Tour Divide 2013

[BobM]

Okay, I'm gonna jump in here with sort of a little on/off topic comment to the current convo being had. Just asking, but per the "Tour Divide's" official page, it states in two parts - Under rules, the particulars, section 3 it reads that "challengers must always ride 100% of the most current map edition of ACA's 'main' Great Divide Route." Section 4 states - "Advancing (forward) on the route by any means other than one's own pedal power is strictly prohibited." Okay, reading both those lines leads me to believe that without any such issues faced due to mechanicals, the ENTIRE route must be ridden totally to be officially acknowledged if finished. What I am throwing out there is what of all the pictures I've seen posted online from other riders, walking or pushing their bikes up a hill. Around or over an obsticle. What of footage shown in the film "Ride The Divide," which depicts riders pushing their bikes. Does this action of moving forward render them all officially void of their effort, even if fully finished the entire distance? As for mechanicals, it seems pretty logical I think as to what would render a mountain bike totally unrideable.

Hike-a-bike has always been permissible.

[Longtrailahead]

"Phew, that's good to hear!"

[stappy]

Okay, I'm gonna jump in here with sort of a little on/off topic comment to the current convo being had. Just asking, but per the "Tour Divide's" official page, it states in two parts - Under rules, the particulars, section 3 it reads that "challengers must always ride 100% of the most current map edition of ACA's 'main' Great Divide Route." Section 4 states - "Advancing (forward) on the route by any means other than one's own pedal power is strictly prohibited." Okay, reading both those lines leads me to believe that without any such issues faced due to mechanicals, the ENTIRE route must be ridden totally to be officially acknowledged if finished. What I am throwing out there is what of all the pictures I've seen posted online from other riders, walking or pushing their bikes up a hill. Around or over an obsticle. What of footage shown in the film "Ride The Divide," which depicts riders pushing their bikes. Does this action of moving forward render them all officially void of their effort, even if fully finished the entire distance? As for mechanicals, it seems pretty logical I think as to what would render a mountain bike totally unrideable.

Yes you have to clean the entire course, no dabs allowed

Reminds me of lava mountain trail last year. I'd normally walk the steep bits and save my legs but when Ollie and I hit it he just kept riding. So I buckled to peer pressure and we both stayed on our bikes. Then right before the downhill Ollie loses his balance skirting a mud puddle and dabs. I spend the next 10 minutes ribbing him about how he ruined our potential call in about cleaning lava mountain trail.

[vmjim]

Just ride when you can, walk when you have to, and don't do anything that might require an ambulance and you'll be fine.  Pay attention to any mandatory 'alternate routes'.
And say hello to my little friend when you're on Map 1B. 
http://youtu.be/VMAWrMaCHUg

jim

[Longtrailahead]

Ha ha, that's an awesome video!!!

[Foster]

I may be back in it this year after all.  I will know in a couple of days.  Need to start riding my bike.

[Foster]

don't do anything that might require an ambulance and you'll be fine.

http://youtu.be/VMAWrMaCHUg

jim

Good advice that I will be taking this year.

[mikepro]

I notice that that change appeared a few months ago.  Since Rules changes are not highlighted in any way it pays to re-read them.  The "times to be considered competitive" have been updated as well.

It's the "times to be considered competitive" part that caught my eye, more than any other update.  In my opinion, this benchmark is taken too lightly.  So, I'm gonna bang that gong, ring that bell, offer up my not-so-subtle-with-sly-grin reminder .... It's currently stated as 25 days for men and 29 days for women.  Riders taking longer have completed a fast tour, not a race.  As under-ground and loosely-defined and fascinating and "entirely up to you" of a race as it is.

What's even more fun, is that one of these "time frames" (not limits, mind you) is based on an old course record!  Boys .... time to man up 'cuz Jay P was inspired (perhaps by Ollie W and Stappy) to lay down the course record of 15 days 16 hours late last summer (as indicated by the records page on this website).  Which means, by way of math, 15.67 days x 1.5 = 23.5 days !!
Um, that sets the bar even lower, should you inspire to shimmy under it.

Ladies, Eszter H set the record last year at 19 days 3 hours and change.  So, here we have 19.13 x 1.5 = 28.7 days.  Okay, 29 days it is.  Do it!

[MattL]

Anybody want to share a room in Banff?  I have a 2 double bed (no bathroom) room at the Y Mountain Lodge from Tuesday the 11th.  PM me if interested.

[Bsimpson]

Anybody want to share a room in Banff?  I have a 2 double bed (no bathroom) room at the Y Mountain Lodge from Tuesday the 11th.  PM me if interested.

Wish this was posted a while ago.  I have the same thing.

[Foster]

How much is the room split 2 ways? 

[Longtrailahead]

Oh it's a race alright. Cept we ain't drivin fancy sports cars, and we sure as hell ain't leavin NYC - http://youtu.be/XTT1_JZp2Sg

[JDP]

Just ride when you can, walk when you have to, and don't do anything that might require an ambulance and you'll be fine.  Pay attention to any mandatory 'alternate routes'.
And say hello to my little friend when you're on Map 1B. 
http://youtu.be/VMAWrMaCHUg

jim

Thats crazy.  Was that near Linclon?  That stupid bird kept attacking me and actually took flight to hit me in the head when I passed him!

JDP

[falkenjaeger]

What's even more fun, is that one of these "time frames" (not limits, mind you) is based on an old course record!  Boys .... time to man up 'cuz Jay P was inspired (perhaps by Ollie W and Stappy) to lay down the course record of 15 days 16 hours late last summer (as indicated by the records page on this website).  Which means, by way of math, 15.67 days x 1.5 = 23.5 days !!
Um, that sets the bar even lower, should you inspire to shimmy under it.

Ladies, Eszter H set the record last year at 19 days 3 hours and change.  So, here we have 19.13 x 1.5 = 28.7 days.  Okay, 29 days it is.  Do it!

What I still don't understand about this calculation is if it will be done every year with reference to the fastest rider in the corresponding year  or if the benchmark is the all-time record  . However, the latter - I guess - would be a little unfair if you consider that overall weather/snow conditions can change from year to year dramatically (or to quote M. Lee: "to set a new record is out of sight, too much snow this year..."). Any ideas??

[BobM]

What I still don't understand about this calculation is if it will be done every year with reference to the fastest rider in the corresponding year  or if the benchmark is the all-time record  . However, the latter - I guess - would be a little unfair if you consider that overall weather/snow conditions can change from year to year dramatically (or to quote M. Lee: "to set a new record is out of sight, too much snow this year..."). Any ideas??

Doesn't matter since there is no actual cutoff time.

[Long Haul Greg]

VMJIM,
    I encountered what I assume was the same bird on my endeavor.  I remember a long, sweeping uphill section with a right-hand curve.  I actually posted it to a blog I had active during the 2012 TDR:

 "I was on one of the steep climbs that lead invariably to a snowbound pass.  In this case, I was just chugging along up the steeps.  Suddenly, a goofy bird about the size of a typical barnyard chicken comes out of the weeds on the side of the road and takes station right next to me, matching my speed perfectly.  I think it was a partridge, maybe a grouse.  If I slowed down, it slowed down.  Speed up?  It did too.  This went on for about 75 yards before the bird peeled off.  The only thing I could come up with for its behavior was maybe it was fending me away from a nest in the immediate vicinity.  My biggest concern was having the thing strike at one of my wheels, stopping me cold.  Never happened."

    I'm glad to see someone captured that energetic bird on film for the archives.

[Trhoppe]

The previous breakage rule was truly unfortunate for some.  I think the new rule is both sensible and fair without further defining what constitutes an unrideable mechanical.  I agree with others who interpret unrideable as a subjective call, based on the rider's experience, ability to self-repair, and ability to tolerate pain/discomfort.  In the end, it's a decision the individual must make at the time based on her/his racing abilities, philosophy and strategy.  If the rider suffers a mechanical, a decision to either proceed or repair will ensue.  If she/he decides it is unrideable, the rider is going to be taking on a time penalty from that point in time and space until the bike is restored to rideable condition and the ride is resumed at the breakdown point.  That agonizing choice to stop/repair or continue with the breakage is available to all, so it seems pretty fair to me.

This right here.

If "said rider" is being a wuss and decides that his dirty bike is unridable and wants to catch a ride to the nearest town ahead to wash his bike, and then catch a ride back with a clean bike, he still has taken a LARGE time penalty to wash his bike.

The rider gets to make the call. What is "faster"? Try to limp/ride/walk along to the next town and NOT have to go back, or catch a cab there and back to the point where you broke down.

Love the new rule, as it just redefines what the "real intentions" of the rule are and you still are riding the "entire course under your own power". Seems legit

[vmjim]

For all you folks obsessing over your gear and bike setup, I thought I'd add to your fever and post a video review of the bikes of the TDR 2012 taken just before the start.  Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/RzM4Iwy4Iak
Jim

[drews256]

Is is out of the question to use frame bag + panniers and rack over a seat bag and handlebar bag? I feel like 90% of people on this ride don't use a rack of any kind and that surprises me a little bit. Am I missing something obviously beneficial over not using panniers? I know they are heavier but I don't really want to buy a seat bag if I don't have to. I hate things on my handlebars it drives me nuts and I don't mind hauling panniers since I haven't found something better but really convince me to use a seat bag/ normal TD racing setup, I want to know the pros and cons. 

[BobM]

Is is out of the question to use frame bag + panniers and rack over a seat bag and handlebar bag? I feel like 90% of people on this ride don't use a rack of any kind and that surprises me a little bit. Am I missing something obviously beneficial over not using panniers? I know they are heavier but I don't really want to buy a seat bag if I don't have to. I hate things on my handlebars it drives me nuts and I don't mind hauling panniers since I haven't found something better but really convince me to use a seat bag/ normal TD racing setup, I want to know the pros and cons. 

Racks can vibrate loose and break and panniers can snag stuff and can get in the way when you need to push the bike.