2015 TD

[EndoAgain]

Anthony,

I stayed at Bumper's Inn on the other side of town from the Y. The walk to the Y is not bad. I think it was around $50 a night US. It is an older hotel but clean and had a nice central courtyard where we met with several other TD riders as others had rooms there as well. As for travel, when I flew into Calgary I simply unpacked my bike outside the doors of the airport. There I met two other TD riders doing the same thing. An older air port security lady came up to us and I thought she was going to make sure we "hurried along". Instead she told us we could leave our bike boxes by the door, no need to break them down, and asked if we needed anything else. Canadians are super nice! We had a great shake down run of our gear by riding to Banff and camped along the road. I discovered several things on that ride I decided to change before the start of the race. It is also one of the most beautiful rides anywhere. Enjoy.

[SlowRide]

Tunnel Mountain Campground worked out great for a group of us as well if you care to camp. Spent a few days there prior to the race last spring, friendly people, easy/quick ride down to town.

[Beatty]

Thanks BobM, I'll grab a bike box from my LBS and bring it on the plane as well. I could see that mitigating one issue.

Hey SlowRide, I like your style. I am contemplating a better nights rest in a bed but camping might calm my nerves more before the race.

[Beatty]

Hey EndoAgain, That wouldn't be a bad idea either. Warm the legs up prior and find any issues in the rig. I have a ticket into Calgary for Tuesday the 9th around noon and an 80 miles ride shouldn't be all that bad considering, hah. I'll figure out my sleeping accommodations for that Wed/Thur night.

[flyboy]

Hey EndoAgain, That wouldn't be a bad idea either. Warm the legs up prior and find any issues in the rig. I have a ticket into Calgary for Tuesday the 9th around noon and an 80 miles ride shouldn't be all that bad considering, hah. I'll figure out my sleeping accommodations for that Wed/Thur night.

Hey Beatty. While I don't have my flights booked yet, I am planning on being in Calgary on the Tuesday and riding to Banff to get a feel for the altitude and stretch the legs. I will let you know closer to the date once my plans firm up.
Dave

[pedal2thesky]

If any 2015 TD entrants want some individualized support/coaching, this is an offer.  Why am I offering?
 
1. I value the mentorship we received in prepping for the 2014 TD
2. I get overwhelmed by the thread here with masses of opinions and topics going at once and as stated above...
3. I am unable to race in 2014 and hope to help someone else crush it instead.

a short bio - experience on TD, Iditasport, AZT and tandems.  Foremost can offer our version of mental fitness.  And some route beta, a few training tips and gear tricks that worked for us as a tandem team.

email pedal2thesky at gmail if you want to discuss further.  (note: there was a pedal2thesky website.  It is inactive now so you won't find us there.)

good luck to everyone dreaming big for 2015!

[Marshal]

Ride to Banff from Colorado??

Might be a bit soon but before I buy a plane ticket—Is anyone driving to Banff from Colorado that has room for 1 racer plus bike? 
The usual split on gas & expenses plus I have lots of travel points from my work travel –So I can offer a free hotel room on the way up so as to split the drive into two manageable sections (Holiday Inn Express or Comfort are where most of my free points are)

PM me if interested…….

Marshal

[MikeI]

Been reading Stephen Herrero's book ( Yikes !)   and from earlier discussions on here it sounds like ya gotta have bear spray ...

Is this the right stuff ?     http://www.rei.com/product/623173/counter-assault-bear-deterrent-spray-81-oz

[BobM]

Been reading Stephen Herrero's book ( Yikes !)   and from earlier discussions on here it sounds like ya gotta have bear spray ...

Is this the right stuff ?     http://www.rei.com/product/623173/counter-assault-bear-deterrent-spray-81-oz

That looks like the stuff.  Weighs 11 ounces total, but it's one of those things where if you need it you will feel pretty foolish without it.

If you are SOBO, several stores in Banff carry it.

[megand]

I'm not sure if that's a standard US price, but you can definitely get it cheaper that that at MEC in Calgary: http://www.mec.ca/product/5025-357/frontiersman-bear-spray-1-225g-cannister/?q=bearspray

[sfuller]

If you are flying in, you probably won't be able to take a bear spray canister on a plane, even in checked luggage, since it's pressurized.

[Flinch]

Hey MIkeI

If you've never had bear spray instruction, be sure to watch Herrero's co-worker on YouTube: Best video I've seen re how to live with bears, and it tackles some myths out there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExlT-5VU-Y , Dr. Tom Smith, co-researcher with bear guru Dr. Herrero, gives a lecture re bears and how they tick, and shows proper use of spray. Great video! He also gives real good advice on bear spray, such as never go out without it, tells of the uselessness of bear bells, and other aspects of dancing with the Griz.

See ya in June

Glen

[Beatty]

So, given the connectivity of the route, would an iphone suffice or would everyone recommend using a gps unit (i.e. Garmin eTrex 20 gps). I don't want to have to worry about the route. I tend to space out so reading the queues and following a map would cause me to backtrack... a lot. I still prefer to use the queues, as well, and browse the map on down time to plan. I saved the previous info on where to download the route. Would the standard installed maps work or would a 100k/24k topo be beneficial? Finally, are the detours included in the route set? I bought the ACA maps and queue sheets and trying to strategize the navigation part. Thanks everyone!

-Anthony

[simon cross]

hi there
Not wanting to get back into too much about bears, but as an aussie - who knows more about spiders, snakes, croc etc what i found best about feeling comfortable in the bush/forest as a cyclist and walker was to have a chat to the national park rangers also during the week prior to June 13 last year there was at least one night where a presentation about bear behaviour and how to use spray etc was on at the library/upstairs. it was a excellent night , even offered a pasta meal and plenty of opportunities to speak with  park rangers and others who have worked with and amongst bears for a long time. Following this i felt at ease walking and riding through the forest .... even had the fortune of viewing a black bear from a distance who was more interested in eating than my presence

the rangers were also selling bear spray cheap - but stocks can run out - they told me that so probably a better buy in calgary. there was certainly good stocks in Canmore last year.

simon

[EndoAgain]

Anthony,

Connectivity for the iPhone as far as navigation is not an issue as GAIA GPS App allows you to download maps for use off line. The GPS chip still works when off line. I prefer GAIA over the Garmin 650T that I used but despite methods to extend battery life I did not trust being able to maintain a charge on y phone. I believe Montana Miller used his iPhone as his GPS and used a dynamo to keep it charged. I tried this with a PlugIII unit but it was only practical on the road otherwise speed to keep it charged was too high. If connections with a Dynamo are soldered, if you use a different converter, etc. this can all make the iPhone more practical but I did not have enough time to get that worked out. Most people I saw used the Etrex 20. It is very light and lasts a long time on batteries. My Garmin 650T was fantastic but mine was mounted flat which allowed water drops to pool on the screen and it would cause the screen to jump around. Mounting it at an angle may have negated this otherwise the fact the 650T can use alkaline, lithium, rechargeables or run directly off a dynamo made it my choice. Find another thread on dynamos though if you want all the pros and cons of running your GPS off a dynamo. iPhone on a dynamo is much easier though. I did have ACA maps which I used every day for long range planning. I had great cue sheets I spent many many hours making but they were next to impossible to read in the rain or when riding over rough terrain. Also, the milage markers were not on with either my cyclometer or GPS. Then if you make a wrong turn or get lost in a town forget about you mileage markers. If you have time try to get comfortable with your IPhone and a dynamo + backup battery. Otherwise the Etrex20 seemed the lightest most simple and trouble free of all the setups I witnessed.

[Beatty]

Thanks EndoAgain,

I have the setup from Exposure with their PD-8 dynamo and Revo light. I just got in the Plug III and setting that up too. I was going to put an on/off switch running from the hub to both the lights and usb hub. That way I can switch where the juice is flowing. I was also going to set up a usb battery in between the Plug III and any charging device; GPS, iPhone, Headlamp, etc. I can prolong the GPS batteries while it's being run off the dynamo and top off my iPhone (which will hardly be used if I go this route). Still playing with all the ideas. I like the idea of not having to buy another gadget but I think it'd be worth the headache if I am clumsily trotting along and missing turns. Plus, I do a lot of UL backpacking and an eTrex 20 would also come in handy with that. decisions decision.

[Rorr]

I didn't think I'd use my gps much in 2013 I was wrong! It saved me several times from start to finish. This year I'm taking two so I'll have a back up. Hopefully I'll remember some of the tricky parts but I'll have an eye on my gps.

[THE LONG RANGER]

A GPS would have saved me daysin 2011, and at least a day in 2012 - I made single wrong turns that costed me hours. My eTrex 20 is one of my favorite pieces of kit, and the most bang for the buck of almost anything I've ever owned.

I was really stubborn about getting one, but did for the AZTR, since - the heck with trying to do that via cues. I realized my stubbornness had to do with familiarity: I've done many bike tours using written out cues, and that served me fine. Differences in the Tour Divide is that you'll be tired and make enough mistakes in your brain fog, don't make it any harder and there's sometimes many little twists and turns in the route. Don't miss them.

[Beatty]

Thanks Rorr!

Did you get Topo's for your eTrex 20 Long Ranger or did you use the base maps on the gps unit? Lithium batteries? I guess I want to see how you set it up. I had an old eTrex Vista and I hated it since it was far from intuitive. Did you track your route? Thanks in advance.

Anthony

[THE LONG RANGER]

I run Lithiums in the eTrex 20, as they seem to last days. I've been meaning to experiment with rechargables for day-to-day stuff, but haven't gotten around to it.

I would suggest keeping the backlight barely on or even off, unless you need it - there's also a specific setting for lithium batteries - perhaps that just adjusts what the unit expects for voltage and adjusts the battery level notification thingy - dunno. Nice that regular batteries work as well - you're not going to find Lithiums everywhere. Having at the very least one backup pair would be pretty prudent - that should get you anywhere, where another pair of batteries will be available.

For bikepacking/racing buying maps for the unit is just not needed if there's a track available - just follow the line! The maps data on screen could actually get in the way. On my 14er trip, I did get the Above the Timber maps, which basically list every single trail in Colorado (although they have various states available.)

http://abovethetimber.com/index.php/gps-maps/states/colorado

Waaaaaay overkill for the TD (but perfect for my own project, as well as just going on more of an exploratory adventure), but you can get a lot of the same data for free:


http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/197/

Seeing a topo can be a double-edged sword, as you may psyche yourself out on wanting to do a climb, before stopping for the night. See what works for you. I think having a general idea of the terrain coming out using the ACA maps (buy 'em, xerox them and decrease the size), and having that one, simple line to follow is the best personally. If I was to do the TD again, that's def. what I'd do, while still bringing the cues as a backup. Other than the slight route changes, I've got a pretty good feeling what the route is like - I'm sure I could do Colorado with barely a glance at the GPS - the route sorta starts to make "sense" in a lot of areas.

The eTrex 20 is faulty in the ease of use dept. I can grok it, just because I've used it so much. It shines in too many other ways: only needing AA's, it's not my phone, it's cheap, and it seems to be quite durable for what it is. I honestly use it for loading up tracks, following tracks and downloading the tracks I've made on my rides - that's all I need. Pretty happy about it