Tour Divide Basics

[BobM]

On a new topic, I was super excited to receive my Ergon grips in the mail yesterday. 

Hi Suz,

If you have not used the Ergons before, be sure to play around with the angle to find what works best for you.  I got mine a couple of years ago and hated them at first until I found the sweet spot angle-wise.  Now I get zero numbness except for the occasional 5-second shake-it-off variety. The leather palms of my gloves grip the Ergons so well that on reasonably smooth surfaces I don't even have to grip, I just rest my palms on the grips with my fingers lightly curled over.

Bob

[phil_rad]

Thanks Bob,

That's a pretty good list, I'll see what I can find here in Germany. I have been to the states, in fact, I was born there 45 years ago in California. :-)
I've been overseas since 1987, but thats a different story.

Phil

[BobM]

I have been to the states, in fact, I was born there 45 years ago in California. :-)
I've been overseas since 1987, but thats a different story.

Phil

And the governor of California was born 63 years ago in Austria, so I guess you and he are in some sort of exchange program. 

[BobM]

Cross-post from the "Bikepacking" forum:

http://www.ridethedividemovie.com/store/

$24.99 plus shipping - ships in May.  Just put my order in.

Bob

[sluttyduck]

I'll chime in here.
I used the Tigoat Ptarmigan last year with my Go Lite quit.
Super light weight, but I didn't have time to order the side zipper version.  I sweat a lot, so by 5am my bag was soaked with my own water vapor.  Hell of a way to wake up(which was good), but it didn't give me confidence that I'd be fine when/if the weather turned worse.

This year I've upgraded to the Nemo Gogo(slightly modified).  It's heavier, but it should encourage me to ride longer into the night and be able to deal with a rainy day with more confidence.

I have also swapped out my prolite 4 short air mattress for a super thin closed cell foam mattress.

For the light, I used(and still am) two Fenix L2D.  2oz each w/out batteries.  I don't think I used the brightest mode.  I used the two fish mounts  to attach them to my helmet

Stephen

[BobM]

Hi all,

Paul Howard's book about his experiences in last year's TD "Two Wheels on My Wagon" is out.  I received mine yesterday and read it last night.  Excellent read and a great resource as well!!  Lots of info on the route and how people deal with the mental aspects of the race.

Bob

[phil_rad]

I just received mine yesterday and am in the process of reading(devouring) it. It's pretty good so far. Amazing that he only started riding mtb's one year before the TDR.

[Mathewsen]

If you live in the states and want to obtain a signed copy of Paul's book directly, he's in the process of setting up a means to transact directly with him (Paypal, maybe?). His book won't be distributed (directly) stateside until 2011. If those eager for a copy can stand by for a couple more days, hopefully Paul will post a link here, or I'll do so when I learn of it.

[Marshal]

I'll chime in here.
I used the Tigoat Ptarmigan last year with my Go Lite quit.
Super light weight, but I didn't have time to order the side zipper version.  I sweat a lot, so by 5am my bag was soaked with my own water vapor.  Hell of a way to wake up(which was good), but it didn't give me confidence that I'd be fine when/if the weather turned worse.

This year I've upgraded to the Nemo Gogo(slightly modified).  It's heavier, but it should encourage me to ride longer into the night and be able to deal with a rainy day with more confidence.

I have also swapped out my prolite 4 short air mattress for a super thin closed cell foam mattress.

For the light, I used(and still am) two Fenix L2D.  2oz each w/out batteries.  I don't think I used the brightest mode.  I used the two fish mounts  to attach them to my helmet

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to bikepacking.net!!

Say, other than some gear adjustments do you plan on other changes for your 2010 TDR assault?  Any overall strategy adjustments?  Water treatment, food choices etc etc?

bty nice pic of you in Paul’s new book

[bmike-vt]

jakpak?

jacket, sleeping bag, bivy?




3lbs +/-

[BobM]

jakpak?

jacket, sleeping bag, bivy?

3lbs +/-

I'm glad to hear the tent and sleeping bag are detachable; could be a problem if they deployed while riding.

Bob

[bmike-vt]

I'm glad to hear the tent and sleeping bag are detachable; could be a problem if they deployed while riding.

Bob

saw it whilst surfing.
not sure what to make of it...
maybe combine it with the yuppie 911 thread?
you never know when you need a jacket, tent, and sleeping bag (without any other gear...)

[sluttyduck]

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to bikepacking.net!!

Say, other than some gear adjustments do you plan on other changes for your 2010 TDR assault?  Any overall strategy adjustments?  Water treatment, food choices etc etc?

bty nice pic of you in Paul’s new book

Thanks,
I've been reading his book the past two weeks(advanced copy ).  It's hilarious.  Lots of bear paranoia in the beginning.
I ditched my derailleurs for a Rohloff.
Instead of stopping in town, eating, then sleeping.  I plan on eating and then riding a little bit further to camp out.
water treatment was and still is bleach.   Food will always be pearson's bars, peanut butter, and tortillias.

[BobM]

Less than 2 months to go!!

Epic Designs bags arrived today and are installed.  They are awesome!  Now I'm having fun figuring out the best place for everything.    Is it better to have an even weight distribution or to weight it toward the front or back, generally?

How is everyone else doing prep-wise?  My cue sheets are about done, gear all here, all reservations made, training rides are progressing nicely.  I'm still having moments of panic that I suppose will continue until 9:01 on June 11.  At that point it won't matter what I've forgotten.

Bob

[Marshal]

Less than 2 months to go!!

Epic Designs bags arrived today and are installed.  They are awesome!  Now I'm having fun figuring out the best place for everything.    Is it better to have an even weight distribution or to weight it toward the front or back, generally?

How is everyone else doing prep-wise?  My cue sheets are about done, gear all here, all reservations made, training rides are progressing nicely.  I'm still having moments of panic that I suppose will continue until 9:01 on June 11.  At that point it won't matter what I've forgotten.

Bob

I don’t think weight distribution will be that much of a factor on the Great Divide route vs. say, any tight twisty steep rocky ST. 

That said you might start by packing as much weight as possible down low in your main frame triangle (this assumes you have a frame bag) and ‘balance’ the rest, front to rear.  And if you are using a backpack try stuffing it with lighter items to keep weight off the ol derriere. Anyway the best way to pack is of course the way you do it after some good ol trial and error testing…enjoy

hope my remaining Epic's show up soon so I can finish my trial/testing..........

[phil_rad]

Ditto to what Marshal said, trial and error. Field testing is very important, get out in the woods and test everything as much as you can.

I'm having the same feelings, and I'm also waiting on some last minute items.

Have fun!

Phil

[sluttyduck]

There is also the balance of frequency of use.
I keep my tent and quilt in my saddle bag because it's the biggest pain in the butt to get to.
I don't mind having weight on my back(been there done that), and I find it uncomfortable to have my bladder in my frame bag.  Some people can deal with that though.
In my frame bag I'll keep some food, and my jacket, gloves, hat, and neck gator.  My jacket fits over me and my backpack, and I can put in on and off while riding. 
The backpack will have water, first aid, passport, money, unused maps and cues, etc, and some food.
The handlebar bag has my sleeping pad, long sleeve shirt, keffiyeh, sleeping bag liner, tools, chamois butter, and most importantly of all Toliet Paper(easiest to access).

[phil_rad]

Stephen,
How much water will you be able to carry at one time? I was thinking about taking three 3 bladders. One can fit in my frame bag, the other two in my back pack but then its going to be really heavy, plus I have a one liter nalgene bottle for filtering. Is a capacity of ten liters necessary?

[sluttyduck]

For the most part I planned my water around what was available.  I tried to carry as little as possible. 
The most was 5 liters. 2 on the fork, 3 on the back. 
6 liters got me though the basin. I stopped and drank a liter at a little stream and then refilled.
I'll be bringing my 6 liter MSR bag(or I may buy a smaller 3 liter), generally so I'll have plenty of water when camping.
You're going to be bringing a filter?  I'd ditch it for bleach since you can purify while riding; instead of stopping to filter.

[Marshal]

4 hour dell time between sips??

The size and weight make it tempting to use a chemical purification method as a chief method but imo the required 4 hour wait for full effectiveness negates any weight advantage over a filtration or UV method.  I just can’t see many TDR situations where I would want/need to carry several L’s of water for 4 hours before I can use it.

If I am using a full on ‘go light’ water weight strategy, and need to use a filtration/purification system to cover a ‘miscalculation’ I will use my SteriPen.  It’s a whopping 3.4 oz ‘of extra’ weight but can provide1-4 L drinkable water in a few minutes.  But like all the purification/filtration systems it to has a draw back--the UV method is not fully effective in cloudy water.  

Anyway with a adjustable/capacity/set of 1,2 & 3 L bladders, plus jersey pockets for 1-3 store bottles, for most of the route I hope to not need/use any purification system at all, but I suspect I will be forced to use one occasionally..Ahhh---just like every other gear and strategy choice---pick your compromise's and place your bet's