HI Phil,

I'm leaving June 4, heading Nobo.  I'm aiming for about 100 miles/day, but I'll be flexible because finishing is the most important thing for me, not how long it takes.  I would love to interview you.  Here's my cell: 4695180020  Send me a text at some point and let's be in touch.  I will have a Spot but I'll likely be on the GDMTBR page of Trackleaders rather than the TD page since I'm touring.  But we'll try to find each other somewhere in the middle.  Best wishes for all your preparation!!

Unfortunately I'm out. Family issues are pushing me to change my vacation. Hopefully next year! Wish you all the best of luck out there, I'll be watching from afar. Be safe and do the right thing.
Happy Trails!
Phil

HI TD racers,

Below is a short, 2-minute video about my training for the Sonic Divide adventure this summer. If you like it, please share!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTcWCdr_ZmQ

And here is the link to the original Sonic Divide video that explains the project in case you missed that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kze0PuGrhBA

And here's a vid that shows some of the experimental music I'll be doing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0OFY3DBHsA

I hope to see you all out there.  If you're not racing too hard perhaps you'll let me interview you for the film I'm making?    Best wishes for your training and stay safe out there.

Best,
Payton

Payton,

That's really cool! What date are you leaving? I'll give you an interview, gotta take time  for something like this. :-)

Phil

Thanks for the insight. I was thinking about changing my bag maybe in Steamboat to something lighter weight. I have been in sub freezing temps in august in Montana. But I can also layer up. The idea of a liner is a good too.
I am looking at the big agnes Pitch Pine 45 deg. with 850 down tech insulation, super light weight bag.
Anyone else thought of this sleeping bag option?

I have the older version of the pitch pine, I think its rated at 40°C. So far its been a great bag. There are lighter ones out there but it works for me. I also have an clear view pad from BA, I like the way they fit together and you can't slide off the pad.

I have signed up on the google doc sheet and need to send letter of intent.
Does the letter of intent get sent to tourdivide@gmail.com?

Also I have the 2015 gpx file on my garmin. Do we know if it will be the same route? Will a new file be posted if it changes?

Thanks!

That's the email address you send in your LOI. The GPS track for 2016 might be slightly different than from last years, there should be a new one sent out to all racers a couple of weeks before the GD. Keep an eye out on this site for updates.

In other news, flights booked. See you all in June.

Awesome! Did you book the shuttle too or are you going to ride to Banff? What day are you flying in?

See you in June!

That BA tent looks good. Have you seen these before?

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tarps/Deschutes.html

I have a six moons lunar solo, its a great 1 person tent. I'm debating bringing it though, might just take a tarp and bivy.

 

I have one for over a year now - pretty common lightweight option in the UK for fell runners and bikers. They are excellent. I've binned myself with it on and not ripped it. Breathability is pretty good too, that chest pocket opens up well as a vent.

I'll be in my blue one, so at least we won't be twins.
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Greg,  you Brits know about good rain gear,  Good to know that it's a quality jacket.

I found out the same thing on my last ride in the pouring rain. Still trying to decide on going with a gortex jacket or something like a $100 marmot or pataguchi.
For me the problem is i'll sweat in a rain jacket.. might as well not wear it. I need some sort of ventilation.
Outdoor Resarch (Axiom) has some nice gortex jackets that fit well with a helmet, as well as Mountain Hardwar and Arcteryx (Beta Lt hybrid)
Those are a couple that I really like.

I ordered a Montane Minimus jacket, came today in the mail. It's really light, on my kitchen scale 230 grams. We'll see how it holds up, it's pretty flimsy feeling.
https://www.montane.co.uk/en/men/clothing/waterproof/minimus-jacket
Yep, I got the green :-)

I noticed on todays ride in the rain that my jacket is not waterproof, after only 30 minutes. So time for a new one, any suggestions on a light rain jacket with a hood?

I've got a doubt about the dragging of the hub dynamo.
Does the dragging exist when the electronic circuit is open, when you are not using the light or charging any device?

I too wondered about the drag created by a dyno hub, so I tried it out on my commute to and from work. Its about 30 miles and flat except for a couple of little blips. My times with a dyno hub and without were the same. No difference. I think most of the drag is in everyones head, if you think there is drag in the hub and that its slowing you down then it probably is. Just go with what you know and trust, that goes for every piece of kit you bring on the TDR. Bring what know, what you like and what works for you. Oh, one more thing, my drill sergeant used to tell us in basic training; "Its mind over matter men, mind over matter. I don't mind and you don't matter!" :-)

Yes, and Chris Plesko is racing in '16 on a SS and aiming to drop some time off that record.

Nice!

Is the SS record still Plesko's at 19 days?

Yes it is. It's ripe for the picking too.

would it be foolhardy to do this with no gps?  i hate gadgets.  i hate seeing thing like "7% power" and worrying about it. 

Foolhardy? No. It would be slower and you'll probably miss a few turns but you'd be OK. You wouldn't have to think about buying batteries. :-) 

Ahh,...... the tire subject. Lots of choices. You should choose a tire that rolls good, feels stable in gravel, durable and reasonably light. Tubeless is the way to go but make sure you have dialed in before you start. The RR is a light weight racing tire for cross country; It would not be my first choice for the divide but people have used it and have had success with it. Not sure what the front guys and girls are using these days but in old days ML swore by the Nano Raptor from WTB. I personally love the Vittoria(GEAX) Saguaro 2,2. It wears like iron, rolls nice and smooth, feels stable in gravel and is fairly puncture resistant set up tubeless. I use the normal version, not the TNT.

I wouldn't bother bringing a stove, so many resupply options along the route. Almost every little town has a coffee bar where you can get awesome coffee and decent food.  But if you really want to you could probably get a canister in Massa somewhere.

I don't know if anybody has had their food supply eaten from a bear at night but there are other critters out there that can wreak havoc on your bags and eat your grub like mice, rats, raccoons, weasels etc.... 
I never hung my food up in bear country but maybe I got lucky.

Payton, 21 miles outside of Pinos Altos is Lake Roberts. If you take the CDT alternate then it's about four miles (one way) off route. On the ACA map it says " Grocery 3,1 mi. W. of Pie Town on U.S. Hwy 60, restrooms also, call for hours, Top of the World General Store 772-2777 or 800-658-8750"
My maps are from this year so they should be pretty accurate. I'd call to make sure the place exists though. 

Hope that helps.

Phil

I got my flight, shuttle to Banff and room at the Y booked. Now it feels real.

I've been using a dyno hub hooked up to the Plug from supernova, I can charge a powerbank during the day, to keep my phone and ipod charged up. Etrex runs on AA bats but I mostly have it hooked up to the plug via USB cable. My main light is a supernova e-3 triple, runs directly off the hub. They say that you can either have the light on or charge a device with the Plug while riding but if you're going over 10mph then both will work.

Sandstorm I know how you feel. Rain gear is very important to have but no matter what you have if it rains for days on end you're going to get wet, therefore its really important to stay warm. Make sure you can do that. Base layers should be Merino wool, stays warm when wet. Also if your down jacket gets wet then it won't keep you warm and it'll be hard to dry it properly. Something like a Patagonia Nano jacket or pullover is the better choice IMO, it will still keep you warm when wet. I've been in the situation where I was soaked to the bone and freezing, even with a so called waterproof garment. I downed my Nano and I was immediately started to warm up. 

Sleeping bags are another thing, I would recommend a lightweight down bag rated at 40°-32°F and a decent pad. My sleep set up is a Big Agnes Pitchpine 40° and a BA pad, they fit perfect together I can't roll off the pad. On cold nights I sleep in as many clothes as I have to stay warm. Yes, I've froze my ass off before! :-) All part of the game. Night temps can drop into the upper to mid 20's, in freak years maybe even colder. Bringing a small stove could bring you a mental boost when camping in the cold but the added weight and bulk might not be worth it. Its a personal choice in the end, you decide.

Have fun training and testing your gear.

Phil

Since we're on the topic of Rohloff hubs......aside from changing the oil in it once a year, is there any other preventive maintenance that should be done? My hub is about 12 years old, I bought it used 4 years ago and have just changed the oil, it runs smooth as a top, with 14 gears ;-) Also would it be wise to have the wheel re-laced on a new rim and spokes before the GD?

Thanks for the advice

Phil