The 2022 Tour Divide watchers thread.

[slarge]

Steve a friend of mine Geof Blance is about to start his nobo (singlespeed). When you meet him call him a Kiwi test from me

Will I get punched Dave?
(Will do pal)

[Dave Barter]

Steve a friend of mine Geof Blance is about to start his nobo (singlespeed). When you meet him call him a Kiwi test from me

Will I get punched Dave?
(Will do pal)

Yes if you call him a test no if you change it to tw@t. Bloody autocorrect

[Dyffers]

This time, we’ve split them into two categories: drop-bar and flat-bar bikes. Find details on more than 50 flat-bar rigs here

Drop bars to follow i assume

You read the words and didn't just look at the pictures?!

[Zippy]

Good luck Steve, I'll be watching your dot.

[voodoo_simon]

This time, we’ve split them into two categories: drop-bar and flat-bar bikes. Find details on more than 50 flat-bar rigs here

Drop bars to follow i assume

You read the words and didn't just look at the pictures?!

I was wondering why Cutthroats were out of favour this year

So part two will be about 40% Salsa drop bar content then…

[Richard G]

Have a great time Steve.

Say hi to Jim and Chris from me if you see them. :)

[woodsmith]

Drop bars pics up now https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2022-tour ... gs-part-2/

[Bearbonesnorm]

Not losing that are you ...

[faustus]

Think it might be more than 40% salsa as there's a fair few fargo's with the cutthroats too. The purple custom bike at the head of the page is nice, but this English Cycles one is very nice:

[Dave Barter]

Loving the dangly nads and game of solitaire on the handlebars of the single speed

[benp1]

Best of luck Steve! Always like seeing the pics of the packed bikes, such a range of stuff - first time I've seen an OO/PX bike in this way (I think)

[fatbikephil]

Good luck Steve
That guy on the 'Dirt Research' bike does appear to be taking his mutt with him

[Lazarus]

Not losing that are you

Doubt you could persuade anyone to steal it either

I always like the difference in kit - some seem to take absolutely loads with them - i assume some do it more as tour ?

[techno]

Not losing that are you ...

I like the portage handle. really neat.

[woodsmith]

I saw that Zoé Chauderlot posted in frustration on here Instagram this morning that here start time had been changed from a group with a similar projected pace to to an all female group. WTF?

[Dave Barter]

I saw that Zoé Chauderlot posted in frustration on here Instagram this morning that here start time had been changed from a group with a similar projected pace to to an all female group. WTF?

Her dot will be a great one to watch, possibly big things. I raced with Zoe in 2019 and she beat me by 2 hours (so she must be vaguely exciting) but had lots of issues on the way down. If she has a good run she'll be hard to beat.

[woodsmith]

I saw that Zoé Chauderlot posted in frustration on here Instagram this morning that here start time had been changed from a group with a similar projected pace to to an all female group. WTF?

Her dot will be a great one to watch, possibly big things. I raced with Zoe in 2019 and she beat me by 2 hours (so she must be vaguely exciting) but had lots of issues on the way down. If she has a good run she'll be hard to beat.

Yes. She's super cool. I met her in South Pass City when I was hiking the Great Divide. She was so nice, excited and flabergasted. " I'm number 2 in the women's race. I've never been in a bicycle race before"

https://www.instagram.com/zchauderlot/

[Cheeky Monkey]

I saw that Zoé Chauderlot posted in frustration on here Instagram this morning that here start time had been changed from a group with a similar projected pace to to an all female group. WTF?

Does it particularly matter? Will it be a potential impediment to her race? I thought it was ITT so am confused but interested to understand

[Lazarus]

presumably not leaving at the same time means not experiencing the same weather and possibly facing more worn and used tracks - especially an issue if there is rain

[voodoo_simon]

I saw that Zoé Chauderlot posted in frustration on here Instagram this morning that here start time had been changed from a group with a similar projected pace to to an all female group. WTF?

Does it particularly matter? Will it be a potential impediment to her race? I thought it was ITT so am confused but interested to understand

Discrimination isn’t it

[Blackhound]

I saw on Instagram that Peta McSharry is riding and she is a strong rider if in good shape. She is South African by birth but spent many years in London. For the last couple of years she has been in Switzerland. A strong climber as well.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Does it particularly matter? Will it be a potential impediment to her race? I thought it was ITT so am confused but interested to understand

Given the increase in 'woman' only' rides, events etc somebody probably thought they were doing the right thing ... my advice, never try and do the 'right' thing as it will inherently be wrong and you'll end up wondering why you ever bothered.

presumably not leaving at the same time means not experiencing the same weather and possibly facing more worn and used tracks - especially an issue if there is rain

I thought they were leaving in waves over the course of a few hours, not days? Surely over that distance it will matter very little?

[sean_iow]

Why are they starting in waves this year? Has something happened to prompt this?

I've seen bits on FB about making sure they start in the correct wave/at the right time, bits of paper under doors with alternative instructions which they've been told to ignore?

Is the change to the start a condition of holding it still after the problems with the bear before the start of the race previously or a covid thing I wonder?

[Cheeky Monkey]

presumably not leaving at the same time means not experiencing the same weather and possibly facing more worn and used tracks - especially an issue if there is rain

Forgive me but that sounds a bit "contrived" (I'm struggling for a better word, don't shoot me). Don't they all leave on the same day ( so what, over a few hours?) at 10 minute intervals? By the time they're on the race I'd not imagine the sort of issues you describe would be significant and besides the field of people will redistribute due to all sorts of factors (stops, too fast a pace, blah blah) that it'll significantly re-distribute, generally irrespective of starting group, from fairly early on?

I'm struggling to tell if the discrimination comment is lighthearted If you think so I wonder why? A mass female start might be thought to have some positives to show a goodly number clearly taking part in a classic endurance challenge. Dunno. Maybe I should go onto IG (shudder) and see why she was upset?

Honestly interested

{EDIT - sorry, drafted that and then got a call and see others have made / asked some of the same stuff}

[Dave Barter]

I believe the park authorities requested it