2015 TD

[EndoAgain]

I had five liter capacity on the bike. Two one liter magnum bottles in Feedbags by the bar, another liter bottle on the down tube, and a two liter camel back bladder in the frame bag. I left the frame bag bladder empty most of the time and used that area to store my filter. Filtered water only once and never used it. Had some tail wind through the basin so I never stopped pedaling. Did not use my full five liters but I did of course try to down at least a liter of water before I left on that stretch so I had a liter already in my stomach to start. The section in the Gila is another long stretch but there is a pump at the beaver head ranger station. I got water there so once again, did not use my full 5 liters. In addition I did at times carry water or sodas in my jersey pockets and I had a sea-to-summit collapsable backpack I also used. They collapse down to a size smaller than your fist so you can pack it, then when you need extra food and water carrying capacity break it out and fill it up. It was a popular accessory. I believe for the Gila and Basin I started out carrying some protein drinks and a few sodas so I did probably use five liters of fluids total.

[worntreads]

I am very anxious to start building my master GPX! I cannot wait for those maps! Thanks for the hardwork on those Scott and Matt!

[luas]

Hi guys. Wondering about temperature ranges on the route and sleeping bag temperature ratings. What would be considered a minimum rating for a reasonably comfortable attack of TD? Reasonably comfortable meaning I don't wish to ever become hypothermic again.  I plan to be sleeping in a super light 1 man tent with a Thermarest pad and a 40'F bag. Will this bag be too cold?

Thanks to anyone who may be able to offer me advice.

Saul

[ElijahGOFAR]

you should be good to go

[jcluddite]

Saul

Are you bringing an insulated jacket? I normally carry  7 oz down sweater or for this race I'll be using a light primaloft jacket,11 oz or so. I size the girth of my sleeping bag with my insulated jacket on. On cold nights I sleep wearing my jacket. I will be carrying a 14 oz. down bag for the race with a tarp and 4' neo air pad. Total weight of 2 lbs 13 oz in a ultra light dry bag.

JC

[luas]

I'm coming over form Australia for this race so the conditions are a total unknown for me. I'll be riding NoBo ITT leaving June 6. It looks as though I might be on the right track with my gear selection. Thanks for the replies so far ... happy to hear more opinions so keep them coming
;-) 

[Flinch]

Luas - Rule of thumb for clothing: Layers =  like jersey, long sleeve polypro or similar, insulated jacket (like Nano Puff/similar), and outer rain jacket/pants. The latter are very valuable as windproof barriers, even if not raining. A major survival tool is a decent insulated hat - doesn't have to be thick or heavy. Last year hypothermia caught a lot of racers, with a few rescue efforts that could have been avoided. Its a balancing act to not bring too much, yet to have enough.

Sleep system: If in a tent/bivy, then 40 degrees bag plus/minus, should be good, assuming you have a sleeping pad/mattress with some insulation. Everyone has different cold tolerance, so your shivers may vary.     Many days you also have a choice to stay in motel if things get too brutal.

Is the India Pale Ale still flowing cold at the Sail and Anchor in Fremantle?

Cheers

[Mikebike]

So I have finally read through this entire thread and there has not really been any significant mention of how people are getting from AW back into civilization.  I originally had it arranged for a family member to come pick me up, but that is not going to work out.  What are the realistic option that have worked well for others?  What I would like to do is get somewhere where I could rent a one-way car.  Thanks

[sfuller]

I know I read about people who would give rides back from AW to various places for a fee. I'm fairly sure I read that somewhere on here. Maybe a general search would turn something up?

[gotchile]

I was wondering how one connects our Spot trackers to Trackleaders.  On their website, this note - "Please do not sign up for race trackers (e.g. Tour Divide,  Colorado Trail Race) using this form.  Trail trackers are for non-race tracking only."  is on their sign up page.
Thanks

[gotchile]

I hate to ask this question, and I'm sure its gone over and over, but what tires are you using.  Visiting with a TD finisher recently, the only thing he said about my bike setup was that he would not go with the WTB Nano's.  He mentioned sidewall issues, and I have had one fail on my cx bike, but thought it was due to the Flint Hills gravel in Kansas, and would have happened got any tire.

[Flinch]

Conti Race Kings - used 'em in 2013, other than one flat (metal water bar gouge) no issues. Run tubeless. Low rolling resistance. Two new ones are on the bike for 2015. I used to run Nano, and they were OK, but like Conti better.

I know a couple people who run these and they stick with them. I believe Mike Hall ran these as well, and in fact used one tire for two TD races.

Cheers

[Flinch]

So I have finally read through this entire thread and there has not really been any significant mention of how people are getting from AW back into civilization.  I originally had it arranged for a family member to come pick me up, but that is not going to work out.  What are the realistic option that have worked well for others?  What I would like to do is get somewhere where I could rent a one-way car.  Thanks

MikeBike,

I've got the same questions. The following is my unformatted note stream from other posts. Not sure how up to date it is:

<<<<<<
 Greyhound bus and Amtrak train both stop in Deming, NM and there is also a FedEx Shipping Center in Deming.  Deming is about 100 miles from Antelope Wells.  So, you could fly into whatever major airline hub would give you the best rate, then take Greyhound, or Amtrak to Deming, and then ride the last 100 miles to Antelope Wells.  Greyhound requires your bike be boxed and the Amtrak route doesn't have bicycle roll-on service, so the bike would also have to be boxed.  I don't think the Deming Amtrak stop allows checked baggage, so you may not be able to take the bike on the train (unless it is a folder). Amtrak has on-demand stops at Lordsburg and Deming (routes from Los Angeles to Chicago and Los Angeles to New Orleans), they only allow FOLDABLE bikes.
 
 Antelope wells...I'd talk with the gents in Silver City at Gila Hike & Bike and also folks at Adventure Cycling.  If these folks can't help they may know someone who is.  Many of the Peloton spent the night in Lordsburg post race, you can catch Greyhound to Tuscon or El Paso for a flight home.
 You could ride from Antelope Wells to Hatchita  (45 m ), then Hwy 9 to Columbus (30 m food  & water ), Continue on NM Hwy  9 about 60 miles to El Paso. Two lane good paved road, Border Patrol uses this road a lot. Maybe a 150 miles from a large airport to AW.
 
 According to the bike shop in Silver City Jeff Sharp (home:575-436-7200; cell:575-574-7210) does shuttles in the area (Jeff the Ranch Hand (mentioned above) is a great guy who will take care of you.).  He lives near Hachita.  He might have some good advice as well.  The ride from El Paso is the most dangerous part of the trip.  If you can afford it (Bike Flights is cheap) ship your bike to Silver City bike shop.  They are accommodating in case you have any transit damage.  Then get Sharp to shuttle you to AW.
 
 Bikeflights: Service to ship bikes, fairly cheap (ie $51 DEming NM to Reno) https://www.bikeflights.com/default.aspx
 
 Airports:
 El Paso International Airport-TX (2.5 hours) (www.elpasointernationalairport.com)
 Tucson International Airport-AZ (2.5 hours)  (www.flytucson.com)
 Albuquerque International Airport-NM (4.5 hours) ( www.cabq.gov/airport).
 Grant County Airport -Silver City, NM  has a small regional airport with two daily flights from Tucson/Pheonix AZ, but flights can be unreliable. If you choose this airport, please allow extra day for erratic  and unpredictable flight changes.

 Ground Transportation:
 After arrival you will need to take Bus or Trains or arrange other rides to Lordsburg, NM.
 Amtrak Train Station: Amtrak train station Lordsburg, NM has a platform only, no shelter, without Wi-Fi, with parking, with accessible platform and no wheelchair available. This is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM.
 Greyhound Bus Station: Greyhound Bus Lines travels daily to Lordsburg, NM, this is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM. The station is next to the Days Inn in Lordsburg and just .25 mile from the Econo Lodge.
Other Ride Options in Lordsburg/Silver City Area: If you need rides between Lordsburg, Silver City or other surrounding areas, please check out these other services. Also check out  Corre Caminos transit out of Silver City.
>>>>>

Be nice to have a sticky/seperate section where this topic can be fleshed out.

Good luck
Glen

[mathieu]

Shuttle options, including those to or from AW, are on http://www.adventurecycling.org/default/assets/File/Routes_Maps/pdf/GD_shuttle.pdf

[HanBanan]

Mikebike and others,

had the same issue of sorting out how to get out of AW. I'm getting a shuttle with Juan of Juan More Time (phone: 575.388.9272) to El Paso, then boxing up the bike before taking the Amtrak to Austin, TX.

There were other shuttle options, Jeff Sharp to name one, but Juan's was the only one I came up with in a decent about of time to get to El Paso for less than a zillion $$$. I reckon getting to Deming could be an easier task (issue for me was not being able to take a bike on at the Amtrak in Deming).



As for tires, I've been training on Maxxis Crossmarks, we'll see if I have any crisis of faith with them in the coming weeks, but I'm quite happy with them so far!

[Spaghetti89]

+1 for maxxis crossmarks. Replaced the rear at orange peel and the front at absolute last year. No punctures

[ScottM]

I was wondering how one connects our Spot trackers to Trackleaders.  On their website, this note - "Please do not sign up for race trackers (e.g. Tour Divide,  Colorado Trail Race) using this form.  Trail trackers are for non-race tracking only." is on their sign up page.
Thanks

Very soon we will publish a TD-specific tracking registration page.  It is nearly ready.  You'll fill out your bio and add SPOT ESN/Share Page there.

[tuhduhvuh]

Hi everyone,  trivial question here, but if someone has an answer....

Where exactly is the "infamous" Lava Mountain Trail  section between Helena and Butte?

Not sure if it's better not to know, or to know.  

Last year I got there and remembered, "oh yeah... I read about this section".

Reading some people's blogs,  they actually rode it...?  

Wow,  totally, completely incomprehensible to me.  

I pushed the whole way.

Every time I got on my bike thinking,  "okay,  I've got this....",   I'd be off in a nano-second and finally gave up and simply pushed.

Maybe it's hard to give a location,  I figure it's about 25 miles out of Helena?

Like I said,  trivia... but if anyone knows....

Tom

[chainagent]

I figure it's about 25 miles out of Helena?

Hi Tom,

You're right. I've checked my 2013 gpx track and remember this section very well (1st place out of the ten most fucking sections at the TD). It's 25mi out of Helena.

Michael 

[tuhduhvuh]

Okay, thanks for the info!

That would be an interesting top ten to view....
(actually,  just read it on your blog...  i had read this last year,  really well written and entertaining! but I had forgotten)


I remember being somewhat frustrated, but I like walking, and I was warm,  so I was "happy".....

I appreciated many of your blog comments,  I am trying hard this year to NOT under-estimate the mental challenges of the ride.

Hope things are going well for everyone as we close in on the start date.

And for those of you starting soon on an ITT,  I truly hope it's a great experience and everything goes as you plan/hope.

Tom