2016 Tour Divide Preparation

[Payton MacDonald]

Payton,

That's really cool! What date are you leaving? I'll give you an interview, gotta take time  for something like this. :-)

Phil

HI Phil,

I'm leaving June 4, heading Nobo.  I'm aiming for about 100 miles/day, but I'll be flexible because finishing is the most important thing for me, not how long it takes.  I would love to interview you.  Here's my cell: 4695180020  Send me a text at some point and let's be in touch.  I will have a Spot but I'll likely be on the GDMTBR page of Trackleaders rather than the TD page since I'm touring.  But we'll try to find each other somewhere in the middle.  Best wishes for all your preparation!!

[Snowbd2u]

I went with a 20 deg bag that was right at 2lbs. Overkill, even for 2014. I was sweating most nights. But really that's something you would have to tailor to your needs.

Stay at the Y.... You will be up half the night anyways anxiously awaiting the start..... Why spend a bunch of money to do that?! Haha

[DloDigs]

I want to dial in my cockpit and trying to find the best mounting system for my iPhone (with water proof case), as well as my Garmin Edge 810.  In a perfect world, I could swap out the 810 and easily pop on my backup GPS (eTrex30) if necessary.  I would love to hear about highly recommended mounts out there? Also, I never had issues with a GPS falling off the stock 810 mounting system the first time I raced the TD but I think I have heard people tying them down better with a lanyard.  How do you do this?  Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

[phil_rad]

HI Phil,

I'm leaving June 4, heading Nobo.  I'm aiming for about 100 miles/day, but I'll be flexible because finishing is the most important thing for me, not how long it takes.  I would love to interview you.  Here's my cell: 4695180020  Send me a text at some point and let's be in touch.  I will have a Spot but I'll likely be on the GDMTBR page of Trackleaders rather than the TD page since I'm touring.  But we'll try to find each other somewhere in the middle.  Best wishes for all your preparation!!

Unfortunately I'm out. Family issues are pushing me to change my vacation. Hopefully next year! Wish you all the best of luck out there, I'll be watching from afar. Be safe and do the right thing.
Happy Trails!
Phil

[kiwidave]

the best mounting system for my .... Garmin Edge 810. Also, ... I think I have heard people tying them down better with a lanyard. 

I'm interested as well. I'm going to use the Garmin "out in front" mount for the 800/810. The K-edge mounts are great too, but I've some space issues. There is also a TT (timetrial) mount for attaching to aerobars. I'm using aerobars but am building a carbon bridge for Garmin / K-lite / Cateye.

For lanyard, the 800/810 don't have a fixing point, so I'm going to super glue an anchor point onto it so I can attach a lanyard - I think it will be enough for a "bounce out" situation. Any better solutions I'd also be happy to hear of.

[kiwidave]

Chains - which chains are good on the TD? I'm riding a Rohloff.

[Snowbd2u]

@mike m. .... I use a simple tarp setup. Takes me about 3 minutes to set up, faster if it's raining! It only weighs in around 7 ounces. (That's tarp, lines, and stakes). Use a tyvek gs, sol escape Bivy and sleeping bag. I  Never get wet, tarp covers my bags on the bike... As I use the bike as some anchor points. It also allows me to dry things out which a Bivy would not, plus I don't get the condensation issues tents have. I love it.

[Gramps]

To KIWIDAVE: I run a rohloff but shifted to gates carbon belt drive / 2500 miles no problems and a friend has over 5000+ without problems. If it gets cruded up-- wash off with water + spray silicone and wipe off excess every 2 weeks.    Also I lost my Etex 20 in 2012 out of Banff because I didn't have a lanyard so my Etex 30 has an attachment point on the bottom. I use a fishing snap swivel and leader as a lanyard. I too am trying to make an attachment point on my 810; I'm considering a small double eye to one of the corner screws and the same snap swivel leader lanyard.  GOOD LUCK IN JUNE!      GRAMPS

[Banff_Shep]

Hi everyone, I've been watching this forum for a little while now and getting really excited (and a bit nervous) for TD2016. I'm planning to ride SOBO with the grand depart but more of a leisurely pace rather than racing, just feel more comfortable heading out with a group of riders rather than 'Billy no mates'. I'd be happy with anything under 30 days so I'm sure I won't see too many riders after the first few days and the pack spreads out but super excited to just be a part of this adventure! I'm lucky enough to live in Banff (so getting to the start line is easy for me!) and would be happy help if anyone has any Banff related questions. Otherwise, just wanted to say hi and good luck! Neil

[Konan]

Total rookie question I'm sure, but I have reached out to tourdivide@gmail.com about renting a SPOT device.  I'm guessing if I don't hear back from them, I should probably purchase one and then would be able to get on the Live Tracker acct. when I get there?

Big thanks
Konan from Ohio

[metalartgate]

Renting and sign up on Trackleaders does not happen until just before the race.

[Konan]

big thanks....any idea what they charge for rental of a SPOT or if they have ran out of them in the past?

[metalartgate]

I don't remember how much to rent but if you only need it for the event it cost effective to rent. I use on all the time when out on long rides for my wife's peace of mind  so I only pay the trackleaders signup fee.

[Jbennett]

For those of you who have completed the divide, would you mind sharing what you spent while on route?

I'm just trying to get an idea on a budget, including daily food costs, camping costs, hotels, etc.  How many nights did you end up stealth camping, paying for camping, staying in a hotel?

I'm thinking $60/day for food is more than adequate, allowing for the occasional splurge meal in a town that allows for it. hehe

Any info would be greatly appreciated and I hope to see some of you out there on the trail this summer!

[kiwidave]

would you mind sharing what you spent while on route?

Have a look at Steve Fuller's blog for his 2015 costs: http://zenbiking.blogspot.cz/

[Jbennett]

Have a look at Steve Fuller's blog for his 2015 costs: http://zenbiking.blogspot.cz/

Perfect!  Thanks a million.

[Adam Alphabet]

Chains - which chains are good on the TD? I'm riding a Rohloff.

While I've never done the Divide, I rode a Rohloff (Currently for Sale in the Classifieds!) and currently have my bike set up single speed riding thousands of miles per year in British Columbia in the worst Divide like conditions; wet, muddy, gritty, slushy...etc.. and have had great luck with SRAM 870's the last number of years.

[sfuller]

Perfect!  Thanks a million.

Dave already pointed you to my site. Happy to answer any other Q's. Medical was actually $400 more expensive than shown. I got the bill for my med stop in Steamboat after I added everything up. High deductible health plan and out of network provider. :/

[kiwidave]

Laundromats: How do the laundromats work - are they coin fed or does some machine takes notes and convert them to tokens? And the powder is in some other coin operated machine?

Does anyone know where some on-route laundry's are? (I think Wise River / MT High Country Lodge / Colter Bay / Pinedale / Brush Mtn Lodge have some).

[Flinch]

Laundromats: How do the laundromats work - are they coin fed or does some machine takes notes and convert them to tokens? And the powder is in some other coin operated machine?

Does anyone know where some on-route laundry's are? (I think Wise River / MT High Country Lodge / Colter Bay / Pinedale / Brush Mtn Lodge have some).

Most motels have coin op laundry - you can sneak in if not staying there. Supplies are in vending machines. There are change making machines that take paper and give coins/tokens. MT High Country laundry is free if you stay there. Both Russ and Karen are great, and rooms/food are cheap for TD riders. Larger towns have stand-alone laundry shops, coin and/or bill operated.

But with enough forward speed or a good breeze, why bother?

Glen