Tour Divide 2013

[BigPoppa]

I just noticed that you have your Spot on your top tube. If you've already tested it there, then feel free to ignore me. But I'm not sure that the top tube is a great place for a Spot. Your body might reduce GPS satellite reception and/or transmission. Mine seems to work best when there's nothing blocking its view to the sky. Also, vibrations seem to kill Spots over time, which is why I now carry mine on my shoulder--my body acts like a big vibration damper.

Nice rig!

Also, that thing might come flying off. Mine was tied down like crazy and I lost it on the descent into Salida. I had to climb a few miles back up that hill to find it.....

[Veetack]

Revelate makes a small pouch that attaches to the top of their saddle bags specifically for a Spot. I'm planning on using that, as when hiking I had one attached to my packstraps, and it was more annoying than anything. Additionally, there's an added perk to leaving to spot on the bike. A few years ago (2009 I think), Matthew Lee was racing and had his bike stolen while at a grocery store. Because his spot was on his bike, the police were able to locate and retrieve the bike in a pretty short period of time, and he went on to set the Grand Depart record even with the inconvenience. It's kind of funny, but it falls in the idea of ultralight, because you always want gear that can serve multiple purposes. Besides being a race tracker, that day the Spot was a lojack.

[pickupel]

Thanks kcampagna, I decided on the Arch EX rims after a chat with the guy who will be building my wheels. He reckoned that there was a 99% chance the Crests would have been fine, but thought that I'd be safer with the Arches. The way I see it is that the weight advantage of the Crests over the Arches would be completely negated if I destroyed a wheel mid race.

[BobM]

Thanks kcampagna, I decided on the Arch EX rims after a chat with the guy who will be building my wheels. He reckoned that there was a 99% chance the Crests would have been fine, but thought that I'd be safer with the Arches. The way I see it is that the weight advantage of the Crests over the Arches would be completely negated if I destroyed a wheel mid race.

Once you put the doubt in your mind it's best to go with your gut.  At that point it would be pretty awful to be sitting at the bottom of a rocky descent 200 miles from the nearest bike shop with a cracked rim and thinking "I guess I should have...."

[Mental-Miles]

Your bike and gear will end up at least 5 to 10 pound heavier if you always choose the "100 % save-Version" ... I am fighting hard right now getting back to a light kit ... still 43 lbs (Bike & Gear) looking for a 3X ...

Cheers

M-M

Rode my snowbike for an overnighter yesterday night ... man that is real heavy

[Blackhound]

Mauro - don't think they were protection Conti Race Kings but can't remember tbh.  All 3 of us got down on one set each.  My rear was looking a bit worn in Salida but to late in town for a new one.  I was late in Silver City as well but tyre lasted the distance with no punctures.  Was fairly new on tubeless and didn't want to risk not getting tyres off/on and inflated unless I had to.
As Stappy said earlier swapping tyres round at Steamboat or Breck would be a good move.

[pickupel]

I know where you're coming from Mental-Miles, in putting my bike and gear together for the TD I've been torn between trying to be as lightweight as possible while still achieving a kit that can go the distance. I'm sure this is a balance that everyone racing the TD has to strike, with some prioritizing weight and others durability. For me, as a TD rookie, I am trying to give myself as good a chance of finishing as possible — I have a target time, but for me that would be a bonus to finishing the race. I don't want to fly out of the starting blocks in Banff, only to end up withdrawing before Idaho with a mechanical, so while I'm comfortable going super-light in some areas in others I'm erring on the side of caution. I'm sure that if I end up returning to the divide there are gear decisions that I'll amend and others that I'll keep, that has certainly been the way both my touring and racing kits have gone in the past — refined by experience.

[Marshal]

Thanks kcampagna, I decided on the Arch EX rims after a chat with the guy who will be building my wheels. He reckoned that there was a 99% chance the Crests would have been fine, but thought that I'd be safer with the Arches. The way I see it is that the weight advantage of the Crests over the Arches would be completely negated if I destroyed a wheel mid race.

Used Crests on the TDR 2010—& ran same Crest set for the 2012 AZT750  (I probably should have run Archs on the AZT750)

bottom line –with a “good build” the Crest is more than strong/durable enough for the non-tech TDR, ie: plenty of safety factor

or said another way--if you destroy a well-built Crest on the TDR you would have destroyed an Arch with the same practices

[legendontour]

JDP just read your blog.  It is frank and honest - and somewhat scary.  Looks like I should expect to cap the first few nights in Canada.  You have also helped to convince me to go with an Etrex 30.  I was dithering and considering an 810, but I need it to work.  And I can carry plenty of spare batteries.  See you in Bannf dude.

[Georg66]

Just about to finalize an order for some wheel parts and (typically) I'm second guessing myself, particularly when it comes down to rims. I'm going to be running a Rohloff hub for the TD, which I have already, and am planning on lacing it to a Stans crest rim. A Rohloff tends to build a stronger wheel than a normal hub, so I think the crests should be fine, but what do you guys reckon? For reference I weigh ~165lbs.

I also used Stans Crest on Rohloff hub last year, and I would do it again. No probs with this combination (starting weight in Banff 81kg, 22 days later in A.W. 77kg, eating tons of food between), had to change the whole bike in salida, but for further races I will go on Rohloff/Crests again. Plan is GST (ITT) 2013, and AZT / CTR 2014.

Didn't use the lightest gear and I wouldn't have been faster with less weight. But changing the bike (and walking down Marshall Pass) did "cost me" at least one day. One adive: Use parts on the bike which can be changed / are available at the stores (e.g. Leipheimer's store in Butte and at Absolute Bikes in Salida).

[BigPoppa]

I also used Stans Crest on Rohloff hub last year, and I would do it again. No probs with this combination (starting weight in Banff 81kg, 22 days later in A.W. 77kg, eating tons of food between), had to change the whole bike in salida, but for further races I will go on Rohloff/Crests again. Plan is GST (ITT) 2013, and AZT / CTR 2014.

Didn't use the lightest gear and I wouldn't have been faster with less weight. But changing the bike (and walking down Marshall Pass) did "cost me" at least one day. One adive: Use parts on the bike which can be changed / are available at the stores (e.g. Leipheimer's store in Butte and at Absolute Bikes in Salida).

What on earth did you break that caused you to WALK back down Marshal?

[Georg66]

What on earth did you break that caused you to WALK back down Marshal?

I did not do anything but riding :-)
Fortunately, it did not happen downhill, but riding up Marshall pass (maybe material fatigue)...
Did not walk back to Salida, instead further to Sargents ...
Details and pictures (also the broken frame) see www.tourdivide.de

[BigPoppa]

I did not do anything but riding :-)
Fortunately, it did not happen downhill, but riding up Marshall pass (maybe material fatigue)...
Did not walk back to Salida, instead further to Sargents ...
Details and pictures (also the broken frame) see www.tourdivide.de

Lame! I ran into Aidan Harding on Marshal. He too had broken his frame and he was working it hard to catch back up with his friend Josh.

It shows a tough spirit to continue on like that!

[bouldernick]

What time is the planned rollout for the Grand Depart in Banff? I've heard as late as 9am. Seems late. Who makes that call? Earlier always seems better to me. Anyone else?

[MattL]

High noon is traditional.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Histor

What time is the planned rollout for the Grand Depart in Banff? I've heard as late as 9am. Seems late. Who makes that call? Earlier always seems better to me. Anyone else?

Historically, it's been 8 am sharp, for the Grand Départ start.

[hikernks]

I'm in.  100% for sure.  I had thought I was getting a new job and wouldn't be able to do it, but evidently the Pain God is smiling on me, haha.  I will see you all in Banff!

Here's my blogpost I did about it.  There's a gear list and workout plan on it as well.  Feel free to pick it apart, I'd love some good criticism!

http://dingo41.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/2745/

[BigPoppa]

High noon is traditional.

High noon was the GDMBR.

The TD starts at 0800 the second Friday of June.

But of course, there will will be a few who decide to start a bit early and ITT. (I think M Lee calls this phenomena the 'perennial bellwether'.)

[BobM]

Actually High Noon was the GDR (Great Divide Race), which I guess technically still exists.

GDMBR is the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.

TD is the Tour Divide.

TDR doesn't exist but people are pretty much calling the Tour Divide that.

There will be a quiz later.

[stappy]

The advertised start time for TD is 9am, leave it at that. All you need to really know is be ready to roll the morning of the 14th.