TDR 2017

[GregMay]

At this point, Crazy Larry will have rambled on for 20 mins and they should have started.

I am envious. I wish I was going through this again.

[voodoo_simon]

and they're off

Here's to 3 or 4 weeks of dot watching

[GregMay]

and they're off

Here's to 3 or 4 weeks of dot watching

Or two if Kato is on the form of his life.

[whitestone]

There's quite a lot of riders who don't seem to have moved. Have they done what I did and forget to start the tracking?

[voodoo_simon]

Riders bikes here
http://bikepacker.com/2017-tour-divide-rigs/

[benp1]

Really nice seeing all the bikes people are using. Mostly rigid 29ers

Salsa definitely make up the biggest proportion, lots of Cutthroats but a few fargos and el mariachis plus others

Some nice light packing and some others packing serious amounts

A real range of stuff, it's good!

[voodoo_simon]

Petervary put up a video of the grand depart on his facebook, sadly can't link to it

and this frame bag is ace

[Bearbonesnorm]

I hope someone tightens the straps on that ^ seat-pack before they set off .. that'll swing 'n sway like a b'stard

[Gari]

^^ I was thinking exactly the samething

[Jurassic pusher]

On trackleaders it`s very poinient to see Mike Hall`s 2016 record pace as a marker flag, Mike`s still out in front, where he belongs!

[mountainbaker]

The route isn't going through Elkford or Sparwood this year, does anyone know why? It misses out the Flathead Pass (the river trail) and I think the 'connector' cliff ascent too. First resupply is now Fernie, BC.

[sean_iow]

On trackleaders it`s very poinient to see Mike Hall`s 2016 record pace as a marker flag, Mike`s still out in front, where he belongs!

I was thinking the same the last couple of days when I see Mike's flag leading the Trans Am as well.

[NewRetroTom]

It misses out the Flathead Pass (the river trail) and I think the 'connector' cliff ascent too.

I was also wondering why the route has changed.

I think it still goes up that nasty push though - just after it leaves the Wigwam forest service road and before the last pass before dropping to the road into Roosville.

[Pirahna]

There is a bridge out, hence the re-route. This is what it's like, there was a video of some people riding quads along it, I'll see if I can find it.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/ ... 1daeb_0_96

[mountainbaker]

Thanks for the info, does not look like an easy alternative!

[mountainbaker]

I think it still goes up that nasty push though - just after it leaves the Wigwam forest service road and before the last pass before dropping to the road into Roosville.

Yep, you're right. I'm glad that's still in there.

[GregMay]

The route isn't going through Elkford or Sparwood this year, does anyone know why? It misses out the Flathead Pass (the river trail) and I think the 'connector' cliff ascent too. First resupply is now Fernie, BC.

Bridge washed out - so quite a long resupply until Fernie!

[Blackhound]

Daily updates from Neil here:

http://bikepacker.com/2017-tour-divide-news/

[larsmars]

Looks like a tough start this year
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVKj5nvAxTR/

[GregMay]

Looks like a tough start this year
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVKj5nvAxTR/

Same as most years, Canada = cold and wet.

[whitestone]

An interesting recce ride so far from Lee and Rickie

[GregMay]

An interesting recce ride so far from Lee and Rickie

21 day pace, pretty nice speed to ride at if they are going back to go properly fast. Similar to the idea that was in my head when I went out.

First two days means nothing really, give it a few days.

[Richpips]

God to see our pal Ben from the French Divide up there.

[atk]

Reroute sounds fun... https://instagram.com/p/BVL0W7_jom5/

[jameso]

Reroute sounds fun... https://instagram.com/p/BVL0W7_jom5/

That they were hitting the border early-mid afternoon day 2 after that is impressive.. looks very tough-going. I was wondering how hard it was after seeing the field so spread out early on. The difference between JK's dot and MH's record pace is quite large already. Looks like the fastest riders set off prepared and headed straight into it, many others went off-route to Elkford for supplies.