Tour Divide: SoBo or NoBo?

[DenisVTT]

I'm still trying to decide whether to do the ride southbound or northbound. The start list at this time has most people by far being sobos, but I'm not too sure whether it's because it's just the tradition, or if there are more reasons for it. The current snow situation in the northern states like Montana really has me hesitating.

Here are the pros and cons for me at this time:

SoBo:

Pro: More fun to start with more people (but by 10am on June 10, that feeling likely will be gone!)
Pro: The maps and cue sheets are sobo. Much easier to follow. (Not sure about the GPS tracks though)
Pro: The ACA map says: "the route was laid out going north to south and, as you'll see, some of the downhills encountered when you're aimed southward would be very tough to negotiate as uphills in the opposite direction" (Is that true?)
Pro: Easier to get to Banff than to Antelope Wells
Pro: Probably less snow when you get to the high peaks of Colorado
Con: Probably more snow in Alberta and Montana
Con: Might be difficult to find a motel in the first few days if you arrive past 8pm.
Con: tough to get out of Antelope Wells when you're done
Con: colder weather in the north, hotter in the south
Con: difficult to ship your bike via UPS because of the uncertainty at customs (unless you live in Canada.) You need to travel with it which is more expensive

NoBo:

Pro: You can ship your bike to some town close by via UPS (no possible delay due to customs, unless you don't live in the US)
Pro: Far fewer people to compete with for motel rooms in the first few days (if you even have to use motels in the South)
Pro: Easier to get out of Banff at the end than out of Antelope Wells
Pro: Maybe a little cooler weather in the south at the start, and warmer in the north
Pro: Less snow when you reach Montana and Alberta
Con: More snow when you reach the high peaks of Colorado
Con: Harder to get to Antelope Wells for the GD
Con: Harder to read the maps and the cue sheets. More chances for mistakes.
Con: in some sections, like AW to Silver City, you have more chances of a headwind

What did I miss? Are you nobo or sobo?  Why?

[Slowerthensnot]

Pretty much sums it up NOBO here...

Less crowd at start... dessert start well get me into the TT ride mode faster as thats what i'm used to riding these days

NOBO record is soft

the whole hill SB/NB thing is a wash me thinks other then fleecer ridge

[THE LONG RANGER]

Heh, speaking of, uh,  "soft" records, has the route been officially yo-yo raced? My body hurts just thinking about it. The Continental Divide Trail has been yo-yo hiked:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/continental_divide_trail_seven_myths.html

So it's not completely out of the realm of possibility

[Slowerthensnot]

Heh, speaking of, uh,  "soft" records, has the route been officially yo-yo raced? My body hurts just thinking about it. The Continental Divide Trail has been yo-yo hiked:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/continental_divide_trail_seven_myths.html

So it's not completely out of the realm of possibility

well it does solve some travel logistics

[ScottM]

Yes, please, someone destroy the NoBo record.  I hear the slackers that own the supposed record took several "zero" days, and carried a laptop computer in a Bob trailer.

My sense, from touring it backwards, trying the GDR the next year and following the race(s) ever since, is that the wind is much more favorable for NoBo.

[DenisVTT]

My sense, from touring it backwards, trying the GDR the next year and following the race(s) ever since, is that the wind is much more favorable for NoBo.

That was also my feeling after reading some of those charts here: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/westwinddir.html#

The wind in June often seems to come from either the south or the west, rarely from the north.

So what's the record for NoBo?

[ScottM]

Everyone we met cycling the other way seem to complain about the wind.  With the exception of a few exceptional days (like the first one!) it never seemed to bother us too much.

The "record" is 38 days.  We were touring it...

[DenisVTT]

The "record" is 38 days. 

Well, something to shoot for!   

[DenisVTT]

the whole hill SB/NB thing is a wash me thinks other then fleecer ridge

How long and how hard is that Fleecer Ridge? I've heard of it, but I don't know the details. Is that a hike a bike?

[Slowerthensnot]

How long and how hard is that Fleecer Ridge? I've heard of it, but I don't know the details. Is that a hike a bike?

prob just an hour of hike a bike... pretty steep its really the only one i can think of thats non ridable

[6thElement]

Hell, if I'd have known the record was attainable I might have Nobo'd. Flights and hotels all booked up for Sobo though

[russmcb]

Good summary of the pros and cons, though I too suspect that it may be "a wash" between the two options.  Join us NoBo'ers!  We're recruiting! 

Now might be a good time to start figuring out the NoBo vs. SoBo competition rules.  Suggestions?  Average of all times for each team member that completes the route?  Some penalty (or not) for DQ'ing?

Hey, I'm assuming that we NoBo'ers need to provide our own SPOT systems?  Correct?

--russ   

[DenisVTT]

Hey, I'm assuming that we NoBo'ers need to provide our own SPOT systems?  Correct?

--russ   

Can you expand (or direct me to a link that explains it) on what one is supposed to do with the SPOT system? My understanding is that I was supposed to get a device and activate it with a service plan. Anything else I should know?

[russmcb]

Matt or Scott M will probably chime in here with the definitive answer but I believe that we need to buy a SPOT device [cough], then activate it which requires paying for at least a one year plan [cough cough], then tell Scott what the relevant ID# is from the device so that he can enable the monitoring of it (and hence your location) on the race website.

Cheers,
russ

[pro_out]

A con for nobo that no one has mentioned, that leaves Grizz Country at the end when tired, airheaded and that "frankly Scarlett........" attitude.

[DenisVTT]

A con for nobo that no one has mentioned, that leaves Grizz Country at the end when tired, airheaded and that "frankly Scarlett........" attitude.

Good point. I started a thread about that here: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2013.new.html

[russmcb]

Update on SPOTs:  according to Matt there will be about 65 SPOTs available for rent from Trackleaders, $50 for a SPOT1 and $70 for a SPOT2.  That will save a little for those who don't want to own there own unit.  Matt will be sending out a mailing sometime soon with details and a form for those who are interested.

[DenisVTT]

Update on SPOTs:  according to Matt there will be about 65 SPOTs available for rent from Trackleaders, $50 for a SPOT1 and $70 for a SPOT2.  That will save a little for those who don't want to own there own unit.  Matt will be sending out a mailing sometime soon with details and a form for those who are interested.

How does one get on that mailing list?

[DenisVTT]

For NoBo riders: if you're thinking about flying to Tucson on your way to the GD, Frontier just eliminated the bike fee. You still have to pay the regular $20 checked bag fee.

http://media.frontierairlines.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5264

[russmcb]

I think ML will post something on the main TD 2011 thread here, I'm guessing next week probably.

How are NoBo'ers getting to Antelope Wells?