Perfect thanks I'll get my butt in gear so I don't end up camping before camping...

Looks like the Y is already full booked.  I'm looking into one of the hostel's in town but was wondering where everybody else is posting up at this point?

Added my name to the giant spreadsheet. 

I've been off the bike for almost 3.5 weeks now after getting hit with the flu and then brutal weather here in Victoria.  Finally saw a break in the clouds yesterday so I took off.  Apparently the higher elevation areas still haven't come out of the crap yet.

Managed a 100km day in 6 hours, first ride in weeks and it included lots of snow but it still hurt pretty good haha.

That's an awesome photo link.  I shall stare at them for a very long time now.

On another note, I have submitted my LOI.  I'm new to the process but do you receive anything as far as acknowledgement that they've received it or is it just something you submit so it's on record?

I'm running a fantastic set of maps and I can lay down tracks, analyze my slugs etc etc.  I still manage to zoom in to far and head the wrong way on the purple line every once in a while.  I'd also like to take a map course to learn compass and map a little better just to have that skill even if only basic.  Because as sthig mentioned.... that stupid Garmin bar mount clip was designed to disappear at the worst of times.

On another topic, anybody doing anything special "mentally" to prepare?  I'm enjoying riding by myself and pushing the miles but in Victoria we have a new "Sensory Deprivation Tank" lounge that just opened up.  I'm dying to take it for a test run and see what that's all about.  It's not 100% divide related but at the same time I think it will give me a good feeling about how comfortable I can be when left alone in my own attic.

I've been watching some YouTube clips lately and reading as much as I can in regards to becoming uber proficient with my gps.  I don't know why but I can manage to get my self lost easier than I had expected.  Anybody have any links to a fav as far as becoming a Garmin Pro?  I'll be running my Oregon 450 at this point as it's what I've got. 

I also just put the Cordillera on order so I'm looking forward to seeing it any day now.

I was just looking at a ride like this but due to my participation in the 2014 Tour Divide I was putting the coast to coast ride off to 2015...Wife permitting.

If your doing a blog of the ride fire it up I'd love to keep up to date with your ride.  Also if you're ever over on the Island for any reason drop a line!

Hey I have one question that I know has been addressed on here already, but I want a definitive answer from all the people that used rechargers because they are kinda pricey and I want to make the right decision. What kind of hub/plug recharging combo works the best for the TD? I'm curious if people are getting a dynamo hub laced to Stan's wheels or what. I'm very new to the whole concept itself, so I'm very curious how much everything would cost/if it is even worth getting or just continue to run my Etrex 30 and buy new lithium AA's whenever I can along the route? Also what lighting device works the best with the recharging system. If someone could just kind of dumb it all down for me that would be awesome!
-Tanner

I'm not going to run a recharge hub, I'll be running this guy http://zendure.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/a5-external-battery-16-000-mah

To me it seems the most logical way to avoid a full bloody sleeve of AA's.  I'm running an Oregon 450 for gps, the new Spot Gen 3's run a rechargeable battery and I'd like to find a headlight with an internal battery.  Recharge everything off one mega battery and avoid the cost of a custom wheel seems to fall in my budget.

Rather than starting out with winter shoes you might just want to start with Smartwool socks and some sort of barrier (sealskinz, Subway sandwich bags....). Easier to trade out the socks down the road than the shoes.

This is my thought exactly.  I'm only concerned about snow and inclement weather for the first portion so I'm not going to pick gear based on that section only.  I'll bring some booties to cover up and then knock them off as it warms up.  I'm also not bringing anything for post ride shoes.  It'll be bare feet for the 3 foot walk to my tent.  Then I'll sleep.

Hey Bob,

I was born and raised in the Prairies so I remember what that's all about.  Then I wised up and headed as far West as I could.

We've been seeing 8-13 degrees in the sunshine for the last week or so, so I've been getting out for rides and overnights as much as possible.  Vancouver Island is a pretty awesome little place.

fastmtnbiker33w sparked me.  I just bought my Divide bike on the 6th of January and have started putting it through it's paces.

The only thing I'm missing so far is my "Mountain Feed Bags".  They were out of stock when I ordered the rest of my bags.


I'm over on Vancouver Island so if there's any others out on this little rock drop a line and we'll go for a spin!

Wanted to pop in and say hi to sub to this thread.  I'm working on the planning etc but will be at the line up this June!

Cheers
Brad