TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[dp]

Thanks for the input all!  Sounds like it's possible to acclimate "on the road" as it were.  Anyone else?

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi All,

Since people are getting keen, I've resurrected the unofficial starters list. Please put your names down here if you're planning on racing 2014 in addition to the LOIs:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdE5WZ2c4S0pyZnd5Tk51cko1ZzJneFE&usp=sharing

Don't forget your e-mails so I can harass you to contribute to Volume 6 of the Cordillera which will be on the 2014 race.

And in case you are wondering ... The Cordillera Volume 5 on the 2013 race is finished, just waiting on the cover. It's almost 250 pages this year. Expect a posting soon on how to get your copy. Essential reading if you are planning on racing in 2014!

[BobM]

Hi All,

Since people are getting keen, I've resurrected the unofficial starters list. Please put your names down here if you're planning on racing 2014 in addition to the LOIs:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdE5WZ2c4S0pyZnd5Tk51cko1ZzJneFE&usp=sharing

Don't forget your e-mails so I can harass you to contribute to Volume 6 of the Cordillera which will be on the 2014 race.

And in case you are wondering ... The Cordillera Volume 5 on the 2013 race is finished, just waiting on the cover. It's almost 250 pages this year. Expect a posting soon on how to get your copy. Essential reading if you are planning on racing in 2014!

Thanks Chris for everything you are doing!  How much has gone into Linnea Blumenthal's college fund from Cordillera sales to date?

[BobM]

Hi All,

Since people are getting keen, I've resurrected the unofficial starters list. Please put your names down here if you're planning on racing 2014 in addition to the LOIs:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdE5WZ2c4S0pyZnd5Tk51cko1ZzJneFE&usp=sharing

Don't forget your e-mails so I can harass you to contribute to Volume 6 of the Cordillera which will be on the 2014 race.

And in case you are wondering ... The Cordillera Volume 5 on the 2013 race is finished, just waiting on the cover. It's almost 250 pages this year. Expect a posting soon on how to get your copy. Essential reading if you are planning on racing in 2014!

Hi again Chris,

I'm getting "access denied" so I think the permissions on the doc are not set to public.

[hruss]

Chris, I also received access denied when trying to log on to the sign up spread sheet. It says I have submitted a request, but nothing yet?
Thanks,
Hal Russell

[SlowRide]

Access denied here as well, submitted a request for access.

Thanks Chris,
John Fairbairn

[hruss]

Chris, I can access the start list now , but unable to enter information. Cannot print info on it.
Thanks,
Hal Russell

[Briansong]

Thanks Christopher, I'm in.

Too late to back out now 

[SlowRide]

Works fine now Chris, thanks.

One minor point: Your pull down note description on the "GD/ITT" field says:
"Type GD if you intend to be at the Grand Depart on June 14".
I believe it should read June 13th for Grand Depart.

Thanks again,
John Fairbairn

[bpeschka]

fwiw:

Would it be possible/helpful to get a 'sticky' message posted in this topic that contains the link to the goggle docs signup sheet.  Might eliminate a lot of postings asking where it is.  I assume you have to have some admin privilege to do this.

Thanks

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi All,

I've just uploaded the latest version of the Cordillera to Lulu.com:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/christopher-bennett/the-cordillera-volume-5/paperback/product-21330778.html

The book is 251 pages long, with contributions from 51 people. Sorry about the higher price ... but don't forget, all proceeds go to the education fund of Dave Blumenthal's daughter Linnea.

Volume 5 of The Cordillera describes the 2013 race. The record number of starters had conditions that were near perfect. While we had the first sub 15 day finish, there were still the usual challenges of broken bikes, broken bodies and broken spirits.  But as always, the Cordillera is about focusing and getting on with the job of trying to reach Antelope Wells. Even if your frame has cracked and is being held together by duct tape. The common thread to all stories is the incredible strength of the human spirit, and what can be achieved if we really try.

There will also be e-books available. I've submitted a file to Amazon for a Kindle version, and I'm also trying an e-book with Lulu.

Thanks again for all the support from everyone - especially Scott Thigpen for his cover work, and the authors. Here's a few samples:

 ... I suspect there was a lightning strike very close to me on this section of road which probably blew me off my bike. I had a few scratches on my knee and a sore wrist but otherwise seemed to be OK. I spent the evening regrouping and trying to refocus my mind on the task at hand Jesse Carlsson (2nd Place Finisher)

I had to stop, I had to do something. The only fluid I had to drink at this point was Gatorade, grape to be exact. I laid my bike down, grabbed a water bottle, pulled my shorts down and sprayed Gatorade everywhere down there!  Michael Arenberg

After requesting something in the neighbourhood of 10,000 calories, I looked to a fellow racer, Brett Simpson, and his reply was: “Are you sure that’s all you need?”  Nick Legan

The book also contains the results of our first ever 'Gear Survey'. A must read for all future Tour Divider's. Many nuggets of wisdom.

Hope you find the book interesting and inspiring.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

fwiw:

Would it be possible/helpful to get a 'sticky' message posted in this topic that contains the link to the goggle docs signup sheet.  Might eliminate a lot of postings asking where it is.  I assume you have to have some admin privilege to do this.

Thanks

Good idea - but I don't know how to do it.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Thanks Chris for everything you are doing!  How much has gone into Linnea Blumenthal's college fund from Cordillera sales to date?

Hi Bob. Don't know. Eric was handling all that for the first four volumes, but he's no longer involved. I'm trying to pick things up to keep them moving along. I'll see if I can somehow sleuth it out ... but don't hold your breath!

And if you (or anyone!) wants to help with Volume 6 I'd be grateful. After two volumes my wife has drawn the line. Poor girl. First being married to a Tour Divider and then a wannabe author :-)  At least she's said yes to the London-Istanbul Transcontinental for 2014!

[Tigger]

  Hello Team!  Excellent introductions for the TD 2014.  Look forward to learning more from the Veteran Riders!  Bill, Michigan

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Hi All,

For those of you who want an electronic version of the Cordillera I have managed to get it published as a Kindle version at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H3IOM4C

Now the bad news. To get a reasonable royalty for Linnea's college fund, I had to set the price at $30. And, even then the royalty is only 2/3 of what she gets from the print book at Lulu.com. So please consider buying the print book! It also better reflects the layout efforts :-)

Chris

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Thanks Chris for everything you are doing!  How much has gone into Linnea Blumenthal's college fund from Cordillera sales to date?

Bob,

Eric gave me access to his old Lulu account. From what I can see we've raised $8,135.03 on the previous editions, and $1,315.51 on the current edition so $9,450.54.  Makes all the effort worthwhile ...

[SlowRide]

$9,450.54.  Makes all the effort worthwhile ...

That's definitely a very significant amount, great job to all who have been involved! 

[BobM]

Bob,

Eric gave me access to his old Lulu account. From what I can see we've raised $8,135.03 on the previous editions, and $1,315.51 on the current edition so $9,450.54.  Makes all the effort worthwhile ...

That's fantastic!

[bpeschka]

At 8:45 Mountain it's -32f in Banff.  On the bright side, Elkford reports -12f ... much warmer.  Glad I'm not out on the trail right now. 

[SlowRide]

At 8:45 Mountain it's -32f in Banff.  On the bright side, Elkford reports -12f ... much warmer.  Glad I'm not out on the trail right now.  

I live right on the TDR halfway between Stagecoach Reservoir and Lynx Pass on RCR 16, shoveling snow this morning before dawn it was -33F in the yard, it's warmed up now to a balmy -22F.... BRRRRRRRRRR. Haven't seen anyone touring through in at least a month and a half. Going to be a cold day of skiing today, that's for sure.