Tour Divide 2021 Preparation & Planning

[Salubrious]

There is no other sign up requirement. The original 'unofficial sign up sheet' was created back in the day for the purpose of those interested in contributing to the Cordillera. It is not required nor used by the RD for official purposes. A lot of riders do not put their info on that spreadsheet. Totally up to you.

Isn't that list also used for the trackleaders page? Its been so long (2019) now I just don't remember

[bon]

Isn't that list also used for the trackleaders page? Its been so long (2019) now I just don't remember

No - Trackleaders lists athletes that sign up via a link the RD sends directly to riders.

[kiwidave]

Tour Divide 2021 registration for Trackleaders is up.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8SjYKWhB2J3JBgGl9k3XFmkTN1g1lWTM8lEmOW2fLLP0Seg/viewform

UPDATE for 2021:
Trackleaders will be offering bidirectional coverage for the following Divide Route options: A) Full Tour Divide, B) Tour Divide from border to border, and C) Great Divide Classic route.  The Roosville grand depart for options B & C is 11th of June at 12:00 Noon. For Northbound riders departing 11th of June from Antelope Wells, NM, suggested start time remains 8am.  For more information on the different options this year see: https://www.tourdivideupdates.org

[bon]

Is that an official trackleaders.com sign up link? It usually comes via email.

[Mojomondo]

The countdown is on and I am excited for June 11!

Well June 11th is a Border-to-Border for all practical purposes. TourDivide is not happening this year because of Pandemic restrictions remaining on place.

[bon]

Well June 11th is a Border-to-Border for all practical purposes. TourDivide is not happening this year because of Pandemic restrictions remaining on place.

Indeed my friend. Looking forward to sharing trail with you and many others again. I always enjoy the veteran camaraderie!

[bon]

The official public announcement -
https://bikepacking.com/news/2021-tour-divide-great-divide-classic/?fbclid=IwAR3H_zYZ3c3fYDuq-y_n6hhu0-eKi_JBzeM6vd8mm6x0CG59FqVqq7n5-5s

[sundog99]

I'm trying to wrap my head around what my options are for riding my bike from the US/Canadian border to the US/Mexico border starting at noon on June 11th..  Are there two races (one a modified TD and one the GDMBR)?  Or is there just one, the GDMBR?  Thanks!

[salsola]

I'm trying to wrap my head around what my options are for riding my bike from the US/Canadian border to the US/Mexico border starting at noon on June 11th..  Are there two races (one a modified TD and one the GDMBR)?  Or is there just one, the GDMBR?  Thanks!

Yes, that seems to be the plan for this year.  When you register on trackleaders, you'll actually have three options:  Tour Divide border to border, Tour Divide Full (the border would of course need to be open, which could happen for northbounders in the grand depart or those doing an ITT later in the year) and then the "Great Divide Classic" which is the GDMBR route.  GPX files for 2021 have been posted to topo fusion:  http://topofusion.com/divide/gps.php?fbclid=IwAR2F1vVwhC6wQmClZXH3QxEIGvXXPcOSgJhpMLEkJJAK7FZkZbYo4Lpfe7Y

[ScottM]

I'm trying to wrap my head around what my options are for riding my bike from the US/Canadian border to the US/Mexico border starting at noon on June 11th..  Are there two races (one a modified TD and one the GDMBR)?  Or is there just one, the GDMBR?  Thanks!

The press release makes it sound like the GDC is the only option, but that's because it was written by a certain rider trying to make that the only race.  It does seem like the GDC will be the biggest field and the most competitive.

But yes, as mentioned below all options are available on Trackleaders and will essentially be separate races.

[threepin]

For those interested it appears snow should be a minimal issue on the northern 2 passes. Rode up to upper whitefish lake last night and the snow it the trees was very much on the low side for the time of the year. 2 more hot days and no real precipitation should yield very minimal snow on Red meadow

[ScottM]

GPX update!

V2 GPS files are in the usual place, FYI.

V2 Fixes a longstanding error on the bike paths through Frisco.  So not a huge change but worth updating if you have the chance.  A number of riders have been confused there.

[mcrider]

You say in your press realease that the dirt alternates in new mexico are encouraged but not required.
what happens if the lead riders take the pavement? do subsequent riders need to follow to be considered finishers?
I guess I am confused because this option will have risk of seperating the great divide classic into two potential routes.
The ones who took the dirt and the ones who took the pavement.
Can you give me some guidance on weather I should follow the leaders to remain competitive in the classic route ?

[GrizzlyAdam]

You say in your press realease that the dirt alternates in new mexico are encouraged but not required.
what happens if the lead riders take the pavement? do subsequent riders need to follow to be considered finishers?
I guess I am confused because this option will have risk of seperating the great divide classic into two potential routes.
The ones who took the dirt and the ones who took the pavement.
Can you give me some guidance on weather I should follow the leaders to remain competitive in the classic route ?

Don't consider anything I say official. But if I remember correctly before the paved alternatives became the de facto option, the dirt alternatives were optional and there were years when riders were split. I don't think it matters which route someone in front of you (or behind) decides to take. The option is there for each individual rider. But that's just me. As I said, I'm not making any of these rules. I'm just going to show up and follow the line on my GPS. I'm planning to ride the dirt alternatives (since that's where the line will take me) unless the route is impassable/closed when I eventually get to that point.

[ScottM]

Grizzly nailed it.  JayP propsed the idea of the leader determining dirt/paved this year, but it was not accepted.  So it's business as usual: either route is fine, for both TD and GDC.  GDC is encouraging it more strongly, but that's really pretty meaningless.  I would be stoked to see most of the GDC field take it, but my stoke level is not relevant.

Interestingly, veteran Pete B (he rode in the 2004 event plus at least 3 others) just rode the dirt for the first time and thought it was *FASTER*.  He rode the pavement in one direction and looped with the dirt.

I also rode the dirt in 2004 (touring) and have been out there on the CDT as well.  It's possibly my favorite part of the divide route, period.  Wish more of it was that beautiful and remote.

[mtbcast]

Just FYI: MTBCast will be providing call-in service to all racers, of course. Jay P. wanted to give the "Classic" race a throw-back feel and have folks call-in. I don't know how many will be calling as this year is so strange. Couple that with people able to post their own content but we will see. I'm here to process the calls either way. Should be fun!

Call-in number is the same: 888-866-4491