Tour Divide 2013

[South Carolina Chris]

Hi,  Im Chris from South Carolina getting ready to start preparing for 2014-15 trip.
wondering could i use my new 2012 cannondale sl2 26" for this type of trip?
mountain biked for years but mostly 2 day trips. big jump to the divide.
thanks.....

[moosevt]

Hi,  Im Chris from South Carolina getting ready to start preparing for 2014-15 trip.
wondering could i use my new 2012 cannondale sl2 26" for this type of trip?
mountain biked for years but mostly 2 day trips. big jump to the divide.
thanks.....

Oh, I suppose most people would say run what you brung. There are many people that have done it on a 26". I would guess that the sled of choice would be a 29er hardtail. I think that you might have plenty of time to train/ride what you have and see if you are happy with it and then change it if you don't. my .02!

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi,  Im Chris from South Carolina getting ready to start preparing for 2014-15 trip.
wondering could i use my new 2012 cannondale sl2 26" for this type of trip?
mountain biked for years but mostly 2 day trips. big jump to the divide.
thanks.....

moosevt is right, many have done it on a 26", but a 29" will make your life a lot easier - unless you need spare tires or a replacement wheel: these are a lot harder to come by than 26" gear. The key thing is to look at *every* element of the bike and ask yourself will it survive 2700+ miles of abuse. It's amazing what breaks or wears out during the ride. I had a set of brake pads last three days this year! Also, if *anything* is worn, replace it before the ride. It will go, the only question is when.

[kcampagna]

Just checked Banff Y Mountain Lodge on travelocity.com and it looks like they are fully booked already. Wow!  
Any ideas on really close spots to stay?

Thank you.

 

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Just checked Banff Y Mountain Lodge on travelocity.com and it looks like they are fully booked already. Wow! 
Any ideas on really close spots to stay?

Thank you.

 

Give them a call. That's what I did this year.

BUT this raises an interesting question. It's always been the second Friday in June, but that would make it June 14th 2013 which seems quite a late start. Or will it be June 7th?

[kcampagna]

Chris,

I just talked with the people on www.tourdivide.org and its June 14th for sure.  Looks like I will have to give the Banff Y a phone call.

 

---nice blog by the way. good write up on some of the TD race tips.   

[Mauro_N]

So GD is confirmed to be the  June 14th? Need to look at booking plane tickets from the UK!

Any other places to stay other than the Banff Y?

Thanks

[BobM]

Just checked Banff Y Mountain Lodge on travelocity.com and it looks like they are fully booked already. Wow! 
Any ideas on really close spots to stay?

Thank you.

 

I just tried to check it on the Banff Y website and their reservation software is wonky- it gives an "access denied" error when I try to check availability.  That could be what Travelocity is getting.

[kcampagna]

Good call. I'll try them again later today.
Thanks

 

[hikernks]

I think starting on the 14th will actually be advantageous, with hopefully less snowfall on the passes, BUT will make the NM heat that much worse.  50/50 trade, but I haven't ridden it yet either.  Maybe a vet could chime in on this?

[kcampagna]

I think starting on the 14th will actually be advantageous, with hopefully less snowfall on the passes, BUT will make the NM heat that much worse.  50/50 trade, but I haven't ridden it yet either.  Maybe a vet could chime in on this?

No vet, but I do agree with you on it being an advantage with the less snowfall.

[chainagent]

Hi,

for me the 14th as the Grand Depart is set, because it's the second friday in June. And why it should differ? I am going to book the flight from Germany within the next few days.

    Regards     

        Michael

[kcampagna]

 

[moosevt]

Hi,

for me the 14th as the Grand Depart is set, because it's the second friday in June. And why it should differ? I am going to book the flight from Germany within the next few days.

    Regards     

        Michael

I wouldn't imagine the Grand Depart to be any other day. It falls under the guidelines of the event. I'm working on setting up my travel now. I will let you know how it turns out.

[ron]

Bit OT, but yikes...

Second Person Dies of Virus After Yosemite Visit

Two people have died after catching a rare virus thought to have been spread by rodents at Yosemite National Park, but park officials said a broad outbreak is unlikely.

The National Park Service said three people contracted Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome after staying in tent cabins in Yosemite's Curry Village in June. Hantavirus is a life-threatening disease with flu-like symptoms that spreads through rodents' droppings, urine or saliva.

The park service said this week that two of the victims died in late July and that a fourth person also may be ill. The fatalities were a 37-year-old Californian and an out-of state visitor, said Scott Gediman, a Yosemite park ranger.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declined to comment, referring inquiries to Mr. Gediman.

Signs of hantavirus—fever, headaches and muscle pain—can emerge up to six weeks after a person's exposure to it. Soon after that, the victim may struggle to breathe, according to the CDC.

The disease is most prevalent in the West, especially in rural areas, where rodents such as deer mice are plentiful. New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona have reported the highest number of cases, followed by California. But cases have been sporadic, with no big outbreaks. The disease can't be spread from one person to another.

The disease was identified in 1993, and since then there have been about 587 cases nationally, a third of them fatal, according to the CDC website.

Yosemite is still allowing visitors, including campers. But park workers are scrambling to boost the rodent-proofing in the cabin tents and other buildings, while also handing out information about hantavirus to everyone coming into the park.

"The health of our visitors is our paramount concern and we are making every effort to notify and inform our visitors of any potential illness," said Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park Superintendent, in a statement.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444506004577616423363731742.html

[Mental-Miles]

Hi Folks,

it seams, that a lot of people will start 14th of June ... I would personal prefer the 7th (due to the heat in NM and for biz-reasons) and I would like to avoid a to crowed start/passage in C. So anybody out there planing a start on the 7th of June?

Cheers!
Mental-Miles

[Christopher R. Bennett]

I'm probably going to go for 7 June as well. I'd be concerned about the fires/heat in the south with a later start. Of course if there is lots of snow may delay ...

[crazylarry]

Hello to Everyone writing on this Tour Divide 2013
I live right on site at the Banff YWCA. Although I have "NOTHING" to do with ACA or Tour Divide Officials I do have a great love of cyclist and will go to almost any extent to help you all !
  So with that in mind - I've noticed some have your concerns with where to stay?
 I will make a list of phone numbers on my next posting within the next week of this post to help you ALL > Plus + Notify the very person who is in charge of their reservations end of your concerns of where to stay / and re: some concerns the YWCA reservation site not working properly.
 I encourage ALL future 2013 to Please Contact myself 'Crazy Larry' (I am a very avid cyclist/announcer World Championships, Provincials, Xterra and the list keeps growing now to Europe / busy cheerleader at many races X 21 per season and growing / and I've been told because of my love of helping ALL of you with anything I can 'each year' I am the unofficial keeper of the cyclist as I've been told when TDR riders come to Banff)
 To keep it short....I just LOVE and respect all of you for trying this EPIC Ride of a lifetime!
 I'd love for you to contact me *(I have Skype 'CrazyLarry' or FB or email) before coming as I am making a little documentary and lets say notes about the lead up to this year's 2013 TDR race.
 
  I have been living here in Banff for over 30 years. I will do all I can to help you all. I am working on a barbecue, possibly a showing of the Ride the Divide at our Theatre is in the works > Any comments about this? There will be a DOOR Fee of probably $15 - $16.
   I usually hold my private get together for any cyclist wishing to meet or chat it up together with lots of souvenir pictures / video to take home THAT is 'ABSOLUTELY" NOT officially associated with doings of the TDR its affiliates or ACA (American Cycling Association). Any technical concerns should be directed to ACA or Mathew Lee X 5 Champion of the TDR / officer of the Trackleaders.com the very place that will track you all. Both are AMaZing People !! Due to a serious accident in Sept.2011 with a longer recovery than expected and a superbly busy season with community involvement and the cycling circuit the 2012 video's and more pictures are still to come and seen on www.crazylarry.ca *Under construction but available.

 Like I stated: I just really respect you ALL for even doing this life altering AMAZING Bike Ride you'll never forget to test / challenge 'some' of your personal limits. I will be here for you > Remember I LIVE here X 30 years.

I'll say it now with just days to go to pull off a RECORD RIDE!!!.....Way to go Jay Petervary for setting the NEW Tour Divide World Record !!! You risked it all...and found out who's boss. Kudos!...and to the next challenger, too!

[Madsen]

Hi

I have a question concerning training. I live in Denmark, Europe and it is flat like ****!!!

Do you guys think it is even possible training for the massive hour-long climbs on the tour, when the highest point in Denmark is 170 metres...?

I have done several multiday tours and my fitness is pretty good and I have the option to take some multiday trips to the neighbouring countries Sweden and Norway, where there are some decent mountains.


Thanks

 

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi

I have a question concerning training. I live in Denmark, Europe and it is flat like ****!!!

Do you guys think it is even possible training for the massive hour-long climbs on the tour, when the highest point in Denmark is 170 metres...?

I have done several multiday tours and my fitness is pretty good and I have the option to take some multiday trips to the neighbouring countries Sweden and Norway, where there are some decent mountains.


Thanks

 

How can you claim Denmark is flat when it is home to Himmelbjerg - "Heaven Mountains".  In fact it is the perfect training ground for the Wyoming winds - all those trees at a permanent 45 degree angle in Jutland :-)  Train hard and give it a go. If you want some winter practice my Danish wife would welcome you to her Bed and Breakfast in New Zealand (www.cats-pjamas.com).