TD website?

[sheilar]

Wondering what the story is.  Down for updating or down period?
sr

[DenisVTT]

Web site is back up.

Not sure what the story is on future updates.

[sheilar]

Was ever hopeful last years LOI's and results would be posted.
sr

[siattc]

Do they ever reply off of the website?  What about the letter of intent?

[BobM]

I'm starting to get a little concerned.  The TD site has been static for months now. Usually the Start List would be posted and updated starting at least in January.  I tried emailing Matthew but no answer; I hope he hasn't moved on to other things.  I would hate to see Tour Divide go the way of the GDR.

[Done]

I'm starting to get a little concerned.  The TD site has been static for months now. Usually the Start List would be posted and updated starting at least in January.  I tried emailing Matthew but no answer; I hope he hasn't moved on to other things.  I would hate to see Tour Divide go the way of the GDR.

In some respects, substantive updates stopped before the 2011 race, when LOIs weren't posted. And, of course, there haven't been any 2011 results either. Kind of a bummer.

I don't know Matthew Lee, but I imagine that there are a number of reasons why he hasn't been active on the site. I hope that everything is OK, and that he's not dealing with a personal tragedy. He put a lot of work into the event, which makes the current silence just that much more noticeable. Hopefully he'll get back at it soon, or pass the reigns along to someone else. It's an amazing event, and I really enjoyed all of the info on the site!

Whatever happens, I doubt that the TD will ever go the way of the GDR. The Tour Divide basically replaced it, and racing the GDMBR actually became more popular. If Matthew "moves on," then I expect that somebody will pick up where he left off.

[elobeck]

I wouldn't be too concerned yet. We still have three months till start, and  there is a correct start date posted. Perhaps if things are still static by Mid May then something would need to be figured out.

[DocTrike]

I haven't heard anything from TDR in 3 months, I heard from GDR in 4 hours. I would really like to hear from them and race Vet's get some idea of gearing and trail conditions as I will be ring a three wheel mountain bike.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Don't panic. If you're doing the Grand Départ, show up  on the 8th of June. I'm sure Vets of the race will help out starting logistics.

It ain't no big deal - you got the course, you go the rules and you got the challenge. Accept it and go for it.

The TD is an underground race first and foremost and any "organization" is at its very nature decentralized and run by volunteers. That also means anyone else can pick up the slack. I'd wager Trackleaders is going to want to cover the TD, because it's awesome.

Matt did a lot of work on last year's TD, even if it wasn't reflected on the website.

and race Vet's get some idea of gearing and trail conditions as I will be ring a three wheel mountain bike.

That's def. something that can be done on these forums - there's a few TD-related threads floating around.

[DocTrike]

@TheArtist thanks I have been doing as much online research as possible watching all the videos and analyzing the movie for trail and bike details. I need to get the maps next. I wish Mat had a better presence, as he has a lot of experience to share; but he seems to want to stay under the radar which is totally acceptable.

[THE LONG RANGER]

I need to get the maps next. I wish Mat had a better presence, as he has a lot of experience to share; but he seems to want to stay under the radar which is totally acceptable.

But do go through the TD threads for 2010 and 2011 - there's major wisdom being imparted there - and a ton from Matt. Are you going to challenge it with a tricycle? If so, that's pretty unknown territory PLEASE make sure you're hella, hella, hella visible. I don't want a huge truck plowing over you.

Part of it is knowing that there is unknowns - it's a big course and nothing is really "groomed". The track's conditions are going to vary, depending on many different things. It's a different track when everything's under snow, believe me (or when the wind's up, or when it's raining, or when there's a drought etc, etc, etc).  I mean, just outside of Colorado, the road was swallowed up by an enormous sinkhole last year! Downed trees can be a problem. Who knows?

[DocTrike]

@TheArtist I have been trudging through the TD threads haven't seen a user I recognized at Matt yet. I have 35+ years experience riding tricycles and been places on them that most mountain bikes would't even think of going; or at least before these DH/Freeride monsters came out. I have ridden the mountains of China and through Indonesia on a tricycle. This is far more visible than a mountain bike, I have no concerns about my bike choice it is everything else that worries me.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Here's Matt's username, so you can search some of his posts:

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=152

[DocTrike]

cheers

[elobeck]

I actually noticed a user logged in on the bikepacking website yesterday......"Matthewsen". So he is out there.......lurking. (Insert Jaws soundtrack here).

Probably gunshy after last years organizational effort.

[DocTrike]

understandable.

[Beardog]

 I would not worry-as earlier writer noted - just show up with a SPOT on line with topofusion and we will roll out at an allotted time from the hostel on 6/8 and ride as fast as you can the traditional course (including Gold Dust and Abicuque this year unless there is a fire).
You are brave to ride it on a trike-this I have got to see for myself-the roads in Montana will not be fun unless you have some serious suspension planned. It is bad enough on a hard tail the day after a heavy rain on hardened clay rutts. Good luck.

[DenisVTT]

I'm compiling a list of declared 2012 TD riders. It is on a shared Google Docs spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ami9kLAhoE7GdHNKN2xQSTA4T0JiRmMxaUJlc01UbEE

Anyone with the link can update. If you are in for 2012, enter your info in there. I'll occasionally sort the list, do a count, etc...

Unless it gets updated at some point, I'll also try to have a link to this list published in the official TD web site start list menu. 

[siattc]

I have added my name to the list.  I hope it is a master list that wnyone can add their name to.

[DenisVTT]

I have added my name to the list.  I hope it is a master list that wnyone can add their name to.

Yes, that's the idea.