Tour Divide 2019 Preparation and Planning Thread

[kiwidave]

Any advice on what bike computer to use. I am looking for a backup if my gps fails.

If you're racing, then a bike computer is not much use - racing off the cue notes is a slow way from A to B. Many take a spare GPS and most download the route onto a GPS enabled smart phone with a mapping App as their backup. I used Gaia, but there are others ... such as maps.me. I tried the bike computer thing in training but a. it broke after a few weeks, b. took up precious bar space; c. was not great for navigating off in practice.

[bon]

Any advice on what bike computer to use. I am looking for a backup if my gps fails. Looking for a good quality, non rechargeable, wireless computer. I would love something that I could do heart rate with for training purposes but its really not necessary. Has anyone had any luck replacing their computer with a gps watch for the race? Then again, that requires charging.

A few racers had good luck with the Wahoo element this year.

[dskunk]

Is there an "unofficial start list " out there yet for TD2019?
And an address for it?

[bon]

Is there an "unofficial start list " out there yet for TD2019?
And an address for it?

Megan said she hasn't created it yet but will get to it.

[vmikee]

Is there an "unofficial start list " out there yet for TD2019?
And an address for it?

Normally people send their "letters of intent" to tourdivide@gmail.com on or after the Winter Solstice (Dec 21st this year).  I would expect the list to be created after that date.

[bon]

Normally people send their "letters of intent" to tourdivide@gmail.com on or after the Winter Solstice (Dec 21st this year).  I would expect the list to be created after that date.

Right on!

[dskunk]

Megan said she hasn't created it yet but will get to it.

OK. Thanks for the info.

[VanillaGorilla]

Hi,  I'm new to the forum and the TD.  Frankly as a rookie I'm a little confused and thought I should seek advice.  To sign up do I just submit the letter of intent to the TD email after the 21st?  Just the LOI or is there more?  I know I need a Spot tracker.  I guess that all gets set up much later?

 It's 7 months away and I'm already lost.  

[vmikee]

Is there an "unofficial start list " out there yet for TD2019?
And an address for it?

Looks like the unofficial list is up.

The input form for 2019 starters is here:
https://goo.gl/forms/NRQUFTxRU4uTMUiW2

and the unofficial list of 2019 starters is here to see who is entered:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VhPG0NJSpLqF6J2YZT3Ql3m2l1X8vfxwQRCg8zm3M6k/edit?fbclid=IwAR2Td1JbLRqbSJTXd7i-itbmHs2YGV708h5obfcdmB6eNDe7HaT9H73VFds#gid=781387452

[vmikee]

Hi,  I'm new to the forum and the TD.  Frankly as a rookie I'm a little confused and thought I should seek advice.  To sign up do I just submit the letter of intent to the TD email after the 21st?  Just the LOI or is there more?  I know I need a Spot tracker.  I guess that all gets set up much later?

 It's 7 months away and I'm already lost. 

7 months?  More like 5 months 26 days 23 hours! But who's watching the clock? LOL

It's an unofficial race, so technically, you can just show up on Jun 14th and ride (or do it at any other time as an individual time trial as long as there isn't too much snow).  If you sign up on the link I just posted, you should be notified as things like spot tracking registration get setup.  The LOI is not required, but is traditional.  They use to be posted on the tourdivide.org for other people to read, but that hasn't happened for quite a few years. You can also just watch this discussion thread, I'm sure people will post information as they receive it.  Many people have already booked flights and lodging in Banff or Canmore.

[VanillaGorilla]

7 months?  More like 5 months 26 days 23 hours! But who's watching the clock? LOL

Thanks!  Now I'm panicking more!!

Seriously though, thanks for all the data.  I hope I can make it there!

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[bon]

Merry Christmas, fellow TD'ers!!

T’was our last night in Banff
And with grit in our hearts
Not a rider was sleeping
Before the grand depart

Our bikes were all packed
Our gear was all stowed
In just a few hours
Down Spray Trail we’d go

The rain started falling
Not a grass blade was dry
When we gathered around
For the great Tour Divide
 
A speech was given
A cautious belay
In the front entrance parking lot
Of the Y. W. C. A.

"You'll see lots of bears
A mountain lion or two
So ready your spray
And blow whistles too!”

Then off we pedaled
Excited and cold
As we bikepacked our way
To what would unfold

The route quite daunting
The elevation so high
All bets are off
On the great Tour Divide

No baths and quite stinky
A true gas station gorger
We battled the elements
And set our sights on the border

When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But a big momma black bear
And her two cubs
Oh dear

We put on the brakes
And slid to a halt
Readied our spray
And braced for assault

Her massive jaw opened
As she let out a growl
And right then we knew
We’d be disemboweled

But she moseyed off the trail
And paid us no heed
So we quickly moved on
Having just pee’d

We summited each mountain
Donning rain gear and caps
Adjusted our layers
And peered at our maps

Mountain tops and deserts
Sunrises and sets
Unimaginable beauty
By nature's quartet

From Canada to Mexico
And the states in between
Laughter and tears
And hallucinating

Our lives now altered
No endeavor parallels
That tremendous journey
To Antelope Wells

So ready your bike
Prepare all your gear
Before you know it
June will be here

[Adam Alphabet]

Merry Christmas, fellow TD'ers!!

T’was our last night in Banff
....
June will be here

Post of the Year! All the best in your prep everyone.

[bon]

Post of the Year! All the best in your prep everyone.

So glad you enjoyed it!
Best to you!

[Tea Boy]

Hi Guys, I hope everyone is well. Im a rookie at this forum and TD planning thing and planning to make the grand depart in June 2019.

this is a very rookie question but when is the route released? im trying to look through it and prepare some re supply cards but the TD ACA route and the Race route don't match up. For example in 2018 it took the Flathead alternate.
How do we know what to plan?

[THE LONG RANGER]

Hi Guys, I hope everyone is well. Im a rookie at this forum and TD planning thing and planning to make the grand depart in June 2019.

this is a very rookie question but when is the route released? im trying to look through it and prepare some re supply cards but the TD ACA route and the Race route don't match up. For example in 2018 it took the Flathead alternate.
How do we know what to plan?

Good luck to you!

The route seems to be historically finalized at... the very last minute! Sometimes, this is because there's route detours that need to be made, and the race directors want to make sure those detours are absolutely needed. Sometimes those detours are because of snow, fire, or construction on route.

Best thing to do now is look at last year's route (sans any fire/snow detours), and plan on using that. Lots of time to read past people's race reports and see how chaotic it is out there (sometimes).

Do make sure to send your Letter of Intent, and you'll receive updates when they do arrive.

[Tea Boy]

Hi Long Ranger.

thanks for the heads up.. ive sent my letter of intent and have started preps.

[Iowagriz]

Tea Boy - reading thru the previous years threads will give you an idea of possible routes and supply options. Read both the prep and race threads, especially from 3+ years ago, when they were much more active.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[Tea Boy]

thanks... I had a minor panic when I saw the route in Canada.

Currently reading all the bits I can..

as you can tell im a little excited and scared... I have 5 months off to ride next year and im like a kid on IV sugar!!

[Snowbd2u]

In once again. Looking at plane tickets now. Glad to see so many other singlespeeders signing up!!! See ya at the start.

 In reply to above... definitely check out all the previous TD threads. A wealth of knowledge on there from other vets of the race. If you have a question, its probably been asked and answered. Good luck with the training!!