TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[Marshal]

Historically Giardia seems to have affected numerous racers over the years.
So unless if you're confident and fast enough to reach that next water supply some form of water treatment might be called for.
I wouldn't call this packing your fear, but rather packing to finish.

[-dan]

Dan,
It is said you pack you fears. Sounds like your scared to death of feet issues. I had a pair of goretex socks. Put them on going down the flathead pass (where the river and the trail mingle) I think looking back on that situation I would have just ripped through that section, got wet and let the rest of the day dry em out. But that was that day. It could have been really bad.

My shoe choice was a pair of super comfy stiff specialized sworks mtn. shoes. Again 2013 was an easy easy easy year for walking. Just not that much.

I panicked in Banff and bought a pair of lightweight shoes. Came to my senses a day later and shipped them home with all the other stuff that fell into the "too much stuff" category. This year my gear is much simpler. Half the weight.

Coming back a second time, its amazing what is vital and what is not. And I poured over my gear choices the first year. I'm sure if I do this race a third time I will have learned even more. Just hope for little snow and mud.

My big toe on my right foot has serious circulation problems when my feet get cold and wet (about 20 years ago ripped the toenail off, and while that was healing I broke the hell out of it with a solid smashing, i.e. lotsa scar tissue that constricts blood flow beginning in the high 30's).  I've learned how to handle the numbness and almost frostbite by riding every winter for decades, and my only issue is the time working blood/life back into it instead of making forward progress.  I seriously considered starting with the Diablos and carrying my regular shoes into Wyoming, but the extra weight and bulk doesn't make sense.  So as long as my feet stay dry when pedaling, I'm not worried at all - chemical toe warmers have always been a good friend.  Un-ridable water crossings will be met with bare feet, as the time to remove shoes and socks if far worth the following dry warmth.

As far as the rest of my gear, it's pretty much dialed.  I'm doing the AZT (starting a day late cuz of work stuff) for the final shakedown/testing/making sure I'm satisfied.  Not really worried about weight as much as making sure I have most everything I might need to keep forward progress uninterrupted.  The last multi-day I did, one of the saddle rail mounting seat post bolts broke, something I would have never in a million years thought to worry about.  My saddle, with my saddle bag, literally fell off the bike and rolled down the hill we were going up, in the dark, in the middle of the Sierras, about 40 miles from the next anything, and almost 90 miles from where I could get a new one.  Luckily the bolt from the headlight mount worked to hold it in place (though nose down) until I was able to get a replacement - while zip ties held the light... kinda.

So there is my advice, throw a couple extra bolts in with your brake pads and such, especially the ones you never think could break.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Oh yeah, bring some sort of water purification system of your own choosing. If going SB, you'll start in basically a temperate rainforest, but you'll end in well, basically a desert. The more south you go, the more the situation may arise that you may have to treat some surface water - water supply in NM in July is def. not plentiful.

Even before NM, the Great Basin can be a PITA - it can be very windy (slowing your travel), or very hot and there's not much in there - some of the water is also alkaline. Wind is also an issue in South Park. If you miss anything open in Harstel, and you're fighting a headwind, there's not much in the way of water. It's a decent bump uphill to get into town.

Even if you're planning to always fill up from a municipal water source, carrying along a few chlorine/iodine pills  in your toiletries is a no brainer and will cost you grams. Also remember  the GDMBR is made up of a network of roads for all sort of prior reasons, some of those reasons are access roads to ranches. Ranches = cows and cows will taint your water supply. My general rule is if I can see or hear a cow, I need to look for another place for water.

So many cows. So many.

[mulemariachi]

Looks like the Y is already full booked.  I'm looking into one of the hostel's in town but was wondering where everybody else is posting up at this point?

[AZAnn]

Dorm rooms are still available June 9-13 at the Y Mountain Lodge.  https://booking.ymountainlodge.com:10167/iqreservations/asp/iqhome.asp

[mulemariachi]

Perfect thanks I'll get my butt in gear so I don't end up camping before camping...

[-dan]

flying into Calgary monday the 9th, and getting a room.
rolling out the 10th and riding to Banff if anyone wants to join.

cuz really, what's an extra 90 miles...?

[bluemarlin]

Hi folks, I am Klaus from Germany, all in for the Grand Depart 2014. Flying into Calgary on June 11th, cycling to Banff the next morning, staying in the Y Lodge 12-13th, looking forward to meet you all soon!

[BobM]

Hi folks, I am Klaus from Germany, all in for the Grand Depart 2014. Flying into Calgary on June 11th, cycling to Banff the next morning, staying in the Y Lodge 12-13th, looking forward to meet you all soon!

Welcome, Klaus!

[Chicken legs]

Hi Klaus,
I am flying in to Calgary on the 10th and intending to camp at Ghost Lake camp site near Cochrane that evening and complete the ride to Banff the next day, also staying at the Y lodge, see you there 
Regards,
Andy

[Sime]

Hi folks, I am Klaus from Germany, all in for the Grand Depart 2014. Flying into Calgary on June 11th, cycling to Banff the next morning, staying in the Y Lodge 12-13th, looking forward to meet you all soon!
[/quote Welcome Klaus

[wookieone]

Snow. Yeah that heavy wet stuff that slows down bike wheels a whole bunch. I know it is still early, but anyone keeping track of snow levels in Canada, Montana and Wyoming? It is still snowing up high in Colorado that much is for sure. I am afraid to start looking myself....sure don't want another snow detour year....ah shucks it is what it is....

Jefe

[sfuller]

Snow. Yeah that heavy wet stuff that slows down bike wheels a whole bunch. I know it is still early, but anyone keeping track of snow levels in Canada, Montana and Wyoming? It is still snowing up high in Colorado that much is for sure. I am afraid to start looking myself....sure don't want another snow detour year....ah shucks it is what it is....

Jefe

I'm sure you've seen this Jefe, but for others that don't know about it - NOAA Snow Analysis website - http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html?ql=station&zoom=&loc=48.06+N%2C+125.57+W&var=ssm_depth&dy=2014&dm=3&dd=29&dh=13&snap=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&lbl=m&mode=pan&extents=us&min_x=-127&min_y=20.716666666663&max_x=-62.000000000003&max_y=57.283333333329&coord_x=-94.5000000000015&coord_y=38.999999999996&zbox_n=&zbox_s=&zbox_e=&zbox_w=&metric=0&bgvar=dem&shdvar=shading&width=800&height=450&nw=800&nh=450&h_o=0&font=0&js=1&uc=0

[wookieone]

Now I have! Looks like a lot of that white stuff....Thanks, now I am going to be obsessing over that too!
Jefe

[Iowagriz]

Ski area in Whitefish MT has had a good snow season.  313" of total snowfall; 149" settled at the summit.  http://skiwhitefish.com/favorites/snow-report/

Cams from the summit looking North (more NNE toward Glacier Park) and south into Whitefish.  http://skiwhitefish.com/favorites/web-cams/

[SlowRide]

380" of snow so far in Steamboat Springs this winter, we've had a rash of warm weather since mid February which has decreased snow pack levels throughout the region. I live on the road up to Lynx Pass(RCR 16) a few miles above Stagecoach Reservoir, the dirt road has now thawed to mud in the lower elevations, it's still impassable past where winter maintenance ends(Morrison Creek area). We've been getting some nasty spring storms which I hope doesn't lead to a lot of late snow storms through June or we could be walking through snow on Lynx Pass in late June(last year the pass was thawed by mid June). I actually rolled my truck 2 nights ago in the latest storm on my way home from work. Luckily crawled out of the flipped vehicle without a scratch on me, now I'm trying to figure out how this affects whether I can do TD financially. The road to the starting line has been a tough one so far for me, but by hook or by crook I'm determined to make it to Banff.

[BobM]

I just noticed that June 12th is a full moon so any strong/dedicated/fast/lunatic riders who want to go the full 195 miles to Butts Cabin the first day will have lots of light if it's a clear night.

[BrianR]

Snow...
I've been watching the snow fall pretty steadily and hard here in NW Wyoming this winter.  The following link provides a very good picture of the snow situation along the GDMBR's northern half... and it isn't looking good.  Many snow monitoring sites are reporting 150% or greater than average snowpack.     http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/snow/

I am now considering a NoBo Grand Depart or even an ITT later in the summer.
I would like to hear from those of you who rode in the 2011 TD and endured the reroutes.

[Briansong]

Snow...
I've been watching the snow fall pretty steadily and hard here in NW Wyoming this winter.  The following link provides a very good picture of the snow situation along the GDMBR's northern half... and it isn't looking good.  Many snow monitoring sites are reporting 150% or greater than average snowpack.     http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/snow/

I am now considering a NoBo Grand Depart or even an ITT later in the summer.
I would like to hear from those of you who rode in the 2011 TD and endured the reroutes.

If the snow pack is that bad, perhaps it makes sense to at least put a possible NoBo start in the back of ones mind as plan "B"

[Rob Colliver]

Fernie Alpine Resort has just celebrated the 4 metre party tonight. The snow cats on the hill cut right down to the rocks near the top of the hill, and that is one hell of a lot of snow that needs to melt before the local passes become fun and rideable.
Elk Pass 2011 was a long slog (though I was a few days ahead of the GD) and we had less snow at the beginning of April then than we have now.