TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[THE LONG RANGER]

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

Matt Lee has some opinions on this section - if you search the forums (or just search his posts on the forums) you'll get it straight from the horse's mouth. My imperfect recollection is that the section closes at a drop of a hat for forest fires, so it's skipped, so that we can more easily compare "official" times. This is what the rules state:

The main route is impassable, potentially dangerous when wet, so riders have the option to follow the Chaco Alternate (paved) route

There could also be quite a long history of skipping this section, starting with even John Stamstad or the challengers of the o.g. Great Divide Race, but you may want to look that up for yourself - this email archive does HIGHLY suggest that John did the Chaco alt:

http://search.bikelist.org/beta/ViewMessage.aspx?id=191139

(kinda neat, huh?)

Having done the paved alt. route twice (once SS), there's no real love in doing it, except as a nice reprieve to the "road" to Pietown, and then the rest of the Gila afterwards, which will test your fortitude. You'll see all sorts of strange things - seeing a few people try to chase down a horse that got loose, def. makes you wonder if you're brain is making things up.

If the main route moves you, I say go for it, especially with your experience. Just remember the weather in June is going to be different than in November! I don't know if the Monsoons will be in full force in NM in June/July, but I experienced daily, sometimes threatening to be violent thunderstoms while in NM - good time for siesta.

[BobM]

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

When I checked the Parks Canada and Provincial Parks websites in the Fall they said those trails were all "open", but that conditions were rough.

[THE LONG RANGER]

ALSO check the YWCA - we did in like, Oct. and they were already full for the week of the Grand Départ. Would be good to get confirmation on that, if they ARE full, time for y'all to make alternative plans - there's just so many places to stay in the area that are both affordable and super convenient. Camping in the park itself is an option! (So is staying at the Fairmont! CHOICES!)

[jehsohn]

If the YWCA is full, where is the best(cheap) place to stay after that? Anyone out there willing to share some floor space?? I probably have some floor Wednesday but my buddy is leaving Thursday morn instead of GD. So I'll be sleepin in the bushes or on some generous souls floor. Let me know. PM if ya want! Thanks y'all

[cobbnat]

My imperfect recollection is that the section closes at a drop of a hat for forest fires, so it's skipped, so that we can more easily compare "official" times.

Thanks, LR!  Fires are not much of an issue on this route, only in forest the last 20 miles and it's easy to bypass that section if necessary. I think the "impassable when wet" lore is probably true (famous New Mexico caliche clay), but only when really, really wet. Some friends rode it last September a few days after the torrential rains that washed Boulder away, and they just had to skirt a few muddy sections. So, I will be considering that route unless conditions are quite bad. One advantage is the chance to camp in the cool pines above Grants, then descend for breakfast.

[THE LONG RANGER]

If the YWCA is full, where is the best(cheap) place to stay after that?

I can't personally help you with that - the TD this year isn't on my radar, but there's other hostel-like places in Banff, or close by in Canmore.

 If I was you, in your position (and the Y is totally booked - it's hard to believe, but it IS Banff!), I would totally just camp nearby - use it as a good opportunity to do a final shake out test, before heading out the trail, for real - get a nice preview of the first few-mumble km's, too. Some tricky turns to take that will throw you off guard, even if you have GPS.

If you need anything last minute, you will surely find it in Banff - at a (steep!) price. If the Y is holding the common area for the TD peeps this year, it's nice to hang out an talk shop with everyone, as well as go to Crazy Larry's meet 'n greet (again, if that's goin' on).

One explanation for why things are booked up is that same week, is the Banff National Park Bike Fest -

http://www.banfflakelouise.com/Area-Events/Festivals/Summer/Banff-National-Park-Bike-Fest

Although they don't list the Y as an official accommodation (although they list other places to check, with promo codes!). Banff is also a big destination for all sorts of things - it's hard to believe even just this would book the town solid.

Anyways, someone should dbl-check the Y situation - I'm sooooo not a planner when it comes to these types of things, but people who are close to me that are, didn't find the Y something that was going to work - again: this was *months* ago.

[stappy]

I found these reports from the fall on the Canadian section.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=341265&v=8d
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157634412270724/

Craig.

[jehsohn]

Yo Justin, Thanks for the heads up! Any advice on where to camp in/around Banff? Worried about da bears.

[Marshal]

I found these reports from the fall on the Canadian section.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=341265&v=8d
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157634412270724/

Craig.

To me it looks like the rough stretches and sketchy creek crossings are mostly between the Corbin turn off and Butts Cabin.  After Butts there seems to be less or limited damage.

Obviously there looks to be more than a little true hike-a-bike, at least going by the limited info from these selected pictures and comments, but overall it appears to be quite doable.  

Craig, thanks for the links…. I would be interested in your take on it.

[THE LONG RANGER]

No real good ideas, except check out a map for Banff - the entire town is surrounded by the park. There's campsites not a few km's from the start, on route. Bears are a big topic in of themselves, but understand it's a hot topic until the Great Basin! My suggestion is become a master on the topic

[stappy]

Hey Marshal. I'll preface and say these are my best guesses, not having seen any of it myself. From what I've heard the Goat Creek trail is fine, one bridge is displaced but cross-able. From reports like the ones above, I haven't heard of major problems with the West Spray road or the Mt. Shark trail system. Looks like Elk Pass and the road afterwards would have several washed out culverts, I think some of these might be repaired. The bridge over the Elk river before Elkford could be interesting. I don't know if it is scheduled to be repaired before June. I think I'd consider swimming before a 30 mile detour! Then I read somewhere about a major washout on the gravel between Elkford and Sparwood but it sounds passable. As far as the Flathead, from the pictures and reports, looks like a few hikes through eroded culverts at first. Then on the descent through the creek bed section of Flathead Pass, I'd say judging from the pictures, that it's about 100- 200% rougher, mainly localized to that section. Last year, without snow, it wasn't too difficult to stay on your bike through there. Now it looks like several potential short, on again, off again hikes but that whole section isn't very long. From what I can gather once you get to the bottom of Flathead pass you're golden. Not counting the bridge before Elkford, I'd guess an hour or less of extra time, so Butt's by say 11:30?!

I'm not racing this year but maybe I'll do a recon ride in June and give a proper report.
Craig.

[AZAnn]

There are definitely rooms available at the Banff Y from the 5th to the 13th.  I'm not sure about the dormitory. http://www.ymountainlodge.com/rooms/

[Marshal]

Hey Marshal. I'll preface and say these are my best guesses, not having seen any of it myself. From what I've heard the Goat Creek trail is fine, one bridge is displaced but cross-able. From reports like the ones above, I haven't heard of major problems with the West Spray road or the Mt. Shark trail system. Looks like Elk Pass and the road afterwards would have several washed out culverts, I think some of these might be repaired. The bridge over the Elk river before Elkford could be interesting. I don't know if it is scheduled to be repaired before June. I think I'd consider swimming before a 30 mile detour! Then I read somewhere about a major washout on the gravel between Elkford and Sparwood but it sounds passable. As far as the Flathead, from the pictures and reports, looks like a few hikes through eroded culverts at first. Then on the descent through the creek bed section of Flathead Pass, I'd say judging from the pictures, that it's about 100- 200% rougher, mainly localized to that section. Last year, without snow, it wasn't too difficult to stay on your bike through there. Now it looks like several potential short, on again, off again hikes but that whole section isn't very long. From what I can gather once you get to the bottom of Flathead pass you're golden. Not counting the bridge before Elkford, I'd guess an hour or less of extra time, so Butt's by say 11:30?!

I'm not racing this year but maybe I'll do a recon ride in June and give a proper report.
Craig.

Craig, thanks for the info, I am sure Canadian route condition questions will come up over and over & over on this thread………..
 
I am in for 2014 --if work allows-- but am undecided at this point if I will do the south bound Grand Depart or a north bound run.   I would even consider a NB fall depart as I would like to complete the route with less chance of major fire related detours…….
Cheers
Marshal

[BobM]

Craig, thanks for the info, I am sure Canadian route condition questions will come up over and over & over on this thread………..
 
I am in for 2014 --if work allows-- but am undecided at this point if I will do the south bound Grand Depart or a north bound run.   I would even consider a NB fall depart as I would like to complete the route with less chance of major fire related detours…….
Cheers
Marshal

Hey Marshal,

You had a great recap/tips section at the end of your old blog.  Will you be re-printing it on your new blog?  You had some really great advice as I recall.

[Marshal]

Hey Marshal,

You had a great recap/tips section at the end of your old blog.  Will you be re-printing it on your new blog?  You had some really great advice as I recall.

I will see if I can dig it up but suspect not......

[3006882]

Yo Justin, Thanks for the heads up! Any advice on where to camp in/around Banff? Worried about da bears.

I stayed at the AWA Driftwood before the 2013 TD.  It was about half the price of the Y and still had access to all the facilities of the hotel next door.

[mathieu]

... The bridge over the Elk river before Elkford could be interesting. I don't know if it is scheduled to be repaired before June. I think I'd consider swimming before a 30 mile detour! ...
Craig.

I think you misread Mike McElveen's journal. It says that from the bridge it's 30 miles to Elkford. I don't think there is one mile difference between the road on the right hand side (over the bridge) or on the left hand side of the Elk river.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Arrived in Canada where I left some of my gear after last year's race. Reminds me of why I moved to New Zealand. On Sunday I was picking blueberries in my garden in +22 degrees sunshine. Here it is -30 C.  Spent two hours last night on my trainer rather than riding in sunny Nelson. At least my 92 year old mother is glad I'm here!

Anyway ... I found my ACA maps (1-6 except 2) - some new, some old. If anyone who is racing and *really* is on a budget wants them, send me a note and I'll post them to you when I get to D.C. next week.

Assuming I survive the freeze :-)

[Christopher R. Bennett]

Arrived in Canada where I left some of my gear after last year's race. Reminds me of why I moved to New Zealand. On Sunday I was picking blueberries in my garden in +22 degrees sunshine. Here it is -30 C.  Spent two hours last night on my trainer rather than riding in sunny Nelson. At least my 92 year old mother is glad I'm here!

Anyway ... I found my ACA maps (1-6 except 2) - some new, some old. If anyone who is racing and *really* is on a budget wants them, send me a note and I'll post them to you when I get to D.C. next week.

Assuming I survive the freeze :-)

That was quick! They are gone to a worthy racer!

[Marshal]

I think you misread Mike McElveen's journal. It says that from the bridge it's 30 miles to Elkford. I don't think there is one mile difference between the road on the right hand side (over the bridge) or on the left hand side of the Elk river.

Way to soon to worry about it---but the road down the east side of elk river is open to Elkford?