TDR 2012

[ride MT]

Foster, I think Shick is ITTing Southbound. Andrew Hazen passed him on his ride up to Banff I believe and told us he met him on the trail.

[serge]

Flathead report.
Rode the wigwam to Galton pass on sunday
There were a bunch of intermittent snowpatches before the switchback on Galton pass, most of which should be gone or have a ribbon of dirt by saturday.
  The real snow started above the switchback once you round the bend to the left. I think about 1 1/2mile from the top @ around 5800'.
 Overall I think the snowpack isn't too bad. I'd expect around 3 miles or less on the 3 flathead passes.
Cabin pass may be almost clear.
   3 weeks ago there was 3' for 3 miles south of flathead pass, most of that should be gone because the road is the creek bed.
There will be a lot of water thru the upper flathead. Were having heavy rain here for a few days. Should melt more snow. It will make a lot of looong axle deep puddles in the upper flathead.
 It wouldn't be any fun if all the snow was gone.
can't wait
Serge

[pgadola]

Just to be sure...we are starting at 9 am, correct?

[DenisVTT]

Fixie Dave now in Pie Town. From there it's an easy, downhill profile all the way to Grants, half of it paved. 

Not sure what's happening to Warren. he seems stuck in Fernie, which isn't on the route, at least not the regular one this year.

http://trackleaders.com/tourdividei.php?name=Warren_Schick

http://trackleaders.com/tourdividei.php?name=David_Nice

[KootenayB]

Just stalked Warren down in Fernie and had a quick chat.  He is totally fine and in good spirits.

He said that he chose to take the Fernie alternate after he encountered conditions near Flathead Pass that he wasn't super comfortable with and that moving 20 miles in a day wasn't too attractive.  He reports that there is snow in Flathead Pass, including a nice combo of snowpack with small streams running through it.  That, plus reports from a couple snowmobilers he talked to that Cabin Pass was still pretty snowy, made him question his personal comfort level with having soaking feet etc. and likely being completely alone in the remote Flathead section during our present rainfest.

It didn't sound like Flathead Pass was impassable, just that Warren wants to do his ride in a manner to maximize his own enjoyment of the journey.  I, personally, think that is great and of utmost importance to such a grand scheme!!!

[the tortoise]

How is cell service along the route?? Are there huge stretches without cell service?? I have verizon and need to check in every few days. Should I have a calling card as well?
Thanks in advance.

[moosevt]

How is cell service along the route?? Are there huge stretches without cell service?? I have verizon and need to check in every few days. Should I have a calling card as well?
Thanks in advance.

You should count on just using a calling card. I'd say leave the cell phone right at home. I believe the coverage is less than 15% across the whole route.

[DenisVTT]

How is cell service along the route?? Are there huge stretches without cell service?? I have verizon and need to check in every few days. Should I have a calling card as well?
Thanks in advance.

Cell service is only available when you get to a town with services, which is usually 2-3 times a day (less in the south) but can sometimes be up to 150+ miles, or a day+ of riding.

I'm not sure a calling card would be useful. If there is no town, there is no public phone to be found. In fact, there's probably no public phone anywhere on the route. At least I don't remember any.

You should be able to check in every few days, no problem.

[DenisVTT]

BTW, turn off your cell phone between towns, or the battery will go dead pretty quickly hunting for a signal. And then it won't work when you get into a town that actually has a signal.

[mtbcast]

How is cell service along the route?? Are there huge stretches without cell service?? I have verizon and need to check in every few days. Should I have a calling card as well?
Thanks in advance.

Definitely turn your cell off when not in use, as DenisVTT said. Keep in mind the call-in number at MTBCast which is toll-free. If you call in something you want to stay off the podcast just note it. I can forward any messages there if there's someone you want to get it.

[Roland Sturm]

You'll be fine. You'll get to a town or a busy road (with coverage) regularly (TD feels less remote than Stagecoach 400). I doubt that there are more than a few days total where you actually wouldn't be able to make a call at some point during the day. I had Verizon, too, and never felt there was a need for more coverage during TD. I do NOT use my phone a lot, normally not at all, but on trips need to check in with the family every few days (a requirement to be allowed to go off). There was coverage whenever I tried - even in places where I didn't had any expectation. After I lost my spot in the snow, I also called MTBcast more regularly, always could reach the line. Yes, things ain't that wild in the US.

How is cell service along the route?? Are there huge stretches without cell service?? I have verizon and need to check in every few days. Should I have a calling card as well?
Thanks in advance.

[SlowDave]

My experience with cell phones in areas in NM near the course is that there are a lot of blank areas but it has been improving.  Recently I purchased an I phone 4s and that improved matters even more.  It has improved so much that I cancelled my sat phone.  When not making a call shut the phone off or it will discharge quickly.  Also ask when you are in a small town as there are often special places the locals know about where you can make a call.  For example, in Pie Town reception is poor to non-existent but if you stand in front of the post office next to the flag pole you will most likely be able to complete your call.  Don't ask me why and don't listen to the guys in the cafe that say you have to lift one leg, I tried it and it didn't help.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Glad Warren is OK, I was worried he got injured or something.

He reports that there is snow in Flathead Pass, including a nice combo of snowpack with small streams running through it.  That, plus reports from a couple snowmobilers he talked to that Cabin Pass was still pretty snowy, made him question his personal comfort level with having soaking feet etc. and likely being completely alone in the remote Flathead section during our present rainfest.

Do I gotta show y'all how to do it? (Grabs snowshoes from the basement, lubes up chain on the bike, packs up a backpack, looks at airline ticket prices for tomorrow...)

[the tortoise]

Thanks for all the help. I will only turn on when I try to call or to check messages. I have two cell phone batteries and an extra battery system to charge my mp3 player, gps and or phone.

[annoying crack]

Do I gotta show y'all how to do it? (Grabs snowshoes from the basement, lubes up chain on the bike, packs up a backpack, looks at airline ticket prices for tomorrow...)

Go for it Justin! I'm sure you'll have everbody cheering for you after last year.

[DaveH]

Any pointers on how to use the mobile bluedot app on an old, Android phone? I think this one's about 2 years old, and trying to load http://app.bluedot.mobi/ gives you just an unstyled page. I'm using, "Browser" as the Browser. Perhaps try to upgrade to Chrome?

Did you get this to work?  It should work fine on a 2 year old Android, especially if it has received updates in those 2 years.

There may be a conflict in the cache.  Clear it by closing all browser windows, then go to settings->clear cache.  Try http://app.bluedot.mobi/ again and hopefully you will be in business.  If you (or anyone else) need help with Bluedot feel free to PM me or post to the bluedot blog ( http://bluedot.mobi/blog ).

[the tortoise]

Bring the rain gear and lube! http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Banff+CAXX0023:1:CA

[mtbcast]

TD12 - Dave Nice called in from Grants. He’s going to get some rest and try to clear his lungs of the dust and crud from the fire-fueled air he’s had to ride through.

[Norb]

Three days before the 2012 Hunger Games begin...

I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every TD rider this year a successful race.  You've worked hard to get to this point so enjoy the experience.  The race will challenge and inspire you in ways you cannot imagine.  Don't force it, but let each day ebb and flow as your front wheel is pointed toward Mexico.

Can't wait to watch the blue dots and listen to MTBcast over the next several weeks!!

"In the parking lot behind the Banff Spring Hotel, begin riding south on the Spray River Trail". It still gives me chills!  Enjoy your race, be safe, and best to each of you.

N

[DenisVTT]

Looks like Warren turned around again, apparently just before getting to the Whitefish Divide. That's where there was considerable snow last year (about 6 miles of it) so I wonder if that's the reason why. Problem is, there's not a real alt route there, except for Highway 93 but that's a pretty busy road if I recall from the mile or so the regular route is on it.

http://trackleaders.com/tourdividei.php?name=Warren_Schick