Tour divide advice

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Hummerlicious
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Tour divide advice

Post by Hummerlicious »

Hi, I know there are a few on here that have done the Tour Divide, I've done a search but couldn't find any info, the thing I am trying to find out is how to get back!!

When you get to Antelope Wells how have people got back to civilisation and more importantly which airport do you then use to get back to the UK? It's time to tie up some loose ends so I can sort everything for next year......

Thanks,

Jimbo
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http://www.Sussex-MTB.com
Riding bikes, dreaming about riding bikes.
My head is on the Tour Divide
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Scattamah
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Scattamah »

Perhaps talk to the folks @ Gila Hike & Bike in Silver City...they'll give you a lead on extraction.
I've heard of folks flying out from all sorts of places; try El Paso, Albuquerque or Phoenix.
Read the TD threads both old and new on bikepacking.net forums - these are a wealth of information.

Greetz

S.
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mountainbaker
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by mountainbaker »

I got picked up by Jeffery Sharp, he lives on a ranch just outside Hachita (last town before border). I stayed the night there, and got blind drunk. I was collected by my cousins from there, but he also drives people to El Paso for flights in the US or connecting flights, or he can drop you at Lordsburg to get the Greyhound to Phoenix.

I flew home from Phoenix to LHR with BA. I went with BA as they serve both Calgary and Phoenix, and also I could change my return flight for $150, and also, they don't charge for bikes, as long as the box is 23kg (they didn't actually check mine, but they might yours).

ACA has a good PDF, and Jeffery's details are bottom left.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes- ... e-options/
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Hummerlicious
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Hummerlicious »

vaguely exciting, thanks people
------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.Sussex-MTB.com
Riding bikes, dreaming about riding bikes.
My head is on the Tour Divide
------------------------------------------------------------
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Blackhound
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Blackhound »

There are other operaters as well so not to difficult to get out of AW. As said above sort out your return flight and then see about your transfer from the finish. You may get a lift with another rider for instance.

I flew out of El Paso (to Portland OR) as I my return flight to the UK was from Seattle. BA flew both Calgary and Seattle so made better for free bike transfer. (I went touring in Oregon after the race).
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GregMay
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by GregMay »

Worth scouring the many, many threads over on bikepacking.net. Loads of info there.
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jameso
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by jameso »

Look up Lloyd Payne (from Lordsburg I think) via info on BP.net. He can pick you up, $ a mile sort of rate iirc. Great guy too.
+1 for BA, no extra fee for a bike, flight changes aren't too pricey and they fly (or a partner airline do) from El Paso.
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Pirahna
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Pirahna »

Just had a look on the BA site for flight prices :o
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Chicken Legs
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Chicken Legs »

I flew BA out of Phoenix worked well for me.
Not a problem to get from AW to Phoenix all sorts of options.
Pirahna wrote:Just had a look on the BA site for flight prices :o
Unfortunately the price of the flight is only the start of "the most expensive free race".
Don't be put off, its worth every penny :-bd

Andy
"What is man but the sum of his memories"
jameso
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by jameso »

BA, about £1000? Once you factor in changes of date, flying with a bike and a few other things it's not too bad. It's a good motivation to not spend anything on motels, you go faster as you're already near-broke at the start : )
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Pirahna
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Pirahna »

jameso wrote:BA, about £1000?
BA's website reckons £2800 ish. I'm sure it can done a lot cheaper but it surprised me.
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Scattamah
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Scattamah »

I went with AA this year MAN -> ABQ return with a side flight from ABQ -> Calgary. 680UKP to ABQ with 100 quid each way for the bike. The flight to Calgary was around 200USD IIRC. Skyscanner is your friend.

Greetz

S.
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Blackhound
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Blackhound »

Booking early I would reckon on about £800 return, £1,000 max. Make sure you are booking a return and not two singles.
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Chicken Legs
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by Chicken Legs »

BA - Heathrow to Calgary and Phoenix to Heathrow = £990ish checked it earlier today.
"What is man but the sum of his memories"
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mountainbaker
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Re: Tour divide advice

Post by mountainbaker »

I paid £850 for that, booked it around November last year I think. Oct/Nov is when prices started to go down for me. I booked through Expedia.
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