2015 TD

[Tony B]

Hello all,
Name's Tony Buchman, I've been stalking this site for a long time now but I've never posted. I have however learned a lot from reading the forums here and I thank you all. It's been a dream of mine to take on the TD for a few years and This is the year I do it. I've booked my plane tickets and booked a room at the Y. I can't wait to start this adventure and I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can. See you in Banff!!


 

[Flinch]

OK, OK, I'm in for 2015...What the heck we doing again anyway? After touring half the course with Blackhound59 (race veteran, and a true gentleman on a bike) in 2013, I declare my insanity for the 2015 race - Somebody spank me! (please? :>)

My racing philosophy: If I can't see anyone ahead, I must be in first place. Not taking a GPS or maps; using a ouiji board and dowsing rod.

See ya in Banff, and in Antelope Wells 23 days later,

Glen

[flyboy]

Just saw this photo. It is a Griz that is sedated for tagging.
 


Clearly, serious respect needs to be shown to these things!

[Montana Miller]

Hey folks, happy new year and good luck with getting ready. I just started putting up some more thoughts from last year's race over here:
http://theskrumble.wordpress.com/category/tour-divide-2/

Can't say I'm sorry that I won't be spending 20+ days on gravel this year- that kind of riding never was my forte. Looking forward to some long single track racing though  

[ABfolder]

Just saw this photo. It is a Griz that is sedated for tagging.
 


Clearly, serious respect needs to be shown to these things!

Heck, where's the cougar paw/retractible claws for comparison? :-)

'Course we all know that cougar attacks are extremely rare in North America and not likely something that a TD rider has to worry about (right?): http://www.cougarinfo.org/attackex.htm#ParkerSmith . Those two riders were extremely lucky: in June 2008, a cougar killed a man in Pinos Altos at the southern edge of the Gila Wilderness not far from their location. Don't toss your bear spray away just because you're out of griz country in southern Wyoming. It might turn out to be a lifesaver later on since there are an estimated 3,000 or so cougars in each of Colorado and New Mexico.

Night riding is obviously not a great idea in carnivore country. But group riding has some merits after all, even during the daylight hours http://www.cougarinfo.org/attacks4.htm . Having eyes in the back of your head/helmet also helps -- as does having some very accessible bear spray (even in "we don't need it now" New Mexico): http://bikedrifting.blogspot.ca see Marshal's excellent "leadership-by-example" Nov 29, 2014 blog.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Cougar_range_map_2010.png  

http://www.cougarinfo.org/onguard.htm

BTW If you happen to see a spotted big cat down in New Mexico's "boot heel" region (which includes Antelope Wells), it might be one of the elusive, seldom-seen, border-crossing jaguars: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/10/science/10jaguar.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0   +  http://ens-newswire.com/2014/03/05/u-s-designates-critical-habitat-for-endangered-jaguars/ .
Yup, bear spray works on them, too.  

All the best in preps in 2015!

[flyboy]

Ok, despite the lions and tigers and bears, I will be in Banff on the 12th this year.

My lovely wife and family have given the green light and work has also come through with the required leave. My letter of intent is here if you care to read such things. http://dave-livingthedream.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/letter-of-intent.html

See you in Banff in June!
Cheers
Dave

[cloudrider]

Good stuff Flyboy ..... now if you think you need a shakedown ride

[vmjim]

Count me in for TD 2015.  After reflecting on my TD 2012 experience, I decided to keep my bike but replace my knees.  Yep, I went out and got me a pair of chromoly knees.  I was too cheap to go with titanium and I’m not really a “carbon” kind of guy, I’m old school.   It’s been a long break in period, but I think they’re ready to go the distance.  Appearance wise you can tell some bodywork was done, but functionally they’re good as the original equipment.  Aha, there’s nothing like the feel of chromoly in the morning!  It feels like, like…downhill speed!  

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Banff.  I’m especially look forward to seeing Crazy Larry fully recovered, back on his bike, making kids laugh, and starting the Tour Divide 2015.

[Guild44]

Hi all! Does anybody know how we get on the start list? There is no official registration, correct? Sorry, I'm a first timer!

[Flinch]

Although there is no requirement to 'sign up' (anyone can race at anytime) it is customary to declare your intent, at least for the Grand Depart in June. Otheres who race at other times declare and 'ITT', individual time trial, with start time/date.

The unofficial-official sign up is at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Q1UHjIKml475yatejXB3fSql5jZyEQEEhqPlvY6T_1c/viewform .

See you there!

Glen

[Guild44]

Thanks Glen! I did manage to find this right after I posted.

[mtbcast]

Haven't chimed in here much but wanted to let everyone know MTBCast is on-board again this year, of course. Looking forward to making my way to the start as well if at all possible. I'm working on this year's ideas for prize packs for the callins. I'll keep everyone posted!

I'm still working on the funnies. I've expanded it this year to include all the races which means I'm having to re-listen to the calls from the other races. It should be fun and maybe will give you all some incentive as you listen and plan your 2015 TD!

[BobM]

Haven't chimed in here much but wanted to let everyone know MTBCast is on-board again this year, of course. Looking forward to making my way to the start as well if at all possible. I'm working on this year's ideas for prize packs for the callins. I'll keep everyone posted!

I'm still working on the funnies. I've expanded it this year to include all the races which means I'm having to re-listen to the calls from the other races. It should be fun and maybe will give you all some incentive as you listen and plan your 2015 TD!

And I would like to make my annual reminder that mtbcast.com has a PayPal donate button in the right-hand sidebar.  I know that Joe does this as a labor of love, but the webhosting folks, the electric company, the gas station, and the grocery store rarely take love as payment, so let's make sure Joe gets some of the spendable stuff as well!

[Marshal]

Hi all! Does anybody know how we get on the start list? There is no official registration, correct? Sorry, I'm a first timer!

Hi

Welcome to bikepaker.net and best of luck on your TDR race.

You probably have these all down already, but in addition to bikepacker.net TDR forums (be sure to review TDR forums from prior years) as you train and prep for the TDR here are some logical information links:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/great-divide-mountain-bike-route/  (buy the maps here & learn about touring the route etc, please support ACA!!))

http://tourdivide.org/  (home of the TDR! Rules, history etc--note the link on home page to trackleaders)

http://trackleaders.com/  (later in the year this this is where you will sign up for your SPOT tracker--the off-the-record official register for the race.  Also you can find SPOT/track history (and sometimes blog links) for all the racers—including women who have raced the TDR—the track/distance info contained here is some of the most important rookie information available—IE: if you plan to run at 26 days check out the 26 time frame finishers and study their start/stop location, start/stop times etc etc—this base line info combined with info in these other links is part of why so many rookies can nail the route the first time.)

http://topofusion.com/divide/gps.php (look here for the current/official GPS track, and watch here for any last minute updates changes)

http://mtbcast.com/site2/tour-divide-2014/ (listen to 2014 racers call in their experiences here—plan to participate with call in’s in 2015 if that fits in with your race plans)

http://www.google.com/earth/  (upload the current GPS track --and if it suits you geek out on the route till you know it front to back, combine this with individual track records and blogs of similar paced racers and it’s almost like pre-riding the route, note-some avoid this prep step so as to keep the actual experience unblemished by too much pre-route information)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdEx5eUtMaTZmVWQ5TTVlUlNhaFg2RFE&usp=sharing#gid=0
(you have already found this 2015 unofficial signup list –note the many links to racer blogs to be mined for tidbits of useful information—also find the 2013 2014 google pages and mine the blogs there for racer re-cap stories—where they stopped to eat, what worked what did not etc etc—good winter time reading)

Study hard and best of luck on the final exam


Hey yawl—did I miss any key links??

almost forgot --google up "tour divide cordillera" --multiple year/publications of motivational/educational TDR recap reading for a good cause

[HanBanan]

Thanks very much for the list of links, Marshal!

My friend and I will be tackling the TD this summer, though after the Grand Depart. We may be on the young side, but the time just seemed right for a pause this summer. We're hoping for a July 4th start from Banff.
Looking forward to seeing all of your progress and updating with our own. All the best!

[kato]

Just found out I have my time off from work so I'm officially in for this years TD.  Hopefully this year I'll make it past Wyoming.
See you all in Banff!

[mtbcast]

Just found out I have my time off from work so I'm officially in for this years TD.  Hopefully this year I'll make it past Wyoming.
See you all in Banff!

WOOT!

[Guild44]

Thanks Marshal!

Question: I already have a Spot Tracker device; are we able to register our existing device?

Thanks! See you in all in Banff!

Sarah

[BobM]

Thanks Marshal!

Question: I already have a Spot Tracker device; are we able to register our existing device?

Thanks! See you in all in Banff!

Sarah

Yep - there will be a link on the Trackleaders page closer to the date.

[Wyatt72]

I need to purchase TD maps. I thought that I had read somewhere that the Canadian section was do to be revised this year. Does anyone know this to be true? Would like to buy maps ASAP but don't want to have to but them twice.