NewRetroTom wrote:Next problem is that the bike I'm planning to ride has a knackered square taper bottom bracket seized into the frame. Any top tips to get it out? Have tried WD40 specialist penetrant and a kettle of boiling water so far. Bouncing my full weight on the 32mm spanner I have attached to the tool makes the frame flex a lot, but hasn't budged the BB at all....

Increase leverage somehow? Scaffold pole over the spanner or big vice for the tool and use frame as lever

NewRetroTom wrote: Next problem is that the bike I'm planning to ride has a knackered square taper bottom bracket seized into the frame. Any top tips to get it out? Have tried WD40 specialist penetrant and a kettle of boiling water so far. Bouncing my full weight on the 32mm spanner I have attached to the tool makes the frame flex a lot, but hasn't budged the BB at all....

Yup, keep soaking it in penetrating oil. You want to be hitting it hard, as in impact driver type affair (short sharp shocks) as that breaks the corrosion. I like this stuff called "wurth rost off ice" as it's like a penetrating and freezer spray in one. As it's a threaded fit, I'd be a bit wary of doing things with excessively with heat (e.g. a big weld bead on the inside of the BB, so as it cools and shrinks, it becomes looser) coz they work better with press fittings rather than threaded.
I've also found trying to go both directions to break the corrosion lock also helps (i.e. clockwise and andti-clockwise), but obviously make sure you put more effort in the correct undoing direction!

Leverage also works, but again be careful. I broke my 6mm hex bit socket only tuesday when trying to undo my pedals - I did have a 1m+ breaker bar on the end though .

Hope some of that helps. BFH FTW!

(BFH = Big F'Off Hammer)

NewRetroTom wrote:I've handed in my notice at work, so I will now officially be available to do the Tour Divide.

Slightly worried that I don't have a job to come back to, but hope to have that sorted before I fly off to N. America in 4 weeks time!

Next problem is that the bike I'm planning to ride has a knackered square taper bottom bracket seized into the frame. Any top tips to get it out? Have tried WD40 specialist penetrant and a kettle of boiling water so far. Bouncing my full weight on the 32mm spanner I have attached to the tool makes the frame flex a lot, but hasn't budged the BB at all....

*high five*

Well done Tom, that's ace man.

Suggestion would be local friend with large - long - persuader.

When you flying in to Calgary? If same time we could ride over to Banff together.

Other option: new frame

NewRetroTom wrote:I've handed in my notice at work, so I will now officially be available to do the Tour Divide.

Slightly worried that I don't have a job to come back to, but hope to have that sorted before I fly off to N. America in 4 weeks time!

Next problem is that the bike I'm planning to ride has a knackered square taper bottom bracket seized into the frame. Any top tips to get it out? Have tried WD40 specialist penetrant and a kettle of boiling water so far. Bouncing my full weight on the 32mm spanner I have attached to the tool makes the frame flex a lot, but hasn't budged the BB at all....

I once had to use a blowtorch on a bb shell to get the bb out. Obviously that's only an option with a knackered old steel frame so maybe not any use...

atk wrote:

NewRetroTom wrote:Next problem is that the bike I'm planning to ride has a knackered square taper bottom bracket seized into the frame. Any top tips to get it out? Have tried WD40 specialist penetrant and a kettle of boiling water so far. Bouncing my full weight on the 32mm spanner I have attached to the tool makes the frame flex a lot, but hasn't budged the BB at all....

Increase leverage somehow? Scaffold pole over the spanner or big vice for the tool and use frame as lever

Clamp the BB and turn the frame

I must admit, external BB's and breaker bars do make life relatively easy these days


066 (07-03-2015) by Chris Reeves, on Flickr

Zippy wrote:I must admit, external BB's and breaker bars do make life relatively easy these days

...and as they only last five minutes they're knackered before they seize!

bolt the tool to the bb axle using a crank bolt + spacers

clamp the tool in the vice

turn the frame.

If that fails put the wheels back on bolt the tool to the bb and let loose the - 48" stihlsons

if that doesnt work your going to have to resort to heat.

I never ever ever needed more than 2 spot welds of the tool to the bb on the inside to get the thing to move - and that includes bbs out of late 80s couriers and other old abused bikes - and they pretty much fell out after that.

archimedes said it all. " give me a lever and a place to stand and i will move the world"

if your near aberdeen etc etc..... but no one ever is - where are you based ? might know someone local id trust to not take the piss getting it out.

UK and ROI riders - check your passport.

This was flagged to me yesterday: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016 ... urned-away

Have checked with the Irish Embassy, and yes, it's going to be an issue as now I need a new passport :/

GregMay wrote:UK and ROI riders - check your passport.

This was flagged to me yesterday: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016 ... urned-away

Have checked with the Irish Embassy, and yes, it's going to be an issue as now I need a new passport :/

We happened to be talking about this at work yesterday and by coincidence it was also an item on the BBC news last night. The electronic passports have been around for nearly ten years now so (UK certainly) as my ePassport is due for renewal next year and that was a replacement for the one I put through the wash after I forgot it was in my trouser pocket

Pretty sure mine is over 10 years - also, ROI...we've not always been with the times.

GregMay wrote:Pretty sure mine is over 10 years - also, ROI...we've not always been with the times.

No comment

How long do ROI issue passports for?

Q: How do people plan out and then record/remember where resupply/food/sleep stops are on something as long as the tour divide?

Or do you just do it on the fly?

whitestone wrote:

GregMay wrote:Pretty sure mine is over 10 years - also, ROI...we've not always been with the times.

No comment

How long do ROI issue passports for?

Up to 20 I think. I am trying to find a photo of mine at the moment :)

Turns out 10 years.... Mine is up in 2020 IIRC...so I may be ok?...

Greg, the UK biometric ones have a little symbol on the front. Kinda like a sausage sandwich.....

The guys at Rooseville were fairly laid back so I can't imagine you having too many questions. They even let Kev C in when something wasn't quite right with the paperwork.

Best to double check though.

Chew wrote:Greg, the UK biometric ones have a little symbol on the front. Kinda like a sausage sandwich.....

The guys at Rooseville were fairly laid back so I can't imagine you having too many questions. They even let Kev C in when something wasn't quite right with the paperwork.

Best to double check though.

Yeah, I don't know if mine does - nearly certain it doesn't.

Not going to find out until I check it tonight :(

Benefits are that I am flying into Canada....

ctznsmith wrote:Q: How do people plan out and then record/remember where resupply/food/sleep stops are on something as long as the tour divide?

Or do you just do it on the fly?

For me, it's mostly on the fly. You'll have a few sections that are > 120 miles without resupply, but it's mostly later on and you'll have a system down by that point. Early on is a good test though...stock up in Sparwood as there's nothing until Eureka (or Rooseville if you go to the bar). You'll quickly figure out how much food to carry on a section of that length as you'll either get to Eureka with too much food, be right on, or have nothing left and be ravenous.

Sleep....sleep anywhere. When you're tired, find a patch and sleep. Be responsible, of course...but that should go without saying :) There's so much open space it's easy to find places.

Greetz

S.

Also also,

Don't forget to have your eTA to travel into Canada -http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp and ESTA to travel into the US: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

It's times like these I love open borders in Europe.

EDIT: Although no re-reading documentation the US ESTA appears to be more if you fly in....hmm

GregMay wrote:Also also,

Don't forget to have your eTA to travel into Canada -http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp and ESTA to travel into the US: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

It's times like these I love open borders in Europe.

EDIT: Although no re-reading documentation the US ESTA appears to be more if you fly in....hmm

I am a citizen of a VWP country and am visiting the U.S. from Canada or Mexico?
If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), and you enter the U.S. by land from Mexico or Canada, ESTA is not required. If you do not have ESTA, you will be required to complete the paper I-94W form and proceed through a manual entry process at the land border crossing. If you have an approved ESTA when entering the U.S. at a land border crossing, you will not be required to complete the paper I-94W form and your entry process is expedited. However, if issued, you should return your green I-94W card upon departure from the U.S. If you are arriving by air or sea, you do need to apply for ESTA.

Sounds like it's quicker to get through border if you have an ESTA

Annoying our ESTA's no longer valid as L renewed her passport, have a feeling my passport isn't biometric as it's up for renewal early next year... at least I've got until October to sort it though!

Pretty much what I'd read too Andy - expedited sounds like the racers way

In the grand scheme of things $18 ain't that much.

Scattamah wrote:

ctznsmith wrote:Q: How do people plan out and then record/remember where resupply/food/sleep stops are on something as long as the tour divide?

Or do you just do it on the fly?

For me, it's mostly on the fly. You'll have a few sections that are > 120 miles without resupply, but it's mostly later on and you'll have a system down by that point. Early on is a good test though...stock up in Sparwood as there's nothing until Eureka (or Rooseville if you go to the bar). You'll quickly figure out how much food to carry on a section of that length as you'll either get to Eureka with too much food, be right on, or have nothing left and be ravenous.

Sleep....sleep anywhere. When you're tired, find a patch and sleep. Be responsible, of course...but that should go without saying :) There's so much open space it's easy to find places.

Greetz

S.

Thanks! I wasn't looking for specifics as doing another long 'race' just wondered on people's approach. I like 'do it on the fly'.

For all you lucky folks getting to do the ride this year, if in doubt about your travel documents, call the respective embassies over here and get the info first hand.
I fly on an Aussie passport, and still needed the ESTA for the US last year, but nothing special for Canada. This may have changed in between now and then.

As an aside, when you go through control in Calgary with your bike and say "Tour Divide", they know and some will ask your target time. As do the border folks in Rooseville - they're blue dot junkies.

Wish I was lining up again...going to feel strange watching the dots instead of being one.

Greetz

S.

Biometric passport victory is mine!

Now, back to faffing with notes for the route :)