Tour Divide 2023 - Race Prep Discussion

[Salubrious]

Everyone has their own interpretation of self supported.

Boy is that ever the truth. Over the last couple of years I've watched a few of those 'Impossible Route' things on YT. They claim they are 'self supported' but have a cook making meals for them at their intended stopping point for the night, as well as of course, a film crew. They don't seem to carry much in the way of bikepacking gear with them... despite that they can be interesting. But I don't see them as 'self supported'.

[daverill]

Timely episode of radiolab: https://radiolab.org/episodes/alone-enough

[Flinch]

Sorry for delayed response, I don't hang out here often.
Tires:
I've used Conti Race Kings, Maxxis Ikons,  Crossmarks, and another (old Nano?) I can't recall.
My new favorite fast rolling tire, that resembles the Fleecer Ridge model, is the Maxxis Pace Tubeless. Have not run it on the TD, but it's fast and has smaller knobs. I think next race will be Ikon on front for traction (I had my front wash out on gravel/pavement in 2017), and Pace on the rear. If I get bold, maybe Pace front and rear.

A foolproof setup is Ikons front and rear. Think 'Tough and Fast' when selecting a tire. Too many racers overthink their tire setup. I don't have anyexperience with Vittoria tires, but they have a good following.

One tip is that 'mud tires' are near worthless, as the type of mud encountered will coat any tires quickly so that the knobs disappear, making it them useless. You need traction in light gravel-on-dirt, and a tough tire.

[Climb1mt]

With a return to 'normal' snow load in the northern parts, I'm curious of the amount of snow to expect on the passes in Canada and Montana.  Has anyone had eyes on the the trail lately?

[bon]

Fernie & Banff are looking good but curious about Galton Pass.

[Salubrious]

It likely won't have a car buried on top...

[tlane3of6]

For early starters:

Looking for advice:
Per the Unofficial Starters list, George Whalen is starting South bound tomorrow, 5/12.

I am planning the first leg of my Yo-Yo attempt starting 5/20 North bound.

If I don't receive any word from Matthew Lee or Scott Morris prior to my planned start, what GPX should I use?

Thanks, Tom

[bon]

If you've reached out to them directly and don't hear back in time, I would think you could use 2019 or 2021 gpx until this year's file is released, then switch it out. Just a guess.
Wishing you a fantastic adventure!

For early starters:

Looking for advice:
Per the Unofficial Starters list, George Whalen is starting South bound tomorrow, 5/12.

I am planning the first leg of my Yo-Yo attempt starting 5/20 North bound.

If I don't receive any word from Matthew Lee or Scott Morris prior to my planned start, what GPX should I use?

Thanks, Tom

[Briansong]

For early starters:

Looking for advice:
Per the Unofficial Starters list, George Whalen is starting South bound tomorrow, 5/12.

I am planning the first leg of my Yo-Yo attempt starting 5/20 North bound.

If I don't receive any word from Matthew Lee or Scott Morris prior to my planned start, what GPX should I use?

Thanks, Tom

Best of luck on your start. Please report back when possible on conditions on the passes as you navigate.

[threepin]

With a return to 'normal' snow load in the northern parts, I'm curious of the amount of snow to expect on the passes in Canada and Montana.  Has anyone had eyes on the the trail lately?

If by normal you mean the drought years of the 90's then i guess so. Right now stahl peak (nearest snotel to Galton \, whitefish divide and red meadow is at 42% of normal and going quick. It just entered the lowest ever category in the last couple of days. In 2017 I camped at upper whitefish and rode to red meadow with only a bit of snow at the top- I would expect similar this year. Yesterday we rode to 5750 in the salish mountains due west a bit from red meadow and had to push maybe 75 feet.
The issue won't be the north but rather the central sections of the route

[kiwidave]

2023 TD route has been posted:

http://topofusion.com/divide/gps.php

[flyboy]

It takes way more than protour watts to win something like the TD. I wish him well in his endeavor and am looking forward to seeing what he can do. I think the "risk" of having more pros/sponsored riders participating is likely along the lines of a continued slow degradation of the original solo spirit of the race. We've seen riders (and their sponsors) place a desire for exposure above the "do it completely solo" ethos that makes events like this so special. Its my opinion that film/media crews consisting of familiar faces following along, regardless of how well intentioned or "policed", provide an unfair advantage. That's my opinion and no one is going to change it, so I'm not interested in a debate. I guess in the end it all depends on the style in which they wish to participate. In this age of the 'gram and "look at me look at me" mindsets I'm not super optimistic.

I agree 100%. Not all change is good but change is inevitable.

I haven?t been in here in a while but it is sad to see so little discussion. Just a few years back this thread would run to 30 odd pages and contain easily found nuggets of wisdom. FB groups have a lot to answer for as info/posts seem to disappear on that platform.
Best of luck to those trying this beast of a ride. It will be life changing!

Edit: 280 starters?! Let?s hope the start is low key and a bit under-the-radar.

[andrew k]

NOBO grand depart is listed as midnight???  Seems weird to start at a different time than SOBO.

[Alex.C]

NOBO grand depart is listed as midnight???  Seems weird to start at a different time than SOBO.

Not really, it sucks racing through the day in the desert in summer. The best riding can be done in NM at night.

[Iowagriz]

I seem to remember the Nobo guys organizing amongst themselves and changing the start time to midnight due to heat (heat for that time, a few years back?).

Doesn't make sense to me, sobo doesn't get that option.

It will be interesting to see how Parks Canada responds if they really have 280 to start. It sounded like they pushed back fairly hard last year.

I haven't looked at this year's track yet, but it will be interesting to see how many people miss the initial singletrack sections. The short section right after you cross the reservoir and the section before Spray Lakes (High Rockies Trail?). When I raced last year, I know people missed those sections, and during discussions at Spray Lake store, they didn't seem to care.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[andrew k]

the midnight start was a holdover from last year.  The nobo start is 7am. 
SOBO are starting at 7 am going in 20 person waves. Sounds like starts will be spread over a few hours.

[bon]

Riders you are among the few who get to experience ~2,745 miles of some of the most beautifully rugged terrain the trails have to offer! So wonderful! Although the trail may feel like a stranger in the beginning, I guarantee it will feel like a friend in the end.

Give your all, treat the trail with respect, and the trail will give back to you. When the going gets tough - and I guarantee at some point it will - whether it's from weather conditions, trail conditions or the conditions of your mind or body - remind yourself of why you signed up to be out there; why you started, and what your motivation was to finish. For most of us, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This may your first, your last, your second or even your tenth time on the route. Whichever it is, it will be like no other time before. That's one of the wonderful things about the Divide - it dishes up something new, something spectacular, and something beautiful every single time!

This Friday you get to not just dream it, but to actually live the story you wish to tell. Leave everything you've got out there and you'll come back with more than you started with. But most of all - don't forget to enjoy the ride! You GET to ride your bike! Best of luck to you all! Stay safe and we will be cheering on your DOTS until every last rider has finished!!

[mtbcast]

#TD23 Peter Kraft Jr. called in from Koko Claims!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td23/

[bon]

Solid! Go Peter!!

[mtbcast]

#TD23 Peter Kraft Jr. called in from Fernie!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td23/