TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[Sime]

Is anyone going to run around snapping pics this year?  I loved the pics from the 2013 GD.  A great planning resource - compare your rig to those who rode last year.  Are you light?  Are you heavy?  Refine, refine, refine.

2013 bike set up was too much stuff. For 2014 my bike is steel and fatter tires vs ti and skinny tires and rims. Over all weight is much less by not taking things I can do without.

[Pdk123]

Oops. I meant 20 year olds.

[Fresh like uhh]

  I haven't even got my bike and pack set up yet to take pics...I will post when I get my frame bags in the mail.
However has anyone ever tried nightvision goggles ?  They might be heavy after a days worth of cycling, but may rock just the same.

[mulemariachi]

Added my name to the giant spreadsheet. 

I've been off the bike for almost 3.5 weeks now after getting hit with the flu and then brutal weather here in Victoria.  Finally saw a break in the clouds yesterday so I took off.  Apparently the higher elevation areas still haven't come out of the crap yet.

Managed a 100km day in 6 hours, first ride in weeks and it included lots of snow but it still hurt pretty good haha.

[Snowbd2u]

I've been on the list.... But just purchased the flight! Can't wait!

[-dan]

Booking accom. is on my list of things to do this week. Any ideas of decent campsites in Banff? It's been a long time since I've been there :/

I'm planning to take a few days before the race and ride across from Calgary. Partially to shake off the jet lag coming from Europe, partially to get used to being at altitude again, partially... well cause I can I suppose

if i can't find a ride and have to fly, i am planning to arrive a few days early and ride from Calgary as well.  anyone from the west coast have room?

[jehsohn]

I'm not on the list yet but have my flight. I arrive lat Tuesday night like 11pm. I thought my flight was for the morning but alas it is for the night. So I am putting my bike together and riding up the road a ways and bivying on the side of the road someplace or another. I figure it's part of the adventure.

[mcbarb57]

I think I am on the list. I email but no response. Have my flight and I have been riding! Can't wait


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[GregMay]

Just back from a week in Spain training in the sun and warmth. The weather in the UK has been appalling, I got tired of being blown off my bike by the wind. We took 5 days and clocked about 21 hours of good saddle time. Legs were shot from bike monkey duties for the first few days but settled down.
Otherwise, bike set up is done mostly - just tweaking. Kit won't be changing much from the Highland Trail Race last summer - warmer bag is my only concession an  more room for food in the frame bag. Otherwise, just smashing out time on my wheels now!

Best book flights soon...

[blurltd]

I've got all my pictures up from the 2013 TD.  If anyone is interested in checking out a bunch of photos from my experience, check them out!  Hope it gets you all psyched for the upcoming race! 

http://www.ryansigsbeyphotography.com/Tour-Divide

AWESOME pictures man! I'm surprised you got so many, the intention to document the rides are always good at the start, but once you get tired the last thing you want to bust out is the camera.

[blurltd]

Anybody ridden with a Jones H Loop Bar and Aerobars? My right arm is bugging me right now (tennis elbow) on training rides and I'm looking into a set of aerobars to go with my Jones H Loop to get some different positions.

[Chicken legs]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post and I just wanted to say that I will be heading south bound on the 13th.
It's all getting real now after months of planning and the training is starting to work, although I need
more hills !
I will be arriving in Calgary with BA on the 10th and will be riding to Banff including a bivvi so if anyone fancies
joining me, your more than welcome.
Andy

[Briansong]

Hi Andy!

Welcome to the forum. Where are you coming from (no hills). I arrive the 10th as well.

Steve

[Chicken legs]

Hi Steve,
I live in Essex just outside London, I can do 100 miles and only get in 3000 feet !
Flying in from London arriving late afternoon on the 10th.
Andy

[Bluechip]

I will be heading northbound in June.  But being from just outside of Houston, TX, I can do 100 miles and get less than 300 ft.  Too see any type of hill (not mountain) I have to travel to San Antonio and I haven't been in a while.  Boy, this is going to be fun! Slow and steady is going to me my motto.

[Super Grover]

Rode 21 miles last week outside of Port Angeles, took 3 1/2 hours with 2670 feet of elevation gain.  Thought I was going to die.  I am getting old and a small bowl of oatmeal doesn't last very long.  First time I had to walk and push.  Think I need to work on my diet plan.  I would be willing to trade some of our hills for some of your flats.  
Larry
PS.  I'm always slow to try new things, new to me anyway, but if you haven't tried Strava to track your ride it is free and  easy.  It works on both I-phone and Android.

[cobbnat]

I'd like to hear some opinions about shoes. I have had trouble with toe numbness, I think from a soft-ish sole that allowed the pedal to press up into my metatarsal area. So I was thinking that a more rigid shoe might be better, even though harder to walk in. My rigid carbon-soled MTB shoes are way lighter than the vibram tread ones, and 99.9% of the trip will be pedaling, not walking.
Nat

[Marshal]

I'd like to hear some opinions about shoes. I have had trouble with toe numbness, I think from a soft-ish sole that allowed the pedal to press up into my metatarsal area. So I was thinking that a more rigid shoe might be better, even though harder to walk in. My rigid carbon-soled MTB shoes are way lighter than the vibram tread ones, and 99.9% of the trip will be pedaling, not walking.
Nat

my2pennies......

Shoes are never one type suites all--I talk about my personal shoe choice a bit in my blog but that’s just what works for me—when it comes to shoes you really have to find your own ‘best’ solution

But in summary I recommend a stiff or semi-stiff sole over a more flexible one –to help avoid exactly the type issue you have, ie: nerve compression, foot hot spots and numbness

Remember the walking required on the TDR is nothing like the hike-a-bike found in more single track oriented multi-days.  IE: If you can comfortable walk up a dirt road for 30-40 min max in your lightest/stiffest racing shoe then they should work fine for the TDR.

Oh and regardless of actual shoe choice I recommend a shoe type/size that is easy to adjust out to a loose fit—this helps with thick warm socks or Gore-Tex over socks-- and most important with water retention swelling that many suffer from to some degree

[cobbnat]

my2pennies......

Shoes are never one type suites all--I talk about my personal shoe choice a bit in my blog but that’s just what works for me—when it comes to shoes you really have to find your own ‘best’ solution

But in summary I recommend a stiff or semi-stiff sole over a more flexible one –to help avoid exactly the type issue you have, ie: nerve compression, foot hot spots and numbness

Remember the walking required on the TDR is nothing like the hike-a-bike found in more single track oriented multi-days.  IE: If you can comfortable walk up a dirt road for 30-40 min max in your lightest/stiffest racing shoe then they should work fine for the TDR.

Oh and regardless of actual shoe choice I recommend a shoe type/size that is easy to adjust out to a loose fit—this helps with thick warm socks or Gore-Tex over socks-- and most important with water retention swelling that many suffer from to some degree

Thanks, Marshal!  Good to see that I had come to many of the same conclusions, and your blog gave me a few ideas I had not considered.

[chainagent]

I'd like to hear some opinions about shoes. I have had trouble with toe numbness, I think from a soft-ish sole that allowed the pedal to press up into my metatarsal area. So I was thinking that a more rigid shoe might be better, even though harder to walk in. My rigid carbon-soled MTB shoes are way lighter than the vibram tread ones, and 99.9% of the trip will be pedaling, not walking.

Hi,

I am agreeing with Marshal to use a shoe with a stiff sole instead of vibram. But if you think you're just walking at the "trickiest" parts of the Tour you’re probably wrong.
For the “average” TD-Racer the days with fatigue are also walking days.
That means even uphill’s with an easy grade feel like double the father you go south.  You’ll go off your bike likely more often than you have thought you would be. Keep it in mind when you choose a shoe. In my opinion racing shoes have no place in a race like the TD. I saw a lot of racers with racing shoes and they where struggling with it. And 2013 was a “warm” year with no snow!
An advice from my side: Have a look at the Mavic Scree, an excellent all-rounder.  Stiff sole with a very good walking performance. Warm enough for the cold north and not too warm for the hot south. Gore-Tex make it “waterproof” and breathable and the shoe has a mid ankle height.
I’ve tested a lot but finally found that gem. For me the perfect shoe for multi day trips.

Kind regards

Michael