Tour Divide 2013

[ron]

These are on sale, btw:

http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4636/1600FQ0008013/Rocky-13''-GORE-TEX%C2%AE-Socks/

[BobM]

The Showers Pass booties do NOT survive much HAB.  Trust me on that. The bottoms were in shreds by the time I got to Galton.

[bikpdlr]

These are on sale, btw:

http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4636/1600FQ0008013/Rocky-13''-GORE-TEX%C2%AE-Socks/

Thanks Ron... they're on the way.

[stappy]

These are on sale, btw:

http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4636/1600FQ0008013/Rocky-13''-GORE-TEX%C2%AE-Socks/

That's what I have and they are excellent. That's a great price. The material is partly stretchy but mostly rigid. It takes about 5-10 seconds per sock to put on or take off. I thought bunching may be a problem so I bought my exact size. Size 9, I wear size 43 shoe. I was only bringing thin wool race type socks otherwise and they fit inside just right. I didn't up size my shoes or socks, no need, everything was perfectly comfy. I almost got a small blister on one heal from hiking in them but took care of it before it manifested.

[sthig]

use ROCKY20 and get an additional % off!

[sthig]

(...though Scott may have a little more HAB than average with his 60 gear-inch ss  )

I'm back down to 38x22, this is much more manageable and I find my kneecaps don't explode off my body quiet as fast now.  I'm thinking I'm going to stay at 38x22

[bikpdlr]

use ROCKY20 and get an additional % off!

Thanks Scott,  I called them and they said they had already shipped and can't apply the discount unless I wanted to return them.  But they confirmed that the coupon code would work had I used it, even on the "sale price".  Thanks for trying to save me some money...

[bikpdlr]

That's what I have and they are excellent. That's a great price. The material is partly stretchy but mostly rigid. It takes about 5-10 seconds per sock to put on or take off. I thought bunching may be a problem so I bought my exact size. Size 9, I wear size 43 shoe. I was only bringing thin wool race type socks otherwise and they fit inside just right. I didn't up size my shoes or socks, no need, everything was perfectly comfy. I almost got a small blister on one heal from hiking in them but took care of it before it manifested.

Thanks Craig... that was what I was hoping to hear.  I wear a 43, but normally my foot is a 9.5 (wide) and I would like to wear a sock underneath, or atleast a liner sock.  I rolled the dice and ordered a 10 and they have a great return policy (i.e. FREE shipping/no questions), so maybe I'll get that 20% discount afterall... thanks.

[phil_rad]

I have to chime in too about the Gore Bike Wear gore-tex socks, been using them for about 12 years, on my second pair now, last year my first ones died. I think 11 years is a lifespan for a pair of socks. They will keep your feet dry, unless you step into a stream/river/puddle and the water goes over the cuff. Rain water doesn't get through the cuff either so you can still have dry feet with rain knickers or shorts.  Well worth the extra 90 or so grams.

Thanks Rich and Scott for the links to the phone card 

[sthig]

Phil,

hope my link helps.  If there's any info I can help with stateside, let me know. 

[Cosmo K]

I thought it would be interesting to hear about everyone's training so I'll throw my regimen out here.  First, I'm 52, 5'11", 160 and I used to race road and mountain for 20 years...and picked up riding seriously again 2.5 years ago.

I searched for a regimen of training for the TD and although there wasn't much specific to the race I did do a lot of reading over at the ultramarathon cycling assoc  (http://www.ultracycling.com/sections/articles/).  After reading through the material most articles spoke about the importance of the long rides...at least one per week...and then ramping to two per week.  Also, the importance of interval training to raise your base level of intensity.

Also, note that 95% of my training is on my road bike.  I'm starting to add additional mtb rides in but where I live the ability to put in good, relevant mtb rides is challenging (same saddle on both bikes though .  To simulate additional carrying weight, I push bigger gears.  I've been testing cold weather gear and will be doing at least one 3 day mtb shakedown ride in a few weeks.  I do have decent backpacking experience.

The training...currently:
Saturday:100 - 125miles with 10k+ of climbing
Sunday: 50 - 60 miles with 4-5k of climbing
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Intervals on flats - total ride about 90 minutes
Weds:  Ride with group, 2 hours
Thurs: Hill intervals - total ride about 90 minutes
Friday: Rest or easy spin

That's it.  I'll ramp up the over the next couple of weeks to weekends including two century's (or one longer ride 150+ and one relatively shorter ride of 50+) and then taper a couple of weeks prior to the race.  I "think" that this will set me up ok for the ride.  My theory...there's no way I'll be pushing anywhere near the pace or effort I'm pushing in my current rides during the TD.

[stappy]

The training...currently:
Saturday:100 - 125miles with 10k+ of climbing
Sunday: 50 - 60 miles with 4-5k of climbing
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Intervals on flats - total ride about 90 minutes
Weds:  Ride with group, 2 hours
Thurs: Hill intervals - total ride about 90 minutes
Friday: Rest or easy spin

Looks great. Similar to what I do but more structure. Try and get out for some practice runs with all your kit, maybe a couple early season races and you'll be set.

[Foster]

For a size 10.5 foot what size Gore Tex Bike wear socks would fit me?  I am thinking a Medium or large...

[sthig]

as far as training, I'm averaging 16 and a half hours a week (or about 255 miles)

this is a mix of trainer, intervals, road riding, mountain biking, racing and overnighters.

[phil_rad]

Foster, you could try size "XL" it's for shoe size 9.5-10.5, that might be a tight fit. The next size up is XXL and it fits 11-12. Order both and send back the pair that doesn't fit 

Phil

[stappy]

"training"

[sthig]

something about writing your name in the snow...

[Foster]

Foster, you could try size "XL" it's for shoe size 9.5-10.5, that might be a tight fit. The next size up is XXL and it fits 11-12. Order both and send back the pair that doesn't fit 

Phil

Thanks Phil, sizes must run pretty small then?  You riding the TD this year?

[phil_rad]

No, not this year maybe next.

[marco_n]

My usual "training" (i ride my bike, is not REAL training)...
Monday morning: 4-5h mtb
Tuesday: go to work and come back home by bike (35km) mtb, and 1.30h road bike
Wednesday: same of tuesday
Thursday morning: 3to5h mtb
Friday: rest
Saturday: singlespeed, 2h 900/1000m climb at full speed
Sunday: 8-12 or more hrs of mtb (gravel, road, off road) 2 Times par month, or 3-4h mtb ride in the morning...


For the easter day i Hope to ride over 640 full loaded in two days, rest in my bivy tent... Go from my mountains to the sea and come back, alone...