2011 Tour Divide

[wookieone]

Thanks everyone, very much appreciated. As far as reading blogs, man I feel like I have Marshall's almost memorized (damn fine bit of info there, nice work marshall) But I like to see it as facts, not mentioned in passing. ie can't be too sure when it comes to food and water.
The info y'all supplied is what I needed. Thanks to everyone for sharing.     

Also I am neanderthalish in that I have no phone, no home computer, I am on a friend's Mac, so doing the topofusion thing won't work. For now it is maps and lists......lots of 'em. Jefe

[BobM]

0.0   In the parking lot behind the Banff Springs Hotel, begin riding south on the Spray River Trail.
3.6   Note bridge to left crossing Spray River. (Don’t go that way.)
6.2   Bear left toward “Goat Creek 1.7 Km”.
6.4   Cross Spray River and begin climbing.
6.8   Top of climb between Spray River and Goat Creek. Track becomes narrower.
7.5   Cross Goat Creek on bridge. Note beautiful waterfall to right.
8.5   Cross second in a series of three small bridges.
9.5   Cross third bridge in the series.
11.5   Goat Creek Trail kiosk. Trail becomes a bit rougher. Singletrack goes right
12.0   Turn right onto Smith-Dorrien Spray Rd., wide and potentially very dusty.
15.0   Curve left to cross outlet and stay on main road.
17.1   Spray Lake Ranger Station on right..
17.2   Turn right toward Spray Lakes West Rd. and ride across dam.
17.5   Curve left, passing campground host’s site
17.9   Spray Lakes Westside Campground on the left.
20.4   Keep following road, which beyond here is barricaded shut to motor traffic. Expect narrow and exposed sections with some talus sloughs off cut slopes.
27.3   Pass through gate.
27.4   Ride across Canyon Dam.
27.5   Don't go right. Instead, walk down very steep, short hill, ride across the flats, and then push up equally steep short hill. Ride into woods on nice old dirt fire road.
28.3   Go left after climb.
28.5   Go left, then ride downhill.
29.4   Thirty yard stretch of rocky road; walking recommended.
30.0   Ride across Turbulent Creek bridge. Note beautiful waterfall up slot canyon to the right. Trail becomes narrower, although it is still along an old road bed.
31.2   Round bend to view massive Mt. Shark.
31.6   After turning right at "T", note Bryant Creek Tr. sign.
32.0   Bear left onto rougher track after cresting little hill. Do not go onto better trail heading uphill to the right. Note the Palliser Pass Trail sign.
32.1   After steep little hill, turn left at junction onto better trail.
32.2   Cross Bryant Creek on bridge. Watch for horse packstrings.
32.6   Bear left and cross bridge over Spray River.
32.7   Start 0.75 mi. uphill that starts very steep and then gets easier.
33.4   Leave Banff National Park to begin roller-coaster section through timber.
34.0   Continue straight where steep trail drops right toward Watridge Lake.
34.4   Cross footbridge over unsigned creek and continue on main trail, amid a network of cross-country ski trails.
36.2   Veer right off main track to avoid gate.
36.3   Enter Mt. Shark trailhead parking area. Turn left to climb along wide gravel access road.
37.5   Mt. Shark helipad access to right.
38.4   Start down.
39.4   Cross Smuts Creek. Mt. Engadine Lodge is off route 0.25 mi. to the right.
39.5   Turn right onto Smith-Dorrien Spray Rd.
39.8   Enter Peter Lougheed Prov. Park.
43.4   Chester Lake trailhead.
44.7   Cross Headwall Creek.
47.0   Cross James Walker Creek.
47.1   Sawmill Picnic Area. Continue on Smith-Dorrien Spray Rd., entering magnificent country offering long-range views.
53.8   Peninsula Picnic Area access on right.
55.7   Turn right onto paved Kananaskis Lakes Trail Rd. toward Boulton Creek Trading Post.
56.4   Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Visitor Center on left. Turn right onto paved bike path which parallels road.
56.7   Canyon Campsite on right.
57.9   William Watson Lodge to right.
60.2   Boulton Creek Trading Post compound on the left. Path ends; turn right then turn left onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail Rd.
61.4   Turn left into Elk Pass Trail parking area. Access the trail immediately to gravel road.
61.9   Start climbing a virtual wall.
62.1   Go under power line and curve left. More or less follow the power line all the way to the next trailhead in Elk Lakes Provincial Park.
62.7   Cross bridge over unsigned creek. At three-way junction, bear left steeply uphill - a pusher of nearly 0.4 mi.
63.0   Go under power line, curving right.
64.9   Elk Pass (elev. 6,443') and Great Divide. Walk around gate to leave Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Alberta; enter British Columbia.
67.6   Walk around gate and turn left onto Elk River Rd. (About 0.25 mi. (0.4 km) off route to the right is a trailhead and primitive campground,    the major one for the Elk Lakes Provincial Park. No water, no buildings, just a kiosk.)
70.4   Upper Elk River BC Forest Service Recreation Site is 0.25 mi off routee to right. Primitive campsites.
70.6   Tobermory BC Forest Service Recreation Site. Includes a cabin with cots and woodstove, available first-come-first-served.
74.7   Riverside BC Forest Service Recreation Site.
80.9   At “Y”, bear right onto unsigned gravel road.
81.6   Cross Elk River. Weary Creek BC Forest Service Recreation Site on right.
93.7   Cross Forsyth Creek.
96.3   Cross Bingay Creek.
97.0   Blue Lake BC Forest Service Recreation Site on right.
101.2   Road is becoming straighter, with faster traffic and more logging activity.
103.4   Dispersed camping available in nice meadow along the river to the left.
106.2   Continue straight as road widens.
107.7   Cross cattleguard into rural outskirts of Elkford.
109.0   Ride onto pavement.
109.4   Elkford. Elkford Municipal Campground. Just across the highway and up a half block is a complex of services.
109.6   At stop sign, turn left onto paved Fording River Rd.
0.0   Elkford. Cross bridge on Fording River Rd. and start up long hill, over 2.5 mi. (4 km) in length. Decent shoulder.
2.3   The grade diminishes.
4.5   Pass through congested area of mining operations.
5.9   After crossing bridge, immediately turn right onto unsigned Fording Rd. Go straight, crossing railroad tracks (the road also goes left). This turns into a high-grade gravel road paralleling power lines and railroad tracks to the left. The road passes around the back side of Fording Mountain through private Tembec timber lands, where you may encounter logging operations.
9.7   Curve left on the main road where another road of nearly equal quality road drops to the right.
11.2   Come in immediately above water on a cliffside bench.
12.3   Cross a bridge spanning Fording River as you continue losing elevation.
15.4   Curve left onto wider, unsigned, and potentially dustier road (a sign identifying the road you’re coming off reads “Fording Rd.”) This new road also goes right, but that would require a right-hand turn of more than 90 degrees.
16.6   Continue straight as Line Rd. goes left.
16.8   Cross Fording River, then turn right onto gravel road.
17.5   Turn right onto paved Line Creek mine operations access road. Straight would take you onto gravel Valley Rd. The road you’re turning off is signed “Sulphur Springs Rd.”
17.6   Cross Elk River.
18.3   Turn left onto Prov. Hwy. 43, a primary highway that you’ll follow for about 2 miles..
20.2   Turn left toward “Airport 5 Km.” onto Lower Elk Valley Rd., a smooth, paved road curving through a setting of pastures and rural ranchettes.
23.1   Continue straight rather than turning left toward the airport. Watch for bison grazing in the field to your left.
28.1   Turn left back onto Prov. Hwy. 43, which here features a wide shoulder.
29.5   Pass high over the Elk River and railroad tracks. Sparwood. Proceed along a section of road with high cement guardrails on either side of road; it can feel a bit uncomfortable, but good shoulders persist.
30.1   Ride high over Michel Creek and then another series of railroad tracks.
30.4   At the stoplight, continue straight rather than turning right into Sparwood.
30.5   Turn left onto Prov. Hwy. 3/Crowsnest Hwy.
37.2   At “Teck Mining Coal Mtn.” sign, turn right onto paved Corbin Rd.
51.5   Corbin. At gated mine entrance, turn right onto gravel Flathead Rd. Begin a gradual climb up to Flathead Pass.
54.3   Road to left.
57.2   Flathead Pass. On the descent, the road becomes very rocky. There are areas of erosion damage where, during melt-off, you’ll encounter numerous rivulets crossing/joining the road. Expect to get wet.
58.7   Cross small bridge.
59.6   Cross small bridge.
62.6   Pass McLatchie Rd. on right. Road surface improves.
70.5   Pass Packhorse Creek Outfitters on left.
71.6   Cross small bridge.
74.2   Pass Lower Harvey Rd. on left.
74.3   Cross small bridge.
74.4   Pass Harvey-Lodgepole Rd. on right.
76.3   Cross small bridge.
82.5   Pass small cabin on right.   
84.2   Turn right onto Border Rd.
84.6   Pass Butts Patrol Station on right. One cabin with cots and woodstove, available first-come first-served.
86.1   After the 77km yellow marker, turn right onto unsigned Cabin Rd. After the turn, immediately notice a 88km yellow marker.
87.3   Cross Howell Creek. Begin steep climb up to Cabin Pass. Road becomes less steep as you reach the pass.
97.9   Cabin Pass. The descent is not as steep as the climb.
112.6   Turn acute left onto Wigwam Rd.
113.1   At fork, bear right at “Wigwam Mainline” sign. Go around closed yellow gate. Cross Wigwam River. For the next 12+ miles you’ll be on the west bench of the Wigwam River, riding on rolling terrain through forested areas and occasional clearcuts.
113.6   Pass road on right.
116.9   Pass road on left.
117.2   Cross bridge.
117.5   Pass road on left.
119.4   Cross bridge.
119.5   Pass road on left.
121.6   Cross bridge.
124.8   Begin descent.
125.3   Before crossing the wide Wigwam River a second time, at a rock cairn, turn right onto rough singletrack. Trail becomes more well-defined as it meanders along the bank of the river. Follow tree-bark blazes on pine trees.
126.0   Leave river bottom and climb steeply for 0.25 mi. If you have a trailer you will need to unhook and push bike and pull trailer up separately.
126.3   Emerge into clearing which is the end of Phillips Rd. Navigate through the scattered clearcut deadfall and continue onto gravel road.
129.0   Go around gate and pass road on left.
133.3   Switchback right.
133.6   Galton Pass. Road becomes high-grade gravel. Downhill gradient is extreme. Watch carefully for cattle on the road!
133.8   Road on right.
133.9   Road on left.
138.4   At fork, bear left continuing downhill.
141.6   At bottom of descent, switchback left into field.
141.9   Turn left onto paved Prov. Hwy. 93.
144.3   Port of Roosville border crossing.

[wookieone]

Hot damn, BobM,  Thanks again, Jefe

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Thanks everyone, very much appreciated. As far as reading blogs, man I feel like I have Marshall's almost memorized (damn fine bit of info there, nice work marshall) But I like to see it as facts, not mentioned in passing. ie can't be too sure when it comes to food and water.
The info y'all supplied is what I needed. Thanks to everyone for sharing.     

Also I am neanderthalish in that I have no phone, no home computer, I am on a friend's Mac, so doing the topofusion thing won't work. For now it is maps and lists......lots of 'em. Jefe

maybe we can get little "MM" buttons to wear........."Mini-Marshall"

[MidSouth]

Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish carries the ACA Great Divide maps and it appears they have the Canada section in stock.  https://glaciercyclery.net/store_maps-guides.php

[bgiro]

It seems that the TD website has another hic-cup that prevents LOI submission.

I will be heading northbound with the others from AW on June 10th.

Bruce G.

[Aidan]

It's digging a while back in the thread but Blackhound was talking about wanting to train for altitude and big hills. It's up to you, but I don't think there's any specific need to travel from the UK to ride long climbs. Just ride all day - most climbs on a fun UK ride will be steeper than on the Divide but also shorter. As long as you don't stop at the top of every one for tea and sandwiches, you'll probably be fine.

I went out about a week before the start and did a couple of rides in Canmore. I think they really helped - whether it was altitude or just getting my head right, I nearly fainted on the first ride in Canmore. After that, I was OK.

On race day, I was feeling pretty good.

You should do what feels right for you, but I wouldn't underestimate the value of spending all day in the saddle, even in the UK.

[Dylan Taylor]

The glitch in the matrix has foiled my attempts to officially submit my LOI, so here it is.

I am in for the Grand Depart! Thanks to everyone who is so openly sharing experiences, info and wisdom on this thread.
See you in Banff!

Dylan Taylor
Bozeman, Montana

Matt - Please add me to the start list.

[trebor]

I've tried a couple of times to submit the LOI as well.

Here it is:
**********
I want to suffer.

Rob Roberts
Minneola, Florida

[Marshal]

I've tried a couple of times to submit the LOI as well.

Here it is:
**********
I want to suffer.

Rob Roberts
Minneola, Florida

I keep waiting to the TDR site to actualy list the LOI, still blank?

[BobM]

I keep waiting to the TDR site to actualy list the LOI, still blank?

Still blank for now.  I think they have Kevin M working on some sort of software/server issue.

BTW - guys who finish 6th aren't allowed to use a turtle avatar 

[Done]

BTW - guys who finish 6th aren't allowed to use a turtle avatar 

Maybe it's not a turtle--maybe it's a tortoise? And we all know a little story about tortoises...

[DenisVTT]

Hi all:

I'm new to this forum. Seriously thinking about racing the 2011 Tour Divide with a friend, and pretty excited about it. Here is my question:

While I understand that the rule is for "each rider [to] maintain separate gear" when riding with someone else, I was wondering to what extent you are able (or not) to share things like a tube when one runs out, a tool that one would have and the other one wouldn't, a motel room or a tent (we would have 2 tents, but it might save time to set up just one, assuming it's roomy enough), an energy bar, etc... What about helping your friend with a mechanical, say for changing a tire or a spoke?

In other words, how strict is the "solo" rule?

I don't necessarily mind either way (rules are the rules), just want to make sure I understand them properly beforehand.

Feel free to refer me to a FAQ or a posting that would have those answers if such exists.

Thanks in advance.

[6thElement]

It's solo, you're not supposed to share equipment, you have to be self sufficient. You can share a room though.

http://tourdivide.org/the_rules

[Mathewsen]

In other words, how strict is the "solo" rule?
I don't necessarily mind either way (rules are the rules), just want to make sure I understand them properly beforehand.

Hi Denis, welcome to BP.net. Speaking on behalf of TD organization, Divide racing is intended to be a solo adventure, and not just in terms of gear. A pre-plan to ride with another is a 'complication' not intended--or recommended--by the founding challengers of Divide racing. It is not prohibited, but if you do plan to ride together, you need be that much more 'fundamentalist' about the self-supported format. Even if you only collude for comparison's sake on gear list selection, you probably ought declare yourself ineligible to share items mid-race, simply b/c of your intent to remain together.

Above I say, 'declare yourself', because TD hopes to avoid being in the biz of declaring this for you, hairsplitting the nuances of good samaritanism. As the saying goes, 'no man is an island', and this is probably more true for the grand depart, but it's still important to conduct yourself as if one; for the physical challenge, but also the mental frontier. If you wouldn't ordinarily take on a challenge like TD unless you could do it with a buddy, my advice would be to think about fast-touring the route together and share as much as you like, not be concerned with any rules.

[wookieone]

So what is folks prefered method of getting to banff. I'd love to ride there but I can't take a whole summer off of work, so leaning towards flying, and was curious what folks have done getting their bikes up there as well. There is a chance of driving, getting a ride, but who knows.

Seems like you'd want a whole day there to chill and re-assemble the bike. Right now there are pretty cheap flights from denver, like 250$.

 If anyone wants to try and get together for car pooling, I'd be down with that, just no night driving! Jefe

[6thElement]

I think I'm going to fly into Calgary on Wednesday, catch some sort of shuttle up to Banff, put the bike together for a little leg stretch, shakedown ride on Thursday.

[Mathewsen]

So what is folks prefered method of getting to banff.

As poster above intends, I always fly into Calgary and take the Banff Airporter shuttle. It's very simple. YWCA Lodge/hostel is the cheapest accommodations in town. They reserve a large block of singles, doubles and bunk rooms for TD starters up thru April. The lodge also happens to be the start of the grand depart neutral pedal to the trailhead. Arrive on Wed. eve and spend Thurs. between the post office, the bike shop, the Safeway, the public hotsprings, the Elk and Oarsman pub, and the Ski Stop-sponsored Meat & Greet (cookout); generally just decompress as much as possible before you launch. Opening day is big, rugged and generally pretty shocking to the system.

[Jeff Tomassetti]

was curious what folks have done getting their bikes up there as well.

I put my bike in one box and the wheels in another, and all my stuff. At the Delta Counter I told them the two boxes were "one Bike" and so they charged me for one bike. Needlesstosay, pack the bike well, esp the derailluer and spokes

[6thElement]

I've avoided using Delta since they jacked their bike prices up from free/$50 to $200 I think now?
Unfortunately bike friendly carriers seem to be a rare thing lately.