TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[stappy]

The link should work now. I had to unlock it. There isn't a perfect way to ride from the airport but this is the most direct. 96 ave is a major road but has a wide shoulder. A tail light is a must but it should be safe. You may want to skip the pathway section and just stay on Country Hills Blvd to make it simpler or shoot straight to the 1A from the west edge of town (continue west on Country Hills Blvd, south on 12 Mile Coulee)for the shortest fastest way.
You could probably find a place to bivy at Ghost lake but I think you might find something nicer and less exposed in Cochrane. It will be past midnight by the time you arrive anyway. I'd poach a quite spot at Cochrane ranch.
Craig.

[jehsohn]

Awesome Craig! Thanks so much for the advice and map. I appreciate it. Where is the Cochrane ranch? You can just camp out there no hassle?

Again Thanks!

J

[Payton MacDonald]

It looks like it's also possible to just jump on the Bow Valley Trail and ride that all the way to Canmore and then hit the TransCanada Hwy right into Banff.  But what's the Bow Valley Trail like?  I Googled around trying to get a description but wasn't successful.  Are bikes allowed?  Is it reasonably rideable?

[megand]

Bow Valley Trail (the 1A) has less of a shoulder and less traffic than the TransCanada.  But you can easily ride either of them to get to Banff, bikes are allowed on both (and definitely rideable - check out google maps streetview if you want to get a feel for the road).  I live in Canmore, and we host a lot of cycle tourists heading through as they're cycling across Canada, and people use both roads to get here.  Some prefer the shorter distance on the TransCanada, and find the shoulder is plenty wide, and don't mind the traffic.  Others are more inclined to stick to smaller roads where possible - either the 1A, or smaller backroads.  Definitely one of those personal preference things.

[Henri]

I rode the bow valley trail few years ago and it's maybe a bit longer than the highway but so much beautiful. Probably a bit hillier than the highway but still a good way to train for the divide. I would do this at daylight since it's so beautiful out there. I'll do this for sure when I'll leave Calgary for Banff, just didn't buy my flight tickets yet. Otherwise there's a nice cycle path just beside the highway between Canmore and Banff if I remember!

[stappy]

The 1A from Cochrane to Canmore is a great ride, especially if you're new to the Canadian Rockies. We took that route last year. Then there's the Banff Legacy trail bike path from Canmore to Banff. You can see it on google maps beside the eastbound lane of the Transcanada. But if you're ambitious climb the Smith Dorrrien/ Spray highway to the Goat Creek trail head and ride the first 7 miles of the race route backwards to Banff, takes you straight to the mountain YWCA. Here's a link to Forest Baker's blog, with a few shots of riding the 1A.
Craig.
http://teamkaker.com/tour-divide-2013-getting-ready/

[mulemariachi]

fastmtnbiker33w sparked me.  I just bought my Divide bike on the 6th of January and have started putting it through it's paces.

The only thing I'm missing so far is my "Mountain Feed Bags".  They were out of stock when I ordered the rest of my bags.


I'm over on Vancouver Island so if there's any others out on this little rock drop a line and we'll go for a spin!

[BobM]

fastmtnbiker33w sparked me.  I just bought my Divide bike on the 6th of January and have started putting it through it's paces.

The only thing I'm missing so far is my "Mountain Feed Bags".  They were out of stock when I ordered the rest of my bags.


I'm over on Vancouver Island so if there's any others out on this little rock drop a line and we'll go for a spin!

Nice looking rig.  Are you sure that's Canada?  Looks like Hawai'i to me.  I'm gazing out at 3 feet of snow on the ground and anticipating an Arctic blast of sub-0F weather for the next few days. ☺

[mulemariachi]

Hey Bob,

I was born and raised in the Prairies so I remember what that's all about.  Then I wised up and headed as far West as I could.

We've been seeing 8-13 degrees in the sunshine for the last week or so, so I've been getting out for rides and overnights as much as possible.  Vancouver Island is a pretty awesome little place.

[dp]

Shoes & socks: what are people using?  Does it make sense to use "winter" shoes ala Sidi Diablo or Specialized Defroster, etc?  Might get hot at the south end, but after reading about some folks' experience post-holing in knee deep snow during "snow" years, I'm not sure I'd want to do it in summer shoes.  Thoughts?

[BobM]

Shoes & socks: what are people using?  Does it make sense to use "winter" shoes ala Sidi Diablo or Specialized Defroster, etc?  Might get hot at the south end, but after reading about some folks' experience post-holing in knee deep snow during "snow" years, I'm not sure I'd want to do it in summer shoes.  Thoughts?

Rather than starting out with winter shoes you might just want to start with Smartwool socks and some sort of barrier (sealskinz, Subway sandwich bags....). Easier to trade out the socks down the road than the shoes.

[mulemariachi]

Rather than starting out with winter shoes you might just want to start with Smartwool socks and some sort of barrier (sealskinz, Subway sandwich bags....). Easier to trade out the socks down the road than the shoes.

This is my thought exactly.  I'm only concerned about snow and inclement weather for the first portion so I'm not going to pick gear based on that section only.  I'll bring some booties to cover up and then knock them off as it warms up.  I'm also not bringing anything for post ride shoes.  It'll be bare feet for the 3 foot walk to my tent.  Then I'll sleep.

[Donald]

In 2012 I used Shimano MT71 GoreTex SPD Touring Shoes. Waterproof, good for hiking and comfortable in the heat. Great shoes.

[Marshal]

I like a shoe that dries out fast- gonna get wet with rain and creeks so drying out is key I posted in my blog about my pick.......

[dp]

I like a shoe that dries out fast- gonna get wet with rain and creeks so drying out is key I posted in my blog about my pick.......

I'm diggin' your blog Marshal.  Very pragmatic.  Gonna track me down some Mavics to try on.  -dp

[tanman1337]

I really agree with Marshal on the Mavics! I have owned 2 of the Mavic Tempos now and they are the most comfortable bike shoes I've ever put on. Very light weight and dry out super quick. I honestly could wear them around the house they are so comfortable

[tanman1337]

I think the only big difference between the Pulse and the Tempo is my tempo does have one ratchet strap which broke at the very end of my AZT 300 ride. I now carry a spare ratchet on all my excursions. It might be better to go with the pulse in order to just eliminate the need for spare parts all together

[tanman1337]

Hey I have one question that I know has been addressed on here already, but I want a definitive answer from all the people that used rechargers because they are kinda pricey and I want to make the right decision. What kind of hub/plug recharging combo works the best for the TD? I'm curious if people are getting a dynamo hub laced to Stan's wheels or what. I'm very new to the whole concept itself, so I'm very curious how much everything would cost/if it is even worth getting or just continue to run my Etrex 30 and buy new lithium AA's whenever I can along the route? Also what lighting device works the best with the recharging system. If someone could just kind of dumb it all down for me that would be awesome!

-Tanner

[fastmtnbiker33w]

The shoe/sock/vapor barrier problem would be easy to solve if you did a Nobo. Just sayin'. ;P

[Snowbd2u]

Snowy training day today!