Hi all, Great to see the support for TD 16 has already commenced.

I took a lock this year - coming from Australia - my first trip to the states and not knowing what to expect! I did not get the lock out once. I was very careful with where the bike was positioned outside of resupply spots. At supermarkets I placed it inside the doors and politely asked a couple of staff if they could keep an eye on the bike. I only felt I needed to do this a couple of times at really busy places. Folks I met along the TD were so helpful and people understood my concern to keep an eye on the bike the couple of times I asked that i did not consider the lock necessary. That being said - I know it only takes one random person ! Though i would not take a lock the next time

On another note, anyone looking for a great Dyno Light Set up - I can recommend Kerry Staite at the following - www.klite.com.au He is a super helpful person and really understands what bikepackers need. He sells lights, builds up the wiring, switches. 

We also have a mob down under are making fantastic bikepacking gear - www.bikebagdude.com Kath and Kedan are making excellent gear for ultra racing and touring alike and this year on the TD and CTR and other races the BBD logo could be seen on quite a few bike..

Hope the TD training and prep goes well for everyone. If there are aussies out there who have specific questions. Dont hesitate to ask - There are now a bunch of Aussies who have had prior experience and happy to share info and ideas !

cheers
simon cross

Hello All
I am wondering what base map is being used for TD15
Scott has the GDMBR 2013 map on topo fusion ?
Is this map still relevant and the one to use or are there others out there which are more relevant.
cheers and thanks
simon

If I make it all the way to Banff, I guess I'm going to have to buy some street clothes for the return trip home.  I hear that Banff is really an inexpensive place to make purchases.  :^)

Are there any bike shops that are recommended in Banff to ship my bike home or is it best to do that in Calgary?

Hey - when you arrive in Banff from the south I can add that there is a very good Second hand clothing - Op Shop in Canmore which will do the job just fine. (no experience shipping bikes around the states, as I am flying in from Australia - flying home. ) Re Canmore there is a couple of bike shops there as well as a relatively cheap hostel - the bear hostel right in town - if Banff is booked out. The airporter shuttle to Calgary stops at this location. (the Bear is not as good as the Y in Banff but for a night or two no problems)

thanks for the info on Lithuim batteries

cheers
simon

Hi All, A simple question - probably to vets.
Lithium Batteries - for Spot and back up GPS

Are they available in towns along the way?

Particularly in petrol stations etc or are Alkaline the more likely common purchase option

thanks for your help
Simon (Australia)

Conti Race Kings - used 'em in 2013, other than one flat (metal water bar gouge) no issues. Run tubeless. Low rolling resistance. Two new ones are on the bike for 2015. I used to run Nano, and they were OK, but like Conti better.

I know a couple people who run these and they stick with them. I believe Mike Hall ran these as well, and in fact used one tire for two TD races.

Cheers

Hi, Agree with Flinch with regard to Conti Race King. My partner road TD AW to Pinedale then onward to Banff (on non TD way) (no punctures - added some sealant along the way) then we took the same tires and toured for several months in India. I have then taken the same tires and continued to train on them since December. In that time the Tire still looks good and we have only had one or two punctures. Yep, we certainly rate them. 

cheers simon

hello all,

Here is a download from Spot Tracker website. These are details for the SPot Gen 3 Unit.

To obtain reliable performance use only AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium 8x batteries (L91). For optimal performance, please try and utilize SPOT GEN3 in locations with a clear view of the sky with the logo side up.

Extreme heat/cold and trying to send messages indoors or under extreme canopies can drain on battery life. If the On/Off indicator light blinks red this is a warning your battery is about to die. Always carry extra batteries with you. Test your SPOT device before each trip by sending a Check-in/OK message.
 

Powered Off Batteries last    24 Months         
SOS   Approximately 13 Days 100% view of sky . 50 % view or sky   Approximately 6 days      
       
 
Tracking Based on 24 Hours a Day      
Intervals   100% Clear View of the Sky   50% Clear View of the Sky      
60 Minutes   ~ 52 days   ~                             26 days      
30 Minutes   ~ 26 days   ~                             13 days      
10 Minutes   ~ 17 days   ~                             8.5 days      
5 Minutes   ~ 9 days   ~                             4.5 days      
2.5 Minutes   ~ 7 days   ~                             3.5 days   
      
       
 
Tracking Based on 8 Hours a Day      
Intervals   100% Clear View of the Sky   50% Clear View of the Sky      
60 Minutes   ~ 156 days   ~                         78 days      
30 Minutes   ~ 78 days   ~                         36 days      
10 Minutes   ~ 45 days   ~                         22.5 days      
5 Minutes   ~ 24 days   ~                         12 days      
2.5 Minutes   ~ 20 days   ~                         10 days   
   
Curious,
Do people tend to track - send a update on the hour (every 60min)?

re Airporter - thanks for the code Rebecca.

To the plus 60riders - you have provided inspiration to our local riding group in town (small country town in australia) I sent our wise riders a link to the TD riders list to demonstrate that there are quite a few hardy souls pushing the miles.

simon

Simon - I rode a 1x10 with a 32 front and 11-36 rear. My rig without food weighed 36lbs and I was 140. I was in my smallest gear A LOT! It worked fine for me...couldnt have ridden anything steeper even with a lower gear but I sure wanted something smaller on those sustained climbs. That climb Matt lee talks about getting into Cuba..."rock, sand, rock, sand..." was a killer in my lowest gear. I whimpered more than once as I saw the trail continue to climb as I rounded a corner. I would think a 42 would make a big difference as would running a 30 up front and if I tow the line in June I will have my 30 x 10x42 SRAM ready to roll. Tried the 42 tooth options with my shimano XTR 10spd but never did work well for me. My SRAM has has been flawless and amazingly silent.

Thanks alot Endo - agree - found the same with SRAM vs shimano ...

This week riding the bike happily in the bush - sending positive thoughts to friends and people in Nepal. We are a lucky bunch of people. I reckon our choice and ability for recreation and exploring - taking on challenging projects such as the TD is a privilege.  Safe training.

Simon

RE Gearing
hello all ,  I would value the view of folks on gearing for the TD on a 29er. Whether to go 1 x 10 ( with a 26t or 28t front and a with 11t - 42 t on the back) or 2 x 10 (24/38) (certainly could not imagine taking the journey on with a single speed - accolades to those that do.)

I have trained with both with TD weight on the bike and either feels good, though I do "feel" some loss of speed on low angle down hills or rolling country where the opportunity to pedal is lost at 33 klm p/hr (21 miles p/hr) or so. The gear changes on the 1 x - with a 42t added and a mid range ring removed creates somewhat of a gearing gap - but you get used to it. (which a 1 x 11 set up would remove)

The weight advantage (the difference of 11.5 ounces/330 grams 1 vs 2 10) and less mechanics is a good thing but not a dealer clincher either way 

For those looking for a good after market option Praxis are now marketing a 10 - 40 t cassette though it will not be available in australia until later in the year. Not sure if it on the market in the states as yet - takes a little longer to get new releases down this way.

I looked at a 1 x 11 sram or shimano set up - decided that the money should go elsewhere...

A very personal question and answer...

cheers and thanks
simon



After the TD - ?? Tour of NZ - 3000 klm brevet style Grand Depart Feb next year ... NZ is a fantastic place to ride and journey www.touraotearoa.nz/

I have seen a cream called A & D recommended on here before by TD racers. It is a nappy rash cream that contains lanolin and Petrolatin(Vaseline to us Aussies). I have been trying Bepanthin when I have any irritation but can't really say anything for or against it yet. I prefer not to get the "rash" in the first place. To that end, I have just procured some Ground Effect Exocet knicks and after a recent 3 day bikepack averaging 8 hours a day saddle time I didn't have the slightest rash. I think buying the best quality knicks you can will go a long way to warding off monkey butt. It probably won't completely erradicate it in a race this epic though.

Hi Dave , agree with the best knicks and importantly test them out. I never have issues on my normal riding loads but throw a few 10 - 12 hour days on dirt and climbing , camping out , things change!! Ground Effect make a excellent clothing top to bottom and I will be wearing it on the  TD. Enjoy the ACT / snowy mountains when you head down that way . cheers simon

Hi there...
Normally I have never had to concern myself with how the butt may go whether touring, bikepacking .... but for riding down the divide , it is probably a different matter.

I have read in old blogs info spots that US bikepackers like to use Anbesol when the going gets tuff on the butt

Is this the product they mean?  -Anbesol Maximum Strength Adult Oral Pain Reliever .33 oz  - This was in gel form also available as cream

Never used this stuff however I can recommend for the australians and NZ folks Lanolin - 100 % no petroleum additives - The brand is Essentials. No doubt 100% lanolin is available in the states?  I will be bringing it along

cheers
simon

 
]

hey alex
yeh we tried this. I am going to purchase a 5 v to 3 v converter (3.00 aud on ebay) but to resolve the issue and get on with the important task of cycling I have purchased a limefuel battery!

probably like some others I will have a few items which will be onsold when the TD is done and dusted

cheers
simon

Hello all,
Re the external batteries - powering Etrex 20 .

In turns out that the external batteries (one a Plox 4500 mah and a ebay 6000 mah ) were at fault. Kerry from Klite explains it as the two devices not having the right hand shake protocol.

As others have mentioned - Limefuel batteries of various sizes work with Etrex 20 / 30

Cheers
Simon

hi all
thanks for feedback / support - somewhat frustrating when the etrex 30 seems to be a plug n play outcome

Answer to questions
- Just trying to power gps not recharge batteries
- have used two external batteries, freshly recharged one at 4500 mah 5 volt 1 a - Plox and an ebay 6000 mah 5v 9 ( both tested on other usb devices - e reader, phone, light and work very well
- have tested 2 etrex 20 - both did not work , tested one in store and it worked! (dont know why, but went home and did a factory reset and downgraded the firmware to 3.7 - same as shop based and it worked for one 15 min test and another 10 min test .Thought it was resolved and ran another test later and back to the same situation (external battery shuts down after 20 sec

will move to etrex 30 if need  though trying not to !!

got to publicly thank Kerry at KLite for all his help - bloody good thinker

cheers
simon

hello
Postscript to the above
I spoke with Garmin and they have confirmed the unit works off a 3volt output . (the garmin etrex 20 - in case anyone else is thinking about this)
cheers
simon

Hello
Still playing around with getting  a Garmin Etrex 20 to charge with a external cache battery.

If anyone is using a cache battery set up with a sinewave revo and dynamo hub , what gps is being used and has it worked sweet

Now tried with garmnin etrex 20
Factory reset
Battery re charge
2 x different etrex 20 GPS
4 x different firmware 2.8 3.0 3.70 , 4.2

Anyone using Etrex 30 and finding it works ?  or for that matter the 20 ? Am i missing something really obvious? ( have charged usb mode etc)

thanks alot

simon

hey flinch
thanks for that
- have placed a call with garmin to get the official word and will test some new etrex 20 and 30 units in store , have had unofficial word that the Etrex new units should support charge from external source. 5 v 1 a  i was able to test a etrex 10 today it doesnt take charge from an external usb source - though not suprising.
as it is the most basic model

the step down converter is a great idea and this led me to research someone in australia who will make them. Will chat with them after the monday holiday and will post result with link and outcome .

cheers simon

hi flinch and others
so i have now updated the firmware software on the etrex 20 to see if that would make a difference it doesnt...!

in reading your notes and the others on your links this makes total sense. that the power output gps vs cache battery are not compatible ie the cache is 5v and the gps is 3.125 v (note this is not confirmed by garmin only by the sites you linked up . i have sent an email to garmin asking what my device (using the serial number) is rated to, no where on the garmin website can you find this technical data.! lets see if they respond.

i will research if garmin have changed the voltage input maximums from 3 to 5 volt this would make a lot of sense given many external cache batteries are 5 v
( will go and test a new etrex 20 in store - when everyone has finished eating chocolate over easter

note - i have no clue about electronics! though it looks like the link you offered have a product which  may solve the power variation problems
cheers
simon

Thanks alot for that Flinch

It is an excellent link and very clear.

and following this process leads to external storage and the gps is powering through the plox  cache battery -- though only when powered via the wall/ac power.

when the cache battery is not on mains power it just turns off. (even though the cache was charged fully and indicates as such (and is 4500 mah - which should be ample grunt)

could be a good heads up for others with an etrex 20 (purchased 2013 - maybe newer models work)

maybe when on the dynamo running through the sinewave revo  it will work - need to test this or try out a newer model etrex 20 or 30

simon

hi all
anyone using a etrex 20 and tested it on a cache battery?

I have tested the gps on both a ebay 4500 mah and plox 4500 mah cache battery fully charged -connected directly (not via a sinewave revolution or something simiiar)- both on "garmin mode and USB mass storage mode" and it keeps going to the power down screen (basically says device is going to switch off unless you ask it to remain on) (tested with and without batteries in the battery bay - though only with alkaline and NIMH rechargeable - have to go and buy some Lithuims E2 AA for a test (cannot see logically what difference this would make)

The gps works fine on the usb connection to the computer and also when the cache battery is connected to the ac power outlet.
not sure if it is firmware related which is version 2.8 ??/

any ideas thanks simon

note - it seems from the posts that the etrex 30 is working fine with this set up.

Hello all, A note of introduction to say that I will be joining the 7 other aussies (at this stage ) heading to Banff for the GD.

Like everyone I have been preparing and training for a while, though had to wait until April to confirm that a start is a definite goer. So flights are booked., thanks all for the info. Looking forward to rolling out of Banff and heading down and exploring part of the Divide... 

Following on from the above thread - throw in a small can opener(folding blade) (about 25-30gms) in the kit - that way you have easy access to protein rich cans of beans and ready cooked meat meals, - open can , gulp food or pour into clip seal bags.

Hope everyones prep goes well over the next 9 weeks or so... take care, train, rest , stretch, eat......

cheers simon