Thanks for all the advice guys.

They way this is going, I think I may end up on the 2016 Grand Depart.

I'm still going to keep my blog live as I've had some great feedback from UK based riders but I think I may be cutting it fine for next year.

Thanks again!

Evening all,

I was considering a northbound trip next year (August/Sept) as I'm going to miss the June depart from Banff heading south.

Anybody out there been the same way? Particularly interested to hear from any Brits on how you got to Antelope Wells.

Happy Trails!

Benjy

Oh! And gears rather than singlespeed!

After watching Mike's film I had it stuck in my head that I was going to stick to a 'race' format.

Things change, other plans take over and I was beginning to fret about funds for the trip.

I've since taken a step back from in depth planning and I'm going for a much leisurely 6 week trip starting end of August 2015. Just me, my tent and my bike. Funds wise I'll book my flights in February then go on whatever is in the bank at the time.

I'm looking forward to just waking up and pedaling my bike 

After much deliberation I've gone for a Fargo.

Wanted a drop bar and space for an extra cage; The geometry & extra bosses swung it.

Cheers for all the advice!

Building myself up an El Mariachi.

Anybody had experience of the above with woodchipper bars? Again, we're talking a long distance bikepacking rig rather than a singletrack bike.

Cheers in advance!

Ben 

The GS2 issue is that it can a) crimp your bars on the end and b) ran with poverty spec carbon bars you'll find they will eventually stress around your controls area.

Having said this, I've known a few people to use Easton EC70 & EC80 bars with GS2 grips without issue. Potential benefit of their 'Taperwall' technology maybe?

I've started running steel rigid forks in prep for next years TD.

On my aluminium frame it rattles my teeth out on anything rougher than forestry track but it rides well. I've ridden it on up to 30-40 miles back to back days without issues on my wrists.

I have the intention of swapping my frame out for a 29er Salsa El Mariachi or On One Inbred towards the end of the year and this will hopefully sort out the remaining 'judder' from the trail.

Let us know how you get on  hopefully see you in Banff!

Interesting to see everybody's experience with different tyres 

I've got a 26'er built up for training for next years TD route. I've currently got some Schwalbe 'Marathon Plus Tour' tyres on order to try out;

http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus-tour/

I'll be using them with Slime 'Lite' tubes. I've had experience of the standard marathons for touring. This just has a more rugged tread pattern but would still roll well.

Ideally for next year I'd like to be on a 29'er running Schwalbe 'Rapid Robs' but that would all be funds permitting!

Awesome bit of info!

Thanks!

Papajazz: I'm planning on a 2015 Divide trip myself.

Early days on the planning front but I'll be posting up info as I find it. If you find anything magic, message me and I'll link it onto my blog....

http://banditsandbicycles.blogspot.co.uk

Happy trails!