Tour Divide 2013

[sthig]

like this thing?
http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Relief-Bicycle-Seat-Cover/dp/B000AAYBLO

[mtbcast]

like this thing?
http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Relief-Bicycle-Seat-Cover/dp/B000AAYBLO

Yep. I would suggest just picking on up along the way. He said it was nice just to have something different after riding the same seat for awhile, which makes sense.

[stappy]

Got a happy new year's card in the mail a couple days ago from Holland Lake Lodge. I imagine they send them to all of the past year's patrons. Christian at the lodge was very nice when Ollie and I stayed there. We arrived at around 10:30 for our third night, it was kind of funny because we just about caught an ITT racer on the service road to the lodge. We got close enough to see a bike in the distance, wondering if one of our chasers some how got ahead of us. We arrived and realized that it wasn't someone from the GD, I'm sorry I've forgot the racer's name. Cristian, who runs the lodge is awesome. He of course knows about the race but wasn't expecting riders just yet. His kitchen staff wouldn't arrive until the next day but he was very accommodating, making something for each of us himself. He let us know breakfast would be at 7 but Ollie and I wanted to get going a little earlier. He asked what we would need, mostly oatmeal, and sandwich stuff, told us he would set it out and gave us the run run of the kitchen. When we got up in the morning, oatmeal and coffee were set out, as well as the sandwich stuff, fruit and yogurt in the fridge. Holland Lake Lodge is one of those awesome spots along the route, Christian is one the fantastic hosts that make the ride so fulfilling. If your timing works out make sure to stop by.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

man, thanks for this!

I've eyeballed the thudbuster as I have a degenerated disc in my lower part of my spine (it's been there for 25 years, so at this phase of my life, I just deal with it).  Do you like it? Is it helpful? How is attaching your bike bag to it?

I'm a big Thudbuster fan. Although I only did the first 2500 km of the 2012 TDR I had no problems at all with my back. It is the perfect solution to not having a suspension bike.

 You can adjust the 'suppleness' by changing the suspension disks so it takes a little testing to get the perfect combination for you weight/comfort level.

Revelate designs have a seat bag which is specifically designed to work with the Thudbuster. I found that the seat movement rubbed a hole in the top of the bag so I've strengthened it.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

also, the Ergon GC3 Cork Grips - why not the gs2?  just curious.  I've been eyeballing these.

More options for hand positions = less numbness. I opted for cork to have a little more vibration absorption. Not sure if it will make a difference but since I found them at Amazon for the same price as the normal ones (they are usually more expensive) I figured what the heck. I also put extra padding on them by wrapping bar tape around the corner. Paul Attala showed me that trick in 2011 and it also helps.

[Mauro_N]

Charging my electronics was never a big issue, I had a small super battery that kept my phone and lights charged for about 5 days, and about every five days I stayed in a motel, and brought all the electronics up to full charge. The GoPro, two lights, recharge the super battery and charge the phone, all plugged in every overnighter under a roof......
I also brought three GoPro batteries, very light...kept me going for the duration.

Thanks! I haven't considered an external battery pack other than disposable AA. Im currently looking at the Anker Astro 3E 10000mAH, if you dont mind me asking which unit did you use.

I came across this from the Minty Boost manual. http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/power.html . It gives a good guide to the charging capabilities of the Minty Boost or a similar charging device like the Goal Zero Guide 10 battery pack.

[mtbcast]

I just posted the Tour Divide Funnies from 2012 up on MTBCast. Checkout these funny moments from Brett Stepanik, Sara Caylor, Fixie Dave Nice, Jim Stansbury, Michael Cleveland, Jarral Ryter, “Iron” Mel Liebling, Tracey Petervary, Josh Smith, Dan Haskins, Cjell Money, Eszter Horanyi, and Tracey Burge while you train for TD 2013!

[Foster]

It is looking as though I won't make it back this year.  Finances are tight and I am still paying medical bills from last years Tour Divide.  My right knee is still not fully recovered either and I am still doing PT.  I can do short rides right now but it doesn't feel like my body will be ready in time and unless I get a sponsor that will pay my way then it looks like I won't be back for a couple more years.  Good luck to everyone this year, I'll be following all of you and wishing I were out there.

[mtbcast]

It is looking as though I won't make it back this year.  Finances are tight and I am still paying medical bills from last years Tour Divide.  My right knee is still not fully recovered either and I am still doing PT.  I can do short rides right now but it doesn't feel like my body will be ready in time and unless I get a sponsor that will pay my way then it looks like I won't be back for a couple more years.  Good luck to everyone this year, I'll be following all of you and wishing I were out there.

Heal well! The route will be there.

[legendontour]

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.  Been reading for 18 months now and training specifically for the last 6.   Planning to be on the line for GD in June and with 6 months to go I'm getting a little nervous.  Question for any of the overseas guys that have done this in the past - which is easier to get to from AW - Los Angeles or Dallas.  I am trying to work out where best to fly home from and qantas still have some reasonable ticket prices available so I want to lock my ticket in.

[sthig]

Thanks! I haven't considered an external battery pack other than disposable AA. Im currently looking at the Anker Astro 3E 10000mAH, if you dont mind me asking which unit did you use.

I came across this from the Minty Boost manual. http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/power.html . It gives a good guide to the charging capabilities of the Minty Boost or a similar charging device like the Goal Zero Guide 10 battery pack.

I've been trying to get mine to work - I think I've soldered a wire wrong...

[Mauro_N]

I've been trying to get mine to work - I think I've soldered a wire wrong...

Im testing the Goal Zero guide 10 plus pack (4xAA) will post a my thoughts on it.

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.  Been reading for 18 months now and training specifically for the last 6.   Planning to be on the line for GD in June and with 6 months to go I'm getting a little nervous.  Question for any of the overseas guys that have done this in the past - which is easier to get to from AW - Los Angeles or Dallas.  I am trying to work out where best to fly home from and qantas still have some reasonable ticket prices available so I want to lock my ticket in.

Im flying over from the UK, so  I am in a similar position to yourself. I have to exit routes at the moment, ride back to  Albuquerque Sun-port where I can get a connecting flight (500 or so miles from AW) or ride to Tuscon for another connecting flight. Have a look at this thread lots of helpful info.  http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4934.0.html

[Christopher R. Bennett]

El Paso International airport is 169 miles from AW. You can stop part way at Columbus where there is a motel. Columbus is an interesting town: the only place in the continental US where they were invaded by anyone but the Brits/Canadians (Poncho Villa).

[sthig]

Mauro that Goal Zero got really iffy reviews on Amazon - can you report back when you have tested it out?

[Yukon]

Do most riders use the Adventure Cycling maps?  Is there a new set of maps for 2013 plus it's addenda, if so when does it come out during the year or should a rider go ahead and buy them now?  I have noticed gps tracks on sites

[pablito]

To help the discussion I've done a posting to my blog on my navigation tools for the 2013 TDR, including using apps on an Android phone.

http://triduffer.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/navigating-for-the-tour-divide-race/

Thanks for the info. Is there any info out there that addresses the use of an iPhone 5 as an actual GPS device rather than using a Garmin 800? I am thinking it is not possible but would love some advice

[pablito]

Hi All,

Used the Christmas break to update my gear list for the TDR 2013. If interested it is at:

http://triduffer.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/2013-tour-divide-preliminary-gear-list/

And yes, I'm an anally retentive engineer into the detail 

Thanks for sharing. You have the ACA que sheets on your list. Is that what they are calling the "narratives" in their store?

[Blackhound]

Yes, cue's / narratives are the same thing.

Yukon - you could try ACA directly to see if any updates are due.  Don't believe it is a standard update and not necessarily all at the same time.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Thanks for sharing. You have the ACA que sheets on your list. Is that what they are calling the "narratives" in their store?

The narratives/cue sheets can be bought here:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/566_11/great-divide-mountain-bike-route-narratives.cfm

One of the hassles is their format/detail - especially if you are going NB as you need to reverse them. If anyone needs a hand drop me a note offline after you buy them and I'll give you some help.

[cjellmoney]

One last thing - make sure you tie the unit to your handlebars using some nylon string (or stronger) - there's a small metal loop on the battery cover. I had to grease (with lip balm) the rails of the mount to enable me to get the unit out easily for battery changes - mainly due to gradually weakening fingers as a result of hand nerve damage. Although the unit was always well clicked in after such changes, it still flew out of the mounting at least 5 or 6 times during the race - without the tether I'm pretty sure I would have lost it.

   

I couldn't stress this enough...with one qualifier.

First, anything that can fall off your bike, will. plan for it. As far as tethering goes...it's a must. grab some parachute chord and go to town. One thing that should be noted. The little C-rings on the screws on the back of Spots and GPS's are garbage. Your tether will certainly securely attach but the same can't be the the C-clips to the device itself. I ended up electrical taping my Spot to the tether. The electrical tape is much more trustworthy than those stupid C or D rings on the back of those devices that appear oh so convenient to tie a string to.