2015 TD

[BobM]

Bob,

Just to be clear, Adventure Cycling changed their route so that this old Alternate is now the Main Route? I don't have a copy of the older maps to compare with.  Trying to figure what, if any changes, I need to make to their cues that I downloaded.

The new cues (which I just downloaded a month or so ago) have the "new" main route (old alternate) in the cues already.  This is what tipped me off to the change as my old cue sheets didn't match.

[sfuller]

The new cues (which I just downloaded a month or so ago) have the "new" main route (old alternate) in the cues already.  This is what tipped me off to the change as my old cue sheets didn't match.

That was what I was assuming, but I wanted to make sure. I downloaded my cues back in late December. Have they updated the cues for the Canada portion of the route? It seems like the only changes were due to the mining road outside of Elkford?

[BobM]

That was what I was assuming, but I wanted to make sure. I downloaded my cues back in late December. Have they updated the cues for the Canada portion of the route? It seems like the only changes were due to the mining road outside of Elkford?

ACA hasn't changed the Canadian route on the map.  Last I checked the addenda in the Elkford area, they are sending everyone down the main highway.  TD will of course take the Mt. Josephine unofficial alternate I am assuming.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=50.007739,-114.88266&msa=0&spn=0.288608,0.528717&mid=zwdbczDNCLPA.k7UiBqiLSuBY

[tuhduhvuh]

Hi everyone,

I purchased the cues last year, and will happily pay for them again, but it's a  bit disconcerting knowing that at this point we don't really have a complete set.
I know there have been comments on various threads about people being off route, etc.  Last year when I rode into Butte I heard that lots of people had NOT taken the new route and instead rode on the highway.  Didn't bother me,  I knew I was on the right route.  I have no right as an "outsider" to say this, but it seems pretty easy to miss something, considering this is a pretty well documented ride of many thousands of kilometres.  There seems to be an underlying assumption that "everyone understands",  but I don't think that is really the case.   I appreciate the volunteer efforts of all associated with the event.  This is NOT a criticism, but I would have to say,  really... there should be NO QUESTION about the route and a person shouldn't need to be reading 24 pages of a forum (which will be many more by race day) to find a short entry that says "now we are going this way"...  which makes me think,  yikes,  I better get new cues,  only to read,  also on the forum... that the cues are not accurate.

So seriously,  if a person wanted the complete deal on the route,  why isn't there a place to go that would have that information, with current updates?

Sorry, I am coming across too strong here,  but this event really does need a better way to dispense information.  I feel like I could easily have missed a few posts there and would have no clue... and could easily have missed a few posts and gotten cues from the ACA and assumed they were "good", and they aren't.   

What does it take?   I would happily volunteer to be the "keeper of the cues".  I know we all want to support the work of the ACA.  Yes.  But if something as simple as a new route has not been edited... what does that take.   So many people have put hours into formatting the cues.   Some standard spreadsheet format that is KNOWN to be 100% accurate, or updated as information comes in,  how hard would that be?   Like I said,  I'll happily produce such a document and make it available.   

If riders are expected to follow the route, give them easy ways to get the right information.

[blurltd]

I finished this route last year and honestly, I never had to look at my cue sheets. I carried McCoy's book and tore out my days rides but never looked at my cues that I downloaded from ACA. Carrying the book was total overkill, and it shows you how nervous I was about getting lost (but it was fun tearing out the sections as I completed them). The GPS track was dead on as long as you zoomed in close enough. I spent a lot of time before the race modifying my cues sheets even though a veteran rider told me you probably don't need it (in the nicest way). Bring the maps as a back up but cues, meh. My navigation skills aren't that great either and I was worried to death about getting lost and going off route. Try following your cues up on Richmond Peak, if it weren't for the GPS track I would've had no idea where the trail was.

No offense but if you want the easy way to follow the route, it's the GPS track, I don't know how easier it can get. If I recall the pioneers of this ride didn't even use a GPS in the early days so I'm not sure how easier they can make it for us.

[tuhduhvuh]

Hi,  I totally agree with the comment about the gps,  I did the same last year (I dropped at Butte).   The gps was fine.   I'm talking cues purely for the sense of being more connected with the route, and having some things to "check off" as I cycle by.   I know for me personally, that would have been helpful.   

I will be using the gps track as my primary navigation tool.   I'd like to use the cues as a backup tool, as well as a small source of "diversion" as I am riding.   My previous comment was simply wondering why it's not easier to have these more accessible.  This is a forum where we "discuss" the route.  But somewhere  (my 2 cents worth) there should be a place online where the definitive cues reside, and a sense that someone is keeping them UP TO DATE.   A file like that, say in CSV format, could include the various alternatives.  This isn't the first year the route will be followed.  I know there is always the chance that we might get sent in a totally different direction because of ongoing conditions and issues,  but if everyone had these alternatives (or at least easy access), then a change because of fire or whatever could simply be ... take alternative A  or something like that...

Anyway,  enough said about that.  I am obsessing about something that I might not even use. 

[BobM]

Hi everyone,

I purchased the cues last year, and will happily pay for them again, but it's a  bit disconcerting knowing that at this point we don't really have a complete set.
I know there have been comments on various threads about people being off route, etc.  Last year when I rode into Butte I heard that lots of people had NOT taken the new route and instead rode on the highway.  Didn't bother me,  I knew I was on the right route.  I have no right as an "outsider" to say this, but it seems pretty easy to miss something, considering this is a pretty well documented ride of many thousands of kilometres.  There seems to be an underlying assumption that "everyone understands",  but I don't think that is really the case.   I appreciate the volunteer efforts of all associated with the event.  This is NOT a criticism, but I would have to say,  really... there should be NO QUESTION about the route and a person shouldn't need to be reading 24 pages of a forum (which will be many more by race day) to find a short entry that says "now we are going this way"...  which makes me think,  yikes,  I better get new cues,  only to read,  also on the forum... that the cues are not accurate.

So seriously,  if a person wanted the complete deal on the route,  why isn't there a place to go that would have that information, with current updates?

Sorry, I am coming across too strong here,  but this event really does need a better way to dispense information.  I feel like I could easily have missed a few posts there and would have no clue... and could easily have missed a few posts and gotten cues from the ACA and assumed they were "good", and they aren't.   

What does it take?   I would happily volunteer to be the "keeper of the cues".  I know we all want to support the work of the ACA.  Yes.  But if something as simple as a new route has not been edited... what does that take.   So many people have put hours into formatting the cues.   Some standard spreadsheet format that is KNOWN to be 100% accurate, or updated as information comes in,  how hard would that be?   Like I said,  I'll happily produce such a document and make it available.   

If riders are expected to follow the route, give them easy ways to get the right information.

The route changes to some extent each year.  The current ACA maps and cues, along with the addenda, and with the alternates that are on the TD web page, are the route.  The ONLY exception is the Mt. Josephine segment, which might not be used depending on field reports about the road washout repairs.

[bpeschka]

Hi,  I totally agree with the comment about the gps,  I did the same last year (I dropped at Butte).   The gps was fine.   I'm talking cues purely for the sense of being more connected with the route, and having some things to "check off" as I cycle by.   I know for me personally, that would have been helpful.  

I will be using the gps track as my primary navigation tool.   I'd like to use the cues as a backup tool, as well as a small source of "diversion" as I am riding.   My previous comment was simply wondering why it's not easier to have these more accessible.  This is a forum where we "discuss" the route.  But somewhere  (my 2 cents worth) there should be a place online where the definitive cues reside, and a sense that someone is keeping them UP TO DATE.   A file like that, say in CSV format, could include the various alternatives.  This isn't the first year the route will be followed.  I know there is always the chance that we might get sent in a totally different direction because of ongoing conditions and issues,  but if everyone had these alternatives (or at least easy access), then a change because of fire or whatever could simply be ... take alternative A  or something like that...

Anyway,  enough said about that.  I am obsessing about something that I might not even use.  

I use the maps, in a similar way.  As a means to see what's coming up, as a diversion when reading the cues.  Checking to see how well my gps mileage, bike computer mileage align with the map cues.  I can't just put my head down and follow the red line, as some do.  

The map cues for the route are available from Adventure Cycling in a downloadable format (.txt) that you can modify and do with as you wish.  I've read various posts in bikepacking.net of how people have altered, supplemented and printed/or not their cues.

The Adventure Cycling narratives (cues) are exactly what's on their maps.  You'd need to update them from the map addenda available from them.  $9.75 is not an exhorbitant amount for them to charge.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/route-maps/great-divide-mountain-bike-route/sp/great-divide-narratives/

[flyboy]

Hi,  I totally agree with the comment about the gps,  I did the same last year (I dropped at Butte).   The gps was fine.   I'm talking cues purely for the sense of being more connected with the route, and having some things to "check off" as I cycle by.   I know for me personally, that would have been helpful.   

I will be using the gps track as my primary navigation tool.   I'd like to use the cues as a backup tool, as well as a small source of "diversion" as I am riding.   My previous comment was simply wondering why it's not easier to have these more accessible.  This is a forum where we "discuss" the route.  But somewhere  (my 2 cents worth) there should be a place online where the definitive cues reside, and a sense that someone is keeping them UP TO DATE.   A file like that, say in CSV format, could include the various alternatives.  This isn't the first year the route will be followed.  I know there is always the chance that we might get sent in a totally different direction because of ongoing conditions and issues,  but if everyone had these alternatives (or at least easy access), then a change because of fire or whatever could simply be ... take alternative A  or something like that...

Anyway,  enough said about that.  I am obsessing about something that I might not even use. 

You could be over thinking this Tom. The route is always changing and there is little point "nailing it down" all of the time. We only need to know the route for the period of the race, some 3-4 weeks, not all year round. That would be a full time job-something that the ACA do.
From my LOI response from Matthew Lee-
Regarding Tour Divide race information, You may not hear much from me in the short term, but as reports of route conditions from local residents start to come in this Spring, you'll receive at least 3 unofficial official communiques: A route discussion, a rules discussion, and an email simply about the live tracking details, which preliminarily are as follows
I am going to construct my cues from the ACA cues and be prepared to rewrite one or two cues, subject to what comes from Matt. Being flexible in all areas seems to be the key to this TD thing.

[ewoklake]

Speaking of Letters of Intent. Everyone that submitted a LOI, did they get a confirmation email that it was received? I never got one.

[tuhduhvuh]

You could be over thinking this Tom.

Yes,  you are right....   It is a problem I have, and you are absolutely right about flexibility.  Not my strong point!  Have to work on that in these last weeks before the start.   I have a rigid program of flexibility training...

Thanks for your comments!   I need to chill....

[flyboy]

Hi there...
Normally I have never had to concern myself with how the butt may go whether touring, bikepacking .... but for riding down the divide , it is probably a different matter.

I have read in old blogs info spots that US bikepackers like to use Anbesol when the going gets tuff on the butt

Is this the product they mean?  -Anbesol Maximum Strength Adult Oral Pain Reliever .33 oz  - This was in gel form also available as cream

Never used this stuff however I can recommend for the australians and NZ folks Lanolin - 100 % no petroleum additives - The brand is Essentials. No doubt 100% lanolin is available in the states?  I will be bringing it along

cheers
simon

 
]

Simon
I have seen a cream called A & D recommended on here before by TD racers. It is a nappy rash cream that contains lanolin and Petrolatin(Vaseline to us Aussies). I have been trying Bepanthin when I have any irritation but can't really say anything for or against it yet. I prefer not to get the "rash" in the first place. To that end, I have just procured some Ground Effect Exocet knicks and after a recent 3 day bikepack averaging 8 hours a day saddle time I didn't have the slightest rash. I think buying the best quality knicks you can will go a long way to warding off monkey butt. It probably won't completely erradicate it in a race this epic though.

Yes,  you are right....   It is a problem I have, and you are absolutely right about flexibility.  Not my strong point!  Have to work on that in these last weeks before the start.   I have a rigid program of flexibility training...

Thanks for your comments!   I need to chill....

Lol. But don't take advice from me. I tend to under prepare but this "coming from the other side of the world to race" has me suitably nervous and is rapidly curing me of that affliction!

[tuhduhvuh]

Hi again.  I am use the GAIA app on my phone.  It seems to be a good alternative to the etrex I used last year.   However... I am trying to get the maps into the phone for offline use.   There is an option to download tiles for a given track.  When I go to do that, it tells me that it will be too big of a download.

Anyone else gone through this process that would have some advice for me?

[Flinch]

Hi again.  I am use the GAIA app on my phone.  It seems to be a good alternative to the etrex I used last year.   However... I am trying to get the maps into the phone for offline use.   There is an option to download tiles for a given track.  When I go to do that, it tells me that it will be too big of a download.

Anyone else gone through this process that would have some advice for me?

Dave Rullo, customer support for Gaia, sent me this link re downloading maps along a known track:

http://gaiagpsandroid.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/425626-download-maps-along-a-track

May be easier than downloading tiled maps, dunno, haven't tried it.

Good luck

[openroad]

Hey guys. Can I take it as a good thing that we are 24 pages into this thread and no one has said anything about the snow conditions in Northern Montana?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tuhduhvuh]

Yes, the method of downloading a map for along a route is exactly what I used (or tried to),  but it was too big of a download.

I can easily split the track into sections,  but I wondered if others are using the GAIA app and had any comments on the process for getting maps into their phone for offline use...

Tom

[Mxhdroom]

Regarding snowpack in the Rockies: I drove through the Crownest Pass from Coleman, AB to Sparwood this afternoon and it seems really sparse. We've had a dry winter in southern Alberta and it was almost summer-like when we passed the Corbin road turnoff. Ski resorts have closed earlier than normal, the bears are out early - we're certainly ahead of where we've been at mid-April for the past few years at least. Some of Kananaskis had a dump of snow last week at higher elevations, but my assumption is it will be gone sooner rather than later.

And yes, the big truck is still in Sparwood.

Gary

[bpeschka]

Regarding snowpack in the Rockies: I drove through the Crownest Pass from Coleman, AB to Sparwood this afternoon and it seems really sparse. We've had a dry winter in southern Alberta and it was almost summer-like when we passed the Corbin road turnoff. Ski resorts have closed earlier than normal, the bears are out early - we're certainly ahead of where we've been at mid-April for the past few years at least. Some of Kananaskis had a dump of snow last week at higher elevations, but my assumption is it will be gone sooner rather than later.

And yes, the big truck is still in Sparwood.

Gary

Gary ... or someone who understands the bears in Canada or Montana.  What does the the earlier appearance of the bears bode for us later?  Have they had time to train to chase us faster? Or ?

Regardless, Thanks for the report.  I was worried about that green truck.

[Inkerpok]

I'm glad someone else expressed anxiety about not knowing exactly what the race route is. I've been kind of embarrassed to ask and have been watching for something clear to come out before I freak. The closest I've found is the topofusion files linked from the tourdivide.org website that are labeled Tour Divide 2014 "official". I have the maps and understand that the race doesn't follow the main ACA route all the time, but I don't have a complete picture of what the race route is.

I glad to hear that Matthew will be sending out some emails, I'll be on the edge of my seat waiting for those. Thanks for all the great info that everybody provides here.

[Mxhdroom]

Gary ... or someone who understands the bears in Canada or Montana.  What does the the earlier appearance of the bears bode for us later?  Have they had time to train to chase us faster? Or ?

Regardless, Thanks for the report.  I was worried about that green truck.

I don't want to make a prediction on bears or their behaviour (it's safe to predict they're entirely unpredictable, if that makes sense) but I would hope an earlier rising would allow them to get over their early-season hunger before June 13. I also think that hunger has little to do with the attitude of a grizzly separated from her cubs or otherwise aggravated, so that early rising may be moot depending on the circumstances.

Gary