TD newbie qs

[Payton MacDonald]

If all goes well I'll toe the line next June 8, 2012.  A few newbie questions, though. Forgive me if they've already been answered, I may have missed the posts, though I did look . . .

1.) Tire pressure for TD? Just curious what the vets found works best.  (I ride my mtb to work on pavement and jack them to 60 psi, but then down to 30ish for when I ride gnarly East Coast single track.)

2.) GPS or maps or both?

3.) lights?  I'm planning on bringing a headlamp for camping at night, but I'm curious how many folks actually ride at night. Seems like there should be plenty of daylight at that time of year . . .

Thanks!  I hope to meet some of you next year,
Payton

[phil_rad]

Although I only made it to Helena in 2010, these would be my recommendations: 

Tire pressure: 30 psi should be good for most of the route, maybe more on the longer paved sections. 

GPS or maps; Following a line on a GPS device is easy and fast; I'd bring either DIY cue-sheets or ACA maps as an overview and or backup to GPS.

Lights: A good helmet light like the EOS from Princeton Tec should be enough; unless you want to repeat Kurt and Jefe's performance from this year. ;-)

Phil

[JayP]

1. 50 psi, not saying it works best but it is what works for me. sounds like you already know what you like...shoot for between both of what you do.

2. how confident are you? how involved with the route do you want to be? i find i am way more engaged when following maps and q-sheets. if you bring a GPS you will still want the maps for more info such as phone #'s and the larger picture of where you are going. i am a map guy and when using GPS it is for back up. not necesary for TD.

3. depends on YOUR goals. i suggest night riding, it is part of the experince...as rad said P-tech EOS is a great choice, 1 for the helmet and another for the bar.

[Boney]

3. Even if your race strategy/pace calls for a full night of sleep, you will inevitably end up riding in the dark at some point in order to reach lodging or a decent bivy spot.  I skimped on lights and regretted it starting on day 2.

[sluttyduck]

1. Never measured, probably in the 30s
2. custom cues, typed up so they're easy to read and spaced to separate the turns.
3. Fenix flashlights.  one on the bar one on the helmet.

[Payton MacDonald]

Thanks so much, I appreciate your responses.

[BigPoppa]

Tire pressure will need to change frequently. Depending on water/food load. I even had to change it up as the race progressed because I lost a ton of body fat. You would be surprised how much 25 pounds changes your needs in the tire pressure department.

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Payton, Read Marshal Bird's TD blog carefully. Almost all the basic questions are answered: http://desertmountaindivide.blogspot.com/
I got a lot out of it.
Jeff

[krefs]

My two cents:
1.) Tire pressure for TD? Depends on the volume of the tire you go with, but I ran ~35 psi and never worried about changing it unless some air leaked out. Wait, I recall Jefe and I both adding air to our tires at the gas station in Cuba before heading out onto all that pavement.

2.) GPS or maps or both? Maps and cues are fine as long as you can trust your computer to not die. Ever. If not, add a second computer or a GPS for backup.

3.) lights?  Fenix flashlight(s). I used one LD20 on the helmet. Jefe had one of those, as well as a single-AA light. I was very envious of his second light. I used the PT EOS II in 2009, and I'd say the LD20 was considerably better. I only changed batteries a few times and had many more lumens to work with. You just have to be creative with how you mount the Fenix lights.

[wookieone]

Yeah....I was gonna say.....just what Kurt said!

[BigPoppa]

I would agree that the EOS was minimal at best. It was enough but BARELY. Next time I'll bring a bit more lumen-age so that I can ride at night when the heat comes out to play.

[DaveH]

Some years back I had quite the obsession with custom LED lights...more light with fewer battery changes = faster.

The Fenix lights rock.  Here's the mount you need for them:  http://www.exposurelights.com/product/000040/helmet-bracket/  Great combo, this mount completes an adaptable enduro light system.

[phil_rad]

I might go with a this light if I can get everything that I need on my bars, http://www.supernova-lights.com/en/products/e3_triple.html, It's plenty bright, with the addition of a head lamp, a good night ridding set up. Best thing is you don't have to worry about batteries. Yeah I know what some of you weight weenies are thinking; heavy dynamo hub, the drag..... Don't notice it at all.

[pedalhead]

The Fenix lights rock.  Here's the mount you need for them:  http://www.exposurelights.com/product/000040/helmet-bracket/  Great combo, this mount completes an adaptable enduro light system.

I've had Exposure lights and a Fenix L2D for a while now, but to be honest I wouldn't use the Fenix in the Exposure helmet bracket.  On the L2D at least, only the very front part will sit relatively securely in the bracket, and that puts the weight of the torch uncomfortably off-centre...and I'm not sure I'd trust it to stay put like the Exposure Joystick does.  If I'm using the L2D on my helmet I'll use a Twofish mount.  Not ideal as it's designed to go on your bars, but it's possible to squish it enough to stay secure on the rough stuff.

[DaveH]

Yea, I can't use the twofish.  It is so soft that the light bounces on any little bump, it ends up being a strobe light effect.  I find it annoying on the helmet and completely unusable on the bars. 

The exposure mount works perfectly with the Fenix lights but does require some slight mods.  You just need in increase the diameter of the light a few mm...that's where I carry my spare duct tape

[pedalhead]

ah yes, good call on the duct tape 

[bmike-vt]

I use the 2fish with an LD20 on my helmet. I have the block with both cuts going in the same direction. I trimmed the lower block to get rid of the bounce and adjust the angle. You really have to wrench down the Velcro.

[wookieone]

I actually modified a Eos helmet mount, works perfect with an ld20/ld10. Duct tape and stainless bailing wire! Bomber and not too hard to remove/replace. I use plastic reflector or other light mounts with more duct tape and wire for the handlebars. You just need a bit of creativity, some trail and error.....just like bikepacking!!! Jefe

[Rob Colliver]

I saw on a forum ( could have been this one) about a Fenix  LD20 light being helmet mounted  using a section of inertube.... I faffed about for a couple of hours and made one that shone in the right direction, weighed next to nothing (that's my kind of weight) and lasted the entire Tour Divide - perfects!

[chrisx]

A Velcro strap works well for mounting a flash light to a helmet, the kind that folds back on itself.