TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[jmh]

A lot of folks have posted gear lists and weights of their setup.   I KNOW that experience will be a great teacher,  and I'll learn a lot about my choices by "living with them"  as I ride.   I'm a rookie and would be happy to have anyone critique or comment on my choices before the GD.   I know I have a lot to learn.  My bike seems really heavy,  but not ever having done the route,  have no idea ....
My bike is going in for a major tuneup so before taking off the bags I figured I would "document" what I have (at this point!),  but I'd be happy to modify if it makes sense to do so.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Egc7_HhIsBj0FHQhyNIZNtJOCI_OYaSXPhP-eaJhOFA/edit?usp=sharing

Do you have further details on your eTrex mount?

[tuhduhvuh]

Do you have further details on your eTrex mount?

HI,   I could take a picture,  but my bike is at the LBS getting a tune up.  My son made a small aluminum piece that fit between the aero bars, and a standard Garmin etrex mount fits on that.   He said you can get that part in carbon fibre from Vision Tech
(eg.   http://www.ebay.com/itm/VisionTech-Carbon-Fiber-Computer-Mount-/370607834220)  but we've had issues getting stuff at local stores and he was able to make me one out of aluminum (complete with some encouragement scrawled into the metal!)

Sorry,  bike is gone so that is all I can give you right now!
Tom

[tanman1337]

Another quick question...Anyone find any info on a bike shop in Rawlins? I tried calling a place call Murray's and I get a disconnected tone. I also googled it and can't come up with anything else.

[tuhduhvuh]

Another quick question...Anyone find any info on a bike shop in Rawlins? I tried calling a place call Murray's and I get a disconnected tone. I also googled it and can't come up with anything else.

Hi,  not sure anymore where I got the info,  but on my cues,  I have indicated NO bike shop in Rawlins.  I'm assuming it's closed.

Tom

[MattL]

Murray's is long closed. There is no bike shop in Rawlins, which could win an award for the least bike friendly town on the whole route.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[bpeschka]

Another quick question...Anyone find any info on a bike shop in Rawlins? I tried calling a place call Murray's and I get a disconnected tone. I also googled it and can't come up with anything else.

My addenda, Section 3(BC-203 2011) last updated Nov 21, 2013, Map A, says Murray's in Rawlins is closed as of Nov '13.  MattL is right in thinking that this is probably not bicycle friendly country.

[tanman1337]

Sweet thanks!

[DigitDreamer]

Murray's is long closed. There is no bike shop in Rawlins, which could win an award for the least bike friendly town on the whole route.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

There is a more unfriendly bike town on the GD route and it's also in Wyoming. The locals threw beer at me last year! It was one of two times I almost used my bear spray.

The people in Rawlins aren't riding their bikes often enough, but they were friendly. They let me park my bike inside while I watched a movie to escape the heat. :-)

[Dillon]

Speaking of unfriendly and bear spray: http://news.yahoo.com/bear-badly-mauls-hunter-montana-005252650.html 
 This may be, sort of, along the route.  More likely not close.
 Chris

[bpeschka]

Speaking of unfriendly and bear spray: http://news.yahoo.com/bear-badly-mauls-hunter-montana-005252650.html 
 This may be, sort of, along the route.  More likely not close.
 Chris

This looks to be at least near the course.  South of Polaris, near Bannack and the intersection with the TransAmerica trail.

[BigPoppa]

Might have already been asked/answered, but just wanted to confirm. Are the two orange tracks in NM on Trackleaders Fire alternates? Are they mandatory, recommended or only there if there becomes an issue? What are the two different alternates like as far as water, gradient and such? One more question. I had heard at some point that any detours/alternate routes are only advised, but not mandatory. Is this correct?

Those look to be reroutes from last year's race…. I don't think those will still be in effect unless fires close the same portions of the course this year.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Penny's in Rawlin's is a def. must if one has the time to enjoy about 3 of their breakfast specials. Lots of workin' dudes in that town. I'd look at myself funny if I waltzed in, too!

[Mathewsen]

Those look to be reroutes from last year's race…. I don't think those will still be in effect unless fires close the same portions of the course this year.

Those orange lines in NM are common firelines for two commonly closed forests. They are currently not in effect, and with any luck will not be used. My sources in NM say dew points are climbing early this year. Could mean early monsoons, which means cooler temps, but darn if you don't want be caught in the Gila then.

[tanman1337]

Hey Matthew, do you know an ETA on the high res GPX file?

[cobbnat]

I see the tourdivide.org website now has the 2014 start date, thanks for that. Will the Leaderboard link also be updated? I've been telling people to follow me on that site, but it is still pointing to the 2013 leaderboard.  thanks, I know this is all volunteer work...

Nat

[fastmtnbiker33w]

There is a more unfriendly bike town on the GD route and it's also in Wyoming. The locals threw beer at me last year! It was one of two times I almost used my bear spray.

The people in Rawlins aren't riding their bikes often enough, but they were friendly. They let me park my bike inside while I watched a movie to escape the heat. :-)

Where is this other unfriendly town?  I'll be more than happy to NOT spend any money there on my way through.

[jerryonthebike]

Finally booked my flight from amsterdam , arriving in banf on the 12th at 5:30.  Still looking for a hotel  any recommendations? Open to share a room.
Jerry

[mtbcast]

TD14: ITT NoBo Nat Henderson-Cox called in from Grants!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td14/

[BigPoppa]

I see the tourdivide.org website now has the 2014 start date, thanks for that. Will the Leaderboard link also be updated? I've been telling people to follow me on that site, but it is still pointing to the 2013 leaderboard.  thanks, I know this is all volunteer work...

Nat

The leader board is put on by trackleaders.com. They have an active 2014 page already. The link on the TD website isn't updated to it yet. http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide14

It looks like your spot is already tracking Natt.

[mtbcast]

Trackleaders would be the best place to send people

I see the tourdivide.org website now has the 2014 start date, thanks for that. Will the Leaderboard link also be updated? I've been telling people to follow me on that site, but it is still pointing to the 2013 leaderboard.  thanks, I know this is all volunteer work...

Nat

Trackleaders would be the place to send people. If you plan to call in, and I hope you do, you can send them to MTBCast or they can download the app and get your calls. I also have a TD page at MTBCast that will also show all TD call in and coverage content by MTBCast.