2011 Tour Divide

[Roland Sturm]

Where exactly is going to be the half way point for 2011? Might be more interesting if there are groups starting from both sides (and if there is a big peloton in Banff, I would start at AW). Must be around Rawlings, but my trail maps are pretty old (well before there was a TourDivide).

[krefs]

The mid-point is somewhere in the middle-of-nowhere Great Divide Basin north of Rawlins.  I'd be surprised to run into anyone out there!

[Roland Sturm]

Of course, but that's only because you are too fast.....

[BobM]

If Kurt started in Banff most of the AW starters would probably pass him at the NM border 

[Mathewsen]

Where exactly is going to be the half way point for 2011? Might be more interesting if there are groups starting from both sides (and if there is a big peloton in Banff, I would start at AW). Must be around Rawlings, but my trail maps are pretty old (well before there was a TourDivide).

If there's ever to be a prime for racing to the middle, more than just miles will have to determine where that might be, as the GDMBR is backloaded with pavement, higher average speeds.

It may well be that (approx.) Atlantic City or even Boulder (on the north side of the basin) would make a more reasonable center. We'll have to look at splits data.

[Spoonie]

If there's ever to be a prime for racing to the middle, more than just miles will have to determine where that might be, as the GDMBR is backloaded with pavement, higher average speeds.

Forget the Prime, who's bringing the Jousting Sticks??  

Cheers
Craig

[Roland Sturm]

It may well be that (approx.) Atlantic City or even Boulder (on the north side of the basin) would make a more reasonable center. We'll have to look at splits data.

Geographic center might still be better. Trying to account for effort or difficulty may seem like a good idea, but it eventually becomes very arbitrary. The "effort" center based on split times will differ by whose split time and what year, even when taking averages of existing data. Moreover, N-S split time is likely to differ from S-N: differences in gradients of climbs, and, arguably a minor issue, because at the geographic midpoint, there is more climbing from AW dues to its lower elevation compared to Banff.

So where is the geographic midpoint for the current route? I presumed it would be near Rawlins, maybe close to the turnoff to A&M reservoir (worst water i've had, so not a great celebration spot, not even worth to go 1 mile off route), but I don't have recent maps.

Anyway, despite the huge price money at stake, is there actually any reasonable chance that you or Kurt would run into somebody before you reach Colorado?

[Jeff Tomassetti]

I have never used a Bivy and I plan to get one soon and try it out. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good, light Bivy to use on TD 2011?
Thanks!

[firetwofire]

So I have been thinking of my letter of intent coming up in a couple months and I was thinking that the 2011 challengers should do a theme to our letters, like we should all use movie quotes to say our intent. This is the type of crap that goes through my head while riding.

[firetwofire]

I have never used a Bivy and I plan to get one soon and try it out. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good, light Bivy to use on TD 2011?
Thanks!

Probably get some better feed back under questions and answers but here is what I us and love it http://www.backcountry.com/black-diamond-spotlight-bivy

[BigPoppa]

So I have been thinking of my letter of intent coming up in a couple months and I was thinking that the 2011 challengers should do a theme to our letters, like we should all use movie quotes to say our intent. This is the type of crap that goes through my head while riding.

Here is my stab at a movie quote letter.....(All Goonies quotes!)



Heeeeyyyyy yoouuuuuu guuuuyyyyyysssssss!!!!

Rocky... road?

My bike! I want my bike, I want my bike, I want my bike.

What (am I) doing? It took (me) 376 lawn jobs to get that bike! That's (my) most favorite thing in the world.

Trust your dear old mother boys. Throw 'er into four-wheel drive and hold on to your hats.

Big Poppa

[Blackhound]

I am more a music than movie man so perhaps need to widen the scope a little.

Something by Johnny Cash for example ' Once in the saddle I used to go dashing, Once in the saddle I used to go gay'

Actually I might need to think a bit harder about this one;-)

[firetwofire]

music, movies, and maybe quotes?     
Try this out for size-            “You can motivate by fear. And you can motivate by reward. But both of these methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self-motivation.”  (Homer Rice) 
Im motivated and we'll just have to wait till june to find out what kind of motivation it is.
 

[Nathan Jones]

Thinking about this for 2011. 

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/177-8614629-7016048?asin=B0026WQ72A&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B0026WQ72A&CPNG=sports&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=B0026WQ72A&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001 


24 is the new 29!

Nathan

[BigPoppa]

Thinking about this for 2011. 

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/177-8614629-7016048?asin=B0026WQ72A&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B0026WQ72A&CPNG=sports&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=B0026WQ72A&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001 


24 is the new 29!

Nathan

Ha!

I double dog dare you!

Triple dog even!!!!

[Mathewsen]

Thinking about this for 2011. 
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/177-8614629-7016048?asin=B0026WQ72A&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B0026WQ72A&CPNG=sports&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=B0026WQ72A&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001 
24 is the new 29!

There used to be a pic of that bike in the TD photo gallery. I'll just say (of the bike), its reputation 'supercedes' itself.

I Love the link's review from 'MN Lady':
"I imagine the gears would be difficult to change if you had creepy little sausage fingers or something, so that is something to consider. Sausage fingers - keep away from this bike! May I recommend a copy of Twilight and some Pepperidge Farm cookies instead?"

[Mathewsen]

music, movies, and maybe quotes?      
Try this out for size: “You can motivate by fear. And you can motivate by reward. But both of these methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self-motivation.”  (Homer Rice)  
I'm motivated and we'll just have to wait till june to find out what kind of motivation it is.

Hey! that's an apropos quote. Rice served as AD of my alma mater UNC-Chapel Hill for a spell. Among other things, he was known as, "No micro-manager", so it's perfect that TD should take a quote from such a personality. No one in need of micro-management need race the Divide. You might just see that quote on TD.org someday.

Regarding quotations, here's a good one (not that i subscribe): "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know". -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Regarding motivation, the question is, how well do you suffer for days on end, and how might that temper your motivation? For some, they feed on pain. For most, it's a game-changer.

[Jeff Tomassetti]

    * Product Weight: 44.0 Lb.
Nathan, it is a pig!

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Uh, so, how do we get out of AW and to an airport? And what airport?
I'm sure I will have questions dumber than this one.

[jimfab]

The devil is in the details..... I guess that a steel wheel and an aluminum chain is the secret, no wonder i had a tough time, i had it all backwards 

One more poke at this.... note the " use "... makes me giggle a little.

Features
Manufacturer Suggested Age: 12 Years and Up
Bicycle Frame Material: Steel
Seat Features: Adjustable Seat Height
Wheel Height: 24"
Rim Material: Steel
Tire Type: Smooth
Tire Width: 2"
Gear Speeds: 21
Bicycle Chain Material: Aluminum
Used For: Cycling
Care and Cleaning: Hand Wash
Dimensions: Height: 28.3 "; Length: 53.0 "; Width: 7.3 "
Product Weight: 44.0 Lb.