Is there really a loop in the route near Butte?

Yes there is. You enter Butte on I-15, bear right on to I-90 and then take your first exit. You'd think you should then turn left and head south, and you could, but the actual route heads north a block, swings by the Outdoorsman (a phenomenally helpful shop), and eventually loops south over the Interstate and on to more secondary roads.

Not really, probably just grabbing dinner at the Holland Lake Lodge. A few of us ate lunch there last year. Good food, but the service was painfully slow. Might set him back a bit, but better than bonking going up Richmond Peak.

[rcktfanatic]

Happy Holidays, and good to see some of the boys from the peloton throwing in their 2 cents.

I'll add mine, along with the usual caveats: your results may vary, a man's got to know his limitations, and any others which may be applicable.

Sleeping pads: was very impressed with the Term-a-Rest Prolite Regular (full length). 16oz, but the comfort was well worth the weight. As Joe alluded to, a good nights sleep more than makes up for any 5-6 oz weight penalty. I was meticulous in grooming where I laid the pad each night. Removed little pine cones, pebbles, anything even remotely sharp. A minute of prep can make all the difference. Mated the pad with a 14 oz. 30 degree down bag and a 7 oz. MSR tarp for a sub 3 lb sleeping system.

Computers: in '08 I used a single wireless Ciclo Sport which worked flawlessly the entire ride. It died over the winter, so I bought the same model for '09. It quit working before we were even out of BC. I got a second computer in Whitefish, wired Cateye, it croaked before Seeley Lake. Rode sans computer to Steamboat, having the distinct advantage of having ridden the course before, where I got a wireless Cateye which is still alive today. So my advice, take two.

And now some inspiration for rcktfanatic; you can absolutely ride TD on seven (now almost six) months preparation. Of course your goals, and reality, have to mesh. See caveats above. But it can be done. In '08 I rode TD on less than 650 miles of training in the six months leading up to the race. Life, a monstrous winter, and a lack of motivation to ride the windtrainer conspired to deliver me to Banff in pathetic shape.  Since I knew I wasn't going to be setting the course on fire, my mantra became "I'll take whatever the gods and my body give me." I ended up turning in a semi respectable sub 24 day finish.

In my humble opinion, this really is a race of the mind. Baring illness or injury, your body will (may?) adapt, and your mind will dictate how far and fast you travel. My tortoise approach has served me well both years. I quite enjoy riding at night, and had little problem leaving towns at 6-7 pm and riding until 10-11 in the evening. Those 30-50 mile evenings add up, and a beautiful night out under the stars beats any roach motel; unless it's pouring rain and then a whole new cost/benefit analysis comes in to play.

Yes it is a mammoth undertaking, but one that can be achieved without every conceivable duck lined up. Don't suffer "paralysis by analysis," and keep waiting for everything to be perfect. Pull the trigger, be smart, and be ready for one of the craziest mental and physical roller coaster rides you never imagined. Good luck.

LW