TOUR DIVIDE 2014

[dream4est]

Back pack?

No pack. 5 liter water capability. I aint giving up all my secrets though so where it all goes you will just have to guess:)

[MDSeaburg]

Weights... I am at 42 lbs. After looking at posts, pics and websites about all the snow this year, and since I plan on camping a lot, I am unwilling to go with less clothes and sleeping/camping gear. If I don't sleep well, I don't ride well. Hope to ditch some cold weather stuff after getting through Montana. But, it is snowing right now as I write this in Silverton CO, and I took note of the Boreas Pass pic from the Long Ranger. At least I can guarantee that New Mexico will be warm!

cobbnat, I'm with you. It could be pretty cold out there. My loaded rig weighs 41 pounds. I hope to get rid of some warm stuff down south but maybe not until after Boreas Pass.

[Marshal]

Threw out every redundant baggie and rubber band, downsized tubes, baggies and other items like ties and stakes and groundsheet. Dropped some batts and straps and oil and a several other little things. Dropped back up phone battery and cord. Padded bars instead of aero cups lean on that anr harness instead better feel anyway. Reduced parts lost the brake pads etc. Took off map bag. Swapped to tabs from filter now down to 32.69 lbs. Sweet. Enough clothes for the cold and rain I didnt go light there or reduce quality. I am ready in the bike/gear department just need to put cues and maps in phone and load gps.

You look to be rocking one of the lighter TDR rigs around. 

Say, I just put a smaller & lighter lanyard cord on my bear whistle; does that count as quality weight reduction?

In all seriousness I am more focused this time around on weight reduction from the ol bod vs the bike.  I am down to within 1 lb of my 2010 ‘finish’ weight.  And exactly equal in % body fat.  Ow, I think I just hurt my arm from patting myself on the back…………..

[aschuhmann]

In all seriousness I am more focused this time around on weight reduction from the ol bod vs the bike.  I am down to within 1 lb of my 2010 ‘finish’ weight.  And exactly equal in % body fat.  Ow, I think I just hurt my arm from patting myself on the back…………..

...

I'm getting fat from resting for two weeks...

[charliekharsa]

great to hear that you are healing rashasha2 .
As I reading your postings, I am getting very nervous. This is WHY, You will not believe What is happening to me. I have been a customer with  our local bike shop for the last 10+ years. I ordered my bike  2 months ago from Davis Wheel Works, in Davis. They fitted me for the bike. I went to pick up the bike, I noticed the bike was damaged. They tried to sell it to me anyway. I told them to order me a new bike. Finally, on 5/15 the new bike arrives. Part of the deal was to get fitted by the owner of the shop. I got tired of waiting, so I went to another bike shop for fitting. The new fitting person noticed the bike was too small (XS) for me.
I called wheel works and told them the bike is too small. Wheel Works manager said, they would not honor the sale, all sales are final. After 3 days of trying to get a hold of the owner. We meet yesterday at 3 AM. The owner took measurement of my rock mountain, like they did the first time, and realized the bike they order is too small for me. He said, he would order me the next size (S) . I have texted the owner around 12ish today, no answer yet. I did not get of work early to make to the shop.  I hope the bike shows up this week so I can at least ride it around my house! and see how my gear will fit on it.
What is that saying, getting to the race is harder than the race it self. I hope that is true in this case.

cheers
white water!
charlie

[davew]

Say, I just put a smaller & lighter lanyard cord on my bear whistle; does that count as quality weight reduction?

I just removed 0.7 gig of melancholic music from the iPod but I am struggling to find an on-line converter of gig to kilograms. Regardless of the obvious weight savings it will no longer be weighing so heavily on my shoulders as I ride.

[JRA]

No pack. 5 liter water capability. I aint giving up all my secrets though so where it all goes you will just have to guess:)

Dehydrated water?

[ElijahGOFAR]

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

Everyone (Rookies) NEEDS to reread this

[Big Ben]

Great insight.....Thank you!

[dream4est]

Dropped the reserve 2 liter hydro bag. Dont need it I can get 2 bottles in a town for over 3 liter situations. Added passport and phone cord now at 32.5lbs.

I really enjoyed this process of evaluating my gear and how I carry it and what is really needed out there. Thanks to many over the years who have helped me out. Marshal got me to understand how to ride better in gearing and approach. Now I ride standing a lot and rock a 1X9. When I "got it", I started standing when I would normally hikeabike. And now I eat whenever I actually hikeabike ST and constantly when I ride roads. I never hikeabike on road detours in ST races anymore unless its a wall. I used to a lot because I weighed too much and only spun never stood and delivered.

Recently Aaron Denberg and I went over his kit in Sierra Vista, AZ before the AZT750. He was lighter than anyone ever in the 750, and it got my attention. I realized that my girlfriend was right. It is a temporary existence out there. You need to keep moving in your mind not just your body. The best way to this constant movement forward is cleaning out your closet so to speak. Weight is twice the weight really. More weight makes you slow. Then you want to carry more to ensure you make distances between supplies.

[Enzo149]

Just upgraded from a dorm room to a double at the y for 6/10-6/12if anyone wants to split.

[crazylarrybanff]

Hi Pablito
Please look me up > Banff YWCA back building last two windows - Parking lot side right at end of bike racks.
I love helping out ALL the TDR racers and cyclist who tour it...it does not matter.|
Let me know where I can help you? ok?
Say what are you riding? Gear?
Your Banff Friend
CL

[kato]

I just removed 0.7 gig of melancholic music from the iPod but I am struggling to find an on-line converter of gig to kilograms. Regardless of the obvious weight savings it will no longer be weighing so heavily on my shoulders as I ride.

Now this is some useful weight saving advice! 

[oKo]

All this talk of shaving weight is freakin me out... clipped the tags from all my clothes last night.

[jehsohn]

I'm adding more weight!

[-dan]

All this talk of shaving weight is freakin me out... clipped the tags from all my clothes last night.

i'm more worried about having room for beer.

[BobM]

i'm more worried about having room for beer.

Lots of beer along the route.  You need to practice walking into a rural Montana bar in full biking regalia, though.

[Snowbd2u]

I've added a huge belt buckle to my jersey and bike shorts so I'll fit in!

[-dan]

Lots of beer along the route.  You need to practice walking into a rural Montana bar in full biking regalia, though.

can't be any worse than touring in alabama.

[mtbcast]

TD14: NOBO Lindsay Shepard called in from Cuba!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td14/