2011 Tour Divide

[NKennedy]

So I'd first like to start this by saying I am in no way ready for this race.

I've never bike packed, but I have everything I need.  I've only put in a few 100 mile days and my training ground is the flattest piece of land you'll ever see.

The most snow I've ever run across was in a 12 hour race earlier this year, and it was maybe half an inch.

I have been too busy with school to get in any real long distance mountain biking training in, and my last race was a triathlon.

So yes, I am not ready at all.  But I am so extremely excited to have my ass handed to me on this race.

[Mental-Miles]

Yeah Nkennedy,

This is what it is about! No matter what the discussion "racing or touring" means in the end, to me selfsupportraces are selffocusedrides. It is not about rankings, not about rules and not about competition. It is about ride the unridable, try the impossible, feel the enjoyment of starting something that is far beyond your own current abilities/limits. This is what the term "race" of selfsupportrace is about to me. So Nkennedy, line up in Bunff, start your race!

[Nathan Jones]

The second veteran I've profiled is David Goldberg.

Click here for the scoop on David: http://teamkaker.com/tour-divide-david-goldberg/

Forest

Thanks for providing stoke, both interviews have been awesome!

[6thElement]

The all important TD beard, I'm thinking that a moose design probably isn't the best idea for bear country?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13407712

[THE LONG RANGER]

nth'ing the interviews. They're really interesting and fun.

TD Beard?! Pssssh - I started that thing when I submitted the Letter of Intent! Bike Prom this weekend will see the 'stache w/waxed tips. Considering bringing wax on TD. Will have to weigh pros/cons...

[6thElement]

Snowpack today versus a year ago around the Flathead and Whitefish Divide:

[BobM]

Considering bringing wax on TD. Will have to weigh pros/cons...

Doubles as wet lube.

[brunch]

The Pacific NW TD Racers may be interested in this:  John Stamstad is planning to be at the Cordillera book signing party on May 21st. Although he'll be there to support the Cordillera I'm sure he'll be able to offer tips to interested racers. If you're racing the Divide this year I can't think of anyone better to chat with than the original time trialer himself.

The signing is Saturday May 12st, at the Blue Star Cafe in Seattle at 6:30PM.  (  http://www.bluestarcafeandpub.com/  )


Eric

[brunch]

That picture of the snowpack is amazing. It really puts it in perspective.

Although I have to say it was not the snow that bothered me in 09 and 10, it was the mud. That !@#$@ peanut butter mud.

[russmcb]

Where were the worst mud sections?

[sluttyduck]

Polaris to Lima and little bit south of Lima.

[BobM]

Polaris to Lima and little bit south of Lima.

Hi Stephen,

This section is independent of snowpack/melt, though, isn't it - mostly dependent on rain?

Bob

[Mathewsen]

Where were the worst mud sections?

Russ, as a NoBo, with regards to MT (which is the mud these guys are generally remembering from past low pressure-dominated editions of TD) would be Red Rocks Pass (ID/MT border) north to Bannack, MT (a.k.a. Thunderstorm Alley). And then I would say Priest Pass (north of Helena) to Lincoln can also be bad with tons of rain.

My guess is none of this will be an issue for you. You'll likely be out of NM before monsoons arrive and not yet to MT for snowpack run-off peak.

[brunch]

Where were the worst mud sections?

Specifically... I'd have to say between Banff and Pinedale and then between Pinedale and A.W.

Seriously though, my worst mud was on Togwotee Pass. I've never seen anything like it. Grown men cried, Italians cheated, others gave up on Togwatee in 2009. It was a freak show. The thing about Togwotee is that the paved highway is within earshot of the muddy/snowy road. If you have weakness in your heart you may be tempted to cheat. But then you'll get tossed.

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/2009/06/tour-divide-race-day-11-the-italian-job.html


Other infamous mud locals are: Bannack Pass, Outside Lima, much of New Mexico, Kremling, Red Meadow pass, South Park, etc. It's everywhere but people manage.

The Divide mud is it's own thing. It can literally be like peanut butter. But the good news is that it does dry out. I remember riding in NM and following tracks of riders who were a few hours ahead, they were walking but I was able to ride along a crusty dry layer. It was a little like biking on Pecan Pie, there was a certain speed that I had to maintain but it worked. That was a lucky day for me!

E

[krefs]

Seriously though, my worst mud was on Togwotee Pass. I've never seen anything like it. Grown men cried, Italians cheated, others gave up on Togwatee in 2009. It was a freak show.

I'm laughing pretty hard sitting here having just read that. Chris Plesko and I worked our way through that mud and snow starting at sunset, contemplated bivying, decided 30 degrees was too cold for sleeping, pushed on, marveled at Matthew's tracks covered by grizz tracks covered by black bear tracks, and eventually made it through to the plowed road. Perhaps this year's snow will be so deep that there won't be any mud on the pass, though...just snow! East of the lodge, it'll be plowed.

[krefs]

Well, while things are deep underneath snow in the north, there's an enormous blaze in the Gila NF ~5 miles west of the GDMBR 25 miles north of Silver City. This fire has apparently been burning for more than 2 weeks, has scorched 70,000+ acres, and is only ~40% contained. Fortunately, it looks like fire crews have established a good line preventing the fire from moving farther east toward the route. Cross your fingers that there aren't more of these infernos as a result of the dry winter/spring down there.

http://inciweb.org/incident/2207

[Mathewsen]

Well, while things are deep underneath snow in the north, there's an enormous blaze in the Gila NF ~5 miles west of the GDMBR 25 miles north of Silver City.

Yep, the Conti Divide has become a real poster child for the extremes of today. Uncontrolled development / mining / water export, pestilence, climate mania, emigration issues, land disputes, species endangerment, you name it. The only thing we haven't really seen come to fruition is the (predicted) locust swarms.

The cute irony of the Miller Fire is it (for now) forces all adventure cyclists to use the new official ACA alternate (CDT) deemed too hairy to be the main ACA route without proper vetting by bob-tugging tourists. Well, here's their chance.

Comprehensive NM Fire blog here: http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/

[DaveC]

I did a little trip this weekend that involved hiking over Big Mountain and down Big Creek in the southern Whitefish range.  The details of that drainage aren't exactly comparable to Red Meadow, but it should be noted that I had snowshoes on all the way down to 4000'.  Below 4000' all the snow was gone.

We've had a ton of snow all winter, and until the last week quite cool temperatures.   The byproduct is that anything that isn't super low altitude or has good shade hasn't really started melting until the past 7 days.  Of course, temps could soar consistently and melt it all off quick.

I'll go check out Red Meadow and advise in early June.

[ridingman1]

the Conti Divide has become a real poster child for the extremes of today. Uncontrolled development / mining / water export, pestilence, climate mania, emigration issues, land disputes, species endangerment, you name it. The only thing we haven't really seen come to fruition is the (predicted) locust swarms.

We don't have the snow or mud in SC, but we have heat, humidity, long climbs and wicked single track. Instead of locusts, we have an active group of 13 year chicadas with their mind numbing drone. Check it out on my blog http://1inthezone.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html#2097895707235740708

[6thElement]

I'll go check out Red Meadow and advise in early June.

Thanks Dave, I'm sure I'm not alone in appreciating the intel.