I maybe considered as a guy that doesn't make any good points, or so I'm told by 1 regular here.


But continue reading please.

I think the website went down or the owner lost interest in maintaining it when that "fixy rider" woman complained about being regulated.  I think they threw the towel in.

IIRC, correct me if I'm wrong, she had the Director of Badwater 135 miler speaking poorly about TD.

I too would cancel a website.

I once had a race and a guy I didn't know walked up to me before the race and said "The map is wrong". I laughed in his face and said, "Of course it's wrong this is Adventure Racing, get over yourself." In fact the map was accurate; the racer wasn't even from the State.

Dealing with people can be difficult even as a paid Company owner. I think since after 2010 the TD results were not posted. Well those are my thoughts, at least - I'm sure I'll be attacked.

I just want to share a story about a lesson learned.

I was once in the hills of West Virginia - full speed ahead on a downhill.  The elevation drop was about 1,500 feet on a gravel road that happens to be used as a Road.  It's desolate out there so I didn't expect any traffic.  I didn't see any traffic going up the hill earlier that day.  

If you are familiar with big climbs and descents then you'll know that, depending on distance covered, it can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to Dive bomb a hill - a drop of 1k to 1,500.  If it's sketchy then you slow down.  So there I go bombing down this hill.  I think at some time I reached speeds of 30 mph easily.  I'm usually comfortable at about 35 when there is gravel.  If it's smooth road then about 45 mph.  This was not smooth, it was a narrow gravel road.  Also, keep in mind that I had a good amount of experience behind me climbing and descending big hills - of different types like technical Single track and even roads.  This hill was about 15 grade but sometimes it seems like it went to 20.  I had already descended about 900 feet.

As I'm approaching a blind corner in the hill, the turn is about 1/4 mile away from me but I'm carrying some speed, I see a moving truck climbing.  Now, this truck is big, it's one that can tow a car on a full length trailer with all 4 wheels of the towed car off the ground.  The driver sees me.  I see the driver.  I wait for cues and then notice that he is "flooring" it; I'm talking torque and RPMs.  Remember this is a steep hill and I don't think he wants to stop mid hill.

So I begin to apply some brake but think that I can easily apply too much - and skid loosing control. If I lay it down he could crush me. My other 2 options were to slow down or ditch off the edge of the road which dropped about 300 feet and hope for the best.  These 3 options raced through my head repeatedly for about 2 seconds.  Finally I was able to control the speed but just on the very edge of the road.  I was about 1 foot away from tipping over and off.  How far was I away from the truck? Not far enough.

That was definitely an experience to learn from - and I did learn. Anyhow, whatever type of rider you are - try to anticipate anything and some things that you may not be expecting.  Best of luck preparing for TD 2013; throw down some centuries and do some camping.  Cheers.
  

Talking about cool weather gear. How cold can you expect to get in Canada. I have seen many pictures/movies of some serious snow. But what will the temperatures be like? I can do cold but how cold are we talking? I am hoping to bring 1 long sleeve jersey and one windbreaker/rain coat (haven't figured out which one yet) and arm warmers. Plus knee warmers and tights for the bottom.

I don't know the average temps on the days in Canada, but this winter I camped in 7 degrees wind chill; with windy conditions.

The tent was vented with screen but I had a rain fly.  I don't know if it get this cold in Canada at the Grand depart - but for me it typically happens as follows.  When the cold air permeates everything, and even inside your sleeping bag.  I tend to ball up in the fetal position and stare out of a 2 inch hold (an air hole) – that is the top of my sleeping bag. On this one day it was almost scary cold.

Every 20 minutes for 8 hours, I get this cold shiver that runs from the top of my head to my feet.  This makes for horrible sleep and lack of recovery.  But it's better than nothing.  So you awake once every hour.

Now, the fix.  If it's below 0 or single digit.  You can line your sleeping bag with a Space Blanket, but you risk getting condensation; or water droplets forming above you on the space blanket.  Anyhow, it's warmer – than without a Space blanket.  Sleep with some of your gear, like a beanie and gloves.  If you really want comfort take and experiment with a Tea light and cig lighter – that'll provide some heat.  Just don't burn anything.   I might do this when it's 20 and my fingers need some warming up; make a little fire.

You may also get motel rooms or you may stay in cabins.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

About what I posted earlier, I'm not too concerned with the cheaters or the solo aspect of the race; but I just had concerns where 2 out of 3 people might be against JayPs postings or ideas.  So I had to throw in my support.

Btw, JayP has a cool video on his Blog, it's titled “No Secrets”

http://jaypetervary.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-secrets.html

I'm not really sure what your point is. That "some guy" that Jefe came across was non other than Ethan Passant, who had previously won the CTR twice. He come in 3rd in 2007, 1st in 2008, 1st in 2010, and 2nd in 2012. Further, Ethan placed 3rd in the Tour Divide.

If anything, Ethan is an "example" of an incredibly tough, experienced, inspiring, and respectable rider.

Damn or Dang, lol 

You can't say anything on Forums.  No wonder I don't hang out on them.   I'm smiling, that means I'm cool with the immediate criticism.

My point(?), well it was missed.  I don't care who was freezing, was he not freezing?  Answer that much.

See I can list a handful of people that have sadly passed away.  These people were tough athletes and they made a miscalculation.  That's all that someone like Jay P or myself would speak about.  To offer up advice or tips, for words of caution.

For instance, you can look up his name but he died last year in Death Valley - during the summer months.  He was a Death Valley, California Ultra Runner.  He went out for a 6 mile traverse that turned into a 10 to 11 mile run and he ran out of water.  RIP, sad, sad story.

Another guy, from Texas was on a 200 to 300 mile paddle down to the Gulf of Mexico, GPS tracked on one of these site.  That's how I learned of him.  From one of these Tracker Site.  He drank too much water, it's called Hyponatremia.

So one last case, I read about a TD 2012 guy that show up to Antelope Wells, and he merely looked at the vastness of the desert and the Wildfire smoke on the horizon.  That was enough to tell him that he need to go home.  If people want to have accidents, or if they are loaded with Cash money to go to the TD just to head immediately back home - then sure I'll gladly read about them.  But ...

All someone like me or JayP is saying is - always be an amateur.  Learn something always, be careful, don't bash adventure racing, don't bash orienteering, learn about Hyponatremia, don't get scared off by Wildfire smoke, etc, etc.

Peace

If it helps JayP and Tracey keep doing awesome things, I'm all for it - they've paid their dues

Is it MY (personal) style? Hell no, but I'm an idiot and "out of my depth" is more modus operandi than it should as I get to be wizened and old.

Maybe his rant was more about unprepared people on the route, and if so, a clinic is a solution to the problem. This is a great example of stepping up, rather than just complaining. The person who dislikes the grub, becomes the cook, and all that.

I don't post often but I side with JayP.  Sure, he may be intense and all but he is spot on.  

Just an example, I read about Jefe racing some guy on the CTR.  Jefe found a guy atop a mountain in the middle of the trail, cold and freezing.  His bike was thrown to the side.  Jefe stated that he kindly asked if the guy needed anything and the guy said a jacket.  He didn't have a jacket to offer but he did suggest they walk down the hill together to warm up.  These subtle things are huge.  

1.  Had they ridden down, well, that was impossible because you'd freeze.  In TdF they use Newspaper to block wind from freezing themselves on downhills.  

2. Another point, he could have relaxed atop of the hill if he had a trash bag, that is a trash bag Vest, simple and light. It'll make you sweat even.

3. Also, ever think about carrying with you a Shower Cap?  That would be for shaking off the sweat from you head and then keeping your head warm.  All light gear and weighs nothing.

Btw, these ideas are all Multisport Racing or Adventure racing ideas.

I raced Jay once and his wife.  I was SS and they were tandem.  I had them through about 25 of a 100.  But coming down a fast technical downhill they caught me.  I sprinted away for 1 more mile then they went powering by me. They are tough for sure.

Anyhow, I was on Jay's side, even last year when he spoke out about the Win from TD2012.  You can't compare the New Zealand guy because this is not what he does.  But Jay chooses to do this - or I should say this is what he lives for.  He lives for distances, micro managing his TTs, for thinking in tight spots, for being driven, etc.