 Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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on: September 24, 2016, 12:54:51 PM
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Flinch
grandpasbikelife.blogspot.com
Posts: 186
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« on: September 24, 2016, 12:54:51 PM » |
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 ==== Only 8 months until the race - Hurry !!! ==== Is it just me, or has anyone else booked a room in Banff yet? Never too soon to start next year's thread, I hope. Already got the 'fever' !  See you all there! Glen
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« Last Edit: October 11, 2016, 04:52:30 PM by Flinch »
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And once the Race is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure whether the Race is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the Race, you won't be the same person who rode in. That's what the Race is all about.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #1 on: September 24, 2016, 10:51:46 PM
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Mojomondo
Posts: 15
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« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2016, 10:51:46 PM » |
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Wow that soon - ok
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #2 on: September 24, 2016, 10:52:49 PM
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Mojomondo
Posts: 15
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« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2016, 10:52:49 PM » |
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Wow that soon - ok
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Perhaps a couple weeks prior Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #3 on: September 27, 2016, 09:18:33 AM
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jthops
Posts: 21
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« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2016, 09:18:33 AM » |
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I'm in. Room booked.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #4 on: September 28, 2016, 12:55:28 PM
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eec
Posts: 107
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« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2016, 12:55:28 PM » |
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I'm planning an attempt, not sure if it will be with the grand depart, though. Seeing this thread made me really nervous, too. So, so much more to learn and coordinate.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #5 on: September 28, 2016, 01:30:27 PM
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bon
Location: Boulder, Colorado USA
Posts: 205
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« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2016, 01:30:27 PM » |
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I'm nervous, excited, still tired from this year's finish, and already planning my approach!
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No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. ― Charles Dickens
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #6 on: September 28, 2016, 06:42:11 PM
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Mike Honcho
Inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things
Posts: 25
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« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2016, 06:42:11 PM » |
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So how do you know the dates for room booking?
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #7 on: September 28, 2016, 06:46:16 PM
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Mike Honcho
Inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things
Posts: 25
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« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2016, 06:46:16 PM » |
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Important question for those shipping bikes...
Where are safe places to ship bikes? A place the have room to store for a few days, and it is secure from people poking around for nefarious reasons, or simple curiosity?
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #8 on: September 28, 2016, 08:09:16 PM
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Snowbd2u
Location: Culpeper, VA
Posts: 112
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« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2016, 08:09:16 PM » |
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I shipped mine with me on the plane. For me, it was the best option. Book the room and get your plane tickets soon. It will motivate you through the winter!! I may be out there again this year.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #9 on: September 29, 2016, 04:52:40 AM
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Iowagriz
Posts: 248
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« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2016, 04:52:40 AM » |
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So how do you know the dates for room booking?
The Grand Depart is always the 2nd Friday in June. 8am, I believe. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk |
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #10 on: September 29, 2016, 08:42:09 AM
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Flinch
grandpasbikelife.blogspot.com
Posts: 186
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« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2016, 08:42:09 AM » |
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Important question for those shipping bikes...
Where are safe places to ship bikes? A place the have room to store for a few days, and it is secure from people poking around for nefarious reasons, or simple curiosity?
Be aware that if you ship your bike, it may well get hung up in customs - has happened before. Best to take it with you on flight. Tip: After the ride, if you need to ship the bike within the U.S., check out Bikeflights.com. I shipped bike for around $45 with them. You box the bike, buy and print out shipping label, and they pick it up. My bike from Silverthorn CO to Reno took three days. |
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And once the Race is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure whether the Race is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the Race, you won't be the same person who rode in. That's what the Race is all about.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #11 on: October 02, 2016, 04:54:43 PM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #11 on: October 02, 2016, 04:54:43 PM » |
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+1 for flying with your bike rather than shipping it to Banff. Customs can definitely slow things down, and with most folks just arrive a couple days ahead of the start, that doesn't allow much time to sort out a missing bike. I've flown quite a bit with bikes over the years, and I've had bikes lost by airlines, but never for more than 24 hours.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #12 on: October 04, 2016, 07:09:41 AM
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Mike Honcho
Inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things
Posts: 25
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« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2016, 07:09:41 AM » |
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When you fly with your bike, do you use a special case, or just protect it well in a bike box? I assume you put all your bags/gear in too?
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #13 on: October 04, 2016, 08:33:06 AM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2016, 08:33:06 AM » |
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For flying one-way somewhere, just get a sturdy cardboard bike box from your local bike shop. Ask them to save all the shipping materials from the bike that came in the box, and that should be more than enough to get your bike safely packed for a flight. I'll always put a bit more gear in the box, but keep it under 50 pounds since that's often airlines' limit and cardboard boxes aren't *that* sturdy.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #14 on: October 04, 2016, 12:52:23 PM
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kiwidave
Posts: 251
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« Reply #14 on: October 04, 2016, 12:52:23 PM » |
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Mike - don't pack your helmet in the bike box. Also check with your airline on Li batteries (cache batteries) as Li is usually prohibited apart from in carry-on luggage.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #15 on: October 04, 2016, 01:02:28 PM
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THE LONG RANGER
Hi-Ho, Single-Speed, AWAY!
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 932
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« Reply #15 on: October 04, 2016, 01:02:28 PM » |
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You may want to remove your disc rotors as well, as those can get bent.
Put all those small parts in a plastic bag, and zip tie that to the frame.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #16 on: October 05, 2016, 05:40:22 AM
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Mike Honcho
Inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things
Posts: 25
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« Reply #16 on: October 05, 2016, 05:40:22 AM » |
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All great advice - thanks all. I know a lot of you see these questions every year. Sure does help us TDR rookies.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #17 on: October 08, 2016, 04:08:11 PM
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Britt
Location: Evans,CO
Posts: 47
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« Reply #17 on: October 08, 2016, 04:08:11 PM » |
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What would you say the average Tour Divide racer spends on the complete trip/ride? Travel, hotels, cabins, camping, and food. Thank you.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #18 on: October 09, 2016, 12:46:03 AM
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Get Mounted
Posts: 34
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« Reply #18 on: October 09, 2016, 12:46:03 AM » |
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If you're flying with your bike international, make sure you get to Banff at least a couple of days early in case the airline delays/misplaces your bike. When I arrived in Calgary both my bag AND bike were not on the flight. It turns out they hadn't made the tight turnaround at LAX. They arrived about 24 hours later at the Y, but I can assure you it was a nervous 24 hours. Fortunately Kiwi Dave let me borrow a pair of underpants and use his towel. I wasn't alone either, it happened to quite a few racers last year  |
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2017 Race Preparation
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Reply #19 on: October 10, 2016, 07:11:02 AM
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bakerjw
Posts: 464
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« Reply #19 on: October 10, 2016, 07:11:02 AM » |
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I don't race and am not an ultra racer. I just love riding and the wilderness. That said, this last year I left Banff a week after the grand depart. It truly was the experience of a lifetime although it got cut short by my own negligence. I still averaged over 100 miles a day which I found respectable, BUT... Pay attention to small details and set priorities as something small can fester and derail you in ways you never expected. My legs were tired but not noodles on day 4, but there was no way that I could sit on a bike seat any longer. It wasn't saddle sores, just a very bad heat rash that likely was exacerbated by sweat. On day 2, I tucked a small cloth into my bibs at the base of my back to staunch the flow of sweat.
For first time riders. Relax. I arrived in Banff in eager anticipation and utterly terrified at times at the thought of heading down the valley all by myself. Once I made it 15 to 20 miles down the trail and I realized that my doom wasn't imminent, it was awesome. It really was an OMFG I am here experience. And I was all alone on the trail except for a NOBO Aussie that I met. After 8 to 10 hours, the isolation did start to set in and it was more than I had anticipated. Also be prepared to not be thinking well when you get drained.
I am going back again next June and once again I will leave the week after the grand depart. I learned A LOT this last year and have it posted somewhere on this forum. It should be titled "How NOT to ride the TD".
Anyway, I can't wait to get back and and psyched as ever. I am focusing on a lighter ride and gear selection along with being in even better shape.
So... Ride on 2017!!!
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