If it helps JayP and Tracey keep doing awesome things, I'm all for it - they've paid their dues

Is it MY (personal) style? Hell no, but I'm an idiot and "out of my depth" is more modus operandi than it should as I get to be wizened and old.

Its even worse when you read Jays thoughts on the volume of people turning up for the race start  icon_scratch
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2019.msg18374.html

Maybe his rant was more about unprepared people on the route, and if so, a clinic is a solution to the problem. This is a great example of stepping up, rather than just complaining. The person who dislikes the grub, becomes the cook, and all that.

Yeah, you have a point. Although in the eyes of the insurance company, what would you someone who's going for basically an unofficial  FKT (or not even that?) completely independently? That question may not be so rhetorical - is there any precedence? 

Some more relevant information:

http://travellingtwo.com/resources/insurance-for-bicycle-tours

I wonder what the ACA says about this type of stuff - maybe they've got an interesting perspective, what with creating the GDMBR and knowing exactly the type of stuff that could go wrong.

EDIT: Here's their referral for travelers insurance that they list on all their wavers, etc:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/travelinsurance/

I'd still get clarification if what's covered for road bike touring makes sense for offroad bikepacking/racing. Although all these traveler insurance plans look basically the same and are reasonably priced. There's a few upgrades you can make for a pittance that may be worth it.

World Nomads specifically lists "Cycle touring", "Cycling (incidental to the trip)", :Mountain biking - incidental to the trip", "Mountain biking off track / downhill",  "Mountain biking on tracks and trails",  "Trail bike riding", "Trail bike riding", "Hiking or tramping", "Zorbing"- you get the picture. The emergency extraction is <= $500,000

http://www.worldnomads.com/files/DocPDF/20111001/Explorer_CO.pdf

Foster won the 2012 Badass of the Year award, Duh!



The Terms and Conditions for the SPOT SAR stuff seems like it's so full of holes for their lawyers to jump through, when you attempt to use it, I'm wary about you could actually utilize. It'd be really great to get some real-world stories about it. I get the same feeling when I buy traveler's insurance via a random website: you get what you pay for. Some relevant discussion:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/johnmuirtrail/message/7490

http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=15971 (Sorry this gets into CO-only COSAR stuff as well - but still relevant for the Tour Divide, CTR - I'd suggest grabbing it)

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-22302.html

It really doesn't sound like (health) insurance, but it DOES seem to be worth it, especially if you have along the SPOT anyways. When I reup my SPOT subscription, I'll probably go for it. One thing that may make a huge difference is filling out as much relevant details in your SPOT device's profile (sorry if this terminology is weird), like relevant phone emergency contact numbers, any medication requirements or allergies, planned trip itinerary, any medical/SAR/survival training/classes you yourself may have - things like that. Anything could really help. The gamble on price is low, your own expectation you have on the coverage just has to be realistic (I guess?). If you need a chopper, you need a chopper - sort out the details later.

I was really lucky when I took my tumble in NM - there was a some people out of town going up the jeep trail in the Gila, outside of Silver City that just so happened to be there for a Boy Scout reunion and a mile up the road a Fish and Game Police just so happened to be doing his rounds. The Fish and Game officer gave me a lift to the hospital as a courtesy! I offered to buy him some beer when he got off. He had an experience of being air lifted out of his own motorbike accident - the price was far too expensive for him to really name.

A while ago (couple years??) I remember reading a (rather heated) thread on the changing face of divide racing; the risk of the growth of the GD to unsustainable numbers, opinions on the purity of the event, tourists vs. racers, romanticism of the divide, etc......

Maybe this one?

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2019.msg18374.html

(also do a search for "cell phones" in general)

I think JayP's Reality Check isn't a bad one to mull over. Everything else is probably just unneeded politics. Ride the bike, you know?

Ahhh... walk-a-bike... good times.  The best walk-a-bike is usually on pavement...
I'm in for the full 750 this year.  And I can't wait.

Oh, sweet. Save on GPS purchase. Just follow Scott! I hear he's gonna be in front

Depends on the Spring melt and the early Summer melt/rain.  Last year it poured for a week prior to the race in Banff.  The Smith-Dorrien was closed between Goat Creek Trailhead and Canmore due to washouts.  The route was flooded and washed out in places.  The gravel roads were soft.  Elk Pass was snow/mud/water for most of its length.  Flathead Pass had 2 miles of snow on the climb and 3 miles on the descent.  Cabin Pass was almost completely clear of snow but was muddy in places.  There were a few miles of snow on Galton Pass.

Pure unadulterated fun.

Yeah as BobM, the great majority of the snow hit last year was from really recent systems. Locally, Colorado is in super drought mode, so I'd be more concerned over forest fire closures, which are a downer, once you get that far south.

If there is snow, please do yourself a favor and think about your feet. Too many strong riders had to tap out because of problems with their feet, and probably because of walking in bike shoes in the snow. If there's snow: maybe even bring a pair of old running shoes to wear on the snowier places, and to ditch at your earliest convenience (Eureka?). Anything would be better than bike shoes. A pair of Chacos would be better. Best 12 oz you could bring.

So, I'm trying to figure out, like many, how to get to the start of this damn thing. If flights are cheap, would it make sense to fly into Tucson, and catch a shuttle to Sierra Vista, and pre-ride some of the course South? Seems like you can take Canelo Road W. out of S.V. and make the start in a few hours, with munchies in tow.

So whats the rough head count for 750 riders/racers for the April 19th start?

It's certainly on my radar, as April 19th just so happens to be my birthday and that sure seems to be a sign for me. It fits perfectly with my training for this summer, as I have two gravel grinders before hand, the AZT and than a few months later... The AZT will def. be "fish out of water" for me, as the only thing I've ridden close to what the AZT is, is the front range trails near home. And everything - from rocks to plants; isn't trying to kill you, here.

Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish, MT. In Helena, MT The Garage. The Outdoorsman in Butte, MT Rob Leipheimers shop is a favorite. In Steamboat Springs, CO Orange peel, Abslout in Salida and in Silver City, New Mexico the Gila Hike and Bike. Not very many for such a long route.

This is basically the list I'd give out, too. All these shops are super excited to see the riders come in during the race and will treat you well. I have to always remind myself I'm asking for immediate help at the height of their season, and they always seem to squeeze me in. It's incredible. Treat the wrenches that are performing those bike miracles well!

I'll also give a shout out to Hoback Sports in Jackson, WY, which isn't exactly on route, but good-lawd, did they go over and above the call of duty.

I did a bit of coverage of NAHBS, including the bike packing stuff:

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2013/nahbs-adventures-in-off-road-adventure-bikes

The BRP bike had a nice clean cockpit; it's pretty interesting to see these wholly-specific bikes being artistically designed.

Also, my plan is to ride until I'm done...then stop.  If it's at a town, good.  If not, I'll camp.  I'd rather not be confined by towns, in terms of sleeping.  Plus, I'm cheap.  Plus, I think I'd get started earlier.  Not to say I won't want a bed some times (maybe always) but I'd rather not plan on it.

Yeah, I don't think that's a bad idea at all, def. close to my way of doing things. Depending on how far you've gone for the day, staying in town can be a hard thing to decline taking advantage of, but I do think it works out for the better, if you've got the legs for it. For example, outside of Elkford, is good-enough places to crash for the night, as long as the hill out of town doesn't scare you away, it's def. a psychological barrier to overcome!

I'd recommend getting as close to Sparwood as you can (or out of it) - basically as far into the Flathead as you can. The fastest people will make it almost to Butts in the first night. Just make sure to have enough food to push outta there, to the border - or Eureka.

Just try to gauge how fast you're going when night falls, it's harder to see the road/perhaps harder to navigate, and you're tired anyways and make that go-no go decision. There were def. days where I pushed 60 miles farther, after 9:00pm, because conditions were perfect to do so.

Ah, all this talk makes me wistful for another go

There's been a lot of good discussion about this:

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=2013.0

ML's map is useful:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=200334849650645495946.00047e45e4239031f00c3&start=0&num=200&sll=46.7248,-112.807617&sspn=1.269004,2.221985&z=7

From my own experience, here's some things to note about the RED sections - basically avoid sleeping in the red areas:

* Banff to Elkford probably won't be too problematic, as most can get to Elkford. You'll undoubtedly see some bears on route.
* The Flathead has some opportunities for inside sleeping, including the Butts Cabin. I wouldn't count on it, as it's first-come, first serve. Lots, and lots of bears in the area.
* Hopefully, it's easy to time it, so you're in the area after Eureka and the Swan Lake area in the daytime, rather than the night time.
* There's campsites a few miles after you turn L off of 83, they'll have beer boxes for food. The area after it, and before Richmond peak is pretty bear-heavy. Lots of folks took photos of that huge bear trap. The part right before it is also a part of the trail that turns into sorta-singletrack. It's spooky. Seeley lake is another good place to crash for the night - motels are available. The track afterward is super fast (and fun!) and you'll get to the next towns in no time. There's a work center in the middle of that, as well, if you need some, "company"
* There's no reason to sleep on top of Huck Pass - either do it, and get to Lincoln, or don't. It's a fun climb and funner descent. Haven't done it at night, though!

Montana also has a plethora of ready-made beer shelters called, "outhouses".

BigPoppa is right though, you're going to smell like food and stink like human, no matter what you do. Don't pour butter and bacon on yourself, or your sleep kit and go to sleep, though. 

I don't think taking minor precautions are hanging up your food with a bit of parachord is a bad idea. Lots of people take bear spray. My second time around, I opted to go without it. It's another choice you should make for yourself.

I was doing around 1200 miles/month - which was basically 1 long ride (100+ miles) and several short ones (~40 miles), with 2-3 days off per week, in 2011. That was kind of out of control.

I don't think 2012 was anything near that; perhaps because I was at a more mature base than I was in 2011 (and 2010 was recovering from injury). And the TD wasn't something I knew as being definite. Rather, there were more mini trips, and a lot more rest days. I made the shorter days faster and the longer days longer, if that makes sense. Doing sub 24hrs to 4 day trips and then a big block of rest seemed to be more helpful, mentally. Any "rest" day was also between 10  - 20 miles of commuting at whatever pace I wanted.

I kinda wish Strava was a thing for me pre TD in 2012, it would have been interesting. I was diligent in recording mileage in 2011.

Maybe it would be helpful - maybe not, but mentally think about the block of time you were able to ride 3,000 miles, and then realize that you'll have to ride a similar amount of miles, in a vastly more compact period of time. It kinda gives you a good idea on what that sort of effort is going to entail.

The issue with the Neoair Xlight is that it will spring a leak if you look at it funny. The patches for it are essentially stickers. It's an interesting bit of kit, but something that UL has some disadvantages.

so part of the surly was user error? (just making sure before I go retooling some more).

Just on that bolt on the front hub - when I built up the bike in Banff, I neglected to tighten it correctly. Never gave me grief in any of the rest of ride. These are the hubs in question:

http://surlybikes.com/parts/hubs

You can see they use an M6 bolt with a large... uuugh washer face (thing?), instead of quick release. Similar really to what Paul's hubs do.

I have a Jannd just for that.  What about zip ties?  I'm going to invest stock in those

Zip ties are good; lots of little things to keep in your kit - extra spokes, extra bolts of various sizes, extra cleat(s), etc. Speaking of Surly hubs, I was almost out of the race in first hours, as one of the wheel fixing bolts from my surly hub came out (operator error). Made a most awful sound, as the wheel was out of alignment as the front disk was dragging on the brake. Luckily, I had an extra bolt the right size (M6 - what else on my bike uses that?!) - no idea why I brought one - and I made a washer out of a Crank Bros. cleat. That could have been a painful missing part. It's incredible I even caught the problem.

I'll give you three guesses what was just outfitted on my bike because of a broken chain tensioner...

rhymes with Burly. 

ugh...

I'd be curious if your experience is the same as mine. I'd pack a small velcro strap in your kit, just in case.

why not for the surly-brand chain tensioner?

I'm generally a big fan of Surly: their bikes are no-nonsense, practical, burly, etc. I've own 3 framesets, many wheels built with their hubs and random parts here and there. My Crosscheck has toured 9 countries, before finally cracking, at the seatstay - actually from doing a mini-tour, practicing for my last TD. Happily, the replacement frame is going strong.

Their chain tensioner really leaves things to be desired. One of the pluses of the design is that you can run it two ways, either with the spring tension applying pressure down, like a regular derailer, or applying pressure up - up seems to be a better idea, looks nicer, etc. The problem is that the spring that comes with the tensioner is garbage - you'll easily break it simply by fumbling around with installation. If you look at any photos of my bike from 2012, you'll see that I've wrapped the arm of the tensioner with a small, velcro strap to keep well, "tension". This works.... alright, but makes working on the back wheel a little awkward, as you have to remove the strap (which is covered in dirt/mud/dirty muddy lube) and re-apply it, every time you want to service the wheel. Since I still have the part, I may look into finding a better spring to replace it with, and see if it gives more tension and becomes a lot more usable. Another plus of the tensioner may be that you can run things like a PC-1 chain, rather than requiring an 8spd, or 9spd chain.

I may have described this higher in the thread. Best thing to do would be to get a bike with sliding dropouts, if you wanna run SS on an MTB. My next foray into tensioners may well be a Paul Melvin, as it seems pretty flexible in what you can do with it. I'm trying to figure out myself what my next offroad bike build is going to be: the next project is going to need the type of gear flexibility you'd need on something like the Colorado Trail, yet needs to work on something that lasts as long as the Tour Divide, with even less shops around, and a whole lot more opportunities for people to nik my bike. Non-flashy, simple and non-standard may be the way to go (for me). And I break things.

Whatever you all do, please *after the race* compare notes, however subjective they come. It's a looong race and a million things can go wrong.