'Just noticed its starting very soon http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide15

Start date has been in my diary since last year, I was supposed to be there this year :(

Ah no, what happened if you don't mind me asking?

Billy Rice is starting his NoBo ride on May 20th. They haven't even finalised the route yet (big reroute around Rawlins due to roadworks and huge windfarm construction). Should be getting that from them in the next few days.

Once Billy Rice gets to Banff, he's swapping bikes to a tandem and riding SoBo with his daughter! Amazing.

I'll post up once the tracker/route email has been sent out... 3 weeks to go

voodoo_simon wrote:Ah no, what happened if you don't mind me asking?

I got a job offer that would have been stupid not to take. As in, I got offered a job.

big reroute around Rawlins

So where will the next supply point after the basin be, do you know yet? Altlantic City's tiny shop before the basin will do well if someone tips them off..

Once Billy Rice gets to Banff, he's swapping bikes to a tandem and riding SoBo with his daughter! Amazing.

Really looking forward to this aspect of the race.

GregMay wrote:

voodoo_simon wrote:Ah no, what happened if you don't mind me asking?

I got a job offer that would have been stupid not to take. As in, I got offered a job.

Fair enough, always there for another year.

Don't know why, but I was under the impression it started tomorrow, oh well, 3 weeks to wait!

voodoo_simon wrote:

GregMay wrote:

voodoo_simon wrote:Ah no, what happened if you don't mind me asking?

I got a job offer that would have been stupid not to take. As in, I got offered a job.

Fair enough, always there for another year.

Don't know why, but I was under the impression it started tomorrow, oh well, 3 weeks to wait!

Or later in the year. ITT is always an option.

jameso wrote:So where will the next supply point after the basin be, do you know yet?

This is a quote from Scott Morris on the TD2015 thread at bikepacking.net:

"The new route would hit the "town" of Wamsutter. It's a 24 hour truck stop with Subway, food, batts, showers, etc."

Scott also did post another update today about the new route:

"I have a preliminary new route file, waiting for the final word to release it. It's looking like ya'll will have 45 or so less miles to ride this year. But more dirt, and some of it harder/rougher. ML thinks time-wise the re-routes will be a wash, but 45 is a significant number...."

More dirt is better than a hundred miles of roadworks!

Hmm that is interesting, having another feed will change that whole section a lot. It's the one bit that had me worried during all my prep and after talking to people who'd done it.

Really ace to see Billy Rice going for a double again. Mentalist :)

It's not an extra feed, it's instead of Rawlins.

mountainbaker wrote:It's not an extra feed, it's instead of Rawlins.

Ahh ok, wow, right, thats going to be interesting...ain't much in that area. I'll best go read that thread now :)

Avoiding Rawlins is probably a good thing.
Didn't feel like a welcoming place and there was a lot of busy road getting into town

I'm assuming they'll go through the Basin and when you hit the mining road, you'll now turn west instead of east and pick up the track to Wamsutter. Then down to Baggs before heading up to Brush Mountain Lodge?

45 miles less would assume a shorter way across the basin. It'd be a shame if that section was significantly effected

Yeah Chew, that's what I also assumed would be the new route. I've not really heard good things about Rawlins, so glad to be missing it! Not sure Wamsutter will be much better, but by then I'm sure any services will do. Will make Brush Mountain Lodge even more of a saviour.

Rawlins wasn't too bad...but that tarmac divide crossing with drivers driving way too close...I won't miss that particular climb nor the 7 miles of sealed road after it. It'll be a long haul from Pinedale to Brush Mountain this year with only basic top up in AC and Wamsutter.

Greetz

S.

Official route has been published. I've got a copy here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7979898

The two reroutes look like so (red is the new route)

A few changes this year that I could spot...

- Elkford/Fording River alternate from last year is now the standard
- no pulling in for food at Crooked Creek (you'll have to get it on the highway near Lava Mountain Lodge - one to time correctly)
- no finding water in the culvert on Sooner Rd in the Basin
- Aspen Alley is no longer on the route

Greetz

S.

Booo! no Aspen alley :(

There is just as nice an avenue of aspen after Brush Mountain a little before the pass to get your photo opportunity

Blackhound wrote:There is just as nice an avenue of aspen after Brush Mountain a little before the pass to get your photo opportunity

Thanks Kevin, good to know!

Well remembered BH...I'd forgotten that one...before you turn left up the climb.

And don't worry MB...there's so many vaguely exciting views to be had, you'll hardly miss the few hundred meters of Aspen Alley nor the quad bikes that rip through that section of Medicine Bow.

Dammit...almost getting excited now *grins*

Greetz

S.

I have done the Rawlins to Aspen Alley twice and found it really tough both times.I would be happy to miss it!

Just following Billy and saw "Truth or Consequences" marked on the map. I thought it might be a hidden deliberate error to catch copyright infringement.....but no....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_or_C ... New_Mexico