TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[tuhduhvuh]

1) Don’t winter weight tights cover limit your comfort zone to a fairly narrow set of riding conditions?  While they will be super nice for the cold parts of the day, and perhaps much of the first week or so why not go with a more flexible layer approach?
2) Why 4 sets of gloves?  Why not 3--Regular cycling gloves for all the time padding, thin overgloves for cold but dry and waterproof overgloves for extended cold/rain.
3) Why neoprene booties AND Sealskinz oversocks.  Why not replace the neoprene with lighter more packable goreTex + thin wool socks for waterproof feet.  And replace the bulky Sealskinz overcovers with lighter more packable set of covers for extra insulation

Thanks again for responding,  it's much appreciated.   I think I've been really influenced by the very cold spring we are having, and I've done some very early rides. Several mornings I've been up riding in the dark (nice to check out riding by flashlight...),  and it's been wet and close to 0 degrees C.  Cold...  I just imagined dealing with days in a row of those kind of conditions....   so my choices were influenced by that and as you say,  not the best....  I'll make some changes and hope I can cope with the cold as we head south and it gets warmer.  I'm just as concerned with the heat,  since it's NEVER hot here, but I guess that's something I can't really do much about  (except ride in cooler hours of the day)

Thanks again for the feedback, it's really appreciated.

Tom

[mtbcast]

Hi everyone. I finally have a plane reservation, but I am lacking accommodations in Banff. Does anyone wanill t to split a double room. I know someone else mentioned camping. Is that a last minute option? I am arriving June 10 and leaving with the GD. Please PM me if you have options, please.

Still making final preparations. I am jealous of everyone who is packed and relaxing these last 2 weeks. :-)

Enzo149 was looking for a roommate.

[Martin.M.Clark]

Hey guys i'm finalizing my plans and will be flying into Calgary June 10th but don't have a hotel room in calgary. Wondering if anyone has a hotel room in calgary they'd be willing to share. Otherwise does anyone know of an alternative to the Banff Airport shuttle that only runs till 1030?

Thanks in advance.

- Marty

[Enzo149]

Enzo149 was looking for a roommate.

Rooming with Wookieone.

So stoked to get to Banff

[aschuhmann]

Totally agree!  It's an accommodation to my lack of skills with tools...  just don't seem to "get it".  But with a couple weeks of reduced riding,  I should try to work this out.  Yes,  it is heavy, and lots of folks have commented on that!!  Thanks for the feedback!

Tom

Just youtube it. There's hardly a need for a LBS anymore, if you got the time.

[aschuhmann]

I just canceled my dorm reservation at the Y, so one bed is open.

[dp]

Question for Gaia users (or anyone else mounting a smartphone to their cockpit): which phone case/mount are you using?  I mounted a Joy Factory Stormcruiser to my Fargo and took it for a shakedown.  Looked promising - sturdy case, versatile mount, and allows for charging while in the mount.  But I could not lock the ball joint enough to stabilize the case, and at one point the case popped free of the mount completely.  The case did its job - the phone was fine after its bumpy skid into traffic, but there's no way I would take it on the trail.

So what are y'all using? Care to post a pic of your cockpit?

[Dillon]

I'm wondering how much effort people want to put into 5% of the route.  Travel plans have momentum to Calgary.  From there I'm guessing a shuttle could take you to Sparwood as easily as Banff.  The Grand Depart is a group thrill but not actually necessary.  Get to Sparwood, go through Fernie and then back on course.  Flood damage is actual damage no amount of attitude or determination can change.
 Duhaime's Law: Always maintain a rigid state of flexibility.
 I'll be starting in Sparwood on the 13th, or the 12th if it gets crowded.

[tanman1337]

So what is the plan as far as the Spray River bridge crossing that's out?

[kato]

So what is the plan as far as the Spray River bridge crossing that's out?

I have been meaning to see how well a Therm-a-rest works as a raft...
As I understand it, if part of the route is impassable a challenger should find the most direct, shortest possible detour around that spot.  That is unless we hear from the Tour Divide Grand Poobah first.  Anyone know differently?

[Flinch]

Dillon,

Re shuttle to Sparwood: Last year after the flooding (delayed TD start till July 15th, thus had to actually 'tour' part of the tour). I took a taxi from Calgary to Fernie along w 3 others. $735 !!! Not aware of any shuttles running after ski season, but best to have locals chime in here. The ride from Calgary to Sparwood is on a busy, some say nasty, highway w lots of wind thus dicey. Near 200 miles I think, if poor memory serves.

Best of luck on the trip

Glen

[Marshal]

So what's in your wallet?

TDR race strategies?  --what's yours?

Mine is 'less fear', more on the ol blog

[Gimmearaise]

Hey Tour Divide racers,

Were putting together pictures of rigs and a short description of each for Bikepackers Magazine. PM me or send me an email at Neil@bikepackersmagazine.com if you would like to be apart of it!

Good luck to everyone, and for your sake Jefe, better be no damn detour.

NB

[Mathewsen]

So what is the plan as far as the Spray River bridge crossing that's out?

The bridge crossing is closed and totally off limits, however, as it has been explained to me, the Spray River Trail is open prior to, and after the bridge. Prelim local scouting reports there is a reasonable ford near the bridge for potential use by the public during *safe* river flows, as the bridge restoration project waxes into the summer. Hard to say how safe flows will be on 6/13, but I think there's reason to be optimistic TD riders might get across (historically, Spray crest is not until 3rd week in June, but a couple TD editions it crested 1st week in June). If fording is confirmed legal, perhaps strong peer pressure to neutralize the first 6mi of the GD until all riders are safely across this 'knee-deep' (at deepest point) ford would be the responsible conduct...or an impromptu buddy system. For the moment, plan to follow the up-thread cited law of rigid flexibility. 'Adventure biking' will def. be the theme in CA this edition.

Speaking of adventure, there's another change to the route / GPX file just past Elkford, BC. I'll post the info separately. Thx, Matthew

[Mathewsen]

Sorry for another last min edit to the TD14 GPX file, but there is now a V2 of the 2014 file posted here (high-res version forthcoming): http://topofusion.com/divide/gps.php

The latest change relates to still unconfirmed conditions along the Fording Mine Rd in the vicinity of this GDMBR CA Map B cue: "11.2mi / 18km Come in immediately above water on a cliffside bench." This area slid big time in the `13 flood. It was sneakable late last summer by fording the river, but the Fording R. honks this time of year, so no way it's safely passable if the slide has not been re-benched (nearly all sources say it's not yet fixed).

Enter Josephine Falls Trail: This popular Elkford trail has been on TD's radar for a few years now. This trail heads south from Fording River Rd, exiting early from the stout pavement climb out of Elkford (exits pavement @ just 2.3mi, or so uphill from Elkford). I fully expect this bypass to be a big improvement on the 6mi pavement slog past the Greenhills Coal Mine along the existing GDMBR. The fine print: There is a 'hiking trail' connector required  (no, not like the Wigwam-Galton bushwhack) between the dead end overlook for 83ft-high J-Falls, and the upper stretches of the road described in this GDMBR CA Map B cue, "15.4mi / 24.8km Curve L onto wider, unsigned, and potentially dustier road (a sign identifying the road you’re coming off reads “Fording Rd.”) This new road also goes R, but that would require a R-hand turn of more than 90 degrees."

"This new road also goes right", is the very logging road TD riders will be ripping downhill from the J-Falls Trail connector (similar grade to the main GDMBR, it's mostly downhill). One rejoins the GDMBR proper 2 miles sooner than if the current main GDMBR was traveled but it will be a bit slower going, so I expect it to be a wash.

Here's a Google map depicting the change (basic cues to follow): https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200334849650645495946.0004fa82b409b51e2c70d&msa=0&ll=49.916525,-114.907379&spn=0.144578,0.264359

[davew]

Anyone know why Gene scratched in in Separ from his NoBo ITT?

[tanman1337]

Hey Matthew. I see on the Topofusion link that there is a new 10k file, but the bigger version is gone. Is there going to be a new larger version?

[Mathewsen]

Anyone know why Gene scratched in Separ from his NoBo ITT?

Gene experienced a knee problem, which should serve as a last min reminder to all that no matter how dialed your kit is (lots of emphasis on kit with all the new tech & fabbers out there), if you're not perfectly fitted to your pony, with hundreds, if not thousands, of training miles in the saddle, you can have game-ending engine trouble.

[Mathewsen]

Hey Matthew. I see on the Topofusion link that there is a new 10k file, but the bigger version is gone. Is there going to be a new larger version?

Yes, coming soon, however the res on the new segment in the bigger version will be no higher (it's hand-drawn KML converted to GPX), so if you're a handy at cutting / merging, go for it now.

[-dan]

just want to give a giant thank you to everyone that has anything to do with keeping this in motion.  I gave up riding pavement from coast to coast and have been dreaming about riding this entire route since reading about Curiak's ride almost a decade ago.

anything can happen... and I mean ANYTHING, and that's the best part.  reroutes, washouts, landslides, snow, rain, heat, hail, blood, sweat, pain, agony, fear, confusion, and the last minute "what the hell are we supposed to do now?", all this fuels my anticipation and anxiety to dive headfirst into this adventure.

when we roll into Antelope Wells, no matter what happened, no matter how long it takes, alone or with our brothers and sisters, I promise you, it will be worth everything it took to get there.

...and a short stroll through knee deep water can in no way hold me back.

cheers!