So has anyone actually shipped their stuff to Banff somehow? Or know of a way to do this?
I know it would have to be well in advance due to customs regulations, but after booking my flight, one flight says that there is no problem in carrying my bicycle on the flight but they are unsure of the connecting flight.... this leaves me wondering what i should do, as if i show up in calgary without the box that has my whole life in it, i will be pretty SOL.

Also, anyone know of a guide on how to send drop ship packages ahead of yourself on the route/the way to do this?

I have no experience with this company, but it looks like they have it together. I have heard of stories of the bike getting hung up in customs. Might be worth a phone call to get a warm and fuzzy if you think that's the route you want to take.
http://www.shipbikes.com/


Woody

Awesome!

Also, does anybody have the cues for the Goldust Trail and the CDT in New Mexico? I'm still in the process of getting my cues together, almost got it nailed.

Phil, Not sure if you found Gold Dust cues yet, but I came across this. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&key=0AkjYTTBAyG5KdEw3OTRtQzBTYm1WNE4tbnQ3NE9OREE&output=html

Just an FYI on Cue #8 - There is a cabin to the left when you come out onto the road that has a blue metal roof. You can see it when you are still on the singletrack right before the road.

I think it will be updated on TF as well it might already be there.

Woody

I don't think Revelate Design is making custom frame packs or at least at the time I emailed Eric he was not taking orders.

Carousel - I emailed and called, but never heard back.

I went with Cleaveland Mountaineering to make a frame pack and top (gas tank) tube pack for me. Jeremy lives in Colorado and he does this part time while he attends college. He is very easy to deal with and the packs look great.

http://cleavelandmountaineering.blogspot.com/

Here's a link he started in the "classified" section as well.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2005.0.html


Woody

I did a little test to see if I could handle a rigid fork. I pumped my shock up to a higher PSI and locked it out and did a 50 mile test run. My back was killing me, put the fork back to my normal riding PSI and unlocked it and my back was fine. So I have a suspension fork, but this is just me and my two cents.

Woody

Anyone from The Colorado Front Range plan on driving up to the Divide Race or just flying?
Thanks,
Dave

I was planning on flying. Bringing my wife out for a few days to check out Banff. We have never been up there and it looks absolutely beautiful.

Woody

The Sparwood web cam shows lots of melting today.  Maybe an early Spring?  No snow on the route??  Wishful thinking???

http://www.ferniewebcam.com/Sparwood/Sparwood.jpg

Let's keep the "Wishful Thinking" going. I know the Colorado mountains are way behind for snow this year, but that is subject to change in March.
Here's a list of Colorado highway cameras. Steamboat Springs and Silverthorne you can click on. Looks pretty bare up there.
http://www.cotrip.org/device.htm
Woody

SPOT GPS questions,
Do I need to purchase a SPOT for the TDR or is there a way to rent one?
If I need to buy one should I go with the SPOT I or SPOT II? (I think I still can find a SPOT I)
I've heard mixed reviews on the SPOT II - well I've heard mixed reviews on both, but most seem to like the original better.
Thanks,
Woody

I'm getting pretty tempted to drop my name in the hat for this year....

Come on now throw it in.

Woody

we'll have to wait for someone from ACA to chime in.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sluttyduck/5982871303/#in/set-72157626832492824  boreas pass entrance

Boy that photo makes it look like it's a flat trail, but it is NOT. The entrance is pretty steep and loose rocks, then it mellows out before it turns into a hike-a-bike with lots of rocks.

Woody

I am new to the whole GPS thing and have LOI'd for 2012 TDR. I think I narrowed it down to a eTrex 20. How does the Topofusion work? I mean do you download it and then the route is in Google Earth? Can you plan your daily mileage using Topofusion? Can you see where towns are and does it detailed it enough for store locations as well?
Maybe this isn't the correct thread to ask these questions. If someone can help me or point me in the right direction that would be great.
thanks,
Woody

I'm in
Woody

A few more pics. Couldn't put them all in the above post.

I ordered a custom frame bag with a large top (gas tank) tube bag. I received them a few days before Christmas and my wife took them without me seeing them and wrapped them up for my Christmas presents. I've been like a little kid waiting for Christmas to see these bags and they did not disappoint. I had a few request from Jeremy and he got it right. Non-drive side big pocket with zipper for my bladder and a little pocket behind the bladder for misc. tools, drive side has two zipper compartments. Top Tube bag is large and fits perfect.
Jeremy was very easy to deal with and we emailed a lot and talked a few times on the phone so he we would get it right, which we did. Can't wait to break them in.  

Thanks for sharing. I'll check it out. I'm pretty sure I ran across your blog already and watched some vids you made during your TDR. I love that you and other veterans like Stephen are chiming in on these strands. I've learned a lot.      

I second this

Woody

Hi Phil

Did you also send your LOI to the gmail account mentioned somewhere on the TD web site?  

Or is this now the (un)official place for TD 2012 LOIs?

The gmail account is under the "Contact" section.
http://tourdivide.org/contact

Woody

Ladies and Gents,
Did you ship resupply gear or whatever to different towns down route? If so, how did it work out for you? Meaning if you shipped resupply gear to whatever town did you hit in during the day? Still trying to figure out that whole "general delivery" thing. I would hate to hit the town after the post office closed and then need to wait till it opened the next day. Or is it better just to plan on buying supplies such has jersey or shorts/bibs if needed.

Thanks,
Woody

Been emailing Jeremy at cleaveland mountaineering, but haven't ordered anything yet, but soon. He is in Collage and does this on the side.

http://cleavelandmountaineering.blogspot.com/

Woody

I know this is a little older thread, but do you TDR's go with tubes or tubeless?
I'm sure it's a mixed bag out there, but tubeless really seems the way to go along with carrying a couple of extra tubes.
Then if you are running a lightweight tire, but adding a tube and then a Slime tube it seems to me you wouldn't be saving any weight or ease for rolling.

Thanks,
Woody

It was added to the official route (TourDivide only) for this year.  I haven't heard any good comments from fully loaded racers.

Yep - I do it several times a year as a loop, but not loaded and doing 150+ miles a day and it's fun.

Woody

Do I read that right, he took Gold Dust down? As far as I know, that's not part of the official 2011 route. It's not mentioned on the official maps and is not mentioned on the tourdivide.org website (anymore?).

Yep - on his call-in that is title "somewhere outside Breckenridge"  he said he did it and he was not a fan on a fully rigid rig loaded down, but would be nice on a 5" FS bike.

Woody