T minus 4

Everybody

It is getting close. I think i have everything done that needs to be done. Tony at Estrella Cycles took time out of his busy day today to help me squeeze my bike into a bike box for the plane ride. We also got a bunch of my gear in the box as well. My Smartwool jersey was waiting for me when i got home, so now i will not stink..... that bad. I got my last 30 miles in today on the canal. I feel good. I also got a final refinement to my sleep system attachment to the bike. Turns out a simple bungee cord and an old shoelace was the best and lightest and most secure option. Yesterday amy and I took a drive to the Pig downtown and got the only available set of GEAX TNT saguaro tires in Arizona. These tires have ben out of stock everywhere for some time. Just so happened that they took a new set off someone's bike cause they did not want them. Mom and Dad are on there way over to say i before heading to Colorado in there new rubber-tramp-mobile. I was contacted by Matt Lee, the major personality behind the tour divide to transport a few Spot devices with me to Banff. I expect them in the mail today. More tomorrow!

For your entertainment... A map of my favorite training ride i call the west valley monstercross, 40 to 55 miles of singletrack fun. Second is Dad riding Pugsley at Glamis. Finally is horseshoe bend near Page, Az

Enjoy- Chewbaccha

Buckeye dairy farmers

Everybody

I managed to brave the heat on Wednesday night after my ill fated morning ride in an attempt to see the wednesday night dairy gang before i left. We had ourselves a great ride as always out at fins. There were 6 of us in total. At the end of the ride Ben came over and handed me a wad-O-cash and said it was a collection from the Wednesday night gang. I was unsure what to say as i am uneasy taking things, but it is VERY appreciated! Thank you Guys! I will put it to good use keeping fed and warm on the tour. I am very humbled by the outpouring of support from everybody. I guess i had better not let everybody down. Less than 7 days to the start. The weather is not looking ideal at the start, but that is OK with me. I phoned airport security today trying to find out if i can wear my bike shoes on the plane, they said No. Had a good last day at work yesterday. I was able to get everything squared away for my absence and we had a KICK ASS Meth freak out call. Lesson learned.... Don't do drugs! This morning i rode out to Goodyear and back, it is officially hot now. I am going to continue to sort out my kit and get things ready to go. for your entertainment a couple pictures of the Wednesday night group out at FINS and yet another spectacular Arizona sunset. Enjoy, and Thanks!

Humble Pie

Hey, Today was a prime example of why testing, knowing, and having the right equipment is key for a good ride. I set out at 0500 to get in the last long ride before i head off. The plan was to ride the canal to Goodyear then into FINS and meet up with Tony and Jim at 0630 at the eliot market. Right around the dog track i hear a hiss from my front tire, bummer. i waited to see if the stans would work. it would have if there was any left. I had not added any for some time and was waiting until i swapped in my race tires and stems, that stuff is expensive. Anyway i put my new tube in and took off, i still had time to catch them if i put the hammer down. Within a mile it was flat again. Needless to say 7 patches, 1 tire iron, and 1.5 hours later i was headed for home. I still got 25 miles, but wanted 60-70 today. Oh well. Other lessons learned 1. I need a safety strap on the GPS, the mount is cheap. 2. I need to fix my shoe laces, they got wrapped around the pedal twice today, 3. always carry a tube with slime or stans in it, it is worth the weight, 4 bell glue-less patches SUCK!

Humble Pie......

there is ALWAYS somebody that has done it bigger, better, faster, the harder way, you name it. Always stay humble, cause it is true... here is proof.

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~gs114208/GDR/

simply amazing!

For your entertainment shadow drafting, and my broke tire.

Welcome friends, Tour Divide Plus

Thanks for stopping by and your support!

I am not an avid "Blogger" so please stay with me.. Anyway 7 days to Banff and 10 to the start. Everything is going great. Only one more day of work and i am home free. What is more cool is that our schedule is changing from 24 on 48 off to 48 on 96 off on the 11th of July, since i had up to the 13th off i now have till the 18th off. Ha. Cool. Anyway, i am just about ready with all my gear. I found out last week that my old sleeping bag that i thought was super-duper was in fact not. Lucky for me REI was having a big sale so amy and I broke out the old CC and drove on out there and got the "cool stuff ". Dropped about 2-3 Lbs off the load and saved a ton of space. On a kinda bummer note... My special bags i have ordered a while back will not be to me before i leave PHX. But.... they will be waiting for me in Banff, better late than never i guess. I really wanted to test them out a little before setting sail. Oh well this just adds a new dimension of adventure to this grand adventure. The cool part of getting the bags in banff is that there creator and innovator will be there to help fit and properly load them witch is cool because he is like a legend in the sport of ultra endurance bicycle events. Besides that... It is officially HOT in the Phoenix area now. All day training is out. This is OK, It fits into my training plans to taper off before the start. I think i got myself a great base built up and i hope it serves me well. Anyway, i will try to add a couple pictures to this. This is my bike and most of the stuff i am taking with me. Also is the TD poster. and a cool photo from Castner Mtn, between Flag and Sedona.

Thanks- jim

Big days

Training is going well. Last weekend mom and dad were here and i was tired so i took 4 days off to recover. It has seemed to be for the best, i feel good this week. My goal for this week is over 200 miles, got 75 the first two days. I hope to get 50 or more today. I am on my way to Banff, I bought a plane ticket, my adventure cycle maps, a map holder, a mont-bell UL down inner jacket that weighs a scant 7 oz. Today Amy and i are going to go look for rain gear.

On another note... the Boys and Girls from the Union L4311 surprised me yesterday with a check for $250 to help me out on my journey, Then later that day Dave and Pete threw in another 100 bucks.... I am speechless for once in my life. Thanks everyone! It means allot to me! It also helps allot. I hope to do you all proud!

I don't have a total on a total prep cost yet, but it it going up faster and faster. Before i go i will try to break down the total cost. Thus far with bags, sleep gear, tickets, maps, GPS, special clothing i am in for about $1200. This is just to get basic Bikepacking gear. I still need to fill my kit with some other specialized gear, tools and clothes. I keep trying to refine my kit in my head as i train with the gear, I don't like surprises on the trail. I hope i am totally dialed in by race day....... month.

I received an e-mail from Leighton White, a 2 time finisher of the TD and a Firefighter in Colorado. He has ben a big help. He brought up a great point that many guys although very strong developed race ending knee issues when they hit the big mountain passes because they were not used to either climbs, or sustained pedaling for hours on end like on hills or headwinds. I think the bulk of my las 2 months of training will be aimed at getting my knees ready for the challenge, so less singletrack and more big long climbs for me. Viva Yarnell!

For your entertainment, lights on secret and dad on a pug.

Laters-nancy

Letter of intent

Today was the day of days. I officially submitted my letter of intent to the tour divide web site today. www.tourdivide.org . There is no backing out now. Now starts the challenge of getting myself ready to go. I need a passport, lots of bike parts and camping gear. I need to get a plane ticket and a couple days off work. Looking forward to it all.

Yesterday Jim and I went back to Sedona for some great singletrack. we got in 25 miles and had a blast. I also put my order in with www.carouseldesignworks.com for a new seat bag and a frame bag. All is going well i think. still need rain gear, a new sleeping pad and a way to secure my sleep gear to my bike. I also need the maps for the route. I think that the training is going well, i think i am on target for the task at hand.

Sedona big Friggin Loop

Sedona Big Friggin Loop report

The day before

With much anticipation the day before was here. I kinda feel like a kid at christmas. I spend the morning getting the bike ready, washing my clothes, and putting all my food together. Amy finally sends a text at about 10am that she wants to go, cool. I call and bug Tony again see if my new back tire and frame bag have arrived yet. My back tire is literally down to cord and i did not want to attack wet slickrock on that tire, but i would. Good news Tony said they expect it in later that day, cool. It all works out, as soon as amy gets home we were off to the shop to pick up the tire, bag and about 80 bucks worth of other stuff. Tony was nice enough to let me change the tire in the shop, and i promptly spilled stans all over the place. Nick gave me that look and asked why i was changing my tire the night before the race, i giggled because he had not seen the one that came off and i described my old tire to him. He laughed then got out the air compressor for me when he saw me struggling with the floor pump. We said goodbye to the gang at the shop got some gas and some arbys and we were off. we pulled into sedona around 9.30 or so. The manager of the hotel reminded me of andy dick in road trip. We were both tired and fell right asleep.

the morning of

I got up about 15 min before the alarm and was anxious to get the day started. I ran myself through the shower and picked out my layers for the day. the news said it would be in the high 20’s in the early hours. I got myself together, woke amy, adjusted my new frame bag one more time added endrolites to my drinks and we set off to find a hot breakfast. Turns out not much is open at 5.30am. We found a NY bagel store with a bright open sign, so we went in to find a neat little bagel shop. Fresh bagels are the best. We finished up and took off for the IGA parking lot where the event was to start from.

The parking lot

We pulled into the parking lot to find about 20 folks already there getting ready. From the street you could tell this was going to be a different scene of people. There was no shortage of folks pulling well sorted 6 thousand dollar rigs from $500 dollar cars that were also well sorted for hauling bikes and equipment. As soon as we pulled into a spot everyone was looking to see if i was perhaps an old friend. Once they figured out i was someone they had not met they would wave, say hi and went back to what they were doing. I got myself together and amy took the truck and went back to get some more shut eye. Even though i was a stranger to these folks it somehow felt like old home week. Everyone was eager to meet me and find out where i was from. Cursing around the lot checking out everyones rigs was a cool experience. This was a very different scene for sure. The bikes were high end utilitarian. Very well sorted and thought out parts for the amount of miles that these folks intended on doing. Most everybody's handelbars looked like a jet cockpit with maps, GPS, computers, Bags, bells, and cup holders. The biggest surprise to me is when 7 am came on and there was nobody thrashing to fix there bike. The leader Scott came and gave a small talk before the start. Basically, the river is high and dangerous, you are on your own, have fun!

The start

Without any ceremony the group of 28 took off together to the trailhead. On the way i rode next to a guy from Colorado that travels all winter riding his bike all over, he had just come from Moab, i was jealous. Once we hit the trail the group started to sort itself into a pecking order as all rides and races do. I fell into the middle of the pack with much respect for the mileage ahead. There were a couple guys that took off like it was a 10 mile event, someone made the comment, “ do they know this is a 60 mile event” we al laughed about it and went on. Everyone was very friendly, this was not like a typical XC race. It was neat to meet new folks and hear there story’s. I rode for a while with a guy from New Mexico, after riding with a guy from Queen Creek. Most of the talk was about the excitement of the event and of events past. We would taunt each-other through technical sections, everyone had a great humor about the whole thing and you could tell that they were all extremely seasoned and experienced riders.

River crossing

About 2 hours into the ride a pack of about 10 had formed as we came upon the first big river crossing that seemed to be on everybody's mind. We pulled up on a hill overlooking the cross just in time to see the lead group crossing. We all watched as one guy with his bike above his head ( a 6 thousand dollar bike ) and water up to his chest slipped on a rock and in he went. He latched onto his bike and drifted about 10 feet downstream and started looking for his cell phone he had just lost. The rest of us shook our heads and got the maps out to find a way around. Someone figured out that there was a bridge a few miles down. The group had picked up a couple more people during this episode. We all decided to ride the extra 3 miles to go over the bridge.

Getting lost

When we rejoined the trail on the other side of the river we somehow took off counter-clockwise on a section that was supposed to be clockwise. We would not figure this out for some time. The trail took us up a fun hike a bike trail with about 500 foot of climbing. Some rode but most walked. Near the top myself and a guy they called Walt took off just cause it was so friggin fun. some of the most technical climbing i had ever done. Before i knew it walt and the pack were gone and i decided to press on thinking they would all catch up some time.

New friend

I had ridden the next few miles by myself. I came back onto pavement for a segment to cross 89a and hop on a new trail. At the trailhead was a guy working on a power bar. I stopped to take in more gummy bears and chat. I forget his name but he is from chandler riding a new spot 1x9 29er. We decided to press on together. The next 10 miles or so were a blast, then we hit the creek.

The Creek

The trail took us to a creek that was about 20 foot wide and 1-2 foot deep. we could see the trail on the other side. We were like, cool lets do it. We took or shoes and sox off and crossed, put shoes on and rode on. 300 foot later, another crossing. The same thing with the shoes, and the same thing with the river x12 more times. An adventure for sure. By the 6th crossing we were just laughing at ourselves. It took us about 1 hour to go about a mile, but we finally made it out onto some cool singletrack and were making time again.

A meeting with Scott

Myself and my new friend rode another 10-15 miles of the best of sedona. We decided to stop and eat some food, we were about 7 hours into the day. As we were stopped the leader of the group Scott came from the other direction on the trail and told us about the next crossing that was just ahead of us. Then he told us we were going the wrong way...... bummer. He said the next crossing was much worse than the first. He told us we would be wise to bail out soon and head back. We talked about it and figured he was right so we bailed out and headed back to oak creek about 12 miles away by road.

bike and bean

we had hammered the ride home. we turned into the bike and bean to find about 100 other folks drinking beer and eating pizza. it was like a night at harvs. turns out there was a group doing what they called a spring fling. The spring fling is a yearly 4 stop camping and riding experience where they camp and ride in 4 locations in 4 days. Sounds like fun to me. I gave amy a call to pick me up, said my goodbyes and i was gone.

Fun

All said and done it was a great experience! Everyone was friendly, and despite the river, it was a total blast. I was surprised that nobody spoke an ill word about the problems of the day, and how everyone embraced them as a challenge in witch to test themselves against. I think that 6 people finished the course, crossings and all in over 11 hours. My hat is off to them. Not quite the 7 hours of the previous year. Myself i got 50 miles in 8.5 hours. I will be back next year for sure!

For your entertainment, The Ramona gang at the amasa back trail in Moab, UT 2009