Tour Divide

Amusingly the low point of the route is leaving Canada and entering the US.

So this is great, riding to work last week, suddenly got sharp pain in outside of knee. It went away, and was fine for the ride home. Now 4 days later, I've been in pain the whole time, can hardly sleep, and it fucking hurts going up/down stairs. Appears an old torn Meniscus has flared up. I just hope it calms down before the race and behaves itself. 2 years of training. I'm still going to race, but my expectations may have to change. Fucking body.

Argh! Get a physio on the case?

Speak to Nicola here
http://www.velophysio.co.uk/

or bluerip on here.

Hoping it calms down, Gabes. Very sucky.

Thanks @hippy, will get in touch, I'm a long way from London, but maybe just a chat can help. I have a feeling that it's somewhat psychosomatic, as the race looms, and I am tapering too. Generally feeling like shit from not doing much.

There's little I can do right now, just wait and see how it is at the time. If I can't finish, I can't finish, that's it really. I'm still going to go and start. I'll speak to Nicola and see what she can do/suggest...

I went on holiday earlier this year and stiffened up so bad I couldn't walk more than a hundred metres without doubling over in pain. Fun times. But that's going to totally off the bike. Just make sure you keep ticking over gently.

Been icing my knee and walking about keeping it mobile, seems to be paying off, feeling a lot better this morning. Still sore, but better than it was. Fingers crossed it keeps easing up. Going to rest it the next few days, then maybe try a gentle ride later in the week to see how it's doing.

10 days to go. I fly out a week today! Knee is feeling good. I'm feeling good. Weather is looking spot on in canada, 20° and mostly dry! That could change, but hopefully not a repeat of last year!

Exciting times.

All these big, bold adventure races are starting to make me question my riding up and down the A31 for 12hrs... :S

Billy Rice (riding northbound right now) posted from the new route across wyoming that it's awesome. Super remote, with Mustangs living up there. I can't wait.

Erm...

Might have to watch http://www.ridethedividemovie.com/ again.

Such a massive adventure Gabes!! I'll be following your blue dot

A.k.a "Cried the divide". So. Much. Whinge.

I don't actually remember much of the content. It'd be boring if it was day after day of "rode my bike and it was really fun, bye now".

Oh, @skinny suggested a top-tube bag for PBP and I think it's a good idea because I hate stopping and it'd put spare batts, etc up near the electronics. Do you use one? Does it foul the bottle cages much? One of these babies looks cool.. https://www.apidura.com/product/road-frame-pack-large/

No zombies?
http://www.driven2divide.com/2013/07/30/6-lessons-i-learned-on-the-tour-divide/

Refund!

I have a frame bag, and a 'fuel tank' on top of the top-tube behind the stem, good for electronics and snacks. You can get ready made frame bags but custom is the best way, can get it to fit perfect, and with side-loading bottle cages, they work really well with bottles.

I have one of these, easy to use on the go. You are welcome to borrow it to try it out. No issues with bottle access.

Cheers. Whereabouts are you?

All the best with your ride mate. I'm assuming your Morgan and Erin friend Gabe in London. I'm in Revelstoke atm and the weather has been perfect this last week and looking good for next week's GD. The snowfall has been light this winter and the locals tell me the high mountain passes are open. Look forward to meeting you in Banff.

Andrew

I'm assuming your Morgan and Erin friend Gabe in London

Hi Andrew,

Yeah, that's me. See you in Banff! I just wanna get there now!

Good luck @gabes. Have a blast whatever happens.

The snowfall has been light this winter and the locals tell me the high mountain passes are open.

Yes, in AB and BC. But in Montana, Northern Wyoming, Colorado and Northern New Mexico, there's a lot of snow still on the ground. Let's hope it melts soon.

Current snow cover

Some pics from yesterday taken by Billy Rice.

Moran, WY