Tour Divide 2013

[mcmurv]

Sure, best preparation is to take a large portion of the original route. But for us, living in Europe that is not that easy. So the best in this case is to prepare oneself physically and mentally, do things which are similar to portions of the TD ... prepare for unexpected situations. A good preparation can never give a guarantee to manage it, but it is better than just go with a "I just do it".

Amen brother!  My position doesn't apply to our European buddies. 

The challenges you will want to address in training are riding in completely unfamiliar areas, navigating the same way, with the same gear you will use on the TD (use a gps), planning resupply.  Ride a lot.  My biggest month earlier this year was 1,100 miles and I didn't have any fitness challenges.  If you have access, spend time at altitude.  Don't worry about riding single track / trail. 

[Red Duck]

This is as good a time as any to make a public declaration.  I'm in for 2013, with both my wife's and my boss's blessing.
Looking forward to discussing the race with you on line, and seeing you all in Banff 18 months from now.

Any other PDX area folks doing this?  I'm up for training partners.

[FullFat]

18 months and counting. So far this year 1 wreck 2 broken spokes, bruised ribs, stick puncture in wrist and sore knee(from going through wheel and breaking spokes). Total cost $13 bucks to fix bike and a few days to recover. Traing is great. Really it is going well.

[SuzM]

i've been planning on going back after a failed 2010 attempt, and 2013 is looking likely. 

Red Duck - I am a pdx'er as well. 

[hikernks]

June 14th, right?  Haha.  Seems silly to ask so early, but the earlier I put in for vacation, the better off I am.

[FullFat]

Anybody setting a finishing time goal? 4th of July would great!

[Rec]

The TD's on my wish list for some while now. Recently I came accross the GST and plan to do it this year as a training for the Divide.
As some above said, for us Europeans, it's not so evident to do some TD parts as training.
Maybe, sometime there will be a European TD version ;-)

[bald eagle]

I am considering a 2013 attempt.  Would I be asking for trouble to ride my 5 year old (by that time) 2008 steel hardtail 29er?  I have not cracked a frame yet, but I am 210-220 lbs, run a tall seatpost, and have been told it is just a matter of time.  I have been trying to figure out how much this is all going to cost, and a new bike would really up the cost.     

[mbeardsl]

I am considering a 2013 attempt.  Would I be asking for trouble to ride my 5 year old (by that time) 2008 steel hardtail 29er?  I have not cracked a frame yet, but I am 210-220 lbs, run a tall seatpost, and have been told it is just a matter of time.  I have been trying to figure out how much this is all going to cost, and a new bike would really up the cost.     

As a disclaimer I haven't raced or ridden any of it, but in thinking it through I'd weigh the cost of a decent new frame vs the emotional "cost" of breaking a frame and not being able to continue and/or (even worse) the more significant costs of injuring yourself if you happen to break the frame in a catastrophic way.  You could take your old frame to a builder or very good mechanic and get their opinion but if it were me I'd save my pennies and get a new frame.  I'm also 220+ and run a ton of post, tend to sit through some bumps, etc and I just got rid of my 2008 steel HT 29er frame.  You can generally find some screaming deals on last years frames if you go the mass produced route. 

[Mauro_N]

Im in for 2013, single speed!! Cant wait

[mtbcast]

I can't be in Banff this year but I hope to be next year. Maybe fulfill my goal of riding the leg to Whitefish!

[sthig]

well I'll see you guys there as I'll be racing as well.

[Chad B]

Might be time for a switch in scenery, make an official S to N version, and then rotate between the two every year.

[Foster]

I couldn't imagine planning so early.  To much time to think about the race, the anxiety from deciding to enter 2 months before the TDR is long enough, I can't wait for the start any longer.  But its great you guys are already planning and getting psyched for it. 

[WatermelonSugar]

I'm planning on being there next year. I've had this on my mind since 2009, but it finally looks like everything is falling into place to have a go at it in 2013

[rhino-x]

I am in for 2013 as well.

[pedalhead]

Seems early days but after originally planning to be there for the GD this year, I'll be lining up in 2013 instead.  I've been working towards this for a couple of years now, and in that time my bikes, fitness, even the type of riding I enjoy, have been totally transformed.  Having something like this as a long term goal has been an enormous source of motivation for me and has already led me to riding challenges that I don't think I'd otherwise have attempted (or been able to attempt!).  I already feel like it's been quite an adventure, though I suspect a lot more is yet to come! My aim is to be a genuine contender (famous last words!), and I'll be riding my singlespeed.

I'd be interested if any of you chaps have blogs that you use to write-up training & preparations.  I always enjoy reading such blogs.  Mine's linked in my sig. 

[hikernks]

Have we figured out an official start date yet?  The website says the second Friday in June, and in 2013 that would be the 14th.  Does that sound right to everyone?  Can someone confirm this for me, because I need to put in for vacation within the next couple of weeks if I want to have any chance of getting it.  Thanks!

[chriskmurray]

I couldn't imagine planning so early.  To much time to think about the race, the anxiety from deciding to enter 2 months before the TDR is long enough, I can't wait for the start any longer.  But its great you guys are already planning and getting psyched for it. 

I am trying to decide between a regular tour of possibly the pacific coast or convincing the wife of me going for the divide in 2013, mostly depends on if she starts to get the bike touring itch and wants to head out for a long ride as well.

To me, thinking about it/training for it so early would help ease some of the anxiety, in a years time I should be able to get my body ready for the divide and hopefully my mind as well in the process. 

[chainagent]

The website says the second Friday in June, and in 2013 that would be the 14th.  Does that sound right to everyone?  

.. for me it is the 14th of June as well. I need to book the flight from Germany latest in September to have a chance of getting a sheeper one.