Tour Divide Basics

[sherpaxc]

I figured as much.  If/when I get a chance to try the TD I'll probably go stoveless, or maybe a small cat can stove for just in case (but unlikely). 

[bmike-vt]

Travis, a stove is merely the tip of the cookset iceberg...but, if you can keep one lit/manage to cook on it while riding the bike, it's good for Divide racing.

so true. now to work on the sleep while moving problem.
might need one of those jetboils if you want to ride while cooking.

[phil_rad]

I'm curious as to how night riding was done in last year's TD. I'm asking because I'm contemplating on bringing my supernova light, it's driven by a dynamo hub; heavier than a normal front disc hub. So far this winter it's been great to ride at night with it.
Anyway, would it be worth the weight penalty? Or would a helmet light suffice?

[Mathewsen]

now to work on the sleep while moving problem.

oh, that will come naturally. particularly late afternoons while perched on the TT bars. it's how gracefully one wakes up and on what 'side of the bed' that becomes key.

I'm curious as to how night riding was done in last year's TD.

i can't speak for others re. last year but for me (as in other years) i did not do enough time at night to rightly budget for anything weighty or bulky. if you're serious about getting in quality night riding, divide racing threads are not where that discussion is evolving. forum threads on 2-5day singletrack 'thru-race' events is the place to query.

[phil_rad]

I was interested in the kinds of lights that are necessary to take along for the Divide Race. Right now I'm using a petzl light on my helmet, basically a backup or to fix flats/set up camp in the dark. Its kind of weak alone for riding in the dark but in a pinch it would work for short distances.

[bmike-vt]

oh, that will come naturally. particularly late afternoons while perched on the TT bars. it's how gracefully one wakes up and on what 'side of the bed' that becomes key.i can't speak for others re. last year but for me (as in other years) i did not do enough time at night to rightly budget for anything weighty or bulky. if you're serious about getting in quality night riding, divide racing threads are not where that discussion is evolving. forum threads on 2-5day singletrack 'thru-race' events is the place to query.

i ditched the TT bars for brevet riding after my first season on them... drifted off a few times on the 400k and 600k. that was enough for me.
but... i will be experimenting with them on the mtb setup for TD... but i'm a few years out. need to get some smaller goals knocked out first.

i'm also curious on the dyno setup - as i use one for 24hr road and brevet events (and pretty much any other riding i do as its always on my main rig)

[phil_rad]

i'm also curious on the dyno setup - as i use one for 24hr road and brevet events (and pretty much any other riding i do as its always on my main rig)

Do you think the weight penalty would be worth the extra lumen's?
I'm not even sure how much night riding I'll be doing.
I have five months to decide. :-)

[Mathewsen]

I was interested in the kinds of lights that are necessary to take along for the Divide Race. Right now I'm using a petzl light on my helmet, basically a backup or to fix flats/set up camp in the dark. Its kind of weak alone for riding in the dark but in a pinch it would work for short distances.

OK. IMHO, as much as you need lumens, you want a good spot (beam) to pick out your line on dirt roads at 15mph. Some prefer helmet-mounted. I find the angle too high to sufficiently gradate road features/potholes and it reflects into my (tired) eyes when cruising in dew or dust-laden air. If bar mount, seek a reliable/versatile mount (hand-tiltable as speed changes, yet free of migration when rattling on washboard). For me, I get away with 50 lumens total, 3 AAA Lith., mounted out on the end of the TTbars. Folks' night vision abilities vary so one must test (@ speed) 'minimal-style' solutions for oneself before getting out there. I use a 1oz 1/2watt mini-LED headlamp off the bike.

[SteveW]

I was interested in the kinds of lights that are necessary to take along for the Divide Race. Right now I'm using a petzl light on my helmet, basically a backup or to fix flats/set up camp in the dark. Its kind of weak alone for riding in the dark but in a pinch it would work for short distances.

I rode the GDR in 2007 and took a <a href="http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/345>Cateye EL530[/url] and a Petzl Tikka. I found it helped me see in the dark, but my speed was reduced considerably. This was a real pain, especially as I mostly wanted to move quicker when it was dark, as I'm usually only riding the 10 more miles to the motel and want to get my head down for the night. I lost a lot of time on descents where speed could be 20 mph, but instead I was doing 5mph. Worse if dust is kicked up. The plastic mounting bracket also started to rattle after 1000 miles.

For the Tour Divide in '09 I decided I would take an <a href="http://www.exposurelights.com/products/enduro_maxx_2_-_2009/index.php>Exposure Enduro MaXx 2[/url] and Princeton Tec EOS. The weight of the Enduro with US charger was only fractionally more than the Cateye with 4 spare AA batteries. Plus the Enduro offered 24 hours light on the low setting, meaning I may not actually need to recharge it at all. One night at a motel and it would be charged up again if needed.

After the race I thought it had been a good strategy. I was able to keep up the same speed in the dark as I was in the day. And using the maximum 720 lumen setting occasionally I could speed down descents and see all around me to search out turnings or good camp spots. I was able to keep it fully charged all the time from the odd motel stop.

[Mathewsen]

i ditched the TT bars for brevet riding after my first season on them... drifted off a few times on the 400k and 600k. that was enough for me.
but... i will be experimenting with them on the mtb setup for TD... but i'm a few years out. need to get some smaller goals knocked out first.

TTbars for Divide racing are certainly to reduce frontal drag but are equally a critical rest position for your back and hands.

[bmike-vt]

TTbars for Divide racing are certainly to reduce frontal drag but are equally a critical rest position for your back and hands.

figured as much. same reason i wanted them on the brevet bike.
and they are a great place to mount a light, maps, computer, cue sheet... etc. etc...

[Pivvay]

If I did TD again I would seriously consider a dyno powered light, it fits my style which probably is a bit different than Matt's. I used only a PT EOS II this past year and while adequate, it is barely enough. There are other benefits to the dyno which I'll experiment with this year.

As to aerobars, wouldn't run again without them. They're great from dozens of angles.

[Fettis]

Like many racers I went with the PT EOS(2?). I didn't do that much night riding on anything too taxing so it was mostly ok.

But, I did ride the descent into Radium in the dark and it was the scariest experience on TD for me. It's a long steep descent to the Colorado river and the road had been recently graded leaving the surface loose and soft in places. The bike was drifting around in the soft stuff and I sensed there were some pretty big drops off the side of the trail. Light rain was falling and I suspect the batteries in the light were fading - I couldn't see much. Then some birds (or bats?) were buzzing around and flashing in my dim light. It was somewhat unnerving.

I mentioned this to Wilko a couple of days later. He said he'd had the same experience in 07 and it was the reason he took that 720 lumen light in 09. Ha.

[JMeiser]

That descent into Radium was wild!  I was just a few miles ahead of Fettis in the fading light... Same PTec EOS, same fading light.  It makes sense to carry a few extra batteries and replace fading batteries when dusk is settling in.  This was really the only "tech" night riding.  I had also ridden out onto the Basin with the same light and had less issues. 

Often times the road surface is much more reflective than the ditch and the edges softer when you do find them.  For TI in past years I've used one EOS on the bars and one 4-LED on the helmet for reading cue sheets.  The 4 LED's are great for reading, they keep the glare to a minimum. 

If you do take more than one battery operated device (GPS, Light, Camera, etc...) do yourself a favor and seek to consolidate what types of batteries your devices take.  Or, just simplify and drop the GPS...you won't need it.  The camera will last on one battery for the whole trip likely.

If you take rechargeable stuff, you've got to take stuff to recharge it and find a place to do it.  While not hard to do, it is one more thing you'll need to plan for when making a stop.

[JayP]

Lights - In o7' EOS on the bars and some BD light with a spot on the head.

           In 09' Apex on the head, Corona on the bike, tandem.

The EOS works just fine if you don't want to go that fast, you run it out way to quick, therefor liking an additional spot on my head.

This year I never even turned the Corona on, meant to send it back multiple times but never did. The Apex is a work horse, do it all, 130 lumens, long run times, led's and a spot. Been using it winter/summer since the first GDR and will continue to do so, by itself, and a Fuel stashed for back up and camp.
 
I like a spot espically when taking big passes down hill at night and looking around for stuff, you can go just about day speed.

Bottom line, if you are going to use the light bring one that is useful for you. If I am going to ride at night I don't want to compromise anything, otherwise I am spending time ineffieciently, is'nt that the name of the game. Effiecincy!!


 

[bmike-vt]

Effiecincy!!


 

I'd argue for 'effectiveness'...
I'm damned near efficient at lots of things - most of which don't get me down the course in a faster time...

[phil_rad]

Thanks again to all for the great info! You guys Rock!! 

[SuzM]

Hey all - another TD gear question... which aero bars does everyone like?  I have an old pair of TT type ones, but they don't really seem appropriate... advice? 

[Pivvay]

Syntace bars at least used to come in 25.4 clamp compatible size so I'm rocking those. I steal my wife's pair since the TT series is over then I think they're C2's.

Most people will want something like the Siren Fred bars to mount the aerobars higher.

[SuzM]

I thought of another question, any ladies out there want to comment on which saddles they use/like or have used and don't like?  I have to get a saddle for my new TD bike, my favorite so far has been an old terry that I have on my road bike, but i'm thinking of trying something new... brooks maybe?