TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[DigitDreamer]

Well, I guess I am unofficially racing TD this year :-) I haven't signed the roster.

I feel so ill prepared when I read all of the posts. Maybe this is all a part of being a veteran, I know what to expect and I spend my spare time worrying about the weather. :-) I don't even have a place to stay in Banff, yet. Last year I started in NM. Basically we were shuttled to the border, put our bikes together, signed the wall, and left. It was very anticlimactic!

I am very happy that this year I will be walking my bike down Fleecer not pushing it up!! Ah, sooo many fun stories to tell about that trip!

See you all in Banff! (fingers crossed I get it together in time!)

[Tigger]

Here is a very useful link for snow depth around the Flathead area.
http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/data/asp/realtime/asp_pages/asp_2c09q.html
Next one is weather tonight!
https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-frc3/v/t42.1790-2/1357087_586194871488763_1291296886_n.mp4?oh=f0b822d4e50c9138c82bf8a2cea63907&oe=5369A783

Unsure what this is saying aside from 1m of snow/water in Flathead.  Is that correct?

[Tigger]

Have a Room at the Y for the 12th if any needing a place.  Taking the Shuttle from Calgary about 2 PM, anyone have the Pre Start Schedule for Thursday Night?  Riding for a Breast Cancer Friend - if any would like to join with Purchase of Jersey Fundraiser, much appreciated!!

[FernieTeam]

Its a melting snow/water ratio effect on rivers around Fernie BC…as you can see this year curb is close to his historical max,wich means that nothing has been melting so far in the upper elevation, in fact with still cold temperatures late April and early May,4°C this morning and raining,it must still snowing up there ( you can see the curb going down and up again!)….this is not unusual around here but we might have still a good snow coverage early June!!
I am going to find out if we can translate that graph in snow meters...

[dwengs]

How does one get notified or find out about detours, whether for snow or fires, during the race?

[Newfydog]

The rules are what they are. But I prefer any dirt track over pavement especially interstate. If anyone later in the summer on a ITT will be running the new section I think a modification similar to the Gold-dust trail should be weighed for the GD.

I vote for a the new section...

I mapped and rode the Butte variation a couple of years ago, and proposed it to Mack McCoy and ACA.  They were working on something similar, so we exchanged photos and tracks, and now it is official, and will be in the future maps, whenever they come out.

As far as the race goes, I can tell you it is a bit slower, but it is typical great divide, mostly fast empty gravel in gorgeous country.  Water is available.  It is not a big climb and won't hold snow as long as many sections nearby.

It avoids riding the interstate and has a terrific approach into Butte though the historic district.  If you are super competitive and it is not required, ride the highway, but if you can spare a bit of time, you will really like that Butte alternative.

[dream4est]

My take on route/course changes:

I have many ideas for changing the CTR and AZT750. You know how many times I have posted that the course should be changed unless prompted by Stefan to vote for my choice? Zero. Walk a mile in Matt's shoes and one realizes that Matt didnt just whine about the ideal course, he pioneered a better race! Vision and action are the lessons here not continual armchair second guessing.

Ride the course and enjoy it FWIW- the adventure and the scenery and the people one meets and the amazement of what a man or woman can accomplish.



PS- Happy Mothers Day to My Mom and everyones Mom out there.

Made the Tour Divide gas tank. Needs a new home. The new home should be here tomorrow!

[sherpaxc]

What changes tp Ctr would you make?

[dream4est]

What changes tp Ctr would you make?

PM sent. I dont want to be a hypocrite and second guess Stefan online!

[dadana]

Just rode the section from Grants to Silver City, NM. The Toaster House in Pie Town is a special place. Pretty dry out there! Hope we don't get diverted by fires this year. Allow extra time for the CDT alternate, big winds have knocked down a lot of dead/burned trees across the path. Some are big enough that I bet even Cjell couldn't bunny-hop 'em!   
Can't wait to be in Banff. Four short weeks.
Nat

Nat, we were right behind you! Did Abiquiu to Grants this weekend and it was seriously dry. No snow at Polvadera Mesa (10200 ft) and barely any running water anywhere. I can't download any pictures but you guys all know what dust looks like anyway. Good luck next month.

[THE LONG RANGER]

How does one get notified or find out about detours, whether for snow or fires, during the race?

The rules say to use your best judgement, and rejoin the route as soon as you can. Officially there's no communication between organizers or racers, but if there's a chance, the organizers may try to pass on a detour idea to you, sometimes by posting it in a place on route that's easy for all racers to see (a storefront), or via the call-in system.

Again, it's up to you to make the call on how to detour and to find the way back.

If there's detours already in place before the race starts, they'll be communicated to racers, before the race begins (say, a forest fire)

[dwengs]

thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

It has begun.  http://krwg.org/post/wildfire-forces-evacuations-near-silver-city

15 miles north of Silver is Pinos Altos and is most likely along the route. 

[Marshal]

Final Check lists…….

Less than 30 days till I board the plane & yes I may getting a wee bit anxious……

Isn’t it about time to be making up my final ‘check-off’ list?  You know the one, where you ask yourself--Do I have all the little things accounted for?  And wait, should I also include the USB wall charger or just rely on my dynamo hub, ahh decisions decisions….

Humm, I think per my last ride (see the blog) I may add a pair of Gore-Tex socks or perhaps my semi water-proof booties. (hey, if we all agree to add water-proof socks then surly it will not rain on us, right?)  Also I now really really know I will be adding some padded handlebar tape to my bar-end grips…yup, what’s good for 3 days may not cut it for 20+.

So other than your passport --what is on your latest ‘final final’ check-list of absolutely do-not-forget item(s)?

[BobM]

Final Check lists…….

Less than 30 days till I board the plane & yes I may getting a wee bit anxious……

Isn’t it about time to be making up my final ‘check-off’ list?  You know the one, where you ask yourself--Do I have all the little things accounted for?  And wait, should I also include the USB wall charger or just rely on my dynamo hub, ahh decisions decisions….

Humm, I think per my last ride (see the blog) I may add a pair of Gore-Tex socks or perhaps my semi water-proof booties. (hey, if we all agree to add water-proof socks then surly it will not rain on us, right?)  Also I now really really know I will be adding some padded handlebar tape to my bar-end grips…yup, what’s good for 3 days may not cut it for 20+.

So other than your passport --what is on your latest ‘final final’ check-list of absolutely do-not-forget item(s)?

1)  Sanity - I want to at least start out with it.

2)  Perspective - it's just a bike ride.

3)  Sense of humor - will lose item #1 without it.

[tuhduhvuh]

Speaking of "last minute" items.....  I'm still slowly working through the maps and cues and looking at re-supply options.   It seems  (from my research)  that Hachita and Separ really don't have anything (in terms of food/water).    Does anyone have any info about those two towns?  (I did see a picture from a  previous year with someone getting pop at a machine in Hachita....)

[MattL]

Do the ACA maps not list Separ as having food and water?  There is a gas station there, right off the interstate, where you can get soda with ice, water, burritos, sandwiches, etc.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Separ doesn't have much in regards to food.  Plenty of water and sugary crap.  I don't remember seeing any burritos or sandwiches.  I stopped in there on my way home from AZT. 

[cobbnat]

It has begun.  http://krwg.org/post/wildfire-forces-evacuations-near-silver-city

15 miles north of Silver is Pinos Altos and is most likely along the route. 

Looking at the fire maps http://wildfiretoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Map-Signal-Fire-257-pm-MDT-May-12-2014.jpg  it appears that the "Signal Fire" is right on the CDT cutoff route that is "required" for Tour Divide riders. The good news is that much of that route burned several years ago, so less fuel sitting around. But after this fire is put out, will the trail be visible and viable? Maybe when the area re-opens we can get someone from Gila Hike 'n Bike to go check it out.

[tuhduhvuh]

Hi, yes, they do list Separ as a  limited services stop.   But checking on the internet to find what was actually there,  yielded  not much... and based on the two responses, I guess it's not certain!!  It's one area where for sure I can see that "rookie" vs. "veteran"  would make a big difference.   Seems like there are lots of places to get food and water, it's more an issue of when/if  to carry stuff if a resupply town seems to have limited resources or, worse,  limited hours!