2011 Tour Divide

[BobM]

And then there's that Matt Lee fellow - wonder if he will show up this year? 

[Mathewsen]

And then there's that Matt Lee fellow - wonder if he will show up this year?  

My stock response is that I would race TD every year if I could. Alma Francis Lee, our second kinder, is due 3rd week in April, so take that for what it's worth. At the very least it means come June I'll have had plenty of sleep-dep training.

[BobM]

My stock response is that I would race TD every year if I could. Alma Francis Lee, our second kinder, is due 3rd week in April, so take that for what it's worth. At the very least it means come June I'll have had plenty of sleep-dep training.

Congratulations!  Looks like a tandem trailer is in order!

[6thElement]

Congratulations!  Looks like a tandem trailer is in order!

There's hope for the rest of the field right there!

[Jeff Tomassetti]

The die is cast. I have my SPOT. Race I shall. Ready or not.
“Audentes fortuna iuvat”
Banff>AW
June 10th, 2011
Jeff Tomassetti
Fernandina Beach, Florida

(not sure if my td.org updates went thru......P.S. I will be ready!)

[tlideen]

hey guys my name is taylor lideen and i am 21 years old with a big obsession of the TD.  just a quick question for you, i sent in my LOI and have not heard anything but see some starters are already posted.  i had some troubles getting my message sent on the site.  any suggestions?  thanks and look forward to seeing you all in june!

[mcmurv]

I just sent in my LOI for the second time, but got an error saying that it couldn't send the message, then just beneath it said that it could send the message.  Funny!

I am in.  See you in Banff.

Vance McMurry

[wookieone]

So I have been e-mailing the ACA about the maps and I am a bit confused as to what is getting rerouted/changed for this year. Is it correct that section 1 is changing, and section 5?  I have an old outdated set of maps, 06 series. But I am willing to get the new maps, just don't want to do it twice! And is section/map 1 still the first American map, or does this now refer to the Canadian section? Thanks Jefe

[Mathewsen]

So I have been e-mailing the ACA about the maps and I am a bit confused as to what is getting rerouted/changed for this year. Is it correct that section 1 is changing, and section 5?  I have an old outdated set of maps, 06 series. But I am willing to get the new maps, just don't want to do it twice! And is section/map 1 still the first American map, or does this now refer to the Canadian section? Thanks Jefe

Jefe, i have given aca grief for discriminating against canada. it deserves to be map 1(?). The reason to get the new maps at this point is not management of the route changes per se (b/c if you buy the narrative, you'll get most of those). It would be services that have changed a bit, and you can't get that info with the narratives. It's your call...i think thru the open-source trend here, you can get by on `06 with 'services' help from friends, especially if you'll use a GPS. Again Topofusion.com hosts the official TD race route GPS file.

Regarding route changes, i don't know of any in map one (yet). the grassy road connect from Holland lake to Richmond Peak was 'closed' ie. 'not recommended' last summer during beetle kill logging but should be G2G for `11. I would read up on the addenda now, for a better forecast.

[wookieone]

Thanks Matt, but I am still a bit confused as to what exactly is being updated by the ACA for this year. ie if I buy the narratives and maps now, will they change a bunch between now and June? I have some winter cabin down time for the next month and would like to do some planning while I am unable to really get out and ride. Jefe

also curious is there any need to loi sooner rather than later?

[6thElement]

Mr Wookie, see the answers here:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,929.msg15593.html#msg15593

[Mathewsen]

Thanks Matt, but I am still a bit confused as to what exactly is being updated by the ACA for this year. ie if I buy the narratives and maps now, will they change a bunch between now and June? I have some winter cabin down time for the next month and would like to do some planning while I am unable to really get out and ride. Jefe

also curious is there any need to loi sooner rather than later?

Jefe, for now I would study off your `06 maps + the route addenda, which are available online at aca. Send that LOI on, brotha. Your reputation for giving no quarter will help keep the start list honest.

[BigPoppa]

How's about hydration concern. From what I have gathered reading here and on blogs, ~6 liters is enough for a mere mortal. I'm planning on having roughly 5.5 liters capacity knowing I can grab an extra bottle of liquid and throw it in my jersey pocket if need be for the drier stretches.

Any thoughts on liquid capacity?

[wookieone]

Ok, got the addenda set updating the US sections, now I am curious, any help with Canada, without a map? I can't find much info about CA if someone would be so kind as to let me know how many miles from start to Elkford, and Elkford to Sparwood. Also curious if any one has a recent map with the canadian section and could spare it for a while or interested in selling it? Happy to buy one, none available from ACA. Did some planning, yikes, kinda crazy to be just writing such big numbers down! I am having some issues finding my birth certificate, and thus getting a passport. Once that is taken care of, my LOI will be next.

This is both terrifying and wonderful, peace Jefe

[Slowerthensnot]

How's about hydration concern. From what I have gathered reading here and on blogs, ~6 liters is enough for a mere mortal. I'm planning on having roughly 5.5 liters capacity knowing I can grab an extra bottle of liquid and throw it in my jersey pocket if need be for the drier stretches.

Any thoughts on liquid capacity?

planning on a 120 oz bladder and a few bottles... and like yah said cirtian sections i'll pick up a few extra bottles ect.... only a few sections in NM and WY where yah aren't more then a 1/2 days ride to water... make sure you have a few mirco pur mp-1 water treatment tabs

[Marshal]

How's about hydration concern. From what I have gathered reading here and on blogs, ~6 liters is enough for a mere mortal. I'm planning on having roughly 5.5 liters capacity knowing I can grab an extra bottle of liquid and throw it in my jersey pocket if need be for the drier stretches.

Any thoughts on liquid capacity?

Ha, I always have a thought or two....
In general I think you have the right idea, 6 L capacity with the ability to add some extra cap by temporarily loading up with a extra bottle or two will work fine imo. Most days 6 L is more than enough, even to much sometimes.  

The factors to consider for water supply come down to:
A)   how sure are you about the next water source, rookies are at a disadvantage here
B)   how fast are you moving vs the distance to the next stop
C)   Heat –2010 was a cool yr TDR wise but it had a few warm days
D)   And ‘time of day’, ie: you might need more if you are coming up on a dry camp followed by a dry section the next morning

Of course these factors are dynamic and need to be evaluated multiple times per day.  Especially if you follow a “go light & fast” food/water strategy vs a more conservative ‘always have extra’ approach.

Personally:
I spent a considerable amount of pre-race time studying water and food re-supply points and had the major ones marked out on my profile sheets.  During the race I was constantly evaluating my current stock against my expected upcoming re-supply points.  I truly enjoyed working out this daily logistics puzzle.

A typical water load for me looked something like:
1.   2L frame mount bladder –usually filled with Pepsi and if available, ice –replaced during the day as needed with tap or UV’ed water, more Pepsi, lemonade etc
2.   1L bladder- water only-rarely used during the day-this was for back up supply and ‘camp’ needs
3.   I usually had 1 or 2 disposable 12 oz bottle(s) of Pepsi or lemonade that I would dump into my 2 L and mix with UV’ed water sometime during the day
4.   When the timing was right I would try to buy a smaller bottle or two of juice during my last re-supply stop of the day—1 for a dinner/bed time treat and 1 for a fast/easy morning drink/cals as I packed up.

Anyway as far as water goes, I rarely carried more than 4 L away from a midday re-supply stop, but sometimes I had more than 6.  

[BigPoppa]

Ha, I always have a thought or two....
In general I think you have the right idea, 6 L capacity with the ability to add some extra cap by temporarily loading up with a extra bottle or two will work fine imo. Most days 6 L is more than enough, even to much sometimes. 

The factors to consider for water supply come down to:
A)   how sure are you about the next water source, rookies are at a disadvantage here
B)   how fast are you moving vs the distance to the next stop
C)   Heat –2010 was a cool yr TDR wise but it had a few warm days
D)   And ‘time of day’, ie: you might need more if you are coming up on a dry camp followed by a dry section the next morning

Of course these factors are dynamic and need to be evaluated multiple times per day.  Especially if you follow a “go light & fast” food/water strategy vs a more conservative ‘always have extra’ approach.

Personally:
I spent a considerable amount of pre-race time studying water and food re-supply points and had the major ones marked out on my profile sheets.  During the race I was constantly evaluating my current stock against my expected upcoming re-supply points.  I truly enjoyed working out this daily logistics puzzle.

A typical water load for me looked something like:
1.   2L frame mount bladder –usually filled with Pepsi and if available, ice –replaced during the day as needed with tap or UV’ed water, more Pepsi, lemonade etc
2.   1L bladder- water only-rarely used during the day-this was for back up supply and ‘camp’ needs
3.   I usually had 1 or 2 disposable 12 oz bottle(s) of Pepsi or lemonade that I would dump into my 2 L and mix with UV’ed water sometime during the day
4.   When the timing was right I would try to buy a smaller bottle or two of juice during my last re-supply stop of the day—1 for a dinner/bed time treat and 1 for a fast/easy morning drink/cals as I packed up.

Anyway as far as water goes, I rarely carried more than 4 L away from a midday re-supply stop, but sometimes I had more than 6. 

Man, my hydration set up sure sounds a lot like yours. It's almost like I read about it on some sweet blog somewhere....

I think the amount of liquid sounds about right for the length between refills as well. At least given what I am used to drinking (Liter/hour) for my long rides now.

[robinb]

Ok, got the addenda set updating the US sections, now I am curious, any help with Canada, without a map? I can't find much info about CA if someone would be so kind as to let me know how many miles from start to Elkford, and Elkford to Sparwood. Also curious if any one has a recent map with the canadian section and could spare it for a while or interested in selling it? Happy to buy one, none available from ACA. Did some planning, yikes, kinda crazy to be just writing such big numbers down! I am having some issues finding my birth certificate, and thus getting a passport. Once that is taken care of, my LOI will be next.

This is both terrifying and wonderful, peace Jefe

jefe - u probably don't need a map for the CAD sections, the cues are fine.  for mileage and services, I can offer up this:

Starting from Banff:

62mi - Boulten creek (1st service stop - convenience store)
109mi - Elkford (all services)
140mi - Sparwood (all services)
253mi - US boarder
264mi - Eureka MT (all services)

Just note - you zero your odo at elkford.

robin

[Marshal]

Ok, got the addenda set updating the US sections, now I am curious, any help with Canada, without a map? I can't find much info about CA if someone would be so kind as to let me know how many miles from start to Elkford, and Elkford to Sparwood. Also curious if any one has a recent map with the canadian section and could spare it for a while or interested in selling it? Happy to buy one, none available from ACA. Did some planning, yikes, kinda crazy to be just writing such big numbers down! I am having some issues finding my birth certificate, and thus getting a passport. Once that is taken care of, my LOI will be next.

This is both terrifying and wonderful, peace Jefe

The current 2010 GPS track and either TopoFusion or Goggle earth will work fine for initial ‘pre-planning’ Canada logistics.

Key Food, Water, Shelter
The entire CA section has clear UV/chem./filterable water every few miles so that part is easy.  
Convenience store food supply at Boulton Creek Trading Post, 60 miles
Re-Supply and Lodging at Elkford, 110 miles
Re-Supply and Lodging at Sparwood, 140 miles
1st come 1st serve lodging at Butts Cabin, 195 miles
Bar & Grill at US Border, 255 miles
Re-Supply and Lodging at Eureka, 265 miles

[BigPoppa]

Ok, got the addenda set updating the US sections, now I am curious, any help with Canada, without a map? I can't find much info about CA if someone would be so kind as to let me know how many miles from start to Elkford, and Elkford to Sparwood. Also curious if any one has a recent map with the canadian section and could spare it for a while or interested in selling it? Happy to buy one, none available from ACA. Did some planning, yikes, kinda crazy to be just writing such big numbers down! I am having some issues finding my birth certificate, and thus getting a passport. Once that is taken care of, my LOI will be next.

This is both terrifying and wonderful, peace Jefe

I don't have the particular mileage on hand at the moment but PM me and I can try to send you photos of the cues from my maps to help out until ACA gets their map supply re-upped.

I would also think about reading TD blogs. You could almost get all the info you need by piecing together bits from different places. (Don't discount the touring blogs, they have quite a bit of route info.)