2011 Tour Divide

[Mathewsen]

I am hoping to fly to North America about 3-4 weeks before the race to acclimatise.  What is the weather like towards the end of May in the Calgary / Banff area?  Suitable for 2 weeks hard riding and a rest week?  (I am looking for somewhere warmish and dryish at ~4,000ft ideally). Another option is to fly to NM for a couple of weeks and then fly North for the start but logistically probably a bit more difficult - and expensive!

May is a sketchy month to expect quality riding in Alberta. It can be very wet/snowy/windy. Illness could be a risk. It probably makes the most sense for you to pre-ride some of the US GDMBR (unless you're taking the whole 'race' notion lightly). Why are you only looking for only 4k of elevation?

One rewarding leap-of-faith move would be to go to Denver (@5-6k), hang out there for a few days, do one of their off-the-hook weekly urban booze-cruiser rides, then head out hwy 285 to Salida (7-9k) to ride south on the GDMBR for a couple days before trying to catch a ride up to Calgary with other (colorado-based) racers. There will be riders from Boulder and Crested butte heading up. You could even pick up lower elevation sections of the Colorado Trail outside Leadville or BV and do a supreme section of that route, possibly figure-8 looping the GDMBR and Colorado Trail.

[Blackhound]

Bob - Scotland rarely hits 4,000 except at hihjest points but I will probably ride up there abit for the remoteness.  It is a 7-8 hour train ride each way!

Matthew - Thanks for your thoughts - read something about riding at 1,000 to 1,500m elevation was a good place to still be able to ride while get some altitude benefit.  (ideal is to live high, ride low, but not always practical).  I was concerned about climate in late May in Banff area, hence question, but I had not really considered possibility of getting a lift up from Colorado.  I also found Winter Park and Breck, straight off the plane hard work initially so wanting to acclimatise steadily. Think I will ask around to share transport as it would be good share costs and travel with somebody going North.

Any takers for sharing transport costs from CO to Banff?

[stappy]

"May is a sketchy month to expect quality riding in Alberta. It can be very wet/snowy/windy", or dry warm and sunny. You can expect every type of weather but Calgary is know for it's dry climate. I would base out of either Calgary or Canmore. Either would be good if you have a car, Canmore would give you lots of access to real mountain biking without a car. Majority of trails in K-country are within a one hour drive of Calgary. Both Calgary and Canmore would have good access to road and gravel road rides right from your door. Riding out of Banff is more limited. The Canmore nordic center has a great trail network and has hosted world cups and the 24 hour worlds. Calgary is at ~3500', Canmore ~4400- 4800'. I road ride year round in Calgary, the mountain bike season, as far as  riding in the mountains, gets going sometime near the beginning of May. Lots of stuff in the Canmore area that is in shape early season. The Alberta enduro and xc season is also going by then. Edmonton area has a 5 hour enduro around May 24, my club puts on a 8 hour enduro in Calgary around may 30. I've attached a link to pinkbike's trail conditions thread and the Alberta Bicycling Association calendar.
http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=246&pagenum=293
http://www.albertabicycle.ab.ca/events
Craig.

[robinb]

May is a sketchy month to expect quality riding in Alberta. It can be very wet/snowy/windy. Illness could be a risk. It probably makes the most sense for you to pre-ride some of the US GDMBR (unless you're taking the whole 'race' notion lightly). Why are you only looking for only 4k of elevation?

Living in Banff, I would have to agree on the sketchiness of May here.  However *normally* it is usually much nicer than June (re - drier and warmer) but... we have had nothing resembling normal for the past few years now.

If you are ok with doing a majority of your riding on the roads pre TD, then the Banff area could still work.

[Spoonie]

Living in Banff, I would have to agree on the sketchiness of May here.  However *normally* it is usually much nicer than June (re - drier and warmer) but... we have had nothing resembling normal for the past few years now.

Heading over for the 24hr worlds last year (june? July? I can't remember), it snowed in canmore the day before we got there and no shortage of cold rainy days.  the year before at exactly the same period, we had 2 weeks of sunshine, except race day when we had hail and sleet. Oddly I think there was more snow on the peaks though...

Heading over for 4 weeks to aclimatise seems a little serious/extreme?  Mind you, I live at sea level too and the 3000m+ passes have me a little worried...

*shrug*

Cheers
Craig

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Well, today a random stick took out my derailler and a rear spoke in about two seconds. I did the SS conversion, but it was difficult to get sufficient chain tension, and the chain jumped off every hour or so. Is there any "trick" to this?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Marshal]

I am hoping to fly to North America about 3-4 weeks before the race to acclimatise.  What is the weather like towards the end of May in the Calgary / Banff area?  Suitable for 2 weeks hard riding and a rest week?  (I am looking for somewhere warmish and dryish at ~4,000ft ideally). Another option is to fly to NM for a couple of weeks and then fly North for the start but logistically probably a bit more difficult - and expensive!

Matthew's suggestion on Colo could be modified with flying into Albuquerque, NM, ride north to Cuba and use the GD route to get up to Colo.  Any parts of the GD route that might have to much snow or wet/mud could easily by bypassed on your way north to meet a prearranged ride in Colo

Personally I think acclimation is almost a non issue from a physiologically point of view.  Note: You do not hit the higher elev till WY, by then you will be acclimated or dnf. I am not saying there is not an altitude effect from sea level to say 5000" but the way you 'pace your effort' at 5000" is a much bigger factor imo than the small gain from acclimation.

[Blackhound]

Thanks all, plenty to think about and it may depend on what lift I manage to get or if I need to fly into Banff.

I am flying over early because I can, I finished work recently and will not be working next spring.  It is partly altitude which I have not coped well with in the past (off the plane) and the time difference with the UK. Also an opportunity to see part of the route. I have loved my trips to  North America anyway so it is no hardship to be there early.  I would prefer to ride in a bit of warmth though, enough rain and cold in the UK!

I have seen that elevation gain is steady enough and that I will acclimatise on the way into WY but just want to give myself a start.  I will be 52 when I start and have never been a quick athlete, just someone who perseveres and loves racing, the outdoors etc.

[BobM]

Well, Blackhound, you certainly can't get much better advice than from Matthew and Marshal.  To add my own 2 cents (or pence) I think it's a great advantage to get to Banff several days early and ride the first part of the route, perhaps to Elkford and back.  Knowing exactly how far you can expect to make it that first day will take away some anxiety and allow for better planning.

Bob

[Marshal]

Thanks all, plenty to think about and it may depend on what lift I manage to get or if I need to fly into Banff.

I am flying over early because I can, I finished work recently and will not be working next spring.  It is partly altitude which I have not coped well with in the past (off the plane) and the time difference with the UK. Also an opportunity to see part of the route. I have loved my trips to  North America anyway so it is no hardship to be there early.  I would prefer to ride in a bit of warmth though, enough rain and cold in the UK!

I have seen that elevation gain is steady enough and that I will acclimatise on the way into WY but just want to give myself a start.  I will be 52 when I start and have never been a quick athlete, just someone who perseveres and loves racing, the outdoors etc.

Well as one who is also on the plus side of the 50 cent coin I can appreciate the desire to be fully prep’ed.

If you do make it to Colo pre-TDR pop me a PM and maybe we could hook up for some GD route scouting

[trebor]

Well, today a random stick took out my derailler and a rear spoke in about two seconds. I did the SS conversion, but it was difficult to get sufficient chain tension, and the chain jumped off every hour or so. Is there any "trick" to this?

Thanks,

Jeff

along with a spare link, a half link can help to get the chain just right.

[pfaeth]

Gents and Lady, so good to see so many of you trying again this year!  I am in for sure, well, awaiting wifey approval which will be quite a hurdle (email her to help my cause please!).  Type A personalities are so hard to manage!  Good seeing all of you well, get in touch to keep in touch please.  Congrats to all you finishers and keep working all you fellow DNF'ers.  Preston (the MAN) and my motto last year...There is No Shame...

[Seaturdl]

So I just got my Vista HCx and was wondering what would be the best software to load on it the 100k topo or go for too much detail with the 24k topo.  I just want to make sure I have the paths the TD travels on.  As always thank you for all of your input.
Cheers,
Derek

[pfaeth]

Thanks Bob for emailing the Wife about me trying again this year!  Just made her mad, but at least it got her thinking.  CC me too so we can catch up (pfaeth@gmx.com).

Also for everyone, if you haven't seen this video yet, Forest did an amazing job, both in the race and in the documentation.  Wish I had his grit... http://teamkaker.com/tour-divide-2010-movie-gear/

[BobM]

Hi Pete,

I sent you an email.  Sorry I made her mad - hopefully it will still help your cause!  I think from a spouse's viewpoint this race is just a pain, if not totally pointless.

For me, now that I had a taste of it last year I have a much better focus to my preparations plus I discovered a LOT of mistakes to correct.  It will be interesting to see how much I can improve.

Bob

[Blackhound]

Many thanks trail717, will see where I end up.  Also an opportunity to pick up some last minute tips. Or confusion!

[annoying crack]

For me, now that I had a taste of it last year I have a much better focus to my preparations plus I discovered a LOT of mistakes to correct.  It will be interesting to see how much I can improve.

Hi,

Could you tell us what your mistakes were and how you plan on improving?
Might be helpful for all us first-timers.

Thanks

[annoying crack]

Hi,

Could you tell us what your mistakes were and how you plan on improving?
Might be helpful for all us first-timers.

Thanks

I guess that means I'm in too then!

[BobM]

Hi,

Could you tell us what your mistakes were and how you plan on improving?
Might be helpful for all us first-timers.

Thanks

Well, keep in mind that I am not an experienced racer, just a bike rider with a bunch of backpacking and outdoors experience.  Having said that, OMG I made a bunch of mistakes starting with not training long and hard enough - this was the big, overarching mistake.  I think it is impossible to be in too good shape for this.  Due to a combination of factors I stopped riding about 3 weeks prior to heading out to Banff - no good.  This year I will be riding right up until I need to pack the bike up for the plane.  I will also be doing a lot more hill work in the months prior.

Psychological mistake - allowing myself to be WAY too excited about being there.  My mind was getting a bit messed up with all the excitement.  Being a fan and a participant at the same time doesn't work too well.  This year I will be reminding myself it's just about riding a bike down a path.

Next mistake - bonking during the first 60 miles due to not eating enough breakfast and taking enough food along (miscalculating how long it would take me to reach Boulton Creek) - stupid mistake, I don't know what I was thinking.

Those were the main actual mistakes.  Other than that I learned that light weight is the ultimate comfort consideration; in other words there is nothing that you can take with you that will provide more comfort than leaving weight behind.  Less is more.  I will be ditching body weight and at least 5 lbs of gear this year.  If you don't NEED it don't bring it.  If you are unsure, don't bring it - you can pick it up in a town along the way.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[Norb]

Hey all,
I've been hanging/lurking around this site for awhile and thought I'd jump in and say that I'm really impressed by the openness, the sharing of information, and the enormous amount of knowledge that is evident on these pages.  Certainly impressive stuff and the passion you all have for the sport is amazing.  And gotta say I love the banter back and forth as well!  Good stuff!

With that, let me say that I threw my hat into the ring last week when I submitted my name for the start list for the '11 edition of the Tour Divide.  Soon my LOI will follow once I come up with something pithy and turgid 

I look forward to jumping in with you all and as logistics, training, bike/kit building and a not-to-distant June rolls around, I hope I can contribute something meaningful here.

By the way, I live in Idaho and we have some serious hill (or hell!!) training to be done in these parts.............so if you're up this way, holler and we can train!!  Lots of snow/precip at the moment so who knows how soon that will be.

Happy training.........and dreaming!!