I wouldn't be dismissive of strong finish just yet. Plenty of time and miles to make up any lost pace.

No dis, just hoping everything's ok.  Looks like it may have just been a tough first day.

Alice is off her 2015 pace.

Been playing with the Explorer + for a couple days.  Wife and I do a lot of off the grid kayaking, so I like the 2 way communication.  Only real downside I see so far is a 500 point limit on routes, so it may not completely replace my Etrex.

Pro tip on the Spot:  renewal rates for "long time good customers" are very negotiable.  Just remember that you have to call to cancel before your anniversary date (30 days before according to the T&C, but they seem to let that slide).  Also, the subscription is transferable

I'm hoping Garmin will incorporate the Inreach satellite tech into its GPS units so you can just buy one to do the role of GPS and Sat tracker.  Hopefully that will happen in the next year or two, just as my Oregon600 and Inreach need replacing

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/561269

My Spot subscription is coming up for renewal and I got an email from them re the price increase, so I'm looking into changing to Inreach.  I'm wondering if anyone is using these for races and could share their experiences/opinions.  Thanks.

I used an Etrex 20 this year  (the same one I have owned for several years ).  The 20 and 30 are easily the most popular units on the tour.

Thanks for the report, and nice work on the bags!

Any idea how easily these could be worn on the head without a helmet?

Cygolight, probably not.

I've used a Cygolight 800 for several years (reliable) and charged it from an SP hub on the TD this year with no issues.  I usually run it on low to extend runtime (9hrs) and reduce chargetime tho it is fairly bright on higher settings.  I was impressed when I lost the rubber switchcover in a crash and they sent me a replacement no charge.

Looks to me like the lead pack pace is off a couple hours from 2014 for the first day.  Anyone know if there has been weather or other trail condition issues?

How are your legs doing?  My only continuing problem (besides fatigue) is numb fingers, but that is expected and has always gone away in the past after about 6 months or so.

I'll bet that hill west of the Delores was a tough hab climb going that direction!  Water wasn't too much a problem for me going the other way, though I'm not averse to drinking muddy water from rivers and stock wells.  That Gateway Rd. to Paradox section looks nice!

Hey, I don't know if anyone has done this yet but I'm noting hours of operation for different businesses for resupply.  Here are the bike shops (let me know if I missed any).  If anyone has food locations and wants to post those, that'd be great.  I'm starting food tomorrow.  Hopefully I'll add them as waypoints over the next week.

Whitefish, MT Glacier Cyclery (406) 862-6446  M-F 9-6, Sat-9-5
Helena MT The Garage, (406) 422-5388  M-Th 10-6, Fr-Sat 10-5
The Outdoorsman in Butte, MT (406) 494-7700 W-F 10-6, Sat 10-5
Steamboat Springs, CO, Orange Peel Bikes (970) 879-2957 Mon-Fri: 10-6, Sat: 10-5
Salida, CO  Absolute Bikes, 719-539-9295… 7 days 9 - 6
Silver City, New Mexico the Gila Hike and Bike  575-388-3222, M-F 9-5:30, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4

Wilderness Sports, Dillon CO, (970) 468-5687, 9-7
there's also a few in Breckenridge

Be careful, it's habit forming.  Enjoy!

Route looks great and thanks for posting it. So food is available in Gateway, Moab, and Naturita. Any other little stores you ran into? I'll be doing this route this fall, my new knees I got for Christmas need some more healing for a spring run...
Woody

A local I ran into said the store in La Sal was open 'sometimes', but I went by late and didn't stop.  Even looked like some kind of 5 star resort and restaurant in Gateway (in addition to a convenience store).

Rick - it is legit. Matt Lee sent the link from his personal email to a TD racer who forwarded it to me. I posted it on the Tour Divide 2016 Racers Facebook page and Tanadog re-posted it here.

See you in Banff in a couple of weeks.

Thanks Kiwidave!  I didn't know about the rules change.  I could have easily been relegated for not tipping and not even known!  I wonder if that applies to buffets?

No, it's the real deal.

Then why no announcement here from Trackleaders, or identification on the form?  Smells like weekold fish.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1K9eeB6OGsN4WWh9pl7tH4ga4u4Rt2Q70nd--SW2NlyE/viewform

Is this a phishing scam?

That looks like a great route.  Any reason not to avoid more pavement from Nucla to Uravan? Looks like there are roads/teracks kind of paralleling 141 reconnecting near Tabeguache Creek.

If you're looking at the V19 Road, I missed that when I plotted the route, but it does look like it would be a good addition, but I won't edit the route since I haven't ridden it.  Thanks!

Rick, Cool route. Is the Slash's Bar Basin Store in the southeast corner of the route an actual store - open? Thanks!

Thanks!  I didn't notice that when I researched the route and didn't see anything when I rode by.  I would be surprised if it is where noted on Ride with Gps - not much out there.