HI friends,

My Sonic Divide film lives on YouTube now. Please share and subscribe.

This was my project where I rode the GDMTBR and performed 30 new pieces of music at the Divide crossings. The film looks at the relationship between creative music and ultra-distance riding. 
The trailer: https://youtu.be/oYM5_BjUKzY
The short version of the film: https://youtu.be/vcq7zTdpyZg
The full film: https://youtu.be/OzziWD8Mtlg?t=1

Thanks, and enjoy! For more information about the project go here: https://www.sonicdivide.com

Best wishes to all the TD riders this year. I hope each of you has a life-changing, transcendent adventure. Ride safe and enjoy the moment!!

I'm leaving tomorrow for my Sonic 8 adventure. Here's a SPOT link if want to follow: https://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0MoiGhfLnGRHeZhZjOzMq9OzKJ7KyS4MB

Tour Divide starts today, so lots going on the bikepacking world!

If you live in or near VT and want to join me on the trail, send a FB message or text me (973 - five five 9 - 33 nine 1) and I'll reply when I can. You can find me via the SPOT.

["What goes on in your head when you're out there?"]

Hi friends,

This summer I'm doing another bikepacking/music/film adventure, a follow up to my Sonic Divide project from 2016. (www.sonicdivide.com) If you haven't seen that film yet, please check it out and let me know what you think. The links for the film are here: www.sonicdivide.com/the-film

The new project is called the Sonic 8. Since my Sonic Divide film came out I've traveled a lot and given many talks and presentations and there are many questions that came up over and over again, including "What goes on in your head when you're out there?"

The Sonic 8 is an attempt to answer that question. www.sonic-8.com

If you live in or near Vermont and want to join me for a few hours on the adventure I'd love to have you. I'll be posting on FB and Instagram (there's no Trackleaders page for this route yet) and you can find me that way. I can always use another set of hands holding cameras, so this is your chance to make it into Hollywood. Here's the link to the route: https://www.vermontbikepackers.org/routes It's 600+ miles of fabulous dirt riding, with over 45,000 feet of climbing. Yes!

Thanks for your support, and I hope to see you out there!
Payton

The head winds were pretty bad in the Basin, but otherwise mixed. Tailwinds are a blessing and a joy and not to be counted upon!

I loved NoBo! One advantage if you're riding in June is that the weather may be more favorable. That was my gamble and it worked beautifully. It will still be hot in NM, but not as bad as in July. And then by the time you get to Montana most of the snow has melted and the passes are more feasible.

I was glad to not have as many people. I was after solitude. That may or may not appeal to you, but you'll still meet lots of fascinating people on the trail and you may end up riding with them if pacing is good.

As for logistics, I flew to El Paso and then pedaled over to Columbus from there, which is 80 fast miles. If you're doing the race and want to leave from Antelope Wells you could take two days to pedal from El Paso over and then down. It's a good way to get warmed up!

Have fun, it's the ride of a lifetime . . . I still think about it every day . . .

I've been reading a thread started on November 29, 2009 called 'Tour Divide Basics', which is immensely worth the time to read for rookies - at least I think so. But I can't help thinking how much TD racing has changed since the early days: bikepacking specific gear is readily available from multiple outlets now (no longer just revelate and carousel); GPS units are smaller, faster, and have better battery life; the GD track seems to be highly accurate; ACA maps are incredibly detailed; trackleaders and SPOT; Osprey backpacks; etc, etc.

It feels like the pioneering spirit of TD has perhaps been replaced by a 'bucket list' type mentality. There are obviously still many risks associated with tackling this route and many adventures to be had, but so much has already been figured out by the early riders; where to get good water (I found a google map for water sources on the Wamsutter detour that someone posted), where to shop, which bike shops to hit, where to ship food/gear, what kind of lights to carry, navigational improvements have limited the need to rely on cues/maps, unlimited discussions and reviews on rain gear, shelters, clothing, stoves, tires, what kind of food to eat, etc. And the sheer volume of countless trip reports...even a movie!

Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to race it, or if you do you could do it as an ITT and leave at a different time from the GD. You could also consider riding NoBo, which has far fewer people. Or, you could forgo it all together and make your own route somewhere.

When I was doing my Sonic Divide project in 2016 I ran into several racers who said they didn't really want to race any more, but they seemed to be struggling with some form of guilt for "only touring." I resented the implication that a touring cyclist is somehow less of an athlete than a racer, but more importantly I felt they were missing an opportunity to make the Divide something special to them.

Racing is very exciting (For the record, I like racing very much), but I feel that sometimes it gets more attention than other forms of interacting with the outdoors and challenging yourself as an athlete. I understand why people like it: there's a built in narrative that is captivating, but the archetype of going deep into something and overcoming struggles can be explored in any number of ways. Racing is just one mechanism for that. It might be the right one for you, but it might not.

:thumbsup:What a great film!  Brought to mind the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's Intro and Outro - "...and on Toasters - Payton MacDonald"!!!    Congratulations Payton on toughing it out to the end of the ride and getting all pieces performed.  Thanks also for providing so many excellent visual reminders of my own trip down the Divide in 2012.

John Phillips
 

Ha! Yes, the toasters were a trip. Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it. The Divide is a special experience; I have so many special memories . . .

Won't work with android

Hmm, sorry that happened. I also have an Android and it works okay on my phone. Maybe you just had a bad connection? Thanks for trying, though.

Hello my fellow bikepackers. My Sonic Divide film is now available to the public. The website is here: https://sonicdivide.com/the-film/

Trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYM5_BjUKzY

There are three versions of the film:

1.) 90-minute full feature  https://vimeo.com/214775555
2.) 60-minute version (more focused on cycling) https://vimeo.com/229545104
3.) 10-minute short https://vimeo.com/228309941

Given that this is a bikepacking forum I suspect most of you will like the hour-long version the most, but if you're also into experimental music then definitely check out the full version. I invite you to make a tasty beverage, invite some friends over, and enjoy!

There is great interview with Michael McCoy, the developer of the route, as well as other riders, a geographer, trail angels (including Nita and Kristen), and many of the composers I worked with. It's a different take on riding the route, with an artistic and musical approach.

Enjoy, and please share!
Payton

Huge congratulations to everyone involved with this.  Amazing job from the racers, so inspiring!!!

Tonight at the Boedecker Theater!  (Tuesday, May 2, 2017)  Sonic Divide screening.  This bikepacking film about the GDMTBR includes interviews with Michael McCoy, riders, trail angels (including the legendary Nita Larronde, Kristen at Brush Mountain Lodge, and many others), and lots of great shots of the route and deep thoughts about why we do this stuff.

Trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYM5_BjUKzY

Tickets for tonight are here:  https://tickets.thedairy.org/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=0CE36DFD-A2A8-4DD7-B349-43FFE2863091

The Sonic Divide explores the connections between creative, experimental music and ultra-distance mountain biking.  I'll be there for a Q and A afterwards.  Hope to see you there!

I'm so sorry to hear this.  Mike's cycling feats have been a huge inspiration to so many of us.  He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest athletes of our time.

Hi Tiger T,

In the next few months I will begin shopping it around to film festivals.  If we are lucky enough to land it at a few places I think the deal is that we'll have to wait to get it up online until after the festival premieres.  So I'm not sure about the timeline on all of this since it's my first full-length film, but I think it will be up online for the public by the end of the year or next year sometime.  If the timing works out I will definitely submit it to the Banff film festival. 

Thanks,
Payton

Very cool, are you sharing your full film by any chance? I remember seeing your original post before you went on your tour and thought you were a bit crazy. Haha

Though with the trailer I see what your vision was for the film now.

I live in Alberta, so no way I can see it. Are you going to submit your film to the Banff film festival?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Dear fellow bikepackers!

I've been working on a large-scale project for almost two years called the Sonic Divide, which is a performance art piece that involves creative music, ultra-distance mountain biking, and film. I rode the entire Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (2,500 miles) and while I was out there I performed music in the wilderness and filmed it all and turned it into a documentary film. It's a cool film if you're interested in mountain biking, nature, creative music, and adventure.  Here is the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYM5_BjUKzY  There is some great interview footage in the film with the legendary Michael McCoy (who mapped the route), a geographer, many of the trail angels (like Nita and Kristen), and many others, as well as some nice riding shots of course.

There will be several screenings of the film in the coming months, including:
1.) Cycle Craft bike shop, Parsippany, New Jersey, Saturday, February 25, 4:00 p.m.
2.) Goddard Center, 647 Columbus (91st and Columbus) New York City, Sunday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.,
3.) William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, Monday, April 3, at 7:00 p.m. in Shea Center for the Arts, Recital Hall (room 101).
4.) Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, Monday, April 10, (location TBA)
5.) Dairy Center, Boulder, Colorado, Tuesday, May 2, 7:00 p.m.

At some of these screenings I will also be performing some of the pieces I played out there.  I would be honored to have you there if you're available. This is a family-friendly film and you are most welcome to bring friends and family.

For specifics for each event please see my website: http://www.sonicdivide.com

Thank you, and I hope your riding and all else is going well!
Payton

HI folks,

I'm looking for a photo of the TD grand depart group from some time in the last few years.  I'm looking for one of those photos that Crazy Larry takes or other folks of all the riders together at the Y right before it begins.

There's a section of my Sonic Divide film where Michael McCoy is talking about racing versus touring the route and I need one of those photos to illustrate the race approach.

Does anyone have one they would kindly share with me?  You'll be credited at the end of the film . . .

Preferably in landscape orientation, as high res as possible.  And if you have a bunch of photos like that or that illustrate the race approach that would be helpful.  Email is the best way to reach me.

Thanks so much!
Payton
payton.macdonald [at] gmail [dot] com

You can eat reasonable well, but it depends on what your priorities are to some extent.  You will burn time looking for healthier food and also cooking it if you're carrying a stove and utensils, which adds weight and complexity to your rig.  If you're really racing hard that might all be difficult.  (I've heard stories that Mike Hall would ride into a gas station, throw down a few bucks on the counter, grab a two-litre bottle of Coke, chug it, then hop back on the bike and be out of there in less than a few minutes . . .  but those might just be rumors, I'm not sure.)

One of the main deciding factors for me to tour the route rather than race it was that I wanted to enjoy some nice slow meals!  You can really burn time in towns.  It seems like the fastest folks get in and out very quickly, which makes it hard to find and enjoy less processed food.  I'll never forget the fellow I ran into on my way out of Breckenridge.  I was NoBo and he was racing SoBo.  The first thing he asked me was whether there was a gas station nearby where he could grab some food and then get out of town.  I said "Dude, you're in freakin Breckenridge!  The food is amazing, there's no need for a gas station!"  But he didn't want to waste any time at a restaurant if he could avoid it!  He was putting in 150+ mile days, which is amazing.

Dear Bikepacking friends,

The Sonic Divide Trailer is live now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYM5_BjUKzY

The film will be done by spring 2017.  It includes a nice interview with GDMTBR architect Michael McCoy, as well as an interview with a geographer who discusses some of the geological and geographical aspects of the CD.  There are also some interviews with some of the trail angels like Nita and Tom Arnone and other folks I met who were touring the route, as well as many of the composers of the music.

For more information about the project please check out https://www.sonicdivide.com

Thanks, and happy trails,
Payton

$40 shipped in the lower 48.

Super light, and packs up super small.

BUT, it didn't work that well for me because I'm mostly a side sleeper. If you sleep well on your back this thing is awesome.  Or, if you're a racer and just need a little extra padding it would be great.  Definitely the smallest and lightest I've found and I can fill it in three breaths.  It seems pretty durable as well.  I only used it twice; I still have the original box it came in.

If interested please email me (not PM, I don't check my PMs very often): payton.macdonald [at] gmail.com

Here's a link about it: https://www.rei.com/product/833850/klymit-inertia-x-frame-sleeping-pad

Here's an article I wrote two years ago about an adventure I did with my daughter.  http://bikepackersmagazine.com/bikepacking-family/