Tour Divide 2018 Race Preparation

[Woodland]

Look into gpsfiledepot.com for free basemap data. I use Garmin's Basecamp software (I should probably buy Scott's Topofusion!)

You could buy Garmin TOPO data that is probably better...but I guess I'm too cheap for that

[metalartgate]

On the Topofusion site where you get the gpx file, there is also a basemap of all the sections to cover the route.

http://topofusion.com/divide/GDMBR-basemap-v4.img

Look into gpsfiledepot.com for free basemap data. I use Garmin's Basecamp software (I should probably buy Scott's Topofusion!)

You could buy Garmin TOPO data that is probably better...but I guess I'm too cheap for that

[Woodland]

On the Topofusion site where you get the gpx file, there is also a basemap of all the sections to cover the route.

http://topofusion.com/divide/GDMBR-basemap-v4.img

I couldn't get that to work on my Mac for some reason...

[Salubrious]

Start by downloading the map and gpx.

You should be able to connect the Garmin to your Mac- make sure that the cable used is for data, not just power or nothing will happen!

Once the Garmin is connected, it will look like a file system; you just move the maps into the appropriate folders. I don't have an etrex, so consult its manual. Once uploaded, run it and see if you can display the route along with your location and so on.

[Woodland]

I mostly wanted to load it in Basecamp for research, but I've found other basemaps to work for now. I'll see if I can use your method, vs transferring data via Basecamp. Thanks

[metalartgate]

Maps have to be "installed to view in basecamp. The is a tutorial on GPS File Depot that walks you through it. I have no idea if the utility they have you use is MAC compatible.
https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-.img-files-into-mapsource-with-mapsettoolkit/

I mostly wanted to load it in Basecamp for research, but I've found other basemaps to work for now. I'll see if I can use your method, vs transferring data via Basecamp. Thanks

[Woodland]

Thanks for sharing the link. Probably not mac compatible as I ran into problems right away with both utilities either not installing correctly or not running.

I've got some other decent OSM basemaps from gpsfiledepot...

Anyway, I don't want Scott to do ALL the work for me 

[cobbnat]

Re: Basemaps.  I initially downloaded complete USGS topo maps, but found that it slowed my Garmin Oregon down quite a bit. Then I replaced that with the (purchased) Garmin 100' contour interval basemap, which works fine. Less detail than a backpacking map, but adequate for the TD when you are following a track, and good enough to see the route to a town when you have to go off-route for help or supplies.

[bakerjw]

I mentioned earlier in the thread that I am heading south in June. After my abandoned ITT last year, this year it is about just enjoying myself and the camaraderie of others. It will be my 3rd time heading South out of Banff, so I know what to expect but for my son and friend, it will be their first. With the reroutes through the years I wanted to see how much has changed. Here is a Google Map that I threw together with the 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2017 GPX files showing the changes. I will add 2018 as soon as it becomes more official.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&mid=1wL-HOFLqC_a_UxoXz52vcHPOzj5bpHhk&ll=40.62473314858704%2C-110.63606849999996&z=5

Most of the changes have been in the Spray lake to South of Fernie and Sparwood.

[Guild44]

I am not sure how to take myself off of the signup list, but alas, I am not able to do TDR this year. I am "Sarah Jansen", the first person on the list.

[vmikee]

How did you handle the cold/wet weather?

I attempted the ride in 2016 and suffered those first few days.  It wasn't necessarily the wet, but the wind that made things hard.  Having a wind proof layer saved me.  I started with neoprene gloves, but the wind cut right through them.  I saw someone with rubber dishwashing gloves and picked up a pair at my first opportunity.  Those were a life saver.  I used some subway bags as a layer between my shoes and my socks to keep the wind out.  I had an ultra-light windproof jacket that I wore over my puffy jacket.  If your extremities are warm, your core will stay warmer.  The other thing that was super helpful was a neck warmer (like you wear for skiing).  Keep that blood between your body and head heated!  And like other people have said, don't stop unless it's someplace you know you can stay warm and dry.  Keep that body fire burning!  I made the mistake of stopping the first day for lunch alongside the trail in a light rain.  Huge mistake.  Took over an hour to generate that body heat again...

[Woodland]

Subway bags and dishwashing gloves...classic. That is some great trail side resourcefulness.

Now I'm embarrassed about my $65 zpaks overmitts 

[Salubrious]

The ZPaks probably hold up better...

[wolfmansbro]

Reynolds oven bags work great as vapor barriers.

[kiwidave]

The ZPaks probably hold up better...

I used the Zpacks - had a small hole on the right palm by the end but likely due to having a Rohloff. They were functionally great, only problem was they are quite snug fitting over my warm gloves and couldn't put them on / off whilst riding. They were on/off probably a few times every day. Replaced them now with a bigger pair from goretex, 20g heavier but easier to use.

[shemseger]

Matthew has said that Koko Claims is IN for 2018, so you will not miss out on the (not) fun 

On the bright side, new as of this past November, there is a snowmobile cabin on top of Koko in Honkie Town (the big meadow).

There's also an incredible amount of snow... Which means Koko will probably be flowing a lot of water again this year.

[bakerjw]

Not to get off topic too much. Seeing as your from Elkford, did you have a bunch of fires roll through there last year? I had read somewhere that there were evacuations in the Sparwood area due to some of them.

I like your profile picture. It looks almost exactly like my bike did after I hit the mud north of Elkford on my ITT attempt last June.

[shemseger]

Not to get off topic too much. Seeing as your from Elkford, did you have a bunch of fires roll through there last year? I had read somewhere that there were evacuations in the Sparwood area due to some of them.

I like your profile picture. It looks almost exactly like my bike did after I hit the mud north of Elkford on my ITT attempt last June.

No one got evacuated, but everyone from Elkford down to the North part of Sparwood got put on evacuation notice. The fire was burning in the Bull Valley, which is the valley everyone rode out to Fernie from Koko Claims. You will see a lot of burnt forest riding the divide through Canada this year.

I'll give you one hint where my profile picture was taken. On the day of the grand depart last year I rode North from Elkford so I could cross paths with everyone riding the divide. When I crossed paths with the leaders, we were all carrying our bikes. I got to have quick chat with Ben Steurbaut, Brian Lucido, Steve Halligan &  Josh Kato in that mud.

[Rob Colliver]

FYI, Fernie's snowpack at 1600 metres up is 3.6 metres deep and they have had 11 metres of snow so far this season..... there are 2 weeks left of skiing there; the snowpack should start to shrink soon, but more snow is in the forecast.

Sorry.

[shemseger]

more snow is in the forecast.

It's snowing in Elkford as I type this, and the snowbanks are all taller than the vehicles on the roads. There's about 20ft of snow up Koko right now, and there'll be a couple more by the end of the week. Koko is just over 2,000m in elevation, which is higher than a lot of the mountain peaks in Fernie.

Good news is the new cabin in Honkie Camp is classified as an emergency shelter (which means it's always open), and is set up with a big wood burning stove for warming people up and drying out gear.