 Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #40 on: December 16, 2011, 12:35:09 AM
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BigPoppa
Posts: 211
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« Reply #40 on: December 16, 2011, 12:35:09 AM » |
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There is the Toaster house... Through the stop sign, on the right, the house with all the toasters. (I know, I know... Just trust me that it will make sense when you get there.)
Somebody owns the house but nobody lives there. The owner keeps it stocked up with things like peanut butter, bread, and ice cream sandwiches. There is a place to leave donations for food that you take. I'm pretty sure you can sleep there too.
It really is a reliable place but I'd hate to bank my planning on the person stocking it.
I personally timed it so I would get there early morning but after a reasonable time for the cafe to be open. I ordered a few burgers to go. I had brought plenty from grants just in case.
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #41 on: December 16, 2011, 03:02:47 PM
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Climb On
Escendo Ergo Existo
Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
Posts: 80
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« Reply #41 on: December 16, 2011, 03:02:47 PM » |
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What tools and backup parts do you suggest for the TD? I'm especially wondering about the heavier items you may not need but a lack of could result in a bike that can't be ridden (e.g. backup chain). Also, any suggestions on best multi-tool for the TD?
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #42 on: December 16, 2011, 04:04:59 PM
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bgiro
Location: On a long a low elevation rail trail, East of Omaha..
Posts: 47
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« Reply #42 on: December 16, 2011, 04:04:59 PM » |
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When I made my SOBO, ride I found Grants to be the best opportunity supply before Silver City. Certainly, Pie Town offers two cafes (if open when you arrive) and the Toaster House, but for selection and variety Grants is the place to stock up.
This past summer my visit to the Toaster House allowed me to 'inventory' the supplies and for the most part the supplies were great, but not so good in my mind for traveling unless you make a bunch of peanut butter sandwiches (if bread is available). Most of the food I found at the Toaster House required a microwave or hot water. Maybe I have no imagination for combining foods together.
I did notice, someone had sent a package to the Toaster House owner's address and the owner left it in the kitchen area for the lucky sender.
From Grants to Silver City, I found water at Pie Town, the church at the hwy crossing, Beaverhead work ctr., Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch, Black Canyon Creek, (off-route Roberts Lake, Upper End Campground), Cherry Creek Campground, and Pinos Altos. Your results may vary. I'm really watching the weather this year to get a better determination of how dry that section will be.
Side note about Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch. Do not rely on the Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch for food. Someone had visited the establishment before I did and got into a ruckus with the hired hand over food. My information is that they only stock provisions for the scheduled guests and do not have extra food for a bunch of weary bikers.
B-
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« Last Edit: December 16, 2011, 05:14:39 PM by bgiro »
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #43 on: December 16, 2011, 07:11:23 PM
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BigPoppa
Posts: 211
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« Reply #43 on: December 16, 2011, 07:11:23 PM » |
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Side note about Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch. Do not rely on the Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch for food. Someone had visited the establishment before I did and got into a ruckus with the hired hand over food. My information is that they only stock provisions for the scheduled guests and do not have extra food for a bunch of weary bikers.
B-
Isn't that the place that has a freaking huge sign out front that says something like, "Absolutely NO food or water for sale here!!!"? |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #44 on: December 16, 2011, 10:45:48 PM
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phil_rad
Location: Gelnhausen, Germany
Posts: 566
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« Reply #44 on: December 16, 2011, 10:45:48 PM » |
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What tools and backup parts do you suggest for the TD? I'm especially wondering about the heavier items you may not need but a lack of could result in a bike that can't be ridden (e.g. backup chain). Also, any suggestions on best multi-tool for the TD?
I'd take a rear derailuer hanger and a piece of chain with a sram powerlock or something simular. Spare brake pads, emergency spoke, Shifting cable, Tubes, patch kit and tire boot. As far as multi-tools go, they're heavy and you can't use all of the tools on them, go just with the tools you need for your bike, lighter and cheaper that way. |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #45 on: December 17, 2011, 09:10:38 PM
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sheilar
Posts: 45
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« Reply #45 on: December 17, 2011, 09:10:38 PM » |
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Treated quite well at the guest ranch. Stayed overnight and was fed very well indeed. sr Isn't that the place that has a freaking huge sign out front that says something like, "Absolutely NO food or water for sale here!!!"?
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #46 on: December 19, 2011, 07:58:43 AM
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Climb On
Escendo Ergo Existo
Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
Posts: 80
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« Reply #46 on: December 19, 2011, 07:58:43 AM » |
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I'd take a rear derailuer hanger and a piece of chain with a sram powerlock or something simular. Spare brake pads, emergency spoke, Shifting cable, Tubes, patch kit and tire boot. As far as multi-tools go, they're heavy and you can't use all of the tools on them, go just with the tools you need for your bike, lighter and cheaper that way.
Thanks. I was thinking along those lines and had already put together a 'tools I actually use' pack. |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #47 on: December 19, 2011, 09:01:49 AM
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phil_rad
Location: Gelnhausen, Germany
Posts: 566
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« Reply #47 on: December 19, 2011, 09:01:49 AM » |
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Winter Solstice is only 3 days away. Get those LOI's ready :-)
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« Last Edit: December 19, 2011, 09:10:05 AM by phil_rad »
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #48 on: December 19, 2011, 12:58:08 PM
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sluttyduck
Posts: 115
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« Reply #48 on: December 19, 2011, 12:58:08 PM » |
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Winter Solstice is only 3 days away. Get those LOI's ready :-)
I believe Matthew put the kibosh on LOI's. |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #49 on: December 19, 2011, 08:22:50 PM
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phil_rad
Location: Gelnhausen, Germany
Posts: 566
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« Reply #49 on: December 19, 2011, 08:22:50 PM » |
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I believe Matthew put the kibosh on LOI's.
Really? So no more LOI's? Do we still need to send one in so he knows who's coming? I put this on the wrong thread; it should have been on the TDR 2012 one. |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #50 on: December 20, 2011, 03:53:11 AM
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sluttyduck
Posts: 115
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« Reply #50 on: December 20, 2011, 03:53:11 AM » |
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I'm assuming there will be a sign up link on the site. Last year's LOI's were not published.
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #51 on: December 20, 2011, 11:20:15 AM
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chainagent
Location: Germany
Posts: 95
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« Reply #51 on: December 20, 2011, 11:20:15 AM » |
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Last year's LOI's were not published.
... unfortunately |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #52 on: December 20, 2011, 02:09:49 PM
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Rob Colliver
Posts: 83
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« Reply #52 on: December 20, 2011, 02:09:49 PM » |
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shame about the LOI's; they help focus you to the task ahead (not just the race, but the preparation too) . Writing mine for last years epic, really made me switch my head on and start the final coundown to Banff.
I appreciate some of the reasons for not publishing the letters, but at the end of the day, we all know what we are getting into and, well, lets bring some banter to the TD site and see some fine old British humor!
PS My letter last year was the smartest, thought-provoking, plagaristic, wildly optimistic, humble and altruistic LOI ever!
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #53 on: December 20, 2011, 02:55:49 PM
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BigPoppa
Posts: 211
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« Reply #53 on: December 20, 2011, 02:55:49 PM » |
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You guys could start a tour divide loi thread on bikepacking.net....
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #54 on: December 20, 2011, 08:27:36 PM
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phil_rad
Location: Gelnhausen, Germany
Posts: 566
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« Reply #54 on: December 20, 2011, 08:27:36 PM » |
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You guys could start a tour divide loi thread on bikepacking.net....
Good idea, lets do it! |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #55 on: December 21, 2011, 04:47:02 AM
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sheilar
Posts: 45
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« Reply #55 on: December 21, 2011, 04:47:02 AM » |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #56 on: December 23, 2011, 09:57:06 PM
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Climb On
Escendo Ergo Existo
Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
Posts: 80
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« Reply #56 on: December 23, 2011, 09:57:06 PM » |
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So...are you guys and gals having the experience that with every ride you focus further and further on the TDR? I pretty much can't stop tooling my bike, trying new carrying methods, noting how much fluid and how many calories a century requires in differing conditions, studying the maps, researching, etc...This is some of the most exciting, and all-consuming, training I've ever done. How are all of you coping with finding the time for long hours in the saddle and still maintaining a career? I've started just riding everywhere, to work, running errands, visiting friends, pedaling to to the crag or boulderfield to climb, etc. I'm loving it; leaving a lessened carbon footprint makes me smile as well. I've even taken to calling it, "integrated training".  |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #57 on: December 23, 2011, 10:38:06 PM
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BigPoppa
Posts: 211
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« Reply #57 on: December 23, 2011, 10:38:06 PM » |
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So...are you guys and gals having the experience that with every ride you focus further and further on the TDR? I pretty much can't stop tooling my bike, trying new carrying methods, noting how much fluid and how many calories a century requires in differing conditions, studying the maps, researching, etc...This is some of the most exciting, and all-consuming, training I've ever done. How are all of you coping with finding the time for long hours in the saddle and still maintaining a career? I've started just riding everywhere, to work, running errands, visiting friends, pedaling to to the crag or boulderfield to climb, etc. I'm loving it; leaving a lessened carbon footprint makes me smile as well. I've even taken to calling it, "integrated training". Commuting is a perfect way to train! I just talked about that on my blog today.... |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #58 on: December 24, 2011, 07:35:09 AM
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Climb On
Escendo Ergo Existo
Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
Posts: 80
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« Reply #58 on: December 24, 2011, 07:35:09 AM » |
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Commuting is a perfect way to train! I just talked about that on my blog today....
Thanks for sharing. I'll check it out. I'm pretty sure I ran across your blog already and watched some vids you made during your TDR. I love that you and other veterans like Stephen are chiming in on these strands. I've learned a lot. The commuting thing is fun as hell. Chattanooga (voted 'Best Outdoor City of All Time' by Outdoor mag) has a somewhat mixed populous concerning bikers. A friend, and locally beloved bike advocate, was killed a few years ago on his daily commute; this launched a movement that led to the 'motorized vehicles cannot pass closer than 3-feet' law being passed in Tennessee. After a ruffian pulled over and confronted me just after almost clipping me on a no-shoulder section, I researched all the traffic laws regarding biking and consulted my local police department to confirm my findings. I can ride on all but two of the thoroughfares in my county, and I love it when I'm downtown and maintaining the maximum speed limit on city streets. Both my kids attend colleges just over 100m away. They love it when I bike over to visit and it gives me a warm sofa to sleep on for a weekend out and back. |
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Topic Name: TD newbie qs
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Reply #59 on: December 24, 2011, 08:11:00 AM
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woody
Location: Southern Utah
Posts: 288
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« Reply #59 on: December 24, 2011, 08:11:00 AM » |
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Thanks for sharing. I'll check it out. I'm pretty sure I ran across your blog already and watched some vids you made during your TDR. I love that you and other veterans like Stephen are chiming in on these strands. I've learned a lot.
I second this  Woody |
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