TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[oKo]

I'm running a SON28 hub and Etrx 20. Can't charge the NIMH batteries with the hub. Any ideas? Is it even possible? Website for Garmin doesn't sound promising. Might need to carry a NIMH AA battery charger and extra set of batteries. Was trying to avoid that for obvious reasons... Anybody?

[mikejolly]

I'm running SP PD-8x and garmin 800, this weekend I made sure the garmin would recharge, even with numerous "lost external power" signals,  by the end of the day I was 100% charged.

[Cortvald]

Hey
Sitting here trying to get a bit more ready.

The 2012 GPX route makes a alternate route after Cuba, if I compare it to the ACA-maps..

So.. what now... the GPX route or the map ?!

[aschuhmann]

I used to know the answer to that question (no). Since my epiphany in the AZT this year and now looking for a sub-20 lb bike I would say yes I plan to go many hours a day and I aint chilling in motel rooms unless I am near death. Sleep kit is no bag no pad. Wear all clothes.

I plan to carry about as little gear as Mike Hall last year. After AZT and checking out Aaron Denberg's setup I think I think I got it figured out. So no maps for me just the pix on phone.

I am meditating and visualizing great results I dont plan on teaming up or riding in groups unless I am in top 10-20 and it makes sense.
Things have changed for me. I ran hard on the treadmill last night best first workout after AZT/CTR ever. Gonna go big tonight.

I crossed a big mental hurdle in the AZT this year on a heavy bike. Now I have shop sponsor and I am dead serious about killing it.

Holy crap, sounds like you're planning for quite the sufferfest! It amazes me the fortitude, determination, and willingness to suffer of so many riders. Good on ya! Good luck; you've got bigger cahone's than me! Craziness. The absurdity of what we're all about to do is beginning to dawn on me (some more absurd than others)! Lol!

I just did a loaded 200 miles this weekend and was thinking of how I could cut weight and had all kinds of items I wanted to get rid of, (gloves/socks, etc). Then I woke up to a couple inches of snow and a frigid ride, and was glad I had what I needed to get through it...  

(This weekend's ride also definitely convinced me to opt for lighter tires. Thanks to all who recommended the Fast Tracks. Changed my mind yet again, but this time I think it's final!)

-Andrew

[dream4est]

Holy crap, sounds like you're planning for quite the sufferfest! It amazes me the fortitude, determination, and willingness to suffer of so many riders. Good on ya! Good luck; you've got bigger cahone's than me! Craziness.

I dont plan to suffer much at all. If you only sleep a few hours and are used to no gear its really not bad. Its better really as you are faster when lighter and if you have the right clothes who needs real sleep kits. Its a luxury.

The longer I stop the heavier the legs feel. A one hour stop almost is like not stopping. No ibuprofen only using my pain cream and essentail oils that works better moving all the time.

Laying back and sleeping 3 hrs and riding from 11pm-midnight all night is the ticket too. Like that move.

Everyone is different some big engines go fast and sleep hard and kill it just fine. I got no real natural speed uphill gotta ride overtime!!

[tuhduhvuh]

I've read various scenarios about Antelope Wells.

Assuming "worst case scenario",  I.E.  arriving late at night,  I'm wondering...

can you sleep there?
is there drinking water in the washroom?

Tom

[tuhduhvuh]

Hey
Sitting here trying to get a bit more ready.

The 2012 GPX route makes a alternate route after Cuba, if I compare it to the ACA-maps..

So.. what now... the GPX route or the map ?!

I just did this today too!   I was looking at the "alternates" info and my conclusion was that
Alternate A  (required)  is part of the gpx route
Alternate B  (required) is part of the gpx route
Alternate C  (optional) is part of the gpx route so I am assuming I will do that
Alternate D (optional) is part of the gps route so I am assuming I will do that too.

Trying to keep things simple, seems like the currently posted (2012) gpx route has things covered so I will go with the flow unless there is a re-route.

Hopefully I am interpreting that correctly?

Tom

[HughieP]

I'm running a SON28 hub and Etrx 20. Can't charge the NIMH batteries with the hub. Any ideas? Is it even possible? Website for Garmin doesn't sound promising. Might need to carry a NIMH AA battery charger and extra set of batteries. Was trying to avoid that for obvious reasons... Anybody?

In 2013 I ran my etrex from the SON28 and worked like a charm. I don't do electronics but I had it wired through an ewerk to make things all magical and electricity like happen. Only changed batteries once and etrex was on non stop for entire route.

Sleeping at Antelope Wells. You will not find food or water there but you will have finished your ride. I overnighted at Antelope Wells in 2013 with no problems. It was pretty good actually. I probably arrived just after 9 in the evening?? Wandered around for a good half an hour looking for something/anything and found a big slab of concrete just off the road to settle down on. There are numerous signs at Antelope Wells warning you of the presence of rattlesnakes and I had seen several tarantulas on that final days ride, so it may not be good sleep that you get but you will not be disturbed by other humans. 

I quite enjoyed being out there on my own for a few hours instead of being rushed back to Silver straight away. Just sit there and think about everything before having to rejoin the real world again. It was too good for words being able to cheer on some of the other riders as they arrived at the finish during the night and early morning as well.

[dadana]

Tom, the border crossing is only open 8 am to 4 pm and unless you get there between those hours there is no wash room or facility that is open. The Border Patrol compound is across the road and although they are really nice guys, they do have a shitload of guns and nighttime is their prime work hours. If you can't make the 75 miles from the Interstate to AW crash behind the Bowlin's Continental Divide Trading post when you cross the highway. There is a water hydrant in front of the building if they are closed. You will probably get rousted by the Border Patrol there but its reasonably safe place to sleep and then get up early and make the run to AW.

[MDSeaburg]

I see several discussions here re: GPS devices. For those of us without dyno hubs, what do you folks think: Garmin 800 / 810 which needs recharging, or Garmin e-Trex / Oregon, etc, which has replaceable batteries?

[Christopher R. Bennett]

I see several discussions here re: GPS devices. For those of us without dyno hubs, what do you folks think: Garmin 800 / 810 which needs recharging, or Garmin e-Trex / Oregon, etc, which has replaceable batteries?

If the only reason for a dynamo is powering the GPS go with a battery version. I use the dynamo for lighting (and recharging my cell phone - I play music/list to podcasts on the speaker sometimes while riding). You can also use the 800's without a dynamo - just get one of those small AA battery recharge packs.

[Briansong]

Just some more tire info. I've been using and am very pleased with Fast Track, S-Works 2.0. (except in really rocky stuff, go to Controls) That said, I pre-rode a gravel grinder race, Saturday last up in Chino Valley, Arizona. I put a set of 1.8 Renegade S-Works on for this event. VERY light and roll really nice.

We got caught in a dang blizzard and 40 MPH winds...and death mud. Lots of it. To my point; My pal was riding same bike, with 2.0 Fast Track S-Works 2.0's. He was stopping to find a stick and de-mud his tires every little bit. With the much thinner profile, my Renegades never stopped the bike from rolling. I just rolled on to a place where the mud changed from peanut butter into regular mud and they flung themselves "kinda" clean.

Going to race on them this weekend and just may roll them out of Banff.

Steve

[BobM]

Just some more tire info. I've been using and am very pleased with Fast Track, S-Works 2.0. (except in really rocky stuff, go to Controls) That said, I pre-rode a gravel grinder race, Saturday last up in Chino Valley, Arizona. I put a set of 1.8 Renegade S-Works on for this event. VERY light and roll really nice.

We got caught in a dang blizzard and 40 MPH winds...and death mud. Lots of it. To my point; My pal was riding same bike, with 2.0 Fast Track S-Works 2.0's. He was stopping to find a stick and de-mud his tires every little bit. With the much thinner profile, my Renegades never stopped the bike from rolling. I just rolled on to a place where the mud changed from peanut butter into regular mud and they flung themselves "kinda" clean.

Going to race on them this weekend and just may roll them out of Banff.

Steve

Are you using front suspension with those 1.8s?

[Briansong]

AND rear 

I was really pleased with them, will re-post race results with them. Only worry is deep sand where the washboards are.

[Marshal]

Sleep kit is no bag no pad. Wear all clothes.

Mark, congrats on 4th AZT 750!!  Personally I would recommend you re-think your sleep kit just a bit.  The AZT and TDR have little in common when it comes to required sleep kits.  This is assuming you will camp up at least 50% on the TDR.  Not saying you have to go full bag, tent etc but the 1st half of the TDR is usually more cold than not. Exhaustion and rain will most likely happen.  Speaking from experience, just a bit more sleep kit is the difference between continuing into the rain night and stopping short in a hotel or some other shelter. If I were to go absolute min kit, which I am not, it would include: all clothing + Adventure Medical Kits SOL Escape Bivvy + down jacket in the 12-13 oz range.  Anything less and I feel you risk hypothermia or pulling up short to accommodate weather.  Anyway, just my 2 cents............

[THE LONG RANGER]

I am also stoked for you Mark on your TD! Going for CTR too?!

[BobM]

Mark, congrats on 4th AZT 750!!  Personally I would recommend you re-think your sleep kit just a bit.  The AZT and TDR have little in common when it comes to required sleep kits.  This is assuming you will camp up at least 50% on the TDR.  Not saying you have to go full bag, tent etc but the 1st half of the TDR is usually more cold than not. Exhaustion and rain will most likely happen.  Speaking from experience, just a bit more sleep kit is the difference between continuing into the rain night and stopping short in a hotel or some other shelter. If I were to go absolute min kit, which I am not, it would include: all clothing + Adventure Medical Kits SOL Escape Bivvy + down jacket in the 12-13 oz range.  Anything less and I feel you risk hypothermia or pulling up short to accommodate weather.  Anyway, just my 2 cents............

My 1 cent (don't really have 2 cents saved up in ultra-race knowledge!):  Shorter races are easier to suffer through; TD is at LEAST 2 weeks (that would be a new record), so planning a blitz with a dive across the finish line is a risky strategy. 

[dream4est]

Mark, congrats on 4th AZT 750!!  Personally I would recommend you re-think your sleep kit just a bit.  The AZT and TDR have little in common when it comes to required sleep kits.  This is assuming you will camp up at least 50% on the TDR.  Not saying you have to go full bag, tent etc but the 1st half of the TDR is usually more cold than not. Exhaustion and rain will most likely happen.  Speaking from experience, just a bit more sleep kit is the difference between continuing into the rain night and stopping short in a hotel or some other shelter. If I were to go absolute min kit, which I am not, it would include: all clothing + Adventure Medical Kits SOL Escape Bivvy + down jacket in the 12-13 oz range.  Anything less and I feel you risk hypothermia or pulling up short to accommodate weather.  Anyway, just my 2 cents............

Well I am at Sol bivy in Rei bivy- plus 10oz down jacket and all clothes. And Sol groundsheet. And Sol sheet as a tarp with homemade tie outs I can use that as a blanket or low tarp for dew.
I have used this setup 5 times. On Kenosha Pass in 2010 without the down jacket I survived the conditions you speak of, 36 degrees rain all night some snow etc.
Not worried one bit.

I have way more concerns over getting a new bike from my "sponsor" than my rest strategy.

[BrianR]

Just some more tire info. I've been using and am very pleased with Fast Track, S-Works 2.0. (except in really rocky stuff, go to Controls) That said, I pre-rode a gravel grinder race, Saturday last up in Chino Valley, Arizona. I put a set of 1.8 Renegade S-Works on for this event. VERY light and roll really nice.

We got caught in a dang blizzard and 40 MPH winds...and death mud. Lots of it. To my point; My pal was riding same bike, with 2.0 Fast Track S-Works 2.0's. He was stopping to find a stick and de-mud his tires every little bit. With the much thinner profile, my Renegades never stopped the bike from rolling. I just rolled on to a place where the mud changed from peanut butter into regular mud and they flung themselves "kinda" clean.

Going to race on them this weekend and just may roll them out of Banff.

Steve

I rode the S-Works Renegade 1.95 on gravel and paved roads last year.  Great tire, rolls fast.  Knobs wore out around 500 miles though.  Consider replacing it a few times on the Tour Divide.  I weigh 185 lbs.

[phil_rad]

Hey
Sitting here trying to get a bit more ready.

The 2012 GPX route makes a alternate route after Cuba, if I compare it to the ACA-maps..

So.. what now... the GPX route or the map ?!

Casper, the alternative you are talking about is an option, it is not mandatory. Most TDR racers take the asphalt alternative route from Cuba NM to Grants. First its safer because if you get caught out there in the rain you won't be moving to far to fast, its mud from hell! Second the asphalt is way faster, even if there is no rain, more climbing, rough roads and absolutely no services. There is another allowed alternate and its just past Grants on the way to Pie Town, for the same reason.Honestly after all of the rough roads and mud you probably won't be too upset about some easy miles on pavement. :-)