TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[pablito]

Given the scale of the Tour Divide, it never seems too early to start the thread. Unsure of the Grand Depart date. But when someone knows officially, then post it up for GD folks to plan to.

The night I had to abandon the 2013 edition was a night of mixed emotions. Shock and dismay, mixed with immense satisfaction for the journey that led to that point. The planning, the training, the friends I met along the way made this a highlight of my 43 years on this big earth.  The best part of the journey had to be when my sweet wife said "you must return and complete this. It matters that much to us." Wow. So I am planning...again. Lots of adjustments to gear. Less adjustments to bike fit () so close to the race. Less gear in general. Less hotels. Riding at night is my friend. Take more photos. So on, and so forth.

Hoping all goes as planned and I am there with the other 150 or so crazy adventurers from around the world. See you in June!

[JevL]

Never too early! Good luck with preparation... I won't be there, let's keep dreaming

[GregMay]

I was waiting for this to start...but didn't want to seem too eager.

After the Highland Trail Race this summer I knew this was going to be on the cards. See you in 2014!

So when do we post letters of intent then

[Enzo149]

In for the 2014 South Bound Grand Depart.  

I have been waiting to put this post up for years. See everyone in Banff

If anyone from the NE wants to meet up for some training miles PM.

Lorenzo
S.Salem NY

[Briansong]

Also in for 2014. Glad someone started this.

It's almost like having a training partner.

I made a wild assumption the start was Friday the 13th and made room res. at the Y accordingly.

Steve
Phoenix AZ

[GregMay]

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

[Spaghetti89]

Glad someone finally started this thread, abandoned in 2013, going back for another shot (SOBO).

[Briansong]

Glad someone finally started this thread, abandoned in 2013, going back for another shot (SOBO).

Do you mind stating where and why you abandoned.

Steve

[Spaghetti89]

Called it in Eureka, Achilles' tendons didn't want to play anymore, cycled on to Whitefish to catch an Amtrak

[sthig]

ha - and so 2013'ers are now old hat

[Briansong]

Called it in Eureka, Achilles' tendons didn't want to play anymore, cycled on to Whitefish to catch an Amtrak

Thanks for that, what will you do differently this year to prepare. I ask simply to learn from veterans reasons why some pulled the plug and to learn from them. Thanks,

Steve

[sthig]

hey I get to call myself a vet now!!!

Don't want blown out kneecaps and tendons... right now, not tomorrow and not 2 months from now but RIGHT NOW go get fit on your bike...professionally.  Like pay a lot of money for it.  It'll be THE MOST IMPORTANT GEAR YOU BUY.  Busted headlamp? No problem, bike in day.  Tent got a hole in it?  No worries, stay in a hotel.  Kneecap on the back of your leg? You're not seeing Antelope Wells.

[sthig]

Booking accom. is on my list of things to do this week. Any ideas of decent campsites in Banff?

I think you could just find a place close to the Y and camp there, I think Eric Foster did that one night.

[Briansong]

Hi Scott.....I mean VET....

I could not agree with you more. ALL my bikes have been fit here     www.cyclologic.com

They are a couple steps above a Specialized BG fit. They take things into account you would never even think of. He has a saddle pressure sensing pad that shows on a screen your weight distribution on the saddle. Most folks ride a too narrow saddle. Mine were (as are 99% of everyone's) 143mm wide. I was 62-38 weight (L-R) distribution. This forces you to unknowingly malrotate your hips. In my case it caused my right leg effective length, on the ROAD bike only to be 3mm shorter. He shimmed my right speedplay cleat, installed a 155mm saddle, moved my hoods back, lengthened my stem from 110mm to 120mm.

They video you and show you your bike position and wattage output results before and after the adjustments.

They made similar adjustments to my MTB considering expected time on bike, position and angle of ankle at bottom of pedal stroke. He applied shims inside my MTB shoes under the insoles in the toe box area only to change my ankle angle without changing seat height. Put riser bars on, anticipating IT bars.

The long training day comfort level difference is bigger than day and night.  

I learned volumes. His comment was "you had ZERO hope of finishing the event like you came in" he is a retired professional road racer.

Regards,

Steve

[sthig]

Eddie O'Dea fit me on my bike - my singlespeed was killing my knees coming out of Wyoming and into colorado.  When I got to brush creek I showed my knees on ice and immediately I get a message from Eddie saying "what's up with that? My fits are perfect.  What's going on?"

come to find out my seat post, due to vibrations, had slid an inch down!  so my knees were getting torn up... after that adjustment I never had a tinge of problems again on the Divide... that and it was all downhill once you got into colorado and new mexico was flat the entire time 

[wookieone]

Suddenly I have got some serious divide fever....WTF?

[ron]

Jefe: DO IT. Start a Kickstarter for a record run -- I'd fund it...

[wookieone]

I have much to figure out...as anyone who's made it to the start, it isn't easy putting your whole life on hold....But I got it on the brain, and I Do Know What That Means.....just when I had some idea of what next summer was going to look like. I will be waiting to see what the winter brings, I ain't doing no Freaking Detours!
Jefe

[robinb]

I think you could just find a place close to the Y and camp there, I think Eric Foster did that one night.

I would encourage people not to do that.  Parks Canada will fine you for illegal camping and right now they are being awfully accommodating to the TD by looking the other way regarding this event.  Please be a responsible visitor.

There is a nice primitive back country camp spot just 3 miles into the TD route ( on the west side of the spray river).  A back country camping permit is only $6.

robin

[elitheknife]

Not to mention, the Goat Creek trail isn't even close to rideable at the moment.  There's still lots of damage to the Canadian section of the Divide route from this summer's floods.

With winter coming, I'd doubt that the Parks trail crews will get it fixed in time for the GD.  They've surprised me before though...

Scott