TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[dp]

...I am fishing for any other tips/advice on formatting and editing the cues or any other pertinent advice about using cues on the route...

I haven't tried this myself yet (i.e. buying an editable text document and customizing it), but it looks like a good way to go.  http://tourdivide.org/cue_narrative

Note that the ACA link on the TD website is no longer good.  Try this one instead:  http://adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/search-results/sp/great-divide-narratives/

And Happy New Year everyone!

[Super Grover]

I ordered the que sheets and the Canada portion of the tour.  I did not realize that the cue sheets are the same as what is written on the maps so do you really need both?  If I had to do it again I would just get the maps an eliminate a bunch of paper.

[james-o]

I bought the cues so I had an editable Word doc for all the turns and made sheets to fit my A5 document wallet. Probably the most useful navigation option for me but I did need the maps and a compass a couple of times to check my orientation. On a general daily basis it's easier to manage ~20 sheets of 2-side printed A5 (edit - actually mine were folded to A6 size in use, so 20x A6, 2-sided) paper than the maps, ime. Saved the maps packed in a drybag for occasional reference. The cues are easy to format, takes time but the starred route details are the main changes you need, the rest is just confirmation that you're on-route. My only real route planning was to read the cues briefly and take out any 'tourist info' and highlight water and supply references, add a couple of notes about longer stretches w/o supply etc.

[BobM]

I ordered the que sheets and the Canada portion of the tour.  I did not realize that the cue sheets are the same as what is written on the maps so do you really need both?  If I had to do it again I would just get the maps an eliminate a bunch of paper.

I modified and formatted the cues for my purposes, highlighting the food, shelter and water opportunities and adding distance to next services after each service stop.  Turns are in bold and highlighted in red.  The cues are mounted in the cockpit and the maps are stuffed away for reference.

[BobM]

Here's an example of how I edited the cues.  F is Food, S is Shelter, W is Water.  The yellow highlighted mileage is miles to next supplies.  Red highlighted with Bold are the turns:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4jOFmlyNkChVVRaMVNUV2NUZG8/

[jehsohn]

Bob and James, you guys have helped me immensely. I am a dumbshit as far as computer stuff goes so I have been slowly messing around with the cues in Open Office which is like Word but free for Macs. I've figured out some stuff so far but it's slow going. I love how your cues are formatted Bob. I am trying to emulate you by dividing the page into two columns and that's about as far as I've gotten. You figure out one thing and then it causes some other issue that you then have to figure out. I don't know if I'll get as far as the color coding but the bar has been set. Thanks for the help everyone!!

[Super Grover]

Ditto!!!  Seems like I'm not the only one that is benifiitting on this site!!  Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge!!

[justabuhler]

Ditto!!!  Seems like I'm not the only one that is benifiitting on this site!!  Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge!!

Had I found this site last year, I might have probably departed last year, I really have to google stuff more...

[mikepro]

I ordered the que sheets and the Canada portion of the tour.  I did not realize that the cue sheets are the same as what is written on the maps so do you really need both?  If I had to do it again I would just get the maps an eliminate a bunch of paper.

It's a pain to open/unfold the maps to get to the cues (when on the bike), which are on one side of the map or the other, and in separate boxes off to the side.  If you're going to save paper, don't bring the maps.  The point of the cues is have them formatted, laminated, and sized to fit in the cockpit for easy viewing/access to navigate on the fly.  This worked well for me a few years back (no GPS, which is frankly not needed on the GDMBR).  I'm also solid with nav (adventure races, etc.), so GPS is still more of gimmick to me than a useful tool for these types of races/rides.  The other caveat is that the ACA maps and cues are really good, which makes GPS not so necessary.  For something like the AZTR, I'd take a GPS.  For TDR, I took the maps anyway, in addition to my personally-formatted cues, because I wanted to see the lay of the land for connecting roads, as emergency bail out if needed.  A few times I took out the maps to see the bigger picture and plan ahead.  Mailed half the maps home (along with passport) from Steamboat.  My cues were formatted very similar to Bob's example, but I left out all the non-critical cue markers (like "leaving Lolo Nat'l Forest") and only had turn-by-turn cues with color highlights, bold, my own abbrev's, etc.  Ended up with 26 4x3 laminated cards.

[BobM]

It's a pain to open/unfold the maps to get to the cues (when on the bike), which are on one side of the map or the other, and in separate boxes off to the side.  If you're going to save paper, don't bring the maps.  The point of the cues is have them formatted, laminated, and sized to fit in the cockpit for easy viewing/access to navigate on the fly.  This worked well for me a few years back (no GPS, which is frankly not needed on the GDMBR).  I'm also solid with nav (adventure races, etc.), so GPS is still more of gimmick to me than a useful tool for these types of races/rides.  The other caveat is that the ACA maps and cues are really good, which makes GPS not so necessary.  For something like the AZTR, I'd take a GPS.  For TDR, I took the maps anyway, in addition to my personally-formatted cues, because I wanted to see the lay of the land for connecting roads, as emergency bail out if needed.  A few times I took out the maps to see the bigger picture and plan ahead.  Mailed half the maps home (along with passport) from Steamboat.  My cues were formatted very similar to Bob's example, but I left out all the non-critical cue markers (like "leaving Lolo Nat'l Forest") and only had turn-by-turn cues with color highlights, bold, my own abbrev's, etc.  Ended up with 26 4x3 laminated cards.

I should add that I formatted mine in 2 columns and printed them out 2-sided on 8 1/2 x 11 Write-In-The-Rain waterproof paper.  Folded, that gave me cues sheets that were 4 1/4 x 11 inches.  I would fold again if needed to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, secured with a clip.

[hikernks]

Here's the link to my dropbox folder.  I made these up for last year's race.  The GPX file is in there also, but I would double-check that the route is the same this year as last.  I've heard some rumors they may be changing a few things, but I don't know if they will take effect in time for this year's race.  (No I-15??!!!! Woot!  haha)  

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3nm71wwhvsa6gi8/2sB_R9CNsT

*Note - I didn't print these out, but I did store them in my phone as PDF files.  It was really handy to have to do a quick mileage check.  I also stored the route cues in the same way, and would use them as a backup to GPS and the maps if needed. 

[THE LONG RANGER]

It's a pain to open/unfold the maps to get to the cues (when on the bike), which are on one side of the map or the other, and in separate boxes off to the side. 

I'd also echo this - the cues aren't in a very easy-to-fold-to place on the maps either - you can easily miss an entire group of cues, and still meet up with the next bunch of cues by accident (missing an entire section of the course!) I def. did that outside of Butte, after missing a turn, but seeing signs for landmarks that had to deal with cues I id have (the route goes across a main road in many parts of the course). Argh! Frustrating. On the flip side, I did find that the copy of the cues on the maps came in handy as a quick and dirty backup to some cues that got lost/stolen/forgotten at home.

The maps also have tons of information you DON'T need. One suggestion is to take them to Kinkos or whatever and only copy the part that has the route itself on, and then also reduce them by around 50%. Keep the actual maps at home, and even perhaps send a copy of the xerox'd maps to your half way point, just in case.

[Enzo149]

Here's the link to my dropbox folder.  I made these up for last year's race.  The GPX file is in there also, but I would double-check that the route is the same this year as last.  I've heard some rumors they may be changing a few things, but I don't know if they will take effect in time for this year's race.  (No I-15??!!!! Woot!  haha) 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3nm71wwhvsa6gi8/2sB_R9CNsT

*Note - I didn't print these out, but I did store them in my phone as PDF files.  It was really handy to have to do a quick mileage check.  I also stored the route cues in the same way, and would use them as a backup to GPS and the maps if needed. 

Great info!

It will help a ton when planning

I reached out to the ACA to inquire about new maps being published. They informed me that new ones will be out this year. But most likely not before the GD. No mention of changes, but I will ask. They also mentioned that they may sell out of the old maps this spring and won't resupply until the new ones are in.

[Canbaroo]

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!

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never is, but always to be blessed:
The soul, uneasy and confined from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.
– Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man

So it appears after the pace set in 2013 others are embolden .... 45 on the [unofficial?] start list so far a few less than at new year 2013.

Big difference is that 28 riders have posted a 'Goal' time of 21 days or less compared with only 9 riders on the 2013 start list [as at Jan 1] ... I can smell the rubber!

[THE LONG RANGER]

Big difference is that 28 riders have posted a 'Goal' time of 21 days or less compared with only 9 riders on the 2013 start list [as at Jan 1] ... I can smell the rubber!

In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high. - Walden, Thoreau

[kato]

So it appears after the pace set in 2013 others are embolden .... 45 on the [unofficial?] start list so far a few less than at new year 2013.

Big difference is that 28 riders have posted a 'Goal' time of 21 days or less compared with only 9 riders on the 2013 start list [as at Jan 1] ... I can smell the rubber!

According to the start list it looks like Mike Hall is aiming at a goal of less than 14 days.  Zooom!

I do wonder how the Canadian section will shake out this year.  The flood damage was quite severe up there this past year.  Anyone have any info on the road/trail/bridge situation from up there this past Fall?

[Canbaroo]

In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high. - Walden, Thoreau

aaaaah, Long Ranger this is true ... but

"All men dream: but not equally.
Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was all vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible."

T.E. Lawrence, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom

So we need to know who are 'the dreamers of the day'?

[kato]

So we need to know who are 'the dreamers of the day'?

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night. - Thomas, Dylan

Some of us cannot differentiate dream from truth.  Let's ride!

[cobbnat]

I'm interested in the Cuba-Grants section in NM, wondering why everybody takes the Chaco/Pueblo Pintado alternate instead of the ACA route even when it's dry. I rode that section after a rain this November, it was a beautiful route, roads in good shape and not too muddy (some recently graded) and fun going over the shoulder of Mt. Taylor in the snow. And no dogs!  Of course it would be more difficult with soaking monsoon rains, and I suppose racers are so tired by the time they get to Cuba that they are looking for the easy way to the border. But...just sayin', I think the default should be to do the ACA route, and go with the paved bypass only if there is a lot of rain.

Nat

[Jettman]

Hey Everyone, I have been wondering exactly what was happening this year also. I started in Banff last year and made it to Atlantic City, ankle and knee issues. I want to do the TDR again. At least complete the ride, do the part i havent yet. So I was planning on starting in NM and heading north. I have heard the trails in Canada are pretty much gone. Im sure the roads are fine, but the trails that link them are gone. Anyone know the route, or re-route, or what the plan is for the TDR. Thanks