2015 TD

[SlowRide]

I just learned that my cell phone service provider (Straight Talk) does not have roaming services. Does anybody know where one might go in Calgary or Banff to get a cell phone calling card?? Can that be done with cell phones (temporary international plan through your an alternate service provider)??

I set up a free google voice phone number and installed the google voice app on my phone so I could make/receive free voice calls and txt over wifi while in Banff and along the route where there was wifi but no cell service, worked well.

[Rorr]

anyone hear any recent news about spot rental for the GD kind of feel like I'm out of the loop.

[tuhduhvuh]

I am feeling "nervous" too,  but last year,  things happened quickly at the end.  This is the place to watch for information, and I KNOW that it will appear here as soon as it is available.

It does seem like we are closing in fast on the 12th.

On another topic,  any info on Tiana (on Trackleaders) and why she is in Dillon

(and one last item... maybe those kinds of questions should now be directed to a "race discussion" forum that some one starts each year...

Tom

[HanBanan]

Hi everyone,

Quick question, just looking for general responses from anyone...

My wife has graciously planned to drive to pick me up in Antelope Wells.  That has always been the plan.
We would spend some time doing "touristy" things as we drive back together.
It's a long ways,  30+ hours (to Sherwood Park, AB)

Just considering a change of plan or at least a "Plan B".

Anyone that can comment on taking the shuttle (Juan More Time...) to El Paso,  check my bike (box it...) and then take the train Via L.A.,  up the west coast to Spokane, then across to Whitefish?   Either my wife would get me there (much closer) or I could of course ride the route back to Banff.

I'll happily dig in and check that out myself, but wondered if anyone had any experience to let me know if that is even a realistic option.

(and no... the Billy Rice yo yo option won't work for me!)

I've arranged for a shuttle with Juan from AW to ELP, he said it would be $250 one way (which was the cheapest of the other couple shuttle folks I spoke with). I plan to take the shuttle then ship my bike from ELP (before a train to TX, flight back North)

[Roons]

Anyone on the same shuttle as me?? Banff Airporter - 1230 YYC to Banff - Jun 10 2015
Good to know who I will be riding with!!!

[Lincfish20]

Hey all, at some point I remember reading about a man who lives in the closest town to Antelope Wells (Hachita I think?) who you can arrange to pick you up in Antelope Wells and bring you back to Hachita. Has anybody heard of this? If so could I get his information off of you?
Appreciate it!

[Flinch]

A couple of notes re shuttle/bus/taxi. Jeff Sharp is the guy you mentioned. I'm using him.

Shuttle/Taxi

Whitefish Bike Retreat / Whitefish, MT
www.whitefishbikeretreat.com
406-260-0274
email: info@whitefishbikeretreat.com
Shuttles available for guests.

Jim’s Taxi / Flathead County, MT
www.jimstaxiservice.com
406-890-8920
Drive 4 U / Kalispell, MT

www.drive4u.org
406-212-7361
406-730-2879

AllTrans-Grayline / Jackson, WY
www.jacksonholealltrans.com
307-733-3135
800-443-6133

Jackson Hole Express & National Park Tours
Buckboard Transportation / Jackson, WY
www.buckboardtrans.com
307-733-1112
877-791-0211

Sleeping Bear RV Park / Lander, WY
www.sleepingbearrvpark.com
307-332-5159
888-757-2327

Car rentals/shuttles available;
discounts for overnight stay; call for details.
Navajo Transit System / Gallup, NM
(group charter service only)
charter.navajotransit.com
928-729-4114 or 4116
866-243-6260

Albuquerque Cab Co. / Albuquerque, NM
www.albuquerquecab.com
505-883-4888

Sunport Shuttle / Albuquerque, NM
www.sunportshuttle.com
505-883-4966
866-505-4966

Gila Hike and Bike / Silver City, NM
www.gilahikeandbike.com
575-388-3222
May provide shuttle on a individual basis; call
for details.

Shuttle to/from Lordsburg, NM
Lloyd Payne Roger Payne
lpayne@aznex.net rlpayne@powerc.net
Home: 575-542-8078 Home: 575-542-3518
Cell: 575-590-0316 Cell: 505-250-8277

Shuttle to/from Antelope Wells, NM
Juan More Time Shuttle
Home: 575-388-9272
Cell: 575-590-4426

Shuttle to/from Antelope Wells, NM
Southwest Trailhead Hand
Jeffery Sharp
575-436-7200
email: sharpjeffery1@gmail.com

Banff Airport Express & Shuttle /Banff, AB
www.banffairporttaxi.com
403-678-2776
403-762-2024
877-992-2633

Shuttles between Banff and Calgary, AB
Kootenay Taxi / Fernie, BC
www.kootenaytaxi.com
250-423-4408

Shuttles between East Kootenays and
points in BC or AB
SunDog Tours / AB
www.sundogtours.com
Banff, AB
 888-786-3641
Jasper, AB
780-852-4056
 888-786-3641
 
Capitol Taxi Courier Service / Helena, MT
www.capitoltaxicourierservice.com
406-449-5525

GO Alpine / Steamboat Springs, CO
goalpine.com
800-343-RIDE (7433)
970-879-2800

Shuttles to/from Denver and
Silverthorne
Colorado Mountain Express /
Denver, CO
www.coloradomountainexpress.com
800-525-6363
970-754-7433

Shuttles to Summit County
High Valley Bike Shuttle /
Poncha Springs, CO
www.monarchcrest.com
719-539-6089
800-871-5145

Valley Lodge & Cabins at Platoro /
Platoro, CO
www.platorovalleycabins.com
719-376-2321
877-752-8676
May provide shuttle on a individual basis;
call for details.

 Greyhound bus and Amtrak train both stop in Deming, NM and there is also a FedEx Shipping Center in Deming.  Deming is about 100 miles from Antelope Wells.  So, you could fly into whatever major airline hub would give you the best rate, then take Greyhound, or Amtrak to Deming, and then ride the last 100 miles to Antelope Wells.  Greyhound requires your bike be boxed and the Amtrak route doesn't have bicycle roll-on service, so the bike would also have to be boxed.  I don't think the Deming Amtrak stop allows checked baggage, so you may not be able to take the bike on the train (unless it is a folder). Amtrak has on-demand stops at Lordsburg and Deming (routes from Los Angeles to Chicago and Los Angeles to New Orleans), they only allow FOLDABLE bikes.
 
 Antelope wells...I'd talk with the gents in Silver City at Gila Hike & Bike and also folks at Adventure Cycling.  If these folks can't help they may know someone who is.  Many of the Peloton spent the night in Lordsburg post race, you can catch Greyhound to Tuscon or El Paso for a flight home.
 You could ride from Antelope Wells to Hatchita  (45 m ), then Hwy 9 to Columbus (30 m food  & water ), Continue on NM Hwy  9 about 60 miles to El Paso. Two lane good paved road, Border Patrol uses this road a lot. Maybe a 150 miles from a large airport to AW.
 
 According to the bike shop in Silver City Jeff Sharp (home:575-436-7200; cell:575-574-7210) does shuttles in the area (Jeff the Ranch Hand (mentioned above) is a great guy who will take care of you.).  He lives near Hachita.  He might have some good advice as well.  The ride from El Paso is the most dangerous part of the trip.  If you can afford it (Bike Flights is cheap) ship your bike to Silver City bike shop.  They are accommodating in case you have any transit damage.  Then get Sharp to shuttle you to AW.

 
 Bikeflights: Service to ship bikes, fairly cheap (ie $51 DEming NM to Reno) https://www.bikeflights.com/default.aspx
 
 Airports:
 El Paso International Airport-TX (2.5 hours) (www.elpasointernationalairport.com)
 Tucson International Airport-AZ (2.5 hours)  (www.flytucson.com)
 Albuquerque International Airport-NM (4.5 hours) ( www.cabq.gov/airport).
 Grant County Airport -Silver City, NM  has a small regional airport with two daily flights from Tucson/Pheonix AZ, but flights can be unreliable. If you choose this airport, please allow extra day for erratic  and unpredictable flight changes.
 
 Ground Transportation:
 After arrival you will need to take Bus or Trains or arrange other rides to Lordsburg, NM.
 Amtrak Train Station: Amtrak train station Lordsburg, NM has a platform only, no shelter, without Wi-Fi, with parking, with accessible platform and no wheelchair available. This is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM.
 
 Greyhound Bus Station: Greyhound Bus Lines travels daily to Lordsburg, NM, this is a good option for connecting between El Paso, TX; Tucson,AZ; and Albuquerque, NM. The station is next to the Days Inn in Lordsburg and just .25 mile from the Econo Lodge.
Other Ride Options in Lordsburg/Silver City Area: If you need rides between Lordsburg, Silver City or other surrounding areas, please check out these other services. Also check out Corre Caminos transit out of Silver City.

[Flinch]

Anyone on the same shuttle as me?? Banff Airporter - 1230 YYC to Banff - Jun 10 2015
Good to know who I will be riding with!!!

I'm arriving at 12:00 on the 10th, and booked for the 1:30 Airporter, but if I can grab bike quick, will take the 12:30. Stay at the Y also.
See you there.

[jcluddite]

This thread has been so helpful! Thanks everyone for the input. Anybody staying at SameSun Backpackers Lodge? I arrive June 9.  

Three questions (TD rookie here!):

(1) Are aerobars a TD must? (I tried to run them on the Colorado Trail but never used them [not comfortable]; but CT had a lot more single-track. I am just not used to aerobars, and so if I know I'm probably not going to use them, it seems I should ditch them. ??)

(2) I am using a Garmin eTrex30, a Garmin 800 GPS (backup), an Exposure Diablo helmet light, and a Planet Bike AAA battery charged bar mount light (backup). My plan is to have a ton of AAA lithium batteries and cue sheets on my iPhone (keeping my iPhone OFF, except in emergencies). I will also have a couple AAA battery powered USB chargers (to power the backup Garmin and the Exposure light). I'm not sure about bringing the maps (leaning toward "no"), as they are bulky/heavy, and I will have two GPS units (with routes uploaded), plus cue sheets on the iPone. I think I want to opts for no paper maps and no paper cue sheets and no batteries other than AAA batteries. My question is this: do I have enough backups in this electronics/navigation system? (I've thought through a number of ideas, and this is what I settled on; I just wanted to double-check it with the vets out there!)

(3) Is the official start time (on June 12) 10 am? Is it okay to start earlier?

Thanks!

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

have you thought about trying the Gaia GPS app on your Iphone for your second back up? I loaded it and was able to store the TD waypoints on it from safari on my phone. the screen is even bigger and clearer than my Garmin GPSMAPS64 unit. like the 800 unit, it will require back up power, but it would allow you to leave the garmin 800 in the land of lakes.

i'd set up the aero bars and learn to use them. just set them up shorter than on a tri bike and get some that are fully adjustable. i bought these based on my fitters recomendation.http://www.profile-design.com/product/aerobars/t3-aluminum/

mine are set up short so i'm not to stretched out or sitting on the nose of my saddle. in fact i used a pipe cutter and cut off 3" of the bars coming out behind the clamps. easy to adjust on the the trail too.

my 2 cents

[Lincfish20]

Awesome, thanks Flinch! Probably best bet then is to get a ride from Jeff from Antelope Wells to Hachita and then ride/hitch a ride to Lordsburg to hop on a Greyhound to El Paso........getting a bike box before the Greyhound could prove difficult though. Any suggestions there? Maybe see if the bike shop in Silver City can have one shipped to Hachita?

[Flinch]

Don't tell anyone, but Jeff has a half dozen bike boxes. Shhhhhh!

[Alex.C]

These nasty critters are out in force up north after the relatively mild winter. You may be less likely to pick them up on route through Banff/Kananaskis as you won't be brushing through vegetation so much but they are out there and they can transmit some things you really don't want, so at the very least check for them at the end of each day.

(the one above is one of a couple I picked up riding Lake Minnewanka a couple of days ago)

[mountainbaker]

Adding tick twister to my packing list (less than 1g in weight)

[cobbnat]

On another topic,  any info on Tiana (on Trackleaders) and why she is in Dillon

No news on Tiana, but my guess is that she is being smart and safe. Where she turned around was an almost impassible mud quagmire last year, after heavy overnight rains.

[the tortoise]

Snowpack website: http://www.intellicast.com/Travel/Weather/Snow/Cover.aspx

[Guild44]

SlowRide - great idea! I hadn't thought of that, but that would make a lot of sense.

Jcluddite - thanks! In talking with people, I decided to go with two GPS units (hate relying on my iPhone - service spotty) and maps (shipping 'em back as I go). I'm also going to bring the aerobars - at the very least to hang things on. (I did find that feature helpful.)

I'm getting so excited!!!!

[bpeschka]

What is (a) tick twister?  The only thing I've heard about removing ticks is the end of a lit cigarette or something.  I'm not from tick country.

Adding tick twister to my packing list (less than 1g in weight)

[bpeschka]

I'm in transit to Banff and missed out on seeing Tiana today by about an hour, I'd guess.  Your mud theory is probably a pretty good one, now that I think about it.  It was a mess last year when I went through a week ahead of the GD people and it hadn't rained lately.  It's been intermittently rainy around Montana the last couple of days and was raining on/off as we came through Butte, Helena, Lima, Dillon today.  I see Tiana is back on course and still making progress at this hour. She might make Lima tonight unless there's other obstacles.

No news on Tiana, but my guess is that she is being smart and safe. Where she turned around was an almost impassible mud quagmire last year, after heavy overnight rains.

[mtbcast]

Episode April 2, 2015 – Counting Down to the TransAm Bike Race and Tour Divide!
We count down to the start of the Trans Am Bike Race this *Saturday and the Tour Divide next Friday! We talk to Erik Richenberger about his Tour Divide ‘15 ride for the Gift of Hearing Foundation. And we listen to a couple of calls from Billy Rice from the Rawlins re-route!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[jcluddite]

SlowRide - great idea! I hadn't thought of that, but that would make a lot of sense.

Jcluddite - thanks! In talking with people, I decided to go with two GPS units (hate relying on my iPhone - service spotty) and maps (shipping 'em back as I go). I'm also going to bring the aerobars - at the very least to hang things on. (I did find that feature helpful.)


I'm getting so excited!!!!

Gaia app only needs GPS connection to work, cell service not required.

jc