Hello there, Tour Divid-ers...
For those of you who don't know, I am Kirsten...I run Brush Mountain Lodge in Slater, Co...just over half way when you are southbound...

I've been watching the start list stack up and it looks like another exciting year!!
So, with that in mind, I thought i'd drop a note here and let you all know that I am back on the mountain, and I will be here for the race again this year.  Matthew and his family will not be here...sorry for those of you who are disappointed!

Anyhow...some things about what I have up here...
There are cabins for rent, as well as a couple of campsites.  Showers, and laundry are available as well...
I will have food...burgers usually, or breakfast...and veggie options when i can...
The meals are by donation, so please come prepared to pay what it's worth to you.  We accept credit cards now, but we prefer cash...(who doesn't?) (:

If you are coming in late (if your spot is on, i'll see you coming)...I will do my best to stay up and feed you...however, if you are pushing up here really really late, i will likely leave you a note with directions to a bed, and see you in the morning...(:

If you have any questions, please feel free to post here or p/m me and i'll answer em as best i can...

Best of luck to you all,
See you half way!!

Now that there is the best post I have seen in 43 pages.

Talking about cool weather gear. How cold can you expect to get in Canada. I have seen many pictures/movies of some serious snow. But what will the temperatures be like? I can do cold but how cold are we talking? I am hoping to bring 1 long sleeve jersey and one windbreaker/rain coat (haven't figured out which one yet) and arm warmers. Plus knee warmers and tights for the bottom.

You might want to consider a little more warm gear, which you can always ship back.

FWIW and it should be worth a lot - Here's a reply from krefs from the TDR 2012 thread.

"A few considerations I'd ponder based on gear lists I've seen here today and elsewhere:

- Imagine how cold it will be if you get stuck riding in cool temps and rain for several days straight. Got sufficient warm clothes for that? Is your rain gear truly waterproof, or does the manufacturer just claim it is?

- Recovery at night is more important than almost anything else. Sleeping on the lightest possible pad might not be the best for your body.

- Don't underestimate all the parts on your bike that can wear out or break, or how abrasive the mud in the West can be. Some stretches are as long as 800 miles in between bike shops. Make sure you've got the parts and tools necessary to fix anything on your bike that could reasonably fail. Just look back to previous years' race discussions for an idea of how common such failures are.

- None of these gear lists posted today really have any minor first-aid kits that I can see. That seems like a bit of oversight in my opinion. A big part of being self-sufficient is having the knowledge and materials to take care of injuries.

- Bear spray: Sleeping next to your bike, smelling of food, a grizz happens upon you. How good are you at fighting a bear as you try to extricate yourself from your cozy sleeping bag and bivy? The odds are slim that this'll ever happen, but how much of a gamble are you willing to take?

My advice: stop counting grams and plan for adversity and challenge of all types, especially if you're new to this sort of event/experience. These kits look acceptable for fair weather and happy bodies, but as soon as something goes to shit (bad weather, bike failure, crash, etc.), things get tough. Not having one crucial replacement part could cost you a day or more on the trail. Not having enough warm clothing for the often cold and miserable mountain weather this often race includes can be a major safety issue. And nothing is more important than doing everything you can to take care of your body.

And keep in mind that the weather we had (at least the leaders) during the 2011 race was about as perfect as it could get, with the exception of the NM heat. Look back to the miserable weather and awful mud from the 2010 and 2009 editions for a reminder of what could be...broken bikes, broken souls, and high attrition rates."

Woody

I had Peter build me a set of wheels over 10 years ago and he was the same way. Must not hurt his business too much, but maybe he doesn't give 2 Sh!ts.
BTW - great build.

Woody

I just looked at the signup spreadsheet and it looks like a father/son have signed up. Now that's pretty damn cool.

woody

Hi Christopher,

I've given tires a fair bit of thought, mainly due to mounting concerns with Stans rims. I had initially decided to go with WTB Nanos, but apparently the tubeless specific ones (Nano TCS) aren't compatible with Stans rims. The regular Nanos can be run tubeless on Stans rims, so they're still on my 'maybe' list. The plan at the moment is to run some Shwalbe Racing Ralphs in training and see how I get on with them for now. Stappy recommended them as a good Divide tire and I can get a good deal on them at the moment, so they seem to fit the bill. When I get my wheels I'll let you know how I get on with mounting them.

Not to add to it, but if you haven't come across this older thread take a look in it.
Good info.
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,1924.0.html

Woody

Glad to hear Greg's been busy He'll still be the first I'd contact concerning a new frame bag. It helps that I can pedal to his house!

I'm having Greg make me a frame bag and one of the main reasons I went with him was that I could bring my bike and we could go through exactly what I wanted. I was there two hours on Monday.

woody

Hey Guys,

Quick question: I'm getting some new wheels built for the TD and am using Stans Crest rims. I had been planning on running WTB TCS Nano tires, but the Stans website suggests that WTB tyres aren't compatible with their rims. Has anyone tried WTB tires on a Stans rim, if so do they work together? Does anyone have any suggestions on other tires that would be good for the TD.

Ed

Yeah WTB TCS Nano on Stan's rims are almost impossible to get on and are impossible to get off. Last year I put one on my rear for my training and it was a bear to get on. Then I found out it isn't designed to be put on a Stans rim. I ran it and it was a great tire, but when I tried to get it off I had to cut it off.

Like kcampagna said no problem running the non-tubeless Nano with Stans.

Woody

Last year's start time was 8:00am so I would go with that for this year. I'm sure at it gets closer the start time will be posted.

Here's the link to the Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdFRTWGUyNTRnWGNrNkZsbVVPNTViNkE#gid=0

Here's the LOI link:
http://tourdivide.org/contact

About linking your SPOT - when it gets closer to go time most likely you will receive an email on how to link your SPOT to the Leader Board site. I think there is a fee, but it is nominal.

GPX files: (these are last years)
http://www.topofusion.com/divide/gps.php

Woody

MLD Superlight Bivy
  - Size: X LARGE
  - Zipper: Left
  - Options: half moon net window
  - floor: Cuben Fiber
Only used twice
Prefer to ship to the USA only or pickup in the Denver area
$200.00 + shipping, which should be around $10.00 (new I paid $264.00)
I’ll take PayPal or cash

Here’s the Specs
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=30

If you are interested, please PM me.
Thanks,
Woody

Hey Foster,
Not sure what manufacturer you are going with, but....
Definitely look into the sliders.
Moots, Eriksen, and Serotta has sliders has an option.
Moots has the YBB so you get an inch of rear travel - I don't think Eriksen or Serotta offer that.
And I think Serotta is the only one that offers a belt drive option. (Stephen Huddle has this option with a Rohloff)
  Drop Stephen a PM and see if you can pick his brain.
If you go with the sliders you can get sliders for geared, SS, or Rohloff.
I know Moots does not offer the belt drive option and I'm not sure if Eriksen does.
I do think Rohloff has different cable stops so don't forget to add that to your list if you go that way.
Plus with the sliders you can stretch out the rear wheel and get some more flex out of that Ti frame.

I think you can even get a few water bottle braze-ons add the the rear triangle.

Enjoy and keep us posted,

Woody

Here's the link for GPX files for 2011 and 2012
No snow detours in 2012

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

I got USA GPS maps from http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

I ended up purchasing Canada

Woody

I'm just adding myself to this thread so I get the updates.

Thanks,
Woody

PS I hope to be at the GD on June 14th, 2013

I have done it twice in a day and once was counter-clockwise and the second time was clockwise. I'd say counter-clockwise. We parked at the top of Schafer Trail parking lot. We got the road miles to Mineral Bottom Rd. out of the way very early morning since this section is paved and we call it "free miles". The morning we set out we were riding on 313 in the dark and a meteor popped through the atmosphere and lite the whole plateau up like the sun was out for about 5-10 seconds streaking across the sky - It was AWESOME!!! This way once you climb out of Schafer Trail you car/truck is there and you're done.
We drove out the day before and stashed a gallon of water for each rider about 25-30 miles from the finish, which was nice.
We did it in May both times, but October should be nice although you will have shorter daylight.
Enjoy it,
Woody

Edited: Man I'm getting confused which way was clockwise and counter-clockwise up on top of Schafer trail.
I know it shouldn't be that difficult...
Woody

Just clicked on the TD LeaderBoard and noticed a lone ITTer' out there.
GO Sam GO!!!!

http://tourdivide.org/leaderboard

Woody

The Westword is a free paper in the Denver area and a co-worker dropped off the latest edition on my desk, which features a write-up on Justin.

http://www.westword.com/2012-08-02/news/worlds-toughest-bicycle-race-tour-divide/

Woody

I just turned on the "Current Radar" view and it looks like Michelle and Dan will be hitting some rain, hopefully not too much. The clouds are right at the finish.


Congrats to both

Woody

Way to go Iron Mel!!!!!

Woody

Boy Blake Bockius is cranking out there. His Tracker stats says he is averaging 76 miles a day, but that is not adding up he is almost double that.

Woody

Michael Cleveland's spot hasn't moved today; on his call in he said he was heading out towards Salida. Maybe the tracker is not working? Hope he's OK. Go Mike!

Went up and did Gold Dust trail this morning and thought for sure I was going to run into him, but never saw him.

Woody

I hope Eric S. has got it going again. He spent all day backtracking and is now at Beaverhead work center. Almost makes me think he lost something very important.

GO Eric GO!!!

Woody