Gunnar, you have S&S couplings on your Serrota? Cool.

Been watching Billy Rice on his ITT, seems his spot has stopped working. James Kirwan from Ireland looks to be underway, wonder how much snow is still up there.

Go guys!!

I don't think your gear list should differ too much from the standard list. I like this video from your site: http://www.kmxus.com/video-1vH7NSFxyPs.html
If you can complete the TD on a trike, then you the man!

Interesting. I'd like to see how you're gonna get your trike and gear up the singletrack connector at the bottom of Galton pass, let alone through the snow of Canada/ Northern Montana. I wish you a good time and good luck. Be safe!

Aidan's tearing it up! Unfortunately Paul E. had to scratch, head is not into it. He just recently raced and finished the Trans Iowa so probably not fully recovered from that. Next year Paul.

This doesn't really surprise me. Most of my training I had to struggle with unusual cold and lots of snow in Germany and it is still freezing cold. So I wouldn't be surprised if we all had to struggle with temperatures above 100 F all the way from Banff to AW in this year's race :-)

Don't count on hot temps in Canada and Northern Montana, if it happens be happy but be prepared for cold temps and rain/snow. Kind of like our lovely weather in Germany right now. :-)

So who are the big guns this yr?
No jefe
No JP
No kurt
No ollie
So who's it gonna be?
YOU

Craig S. and Mike Hall would be candidates for the win, if not a record. Probably a couple other too. It's going to be a good race.

That list with resupply towns was from last year, might not be 100% up to date, so don't trust it blindly ;-) Do your own research.

I've been testing the Plug from Supernova this year with mixed results. The first one I fried on a long downhill, it didn't effect my light (E-3Triple) or Garmin etrex. Georg at Supernova sent me a new cable and so far so good! It runs my gps device, charges my phone and I can run my light too. Like Christopher said a very tidy set up. I would still take a back up set of batteries for the gps, you never know...

I like being independant with the dyno hub; having the candle power to ride in the dark if need be. The Fenix lights put out an amazing amount of light for a little flashlight, I used one last year. Definitely cheaper and lighter than the dyno set up.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll look into the one's from Voller and PI.

Phil

I've seen a few people using these white arm coolers/UV Protectors; what brand are they and do they really work? Are they worth the extra cash? Or would regular arm warmer do a similar job?

News Flash: Kurt Refsnider quietly (no SPOT tracking) took back the AZT 300 speed record this weekend, running a 'perfect' ITT on the route in 2 days, 2 hours and 20 minutes!

Just 2:20 to go, and someone will bust the 48 hour mark!  Congrats, Kurt!

Congrats Kurt! Way to push the envelope!

I've been using the Smart Sams on my cyclocross bike for 6 years; I use it as a commuter. They roll really well, have pretty good traction in the dirt and on gravel and they last a long time. I did a 300 mile gravel grinder stage race back in 2011 here in Germany and had no flats. Where as other riders with super light weight cross tires had nothing but problems.

They would also be a good choice for the GDMBR I think.

I roll up my bag (down) pad and bivi altogether. It all fits in a small S2S eVent dry bag. A synthetic bag might be a bit bulky and rub on the front tire if your using a suspension fork.

I would still go with the Geax Sagauro but use whatever you're comfortable with.

No GD for me this year, I'm sitting this year out to do the Grenzsteintrophy here in Germany. Next year is a possibility.

Post a picture of your trike rig, I'm curious as to how it looks. :-)

Phil

Hi guys,

This is a difficult post to make. After a year of planning and preparing to tackle the Divide in 2013, injury has ended my hopes before I could even make the start line. I managed to dislocate my right kneecap during a heavy week of training at the beginning of April. Although I've done everything in my power over the last few weeks to try and recover, I've had to face the reality that my knee is not yet up to full-power efforts on local training rides, let alone tackling the Divide.

Throughout my years riding bikes I've been relatively lucky in avoiding injuries, so although the timing of this one is bitterly disappointing, I have to try and be philosophical about it. I see this injury as a setback: my desire and drive to pedal the Great Divide is as strong as ever and I will endeavor to line up in 2014.

I wish all the 2013 riders the best in their efforts — I will be watching your blue dots attentively, wishing I was riding alongside you. Until next year,

Ed

Ed,

I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you recover soon and continue your quest to ride the divide. Maybe we'll meet next year, I'm thinking about giving it one more try.

Cheers
Phil

Hi everybody,

this year I m going to participate in a 1.100km MTB bikepacking trip, and we expect passages of several hundred meters where we have to push or even carry the bike over wet stones and boulder fields. And I plan on participating in a multisport race which has offroad biking passages as well, most likely with push/carry-passages too. So I will need shoes with serious grip.
I have Shimano SPD A 530 pedals on my Cannondale Flash Alloy F2 29er, they are perfect to get out of them very quickly if needed.
I need new MTB-shoes anyways, so I was wondering what kind/brand of shoes you can recommend that fit my description. If you had bad experiences, please share as well so I get spared.

Thx a lot!

Check these out http://shop.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=43&product_id=1796209&outlet=&color_code=2FJ

A lot of people are using these. But its a highly personal choice, so try on a few different brands, make sure they're not too tight!

Bike thieves suck! I hope she gets her bike back.

Here is my AZT 750 trip report with pics.

http://teamkaker.com/arizona-trail-race-750-ride-recap/

Forest, sounded like a good (rough) time ;-) Nice pictures too especially the one with your worn out shoes! Yikes! Did you wear them on the hike through the big ditch?

Thanks for sharing.

Phil

Blue Dot works on my iPhone 5. Pretty cool App.

Nice write up Adam 

Sounds like an awesome route.

Marco,

I like the steripen option, easy and fairly quick to use and effective but the water has to be clear. Tablets take a few hours to be fully effective. Filters are heavy and bulky. Some say not to drink the surface water at all, but you have to know the route well for that option.

I'm not a big fan of riding with backpacks but sometimes it is necessary, so when I do us one it's an Osprey Talon 22. Sometimes I take this with me.

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/162

Not the most comfortable pack but packs up super small and works in a pinch.