responsibly and enjoy the event

My two bits,

Ummm, Just saying that Ezster is making a move!  Its 4am Mountain time and she is up and pedaling - woot woot.
Thinks she felt Jarral breathing down her neck....  

Robin B is finally gaining time on TP after a quick turn around in Lima. Hoping to see him commit to a long riding day after some proper rest last night and find a riding partner late today early tomorrow to push on with for a couple of days. 

man this armchair supporting is all consuming

http://www.bigskyfishing.com/Web-Cams/Web-Cams.htm

Just found this somewhat comprehensive list of webcams for Montana.
Gives some insight on the weather the TD's are plowing through, lots of rain from Helena North.

Any update on Tracey P, is she heading home to Idaho or just off course?
As a vet of the ride she should know the route?