Still waiting

This is very frustrating, but in the meantime, here is a still from the start video that you can watch here:

http://mtbcast.com/wordpress/

So at least we know he started:)

Trevor! Turn on your SPOT

Everyone is wondering why Trevor is the ONLY person in the whole race that we can't follow on the leaderboard. I emailed the tech people at tourdivide.org and they said that he likely forgot to turn it on. When he calls, soon, I hope, I will tell him and then we can all enjoy watching the little arrows on the Google Map. I guess when you spend so much time planning and preparing for the race, the last minute satellite access might slip your mind.

How to follow the race

Everyone keeps asking how they can follow the race this year. Well its easy. With great sponsors from SPOT and MTBcast.com you can literally follow our every move.

If you go to the tourdivide.org website you can follow the race via the SPOT and google maps. Simply go to the menu on the right hand side of the page and click on the tab that says leaderboard. That will bring you to the SPOT leaderboard where all the racers will be seen as blue dots. Then just scroll over each dot to see who it is. You can also check out the blog portion of the site where you can read updates during the race.

The other way to follow the race is through the MTBcast.com website where you can actually here my voice as I call in at certain checkpoints along the way. On the right hand of the site you will see the 2009 Tour Divide Racer Audio list. From there scroll down the racer list until you see my name (at the bottom). Click on my name and it will bring you directly to my audio posts.

You will also be able to follow links from there to the SPOT Topofusion maps. On those maps (similiar to the leaderboard) you simply scroll over the points to find the name. If you go there now you can see riders who are going the opposite direction from the Mexican boarder headed north. Go David!

See you on the map!

5 snowy days left

Its getting near the start and everything is falling into place. My past 8 months have been spent grunting in a spectrum of weather conditions from +30 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees Celsius. From stinging rain to sun burnt nose to numb, frozen appendages; I have pretty much been through it all. Now it all seems to be worth it, culminating all of my experiences and focusing them towards achieving one goal: to ride from Banff to Mexico. Its not going to be easy. I am going to have to empty my mind of any ill thoughts and and fill my soul with determination. I am ready.
I arrived in the foothills of Alberta this week to visit with friends and family in my hometown of High River. It has been a nice way to ease into race mode with the support of those are near and dear to my heart (although I do wish my girlfriend was here to see me off). I'm eating lots and getting well rested. The bike seems to be more than ready, just need to slap on the new tires and a computer, and she will be all set. The bags aren't totally packed yet, still subtracting and rearranging items to get it just right. Also waiting for a few things to arrive in the mail. Nothing like cutting it close.
The best part about being here has been watching the snow fall. Yes that's right this weekend a few inches of snow fell in the foothills and the weather channel said up to 10 inches fell around Banff. It kind of dampens the spirits a bit, and makes me wish I hadn't left the long johns at home. Oh well, that's all a part of the race. Taking obstacles as they come and finding a way to get around them.
More exciting news is a reroute of the race in the BC section around Sparwood. Originally the route went from Sparwood and followed highway 3 down to Fernie. Now it trades the 65 miles of asphalt for 105 miles of pure off road bliss through the Flathead Valley, referred to as the "Serengeti of North America". The decision to make the reroute is cutting it close but will be worth the spectacular scenery that we will be experiencing.
Tomorrow I am headed up to the wild Peter Lougheed Park up in the Rockies for some prerace training and camping; to work out any kinks with gear and bike. Looking forward be back in the saddle and that much closer to the Banff starting line. I can't wait to meet all the crazy riders who are attempting the race. The field is up to 39 people now, including Matthew Lee, winner of more than a few previous Tour Divides and GDMBR's. It will be great to ride amongst such driven riders.

A fair description

It's hard to describe what the race is going to be like. I can talk about it and try to make you (and me) understand it, but until you've actually been in it, its no use. Here's the best way to convey what it all about. It's an article that Outdoor magazine ran a few years ago when the race was only starting at the American border, (whereas now its starting in Banff). It talks about the trials and tribulations first hand from riders who had participated in it that year.

http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200808/great-divide-bike-race-1.html

It pretty much scares the shit out of me, and makes me want to do it even more.

The rig

I guess its finally time to let you in on what exactly I will be riding into Antelope Wells, NM. Its a Rocky Mountain Hammer Race Reynolds 753 frame riding machine (cause I love steel!).

Heres the Bike
Rocky Mountain Hammer Race Reynolds 753 Steel with Rock Shox
Mavic rims, Schwalbe smart sam alpencross tires
Race Face Cranks
race face Bar with Ergon Grips
race face Stem and Seatpost
XT drive train/shifters
Sram brakes
brooks saddle
shimano peddles/shoes

As for other gear, well its still in the evolving stage, trying to get down to the "bear" minimum. But here's a general list for you to get an idea of what it will take for me to cross the great divide 30 times and still be in one piece.

On The Bike
Carousel Design Works seatbag, handlebar bag, and map case
Tarptent Contrail
Golite Adrenaline sleeping bag
Thermarest Prolite 3 short pad
Cat Eye Enduro computer
Princton Tec EOS bike lamp
Water bottle cages and bottles
maps
cue sheets

In The Backpack
Osprey Talon 22 backpack
hydration bag
water treatment pills
small first aid kit
1 pair of shorts
1 jersey
pair of woolie boolie socks
Golite rain jacket/pants
neoprene booties
lightweight longsleeve and longjohns
arm and leg warmers
warm gloves, fingerless gloves
bike hat, beenie, bandana
oakley sunglasses
bike multi tool, leatherman, chain tool, zip ties, duct tape
tubes, patch kit, chain lube, tire levers, pump
sunscreen, toilet paper, toothbrush, tooth paste, Dr. Bronner's Soap, Bag Balm
small notebook, pen
credit card, calling card, money, ID
Camera, mp3, SPOT
extra batteries
food, water

As you can see its minimum, but still not minimizing safety. I'm sure in the next month or so the list will change, hopefully get a little lighter, hopefully making the hills a little easier.

Today I'm pushing for a quick 100 km while the weather is perfect. Next week, is a big 200 km with the Montreal Randonneurs! Let the sunshine in!

Also as a side note, I will be having a vernissage/sale with 10 new illustrated portraits on Thursday, May 21. Its a great way for me to raise some money for my trip and see all my friends before I leave in June. So come out and show your support and have some great drinks at Vinyl while you're at it. Details and times coming soon!

Spring is almost sprung (2 months left!)

I really believe that spring is coming soon here in the northern territory. I really have to believe otherwise it may not happen. The temperatures are hovering around 0ºC, sometimes even raising the bar to 10ºC! But the snow and ice are still clinging to the frozen ground on the trails and in the trees. So, alas, my training is still consisting of pavement rides for now. I can't wait for the day to come when I will be ripping up the trails (in an environmentally friendly, way of course) getting dirt and bugs in my teeth, reminding myself of what mountain biking is again. Its hard reading the blogs of others who are already wearing short sleeves and shorts, riding the back wood single tracks and loving every minute of it (sigh).

One thing I am thankful for is the amount of time I have been able to be on the bike for the past 6 months. Being a bike courier definitely has its advantages when it comes to training and getting extremely comfortable on the old steel steed. I am also happy that it allows me to focus on off the bike training and preparing for the race in the evenings. It seems to be a full time job just to constantly read over the maps and logistics, research and prepare gear, figure out expenses and make mental preparations to be away from my life and girlfriend for a month.

The second thing I am thankful for is the support of some great people and sponsors who have come on board and helped me out. Oakley has stepped up with some great eye wear and apparel (thanks Giancarlo). Golite has offered up rain gear and some great discounts on their ultra-lite products (thanks Tiffanie). Montreal local In-Sport has dealt me a great Osprey Pack (merci Benoit). I can't forget the kind help from Henry Shires at Tarptent ultralight shelters. I would also really like to thank the skilled Jeff Boatman from Carousel Design Works for all of his indispensible advice and help with the pack department. Cheers to everyone for making my trip that much more successful!

The plane ticket to Calgary, Alberta has been booked, and I am jumping at the bit to get the race started. I am ready to "eat, sleep, ride, the Great Divide"!