2016 Tour Divide Preparation

[kiwidave]

northbound vs. southbound.

NoBo hits the high altitude quickly for those coming from low altitude areas vs SoBo which has a steady build up to get acclimatised.

Check out Mike Ingram's blog and maybe drop him a note:

http://mikesrideforcleanair.blogspot.cz/2015/07/td-2015-new-mexico.html?showComment=1462256706149#c6976925026971080777

[bakerjw]

I've heard that a US dollar bill makes a good tire boot as well.

I have a couple flocks of chickens and they go through a lot of feed. The feedbag material is the same type as the regular blue tarps. It is light and tough. I carry squares of it when road and mountain riding and it works great. Plus it costs less than a dollar.
If anyone wants some, PM me and I'll mail you some squares to try.

FWIW I do believe in bike karma.

[MikeI]

anyone have experience with northbound vs. southbound.  I can't find much on the topic.  I'm pretty sure i want to ride this summer but still not sure on the direction.  Northbound is more aesthetic to me.

Quote from Billy Rice in Cordillera Vol 5 :    "Northbound, or NoBo as its known, is harder. I should know. The route northbound starts at the same elevation as Banff. It's hot and dry. Every day you gain an additional 1000 feet or more, so altitude becomes a real problem for someone who lives at sea level ....."

He talks a bit about high altitude pulmonary edema, and chatted about that with me and Jeff T. when we met Billy and Liana in the Basin last summer.   I didn't worry too much about it, as I live at 2500 feet and get a chance to ride up to 8000 and 9000 around here as much as I want, but I could see where it could be a real problem for someone from lower regions.

Having said all of that, I think it's a bit of a wash either way. You get some great downhills going North and some serious suckage ( Fleecer ), but I think the weather is a little bit better going north, except for some wind in Wyoming.  Northbound again for me :-)

[andrew k]

thanks for the comments on north vs. south.  I live at 4500' so i'm not too worried about the elevation though i'm sure the longer ramp up to high elevation could give anyone more time to acclimate.  It also seems prevailing winds from the west are better for south bound.  Those factors along with the history of going south seem to be the predominant factors.

on the flip side the weather / road conditions should be nicer going north, you could get the big climbs out of the way when you are fresher and Banff is a nicer place to finish.  I'm still a little torn.

[dskunk]

.  I tried calling and emailing Jeffrey Sharp, but he seems to be MIA.  Does anyone know of his warabouts or does anyone know of an outfit that can swoop in and pick me up and drive me to El Paso?

Mr. Sharp is still around. I had an email back from him last week. Maybe try emailing him again.

[kiwidave]

Jeff Sharp has a new number. He is still doing pick ups. I don't want to post it - spam calls etc. - email him at:    sharpjeffery1@gmail.com. Or PM me.

[Ailuropoda]

I live at 65 feet above sea level and most of my climbs take me to the nose-bleeding elevation of 325 feet.

[kiwidave]

Power naps ... what do people find is the best options for power napping? I've heard some just nap for 15 mins and it really lifts them and longer makes them feel groggy ... any experience / suggestions?

[flyboy]

Power naps ... what do people find is the best options for power napping? I've heard some just nap for 15 mins and it really lifts them and longer makes them feel groggy ... any experience / suggestions?

Dave. Aim to nap for 30 minutes and no more for a quick top up. If you go longer you risk going into a deeper phase of REM sleep. Waking from the deeper REM is what leaves you groggy.
Having said that, you will be so shattered that it takes a whole bunch of willpower and a loud watch to make you get up again!

[GregMay]

UK and ROI riders - check your passport.

This was flagged to me yesterday: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/05/britons-flying-to-us-without-biometric-passports-could-be-turned-away

Have checked with the Irish Embassy, and yes, it's going to be an issue as now I need a new passport :/

[Pampa]

Tour Divide Waypoints.  I'm about to start creating these but if someone has them already mapped out (hotels, gas stations, etc.) I'd love to use them as a reference before I start.  If you are a vet, any establishments you had trouble with and wouldn't recommend?  I have the maps and cue sheets but they are a couple of years old.

Hi,

I'm on the same boat as Cosmo K above. I jumped in into this a bit last moment and I've been using all my available time to train and to sort out the gear part. Now I need to get familiar with the route and get some info into my GPS. I did some searches on the net about list of waypoints for the TD race and couldn't find anything. I'm wandering is asking for this is a no-no, and one is expecting to do it oneself as part of the challenge. If that's the case someone say it so I abandon any hope for shortcuts and get to it

BTW, what's the recommended way to put this info into a GPS (eTrex35t). I'm guessing waypoints but maybe entering them as custom POIs would make it easier to retrieve them?

Thanks!

[Flinch]

UK and ROI riders - check your passport.

This was flagged to me yesterday: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/05/britons-flying-to-us-without-biometric-passports-could-be-turned-away

Have checked with the Irish Embassy, and yes, it's going to be an issue as now I need a new passport :/

Or..."Those who wish to travel to the country on a non-electronic passport must apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate."

May be easier than getting new passport?

[Hadfield]

Go to topofusion we page and the route is all in their page. Just download the route to basecamp and you are good to go.

[tanadog]

Is there a store on the Bannack Rd where it crosses the Grasshopper Ck?(after Polaris) I've seen some references to it but would like to be more certain - there's definitely buildings there...

[Flinch]

Is there a store on the Bannack Rd where it crosses the Grasshopper Ck?(after Polaris) I've seen some references to it but would like to be more certain - there's definitely buildings there...

Nothing between Polaris and Lima. The buildings are probably the old Bannock historical structures - they were wiped out by flooding when I went thru in 2013. The passage from Polaris to Lima (98 miles) is fast - my time last year was 8 hours 45 minutes. And I'm 65.     You young whipper-snappers should beat that! However, if it rains....mud city!

Polaris: Ma Barnes country store has snacks, etc.. Located on north end of town (north of Montana High Country Lodge 1 mile, and off east side highway about 1/4 mile. Of course you must stop at Montana Lodge! Russ and Kathy will take great care of you - food, sack lunches, rooms if you stay overnight, laundry... And darn cheap too! The lodge is 1 mile north of post office, on west side of highway - they have a bike mounted on their sign, can't miss.

[cmn529]

I have the 2014 ACA maps so I'm missing the Wamsutter reroute.  Any chance someone could take a few pictures of the Atlantic City to Slater  section and email to me please?

Sorry if this was posted before, but does anyone have the distance or GPS coordinates for the water supply between Atlantic City and  Wamsutter?  Thanks!

[Hadfield]

I just got the maps and they are 2014 also. So you may be fine

[Banff_Shep]

I rode the first 100km of the route on Saturday (to Elkwood campground). The trail is in great shape so far, there's a few trees down at around the 50km mark. Other than that (and dodging bear poop) it's looking pretty much perfect, although a lot can change in a month!

[tanadog]

Sorry if this was posted before, but does anyone have the distance or GPS coordinates for the water supply between Atlantic City and  Wamsutter?  Thanks!

 Diagnus 42° 18.557'N 108° 28.645'W

Solar well  41° 55.499'N 107° 59.839'W ( a bit of a guess)

[flyboy]

I have the 2014 ACA maps so I'm missing the Wamsutter reroute.  Any chance someone could take a few pictures of the Atlantic City to Slater  section and email to me please?

Sorry if this was posted before, but does anyone have the distance or GPS coordinates for the water supply between Atlantic City and  Wamsutter?  Thanks!

Not trying to be a smart-alec, but if you guys want the low down on the Wamsutter section with all the info take a look at the 2015 TD discussion thread. There is discussion on this page - http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ultra-racing/2015-td/800/ but have a trawl through all of it. You may have questions that you have not even thought of yet answered! It will be like getting into a time machine and going forward in this thread by 4 weeks!
Unless there is a last minute reroute this year everything should be the same. That said, if there is a reroute Matt and Scott should communicate that to everyone via email as has happened for the last few years. Make sure your email is up to date on your letter of intent/google docs page. We got some updates via email in Banff last year the day before the race. These guys are volunteers providing this info for free, so patience is a virtue.  

Also, my blog also has the .gpx of each day from my race last year and you can probably copy/hack into my Strava for the Wamsutter/Diagnus Well section if you need. http://dave-livingthedream.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/tour-divide-day-11.html

Also check this out- https://td-2015.eatsleepridegreatdivide.com/

Good luck! It is getting real people!