Tour Divide 2018 Race Preparation

[Woodland]

Koko is just over 2,000m in elevation, which is higher than a lot of the mountain peaks in Fernie.

Is 'Koko Claims' (in the TD world) considered to be the climb that takes you west off of Hwy 43 just north of Elkford? Is it a pass? I'm confused when you say it's higher than the peaks in the area...

Also, from what I've read, it's a bitch of a climb, usually happening at the end of day 1 and usually a wet and muddy/snowy affair - that about right?

[shemseger]

Is 'Koko Claims' (in the TD world) considered to be the climb that takes you west off of Hwy 43 just north of Elkford? Is it a pass? I'm confused when you say it's higher than the peaks in the area...

Yes, but technically it's not Hwy 43, it's the road that continues north from Elkford, but the highway actually stops in town. There's literally a sign where the road changes from pavement to dirt that says, "HWY 43 ENDS".

Koko Claims is a mountain pass that connects the Elk Valley to the Bull Valley.

Elkford is surprisingly higher in elevation than Fernie is. Once you get to the other side of Koko it's pretty much downhill all the way to Fernie. Unfortunately though, it doesn't feel much like a downhill when the wind blows, because it blows north up the valley.

Yes, the mountain pass is higher in elevation than the peaks further South around Fernie (Elkford and Fernie are 70km appart).

Also, from what I've read, it's a bitch of a climb, usually happening at the end of day 1 and usually a wet and muddy/snowy affair - that about right?

There are some steep sections, but what makes it difficult is all the loose round stones. Koko is a popular 4x4 trail, so the rocks all get kicked up, especially on the climbs. During spring run off much of the trail is essentially a creek of flowing water. The Trans-Rockies race used to go down Koko coming the other way. The racers dubbed the steepest section, "the rock garden".

As an aside, there is are a couple of dead volcanos up Koko that have Kimberlite deposits. If you don't know what Kimberlite is, it means diamonds. They've surveyed the area for a potential future diamond mine. So if you wonder why there's roads zig-zagging up the avalanche chutes, it's because that's how they get to the top of the mountain where the kimberlite is (and where they built the helicopter pad).

[metalartgate]

Last summer I was in Jasper heading home from a road trip to AK. My wife says I'll drop you in Banff if you want to ride to Fernie to see how the new climb is. Who could say no to that!

This is one of the worst sections, this was in August so it was dry. About 3 or 4 miles to the top which took me about 3 hours. You'll be pushing a lot.

[metalartgate]

Check this video. Koko climb starts at 3 min

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH3dPz8OLXA

[shemseger]

This is one of the worst sections,

That's the Rock Garden! As kids we would ride up the koko trail from town to that point (the trail was a lot smoother back then, I don't remember the climbs up to that point being as rocky) and then turn around and ride out. It's a fun trail on a full suspension bike that isn't loaded with bags, and later in the summer when the trail is dry.

I watched your video, you can expect more snow and water to be on the trail this year.

[Woodland]

Man, that looks gnarly.

Can't wait to make that stream crossing in the dark 

I can see why everyone talks about it now. Thanks for the local geography lesson.

[ChrisE]

Does anybody have a tin of bear-spray they can photo and measure the can dimensions so I can see it?  I am trying to see the best place to mount it on my bike, and allocate a small space to do so.  Presumably there are not many different manufacturers.  From the UK and we would only be able to pick up a can in Canmore (or last resort Banff).  For planning purposes at the moment I've mounted a tin of deodorant on my bike but don't expect that will be very good at protecting me from bears!

Ta
Chris

[wedelmaster]

hi chris
shown next to a fairly standard pair of scissors.
21.5 cm length, 6.8 cm at widest (trigger area) top and 5.3 cm at the base. 230 ml size.
They fit nicely in most "feedbag"-style handlebar accessory bags, however quick accessibility should be a priority so some folks might prefer to have it carried on their person somewhere (which also means its with you when the call of nature takes you off the trail into the bush, perhaps, or at night when you might want it close at hand.

Scat Belts are popular around here http://www.scatbelt.com/

[Pirahna]

Hi Chris,

I had mine on the top tube using a Backcountry Research Strap. Links to a few straps:

http://www.silverfish-uk.com/manufacturer/Backcountry/ACCEssORiES/Cool-Stuff
https://www.cyclorise.com/store/p143/louri-frame-strap
https://www.cyclorise.com/store/p159/gup-industries-holster

 For some reason this doesn't show up as a picture https://photos.app.goo.gl/1sYiV2sWVwcJihHm1

[dp]

Check this video. Koko climb starts at 3 min

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH3dPz8OLXA

Great video! Thanks for sharing! -dp

[ChrisE]

Thank you to both of you.  That's very useful. I should be able to 'mock' one up before I go.

C

[TugMariner]

FYI - Webcam at Roosvile. 
http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/196.html

[Woodland]

FYI - Webcam at Roosvile. 
http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/196.html

They have a 'Replay the Day' feature. Bet that would be fun to see a couple days into the race...

[flyboy]

Does anybody have a tin of bear-spray they can photo and measure the can dimensions so I can see it?  I am trying to see the best place to mount it on my bike, and allocate a small space to do so.  Presumably there are not many different manufacturers.  From the UK and we would only be able to pick up a can in Canmore (or last resort Banff).  For planning purposes at the moment I've mounted a tin of deodorant on my bike but don't expect that will be very good at protecting me from bears!

Ta
Chris

Hey Chris, I bought a small can and just kept mine in a jersey pocket. That was it was always with me and close at hand. It is no good if you go for a “rest break” and your spray is on your bike, which murphy’s law dictates will happen for sure!

[Woodland]

Are we going to see snowshoes strapped to bikes this year? I saw someone say there will be more miles of pushing through snow on Red Meadow Pass than ever before...

[metalartgate]

It's already melting fast. and it's going to be in the mid-70s in Whitefish this week which will put the pass around 50°. Also, most of the snow was cold late season snow so as a rule that melts quicker as it does not have as high of water content. At least that's the positive way I'm looking at it. Angler posted Ovando lost 10" yesterday due to melt.

Snowshoes are a pain when pushing a bike. If your thinking that's the way to go bring a sled to put the bike on and pull it.

[Woodland]

Snowshoes are a pain when pushing a bike. If your thinking that's the way to go bring a sled to put the bike on and pull it.

Maybe if I was leaving from Banff now! No, I was just picturing some year where there were several riders carrying snowshoes - or maybe it was just the Long Ranger in his epic snow year.

Good to know stuff is melting fast, thanks for the intel. I may bring some stout plastic bags as vapor barriers to keep my feet dry though while pushing through snow...

[wolfmansbro]

Does anyone have some insight on where I might find a little beta on water sources, specifically key spigots along the way that might be important and shouldn't be skipped? Might be giving away too much intel so I get it. Food seems easier to figure out, but it would be nice to know what campgrounds/trailheads or buildings that might have water available on route.

[g_aranda]

and whatever you do, do not send your bike ahead.

This will be my first attempt at the TD and I was curious as to why you recommend not sending ones bike ahead of time? My plan was to send it to the FedEx facility in Calgary so that it arrived a day prior to me arriving. Saves me the hassle of lugging around an awkward size box through the airport.

[THE LONG RANGER]

This will be my first attempt at the TD and I was curious as to why you recommend not sending ones bike ahead of time? My plan was to send it to the FedEx facility in Calgary so that it arrived a day prior to me arriving. Saves me the hassle of lugging around an awkward size box through the airport.

Lots of sad stories of gear getting stuck in customs.