TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[sfuller]

I used to PlugII.  Actually in the middle of the race last year I emailed the makers of it and cussed them out because it fried one gadget and wouldn't charge another.  They said "we're sorry, known issue" then they sent me a part 2 days after I got done with Antelope Wells

I ended up buying one of the Kemo M172N charging circuits on recommendation of Kerry from klite.com.au. It doesn't fit inside of the steer tube like the Plug's do, but the Salsa Firestarter fork doesn't have any way to get a wire up into the steer tube, so I was going to need to try something different anyway. Still working out where to mount it up yet. 2015 will be here before we know it.

[sfuller]

Nothing yet in the Rules.  Anyone know if Matthew (or anyone else) is actively administering this "event"?

Seems like the rules basically state that the route follows whatever the latest published route from Adventure Cycling Association is, with a couple of standard exceptions. I'm guessing that whenever the maps are published, that will be the route.

My $0.02 worth

[aschuhmann]

Thanks for sharing. How did you make those inner bars? Would like to try that myself. And you've got bar tape on the ergon grips? Is that overkill? Also, what kind of map screen is that? Seems larger than mine, and I'd like to compare.

Just did a ride in a balmy 25 degrees! All the gear I would have on the route and stayed nice and warm. Can temps get that low on the divide? I would suspect they would rarely get below freezing right?

[aschuhmann]

Seems like the rules basically state that the route follows whatever the latest published route from Adventure Cycling Association is, with a couple of standard exceptions. I'm guessing that whenever the maps are published, that will be the route.

I just purchased the maps!... Are they coming out with new ones, thus making my "new" ones obsolete?!

[sfuller]

I just purchased the maps!... Are they coming out with new ones, thus making my "new" ones obsolete?!

Rumor had it that they would be reprinting sometime this year. Based on their previous republishing schedules, they were about due.

[BobM]

Rumor had it that they would be reprinting sometime this year. Based on their previous republishing schedules, they were about due.

From the ACA site:

"We've received several inquiries asking if there will be new maps out before the Tour Divide Grand Depart the second week in June. There is a small chance that might be the case but riders would not likely have maps in hand until days before setting out — not the best way to plan such an arduous undertaking. We recommend purchasing maps now and using the online addenda to update them as needed.

In the next update, most of the changes to the maps will be service related. The one exception to this is a reroute developed north of Butte, Montana. It moves cyclists off the lone stretch of interstate highway previously on the GDMBR. This change is already documented in the latest revision of the Cycling the Great Divide book (2nd edition, published in 2013). We do not know if the 2014 Tour Divide will follow this reroute, check the rules page on their site."

[wookieone]

Long Ways out....but anyone in Colorado planning on driving up to Banff for the start. Don't want to fly if I can help it....
Jefe

[dskunk]

Hey guys! I'm getting my rig ready for my Divide debutante, and I was looking at getting some Ergon grips, but was puzzled to see on their website that they're not compatible with Carbon bars. Now I'm freaked out by putting anything on the bars, specifically my aero bars. Should I not use a Carbon handlebar if I plan to mount all of this stuff on it? I know that Carbon doesn't like to be squeezed... does anyone have experience with this?

Ergon sells a plug for carbon bars so that their grips are compatible. That's what I will be running. Everything else that I have attached to the bar will be lightly clamped, enough so that I'm not worried about it. (No aero bars).
Oh, and I'm a stalker. Been peeping into this thread since it was on the second page. 2014 will be my first TD. So I really don't know what I'm talking about, but I might as well put in my two cents worth, eh?

[sugarfoot]

Rashasha2 and BobM and all

 I was in ACA Headquarters last week and bought the new book about the Tour Divide.  I consider that version of the route between Helena and Butte as now published and therefore official.  It is simple and much safer than the interstate, though without the screaming downhill.
 I can type those directions into a post here if people want.

 
 

[EndoAgain]

SFuller,

"I ended up buying one of the Kemo M172N charging circuits on recommendation of Kerry from klite.com.au. It doesn't fit inside of the steer tube like the Plug's do, but the Salsa Firestarter fork doesn't have any way to get a wire up into the steer tube, so I was going to need to try something different anyway. Still working out where to mount it up yet. 2015 will be here before we know it."

I have a firestarter fork on order. At 5'6" I need to find anyway I can to maximize carrying capacity on my small bike! I thought I might be able to run electrics up through one of the three "anything cage" attachment points. You might want to check and see if they go all the way through…shine a light down the steerer tube or stick a small allen wrench through the insert and see if it can be used as a passage into the fork leg. If you only use two of the three attachments you should be able to run a wire through the third and feed it all the way up the steerer and through the channel on an expander bolt to get your electrics out the top. Use the PlugIII or pop it through an open stem cap and mount your converter on the stem. This is the route I am hoping to use. All theoretical until I get that fork though.

[Montana Miller]

Long Ways out....but anyone in Colorado planning on driving up to Banff for the start. Don't want to fly if I can help it....
Jefe

Hey Jefe, I'm driving up from Bonedale- maybe we can figure something out. Always helps to split that gas

[SlowRide]

Long Ways out....but anyone in Colorado planning on driving up to Banff for the start. Don't want to fly if I can help it....
Jefe

Hey Jefe, I'm driving up from Bonedale- maybe we can figure something out. Always helps to split that gas

If you guys need a third person to share in the gas let me know, I'd definitely be up for saving some money on airfare as well. In Steamboat Springs here.

[oKo]

That's it! Minnesota winters are long enough and cold enough the way it is... but 60+ days of below zero is all I can handle. I'm leaving for Florida with just my bike and wallet! Don't get me wrong... I've had the bike out in the snow and cold, but I need some sun and sweat! A few days of gear testing and pumping the miles in the human tolerable temperatures of Northern FL is exactly what I need right now.
My Salsa Fargo is all but ready, the research into equipment has exhausted my patience and wallet, the maps are spread out on the kitchen table, training is going well, and I'm psyched for June 13th!
See you all there!

[spoke537]

If you guys need a third person to share in the gas let me know, I'd definitely be up for saving some money on airfare as well. In Steamboat Springs here.

I'm driving up from Denver as well.  Might be leaving a week or more early though.  Would love to share gas costs if the timeline works.

-Les

[blurltd]

Rashasha2 and BobM and all

 I was in ACA Headquarters last week and bought the new book about the Tour Divide.  I consider that version of the route between Helena and Butte as now published and therefore official.  It is simple and much safer than the interstate, though without the screaming downhill.
 I can type those directions into a post here if people want.

 
 

that would be killer if you type those new directions. I have the first printing of the the book but would hate to have to buy a new one just for the update.

Thanks

[BobM]

that would be killer if you type those new directions. I have the first printing of the the book but would hate to have to buy a new one just for the update.

Thanks

The book won't cut it.  The Rules state that we are to follow the route in the most current map addition WITH the addenda added. If the ACA adds the new route to the addenda we should follow that, otherwise (unless the Rules are updated) we follow the existing route.

[sfuller]

I thought I might be able to run electrics up through one of the three "anything cage" attachment points. You might want to check and see if they go all the way through…shine a light down the steerer tube or stick a small allen wrench through the insert and see if it can be used as a passage into the fork leg.

That's a really good idea. Based on a couple of photos I've taken of the fork when the Salsa demo truck was here, I won't hold out a ton of hope that it will work, but it's definitely worth investigating. Hoping to find out this week.

[sugarfoot]

  Here you go for new directions from Helena to Butte.  I think it is reasonable to assume this addenda will appear on the website and be valid for the race. If nothing else we bug ACA until it does appear.
 Secondly, we need to think about the fact that every individual is responsible for his own safety.  With washouts in Canada and New Mexico it could be dangerous to blindly try to follow routes that no longer exist.  In Canada, streams easily forded in September will be icy torrents in June.  Map directions that lead to hypothermia or dehydration should not be followed, race or no race. I have no answers but pre-emptively present the problem to all racers.  If no one is "in charge" of the race we shouldn't wait for other people to decide our safest course. 
 I suspect this slight change to Butte will be the route next year.
 0.0  Continue riding from Mormon Gulch Campground
2.6 Ladysmith Campground on left.  Just past here bear left at  Y  onto Lowland Creek Road (Sign says “Boulder River Road # 82” pointing right).
7.5 Kit Carson road to the right.  Begin gradual climb.
11.3 Maney Lake parking area to the left
11.6  Sheepshead Campground to the left.
12.4 Sheepshead  Freedom Point to the left.  About a quarter of a mile later turn right at “Lowland GC 2” sign.
14.2 Turn left at T-intersection onto FS 9485, following “Lowland Campground” sign.  FS 509 goes right
14.5 Lowland Campground on right.
15.1 cross Continental Divide Trail  #147 (CD crossing # 5). Begin downhill.
17.9 Ride into narrow canyon.  Road becomes rougher and steeper.
18.5 Informal, dispersed camping sites on left and right along creek for next 0.5     mile.
20.0 Cross cattle guard onto unsigned “Hail Columbia Road”.  Begin to see occasional homes.
22.2 Ride onto pavement, the bear left at Y.  FS 411 goes right.
24.1 Cross small bridge; unsigned Brown’s Gulch Road comes in from the left.  Road becomes a wider two lane.
25.8 Turn left onto Orofino Gulch Road.
28.8 Bear left onto Hornet Street.  Enter Butte.
29.0  Turn right onto Excelsior Avenue.
29.6 Turn left at light onto Park Street.
30.3 Cross Main Street in uptown Butte.  Park Street soon becomes Shields Avenue.
31.1 Berkeley Pit observation site.
32.6 Road becomes Continental Drive.
34.7 Amherst Avenue on right.  This leads 12 blocks west to a concentration of motels and other services in the vicinity of the Harrison Avenue I-90 interchange. Return to Continental Drive south to return to map instructions leading to State Highway 2.

 

[PKraft_Sr.]

.

[PKraft_Sr.]

That's it! Minnesota winters are long enough and cold enough the way it is... but 60+ days of below zero is all I can handle. I'm leaving for Florida with just my bike and wallet! Don't get me wrong... I've had the bike out in the snow and cold, but I need some sun and sweat! A few days of gear testing and pumping the miles in the human tolerable temperatures of Northern FL is exactly what I need right now.
My Salsa Fargo is all but ready, the research into equipment has exhausted my patience and wallet, the maps are spread out on the kitchen table, training is going well, and I'm psyched for June 13th!
See you all there!

I live in Gainesville Fl. Make sure that you check out "Santos"
down in Ocala. It is incredible.