In Lake City, on the South end of town just before the bridge on the east side of the road is an outdoor store.  They actually give rides to hikers, etc to the CT and can help with safe vehicle parking.  At least that is what the lady was telling me last summer when I was there.

Is it a common thing for any of you to go from 3 front chainrings to just one?

Not quite bicycle, but useful non-the-less.  I am wanting to really "learn" how to use a compass correctly.  The decent compasses are either flat base plate or sight mirror.  Which would be better for map reading and general getting somewhere and getting out?  Which do you prefer?

Thanks, Ty

Cool, thanks for the replies.  Living here in Texas, my only training in distance has to come from riding the wide shoulder of a local highway.  And I was wondering about roadies and speed the other day when a few of them and I crossed pathes.  I rode 30 miles last Sunday and found it very doable with the east Tx hills.    I reckon one would need to find a good balance between speed and mountain for training for things like the routes of Co and the Divide.

Rookie question here.  I know that MTB gearing is a wider range of gears to give some high and some low while road bikes are geared closer together.  But, what does that mean in the real world?

If I were to grab a road bike and ride it on the same road I generally ride my MTB, would I go faster with less effort?  Would the hills be harder/easier? 

I know the ideal thing would be to find a roadie and see for myself, yet I ain't got one and don't know anyone with one.

Thanks, Ty

So... is everyone in and accounted for?

I've been hunting down info on "clip-less" pedals.  I would ideally like something that I could use "plain-jane" when riding state park stuff with the wife and kids, and also be able to "clip" for my training/workout riding.  Then, there is the deal with having the big 'ol clip at the bottom of the shoe which would make "hike-a-bikes" a pain.
It seems to me that the SPDs are the only pedal system that can offer the best of all this.  Correct me if I am wrong.  I can get a SPD pedal with a platform on one side and the cleat in the shoe will still allow normal walking.
If there is anything I am missing here; please do set me straight.
Thanks.

I am gonna get chewed out here, but what the hey.  Got two "good" bikes for me & the wife.  What is a good way to clean them?  Lots of red dirt here.  I know most of you just hose the heck out of them, but do you oil parts such as derailer joints etc, every time.  Lots of parts are aluminum, etc, but also a bit of steel there too.  Do you try to avoid spraying headset, bb, and things like that?

Doesn't help me one bit shows two riders placed 1000 and I know from the discusion the third place finisher is not the person shown.

Well, aren't we quite the gentleman.  From what I've seen this year, these guys (Scott, Matt, and so many others) are doing the best they can to help the race and keep we 'arm-chair guys informed.   Many thanks to all involved. 

Some thing is missed here, most of the replies are out of discussion.

I feel that the replies answered my original question very well.  They ever-so-nicely let me know that I was entertaining a crazy thought without experience in the road racing field.  Then pushed me to hunt down more info on local MTB races.

Thanks guys for the feedback.  I sure wouldn't want to cause trouble from not knowing how things work.  I'll hunt up required info.  and go watch one. 
Many thanks.

I live in the boonies here in NE Texas.  I ride dirt road and trail every day.  However, there are no mountain bike type races near me (Tyler area).  There are quite a few road races.  I know gearing differences exist between road bikes and MTBs.  How stupid would it be for me to enter into a road race with my "future TD MTB" just for shits and giggles.  I do have aerobars, so that should count, ...right?   
I just want to have fun and complete.   Would this be just plain stupid?

Ty

" :thumbsup:I just checked the Cordillera sales and we sold 14 books yesterday!   "
......what book??

note to self: don't get the node 2

Riverfever, yes, those are what I was asking about.  Many thanks, Ty

Ok, I have found info about the handlebar ends.  Yet, I cannot for the life of me figure out what the ones are that are in the center shaped like an "A".  Could you just as easily attach a pair of the bar ends toward the stem?   

What are you guys using?  What are good items, and what are "gimmicks?"

Thanks, Ty

So, is there not a start time?  Or is it, just get there, then go?

Ok, I got it.  Re-read the rules on the tourdivide page.  Thanks all.  And GOOD LUCK to all riding in a couple days.

Yes, I do not make light of either one.  Was just confused about the race most guys in this forum are discussing.     Since I posted the question, I have been doing a bit of google-ing.    It seems most rules seem exactly the same in regards to self-sustainment racing.  But, I came across where cell phones are allowed on the TD; unless I miss-read.  While the GD does not allow cell communication.

The TD starts in Bandf, CA on the 10th, and the GD starts in MT on the 17th.  Are these two different races that simply overlap? 

I am guessing starting in CA is the "main one."