Rigs (NOT bikes) of the tour divide

[Bearbonesnorm]

I always thought 'Tour Divide' was simply a play on words and not a distinction?

[fatbikephil]

I noticed that Voile is doing a 'brand ambassador' programme - actually specifically the voile straps ambassador programme (!) https://bikepacking.com/news/voile-stra ... r-program/
So maybe a few folk figure that max use of voile straps will get them on it.

We do like slagging off other peoples bike set ups on here, must be 'cos we are always so immaculately turned out

[Bearbonesnorm]

That explains a lot Phil

[Dave Barter]

Surely it is fine to comment on bikes suitability entered into a race? If Bolt turned up at the start line in Sports Direct trackies and pumps there’d be something to say.

Fair play to all who toe the line especially this year as I think it’s going to be weird.

[voodoo_simon]

Handy chart via bikepacking.com thread for those interested

[voodoo_simon]

[voodoo_simon]

Sorry, I get confused easily with forum jokes Last week we were championing the last riders (and rightly so) and then this week we’re analysing riders bikes

One day, hopefully I’ll be there but can’t see that happening soon.

For those that have rode it, stove or no stove?

[Dave Barter]

No stove

[pistonbroke]

What about kitchen sink?

[ScotRoutes]

I’d knock a few setups but then I realised, they’re doing the ride and I’m not, so fair play to them

In fairness, it is generally good natured p1sstaking and observation.

Something I don't quite understand is with all the talk of 'touring', then why not simply go and ride it whenever rather than join the GD? Does it perhaps somehow devalue the TD GD?*


*I suppose that's a genuine question for those that've ridden and most likely raced it.

I'm not sure of the distinction but surely anyone riding it and knowing that they are not going to be troubling the front-runners is actually touring and not racing? In that case, the same comment could be said about the likes of the HT550.

As for the (literal) lash-ups, I'll be honest and say that many of them just offend my eyes, regardless of how practical they may be

[GregMay]

Few race the TDR, most just fast tour it. Myself included.

[ssnowman]

I’d knock a few setups but then I realised, they’re doing the ride and I’m not, so fair play to them

In fairness, it is generally good natured p1sstaking and observation.

Something I don't quite understand is with all the talk of 'touring', then why not simply go and ride it whenever rather than join the GD? Does it perhaps somehow devalue the TD GD?*


*I suppose that's a genuine question for those that've ridden and most likely raced it.

I'm not sure of the distinction but surely anyone riding it and knowing that they are not going to be troubling the front-runners is actually touring and not racing? In that case, the same comment could be said about the likes of the HT550.

As for the (literal) lash-ups, I'll be honest and say that many of them just offend my eyes, regardless of how practical they may be

Isn’t there a distinction that less than 100 miles a day is deemed touring?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Surely, if you're touring any route fast or otherwise, then you're not setting off with the intention of finishing in the fastest possible time you can? Even if you're Lantern Rouge and a week behind everyone else, if you were giving it your best shot then you're still 'racing'? Putting in half days, not setting off until 11am and stopping to visit tourist attractions would be touring?

Racing doesn't only take place right at the pointy end.

[whitestone]

Isn’t there a distinction that less than 100 miles a day is deemed touring?

I think after about a week Trackleaders changes the colour of the rider's spot if their daily average is less than a certain amount. They don't do it straight away just in case someone has a mechanical or an off day but a week down the line is probably soon enough.

If you look at the Tour Divide web site they talk about only recognising times within a certain percentage of the record time, from memory record + 50%. But I don't remember anyone mentioning that in recent times so perhaps that's been dropped.

[GregMay]

Racing doesn't only take place right at the pointy end.

Glorious gold.
Shameful silver.
Pointless bronze.

No medal for participation Stu.

[woodsmith]

Racing doesn't only take place right at the pointy end.

Glorious gold.
Shameful silver.
Pointless bronze.

No medal for participation Stu.

Iit's the Tour Divide, there are no medals for anyone.

[ssnowman]

Racing doesn't only take place right at the pointy end.

Glorious gold.
Shameful silver.
Pointless bronze.

No medal for participation Stu.

Iit's the Tour Divide, there are no medals for anyone.

[Dave Barter]

Racing doesn't only take place right at the pointy end.

This.

[jameso]

You could be a racer and finish last, racing is all about how hard you push yourself and your commitment? Staying commited and motivated may be the hardest part esp when it's not going to plan, you lose time or are really flagging etc.

[GregMay]

/sarcasm people

Sheesh

[GregMay]

Iit's the Tour Divide, there are no medals for anyone.

I got a very nice top cap from Salsa that I made into a medal....that sorta counted?

[HUX]

I'm no expert but some of those setups look ridiculous and will be horrible to ride. Spot the axe on bike no.2? WTF

[Dave Barter]

Iit's the Tour Divide, there are no medals for anyone.

I got a very nice top cap from Salsa that I made into a medal....that sorta counted?

I got a sticker from Jeff Sharpe

[jameso]

/sarcasm people

Sheesh

My post wasn't related to yours Greg, in case it read that way. Just the post order. A couple of posts before about distance or pace required to be racing came up and that's been a big debate on bikepacking.net over the years. I think that racer/tourer flag idea based on time taken is BS, you can't flag up someone's attitude. 50% slower than the record may not be competitive in terms of 'podium places' but 21-22 days for a lot of riders is a strong ride, 'isn't fkin touring' as some might say.

[johnnystorm]

Isn’t there a distinction that less than 100 miles a day is deemed touring?

I think after about a week Trackleaders changes the colour of the rider's spot if their daily average is less than a certain amount. They don't do it straight away just in case someone has a mechanical or an off day but a week down the line is probably soon enough.

If you look at the Tour Divide web site they talk about only recognising times within a certain percentage of the record time, from memory record + 50%. But I don't remember anyone mentioning that in recent times so perhaps that's been dropped.

Someone was moaning on Facebook about The TD becoming exclusive this year by including a snarky remark about racing vs touring pace. Something that they've had in place since at least 2016 as it was the same exact wording I signed up to trackleaders.