Yes it's down to the wire and folks are finally starting to make up their mind one way or the other whether this is want they want.  Sometimes you just have to bag it and say next year, other times you have to realize you have a small window to do this sort of thing and just commit. 

I do believe a handful of folks are going to ride up to Astoria but there hasn't been any level of coordination, I think Richard and Brian are paired up to pedal to the start.

Steve and I are heading up to Astoria from Portland on the 5th. Let's connect and enjoy westward travel for a few miles.

text me at 801-703-1810.

Snow...
I've been watching the snow fall pretty steadily and hard here in NW Wyoming this winter.  The following link provides a very good picture of the snow situation along the GDMBR's northern half... and it isn't looking good.  Many snow monitoring sites are reporting 150% or greater than average snowpack.     http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/snow/

I am now considering a NoBo Grand Depart or even an ITT later in the summer.
I would like to hear from those of you who rode in the 2011 TD and endured the reroutes.

Off to the TransAm. See you in 2016!

Unfortunately, the folks who are shipping stuff to bike shops risk disqualification as this is not allowed pre-race and during the race it is only permissible for EMERGENCY items.  Then again, as there have not been any race results posted since 2010 I guess disqualification isn't the deterrent it used to be    Still, it would be nice if everyone raced according to the same ruleset.

This is correct BobM. I actually called the shop in Steamboat last year to send some stuff and they had been instructed to not receive any shipments from Divide racers. So no caching stuff unless its at a Post Office.

Incidentally, the great folks at the Steamboat Post Office are very accommodating. They often have a person that can retrieve a package on Sundays up until about noon. You can call them at odd hours and often they respond.

They were also very helpful to forward packages that weren't retrieved.

Steamboat PO #970-879-8360

Agree with what's been said about packing light! great list Pablito. The number of items you need on the route is surprisingly small.  Last year I started with a spare shift cable and tossed it, along with several other items mid-way. Personally, I would definitely carry a small toothbrush + paste though. Quite refreshing after eating gas station food + sugary drinks all day. For tubes, yeah, one would probably be enough but I would worry about getting a defective one or having a problem with a valve stem. Seems like the extra weight would be well worth it.

Thanks ezr4d. I remember last year brushing but with no paste. Worst case, I buy a little tube...use and toss.

Oh yeah....Superglue.

Excellent ideas. Added & deleted. Tell me what you're thinking on a good replacement for A&D and Bag Balm. Would love to combine.

I am running tubeless. So i'll add the tool and the pieces. Great idea.

Thoughts on lube? You don't like progold?

Vast improvement over your 2013 list.  Nice work.  Some questions: What does your color coding in the far left column mean?  Also, your logic for taking not listing rain pants/shell for legs?  And way so many "tooth care" products, are your teeth soft and susceptible to cavities after anywhere from 15 to 25 days of not brushing/flossing?  What's wrong with grabbing a toothpick from a diner here and there?  Do you really mean "rope", or more like "3ft of twine", and what's this for?

Shift cable is one of a few items on your list that goes in the "fear" category.  Same with brake pads.  I'd consider leaving these out, unless you have some special wiz-bang product that absolutely cannot be found in a local shop along the way.  In my mind, I'm thinking: when have I ever needed to, or will I ever need to, replace a shift cable or brake pads on the trail on a multi-day trip in the USA with a bike shop available every 1 to 3 days assuming I've started the trip with recently broken-in cables and pads and not cables/pads that have 2k of hard miles on them?

Also, I consider the H2O filter to be a fear category item as well, especially for TDR, where H2O is plentiful (yes, plentiful).  But, I guess if it's the same weight & bulk as a few iodine tablets ...

Mike,
The color coding represents the location or bag. Green is wearing, orange is seat bag, etc.

I took rain pants. I hated riding in them. They just don't fit right. So they are gone. I am riding with 3/4 knickers that are a heavier weight through Wyoming (always seemed to be cold enough to that point).

You are right on the tooth care. There was a lot of stuff there. Deleted. Thanks.

The rope is twine. about 3ft. Good guess. That whole line (except tubes and pump) on the doc fits into an Altoids container. So the pads and cable are a little insurance that ride in that box. Same with spare cleats. But you're right. Its a fear. But one worth carrying in that little box.

Will probably not take the filter and just go with iodine tablets. Up until last night I was taking a frame bag with a camelback in it. With the filter in-line. Thats gone now in lieu of 1ltr bottles and some tablets.

Thanks for all of the feedback. Love it. Keep it coming.

Got another question for you guys. I would like to compare my gear list to as many others as possible. I have really liked combing through yours Chris. Does anyone have a link to TD specific gear lists of the past or even ones for this year? I've been reviewing all of last year's threads and haven't found too many yet.

-Tanner

Tanner,
Here is my list from last year and this. Its evolving all the time. Let me know if you have questions. You'll notice that 2014 is a much smaller list. I had way too much stuff in 2013.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApjY4ewSiuXvdHNlZGIwRjh0OVdzZ1hqbzJUXy1Qa2c&usp=sharing

I've got a pair of Sidi Diablos (Gore Tex), but I feel like the weight and bulk will be more trouble than it's worth, and this is my first TDR so I have no idea.  therefore going for the regular carbon shoes I have with trash bags, shoe covers, water proof socks, and hopefully some good luck.  also thinking maybe a pair of flip flops wouldn't be a bad idea.  I've got quite a few miles of pushing my bike up steep grades in the shoes and I'm confident, though frozen toes is a worry.

anybody think this is a terrible idea?

Dan,
It is said you pack you fears. Sounds like your scared to death of feet issues. I had a pair of goretex socks. Put them on going down the flathead pass (where the river and the trail mingle) I think looking back on that situation I would have just ripped through that section, got wet and let the rest of the day dry em out. But that was that day. It could have been really bad.

My shoe choice was a pair of super comfy stiff specialized sworks mtn. shoes. Again 2013 was an easy easy easy year for walking. Just not that much.

I panicked in Banff and bought a pair of lightweight shoes. Came to my senses a day later and shipped them home with all the other stuff that fell into the "too much stuff" category. This year my gear is much simpler. Half the weight.

Coming back a second time, its amazing what is vital and what is not. And I poured over my gear choices the first year. I'm sure if I do this race a third time I will have learned even more. Just hope for little snow and mud.

Anybody ridden with a Jones H Loop Bar and Aerobars? My right arm is bugging me right now (tennis elbow) on training rides and I'm looking into a set of aerobars to go with my Jones H Loop to get some different positions.

I set up Jones bars with Syntace aero bars. Ultimately, I still had numbness issues. Switched to drop bars. Problem solved.

Be careful about the Luxos U. They have had a real problem with the lights failing due to water intrusion. Also, they are for road as opposed to trail riding. It really is a very nice package (no bulky box like my K-lite) but not sure that they've sorted out all the problems.  Decided I'd rather not take the risk so went with the Pedalpower (which has a good size cache battery) and the K-lite.

Contacted Peter White Cycles about the Luxos U. This was Linda's response:

"The first generation Luxos U lights did have a water infiltration issue.  The light has been redesigned to eliminate that problem.  We’ve sold hundreds of the redesigned light and no issues have been reported."

So I'm going with this one for the TransAm on my road bike but will also consider it for my next run at the TD. Probably 2016.

Greetings, all.
    I was planning on a repeat Tour Divide this summer.  I finished last year's effort, but I crashed hard just north of Steamboat Lake, about 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs, CO.  After nursing my wounds overnight in Steamboat Springs, I didn't feel any worse than the day prior, so on I went.  But from that point on, I was only good for about 100 miles a day.  If I tried to go beyond that, my right arm was getting pretty sore.  It turned out I fractured my Radius, chipping off a little wedge right at the elbow.  I definitely want to get back out there now that I've rehab'd my arm.  I was even contemplating running the route single speed after encountering Cjell, Ron, Prentice, and Scott Thigpen, among others throughout last year's ride.  However, my Tour Divide thoughts were totally derailed when my good friend and fellow bikepacker Ed sent me the Trans Am Bike Race link.  Like so many other respondents, the thought of getting in on the inaugural event is very appealing.  I think it's my must-do event this year.

    That said, let's talk equipment.  My road bike didn't survive a road-sharing encounter with a VW Beetle three years ago.  I've since invested my time, effort, and resources on my belt-drive Spot Honey Badger 29er.  It's a bomb-proof commuting machine right now with rigid fork, Rohloff hub, and Schwalbe Big Apple 2.3 slicks.  It's very, very comfortable and I'm confident I can put in 200-mile days on the pavement, but I'm not sure how to fine-tune my wheels for long-distance pavement.  I live in eastern Virginia and have to find bridge spans just to get some vertical terrain.  Because of my very flat route from home to work, I will often swap the Rohloff wheel for a single speed setup.  The straight gearing is so very efficient and there's about a 2 lb difference in the bike's rear end.

    I love the way the Big Apple tire volume soaks up the seams, cracks, and other surface imperfections I encounter in my 38 mile round trip commute, but I wonder if I should down-size to a more representative road-touring tire for Trans Am.  I also wonder if I should leave my heavy Rohloff wheel at home and use my 50:20 single speed setup.  When considering a 4,000+ mile endeavor, it's a question of payoff.  Is the comfort of the high-volume tire set worth 3x the weight penalty imposed over a reinforced touring tire weighing 1/3 as much?  Is the range (low gear climbing, high gear straightaways) of the Rohloff wheel worth the weight penalty imposed over a single speed wheel with only one gear ratio?  My own limited wisdom has me thinking the Rohloff wheel will be more of an asset than a liability since all the weight is at the axle with minimal inertia and the nature of the route will have me using the more efficient upper gear range vice the low range where the less-efficient gears kick in.  So that leaves the question of tires.

    Any recommendations from those of you with Trans Am route experience?

Greg, So glad to hear you are coming to join in the craziness in June.

Here is my take on your question. Decidedly different from Nathan's. Still learning myself, but I am going with a endurance road bike with 28mm tires from Specialized. Armadillo Elite All condition. I ride 25mm all the time and think running a 28mm at about 90lbs would feel like cushion enough. I'll be testing it out for the next few months on the salty Utah roads.

As for gearing, I also like the gears. Going with a standard compact road crank and an 11-28 in back. My gear is lighter than ever and I should be able to climb most stuff reasonably well. I intend (so far so good) on dropping body weight equal to my gear to negate any extra load overall. Wish me luck!!

I too rode ergons. But on a niner rdo bar. No issues. Even put some syntace aero bars on it. Niner said that their bars were built to allow for bar ends. I too had nerve damage for several months using a flat bar set up. Would seriously consider riding a drop bar like Josh or JayP. Way more comfy. Double wrap with gel padding underneath.

james-o, Thanks for the post. I had my Spot in a little Spocket from Eric at Relevate. It seemed fine. But 5 days wasn't enough to really know. Love the advise of the saddle height and comfort. Internalizing...now. Thanks!

Marshal, I had done several multi day practice runs. But they say "you pack your fears". I apparently was scared enough of several things to just take too much. No regrets though other than the fit issue (the straw). That is resolved. The rest is just going to make it more comfortable and hopefully more efficient...translating into a faster and sure finish in 2014.

pablito, I am curious -had you done any 3+ selfsupported races or technical practice rides prior to your TDR? Reason I ask is most of your list is exactly what comes out of ones first 2-3 self supported rides
Of course everyone list is slightly different but yours makes a excellent case study
There is a self supported 'skill set' that only reveals  itself to those who are willing to pay the price of doing it for real
I suspect you now have that skill set-- best of luck next time you line up in Banff

The night I abandoned the Tour Divide, I sat in a hotel brooding. As I sat there feeling a bit sorry for myself, a little voice in my head said "take this opportunity to learn...you'll be back." So I spent the next couple of hours reviewing my 5 short days on the Divide. This is the list I wrote on the little hotel stationary. Some items on the list may not make any sense to anyone. Some are so obvious, that I'm embarrassed to even display them. Maybe they can help someone else prepare. For me, it will hopefully make the difference in finishing next year what I started.

Avoid hotels as much as possible
Take less stuff.
Ride my own race. Partnering up is nice but not necessary.
One base layer only
More music.
More photos.
Less video.
Bring one multipurpose top (wind/water resistant) for under rain jacket.
Mole skin or nuskin on nipples from the start
Chamois Cream is questionable
Keep stuff in separate bags for ease of use
No pocket on the front of the sweet roll
No frame bag.
Wash your new bibs a few times before riding.
Love the probar chews with caffeine.
Buy a Brooks saddle...or maybe a Selle Anatomica
Carry two 1L bottles only
Charge electronics with Dynamo hub
Less gagets total
The small Garmin Edge 500 was always off from mileage
Don't worry about queues
Stretch as often as possible
Don't over eat at any one meal. Small amounts, save the rest for later. Especially breakfast
Find and keep the bike fit that works. Train on it for months without moving
Drop bars
Rain jacket is essential. Rain pants are not necessary. Wet and warm.
Make it past Sparwood the first night
Use smaller/simpler bivy sack
Add meaningful waypoints to GAIA
No water bottle under the downtube, unless its totally secured.
Apply A&D each night
Wash crotch each night with medicated wipes
Don't go into a warm building and eat unless I am stopping for the night. CHILLS!!!
Put insulated jacket and hat on immediately upon stopping at night
Dont' store stuff in mesh handlebar feed pockets
Use handlebar bags for food and not water
Use Gatorage or smart water bottle in jersey pocket for backup
Don't drink too much sports drink to avoid canker sores
Riding into the night is a good thing
Don't worry about riding with anyone. Alone is good.
Only buy what you need at stores that can either be eaten or carried easily
Fit everything in vischasha and sweetroll for gear.
1 x 11 worked flawlessly

Here's what the descent was like for me in 2012:

https://vimeo.com/78443674

Bob

Bob,
Flathead in 2013 wasn't quite that bad. No snow for sure on the sides. Still got plenty wet though. Just goes to show that every year is its own year. Snow, bear, storms, cold, heat. The only constant seems to be the changes in the race conditions.

Im thinking about running a fully rigid Niner One 9 RDO with SRAM X01 or XX1 setup on next years tour divide. Anyone have success with a 1x setup last year? Wish you did something differently?

I ran a fully rigid niner air 9 with a 1 x 11 sram. 32t with a 10x42 in the back and it was flawless. I know of one other that did the same. Also loved it.

Given the scale of the Tour Divide, it never seems too early to start the thread. Unsure of the Grand Depart date. But when someone knows officially, then post it up for GD folks to plan to.

The night I had to abandon the 2013 edition was a night of mixed emotions. Shock and dismay, mixed with immense satisfaction for the journey that led to that point. The planning, the training, the friends I met along the way made this a highlight of my 43 years on this big earth.  The best part of the journey had to be when my sweet wife said "you must return and complete this. It matters that much to us." Wow. So I am planning...again. Lots of adjustments to gear. Less adjustments to bike fit () so close to the race. Less gear in general. Less hotels. Riding at night is my friend. Take more photos. So on, and so forth.

Hoping all goes as planned and I am there with the other 150 or so crazy adventurers from around the world. See you in June!

Dear Divide,

I'm in.

Love,
Paul

Paul Vaughn
Salt Lake City, Utah

Im setting up to do the Divide in 2014...I am currently running a 1x9 set up with a 32x12-36..Would you say this is a sufficient set up or should I convert to a 2x9 with a 24/32x11-34 or possibly a 2x10 with a 26/39x11-36 or 1x10 with a 39x11-36?

I am opting for no FD. Running a 1 x 11. Logging miles on it now to test durability as I want to "proof" it before the Grand Depart. So far, its very durable and flawless. Its and 10-42t cassette. Loads of range. No chain guard necessary.