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Canadian Border or Bust!

10 am flight to Kalispell, then 66 mile shuttle to Eureka, Montana, 5 miles from the Canadian border where Greg Kidd and I will attempt the US route of the Tour Divide race, 2500 hundred miles, from Roosville Montana to Antelope Wells New Mexico. Nothing left to do do but put on my one set of clothes I'm flying in ( ex-officio pants, technical t-shirt, vibram toe shoes) and put our bike boxes and one box of gear each in the car and go....The hardest part will be saying goodby to the family in particular my 5 and 7 year old little ones who don't quite understand what I'm doing. We have a US map that they will be able to trace my progress down the route and draw a line as I go. I hope to do call in's on MTBcast.com and will be sending at least two spottracker gps location updates to facebook and twitter daily. There may not be phone or internet service on many days out there. The group who left from Banff, Canada last Friday report wet, muddy conditions and some long sections of pushing the bikes through snow. Various bear and wolf sightings. I really can't wait to be out there in the wild and clear my head, see the beauty of what wild country is left in the Rockies, and learn more about myself. Some friends think I'm crazy, others ask me what I'm searching for, or am I trying to get to the bottom of something..I just smile and think of the Amelia Earhart quote, "adventure itself is worthwhile". Further.......

List of items I'm taking on the Tour Divide ride

Tent, sleeping bag, small therma rest pad,  nesbit stove-cubes, patch kit, Chamois butter, multi tool,toilet paper, emergency spoke, moleskin, knife/fork utensil,small pillow, 2 pairs of gloves,shoe covers, toe covers, 2 pairs of riding bibs, 2 riding jersey's, balaclava, arm warmers, leg warmers, sunscreen, vest windbreaker, rain jacket, pump, spare tube, tire boot, 2 under jersey tanks, 2 pair wool socks, waterproof matches, Starbucks instant via packets, chain link,  riding glasses, water filter, bear bells, map case, towel, wet ones, vitamins, 2 water bottles, extra water bladder, emergency packs of food, bug spray, micro multi-tool, hooks, zip ties, string, 2 headbands, lip balm, toothbrush, tire tool, iphone, charger, headphones, camera , charger, spot tracker GPS, Garmin 500 bike computer/gps, headlamp, rear flashing light, heart rate monitor strap, titanium cup, chain lube, power gels,  Wow, no way it will all fit, no doubt I will leaving stuff in Eureka, Montana...4 more days til, Grand Depart in Roosville...

Tapering off, less than a week until flying to Montana

I leave for Montana next Wednesday the 13th and start pedaling on the 15th from the US-Canadian Border in Roosville. Wow, it is almost upon me! The bike is dialed in, might get the new chain recently installed adjusted one more time. Need to put the new tubeless Maxxis tire on the rear. I think i'm ready. Bought a cool very light flexible pair of Vibram toes shoes to wear when not in Sidi bike shoes. They fold up and go in my stuff sack nicely. Greg is not bringing any shoes/sandals, we will see how that works.. Doing short 1-2 hour shake down rides( fully loaded with packs) every other day just to keep things fresh and ready. I might do a 3-4 hour ride this weekend if I am moved to do so. Not really worried about the training at this point, it's really over. If it's not in the tank now, it cannot be put in at the last minute. I plan to lay out all my gear in the living room and re-stuff everything in, involve the kids to help for some fun. What goes, with stays and tough choices on weight versus convenience. Trying to not crash ans stay healthy...Some allergy issues are nagging me and I am trying to shake a saddle sore that so far is manageable. But overall I feel good! I'm sort of being lax about the training diet this last week, I feel there is nothing wrong in putting on a few pounds before setting out. Burning 2-4 thousand calories a day will take care of that! Some riders have started the South to north route ( Individual time trial) and there are major fires affecting them in New Mexico, causing re-routes and poor air quality, not sure what to expect if and when I get down the route that far. Hey it's an adventure! 8 days.......

The Rig GT 29r

Two weeks until Riding the divide!

Wow, the training is almost over, the gear has been purchased. Greg and I have been riding with the bags on our bikes, loaded to get a feel for it. It has been an amazing journey planning, training, racing, the century rides, and mentally trying to get ready for a month or more of riding my mountain bike down the Rockies. Nothing left to do but continue steady tempo "shake down" rides with the equipment on, try not to crash, or get sick. All of the fitness should be in the tank by now. One more trip to REI for final items. I might shift, switch out a few things as the prep rides show what works and what items are extra baggage. I also feel bittersweet and thankful for having the vacation and employer who granted the time off, and understands my mission. A wife that has supported the mission and taken on the extra time with kids and family duty while daddy "rides". After this there will be only riding for fitness and fun I have been less than a present due to the the training and I will make it up to the family. Dad, husband, cyclist is third...I still do not know if my kids will understand what I am doing and why I have to be gone for a month or more. I have never been apart from them for more than a week or so.You can have big adventures and a full life! I'm excited about shipping out to Montana, but bittersweet about the process, sacrifices I have made and others to get me to this point. I am humble and grateful. I am going to realize a dream.