2011 Tour Divide excerpts

Ride the Divide movie trailer: Ride the Divide

In the Beginning, Crazy Larry:   Meet Crazy Larry (the video came out sideways, so you may want to watch whilst reclining on your left side.)

 Crazy Larry, Banff Celebrity: Canadian Local TV Coverage of Crazy Larry

Call in to MTB Cast from Columbia Falls: MTB Cast Columbia Falls Call in
Call in to MTB Cast from Lincoln: MTB Cast Lincoln Call in
Call in to MTB Cast from Helena:  MTB Cast Helena Call in

Near my end, descent into Butte on I-15  Descent into Butte Montana

Expedition Bikepacking Equipment list, based on updates made after my 2011 Tour divide:
             Expedition Bikepacking (Tour Divide) Equipment list 

Project 74 R90/6 - 08/19/2012

Photo Gallery of my Airhead project bike: a 1974 BMW R90/6

I inherited this bike from my late Father in January 2011. It is in good to excellent mechanical condition but a little rough aesthetically. My project strategy is to get it back to safe and reliable condition first and then focus on the aesthetics.  The over all goal is to enjoy local rides in the Upstate SC. It will stay in the family and is not for sale.

Records I found indicate it had 4793 miles in 1991. When my Dad purchased it in 1997 for $2615 it had 53,800 miles. When I got it, the odometer showed 64,000+ miles. My Dad rode it locally in Greenwood SC and trailer-ed it to Daytona Beach and some BMW Motorcycle Rally's in the Southeast. I estimated he rode no more than 10,000 miles  in the 14 years he owned it. As he aged he rode it less and less. He put one set of tires on it.

As with many of these classic BMW's, the instrument cluster was in rough condition (brittle plastic) and the odometer and trip meter do not work. During my rides, I observed the odometer actually running backwards! I replaced the instrument cluster with a reconditioned one I found at  Recycle BMW Parts. http://www.re-psycle.com/

At one time  in its history the bike was fitted with a large touring fairing and was used to tour the US between 1991 and 1997.  The fairing had its own wiring and turn signals. My Dad removed the fairing and returned the wiring for the ignition switch and front lights to its original configurations. The ignition key does not match the fork lock or the seat lock, leading me to believe the ignition switch used with the fairing was not original. I have replaced the main wiring harness and the engine wiring harness. All wiring is currently sound.

I add pictures as progress is made.

The items I have completed thus far are:

Replace main wiring harness
Replace main engine harness
Replace air filer housing cover
Replace tool box
Change oil in front forks
Replace rear shocks
Replace instrument cluster
Replace front turn signals
Replace fork boots
Remove large clear fairing and install smaller clear fairing (helps with aerodynamics)
Clean gas tank, petcock filters and replace inline gas filters (2).
New tires
Replace Speedometer cable
Replace rubber cable caps throughout
Carbs cleaned and balanced
Valve adjustments checked and validated
Installed large volume Touring tank, purchased off of eBay.
Replace gas cap gasket
Installed San Jose Fork Brace, purchased from Brad Phillips in Greer, SC
Installed Corbin Canyon dual sport /6 seat.

Some of my favorite cycling routes and the Eastern Continental Divide

Ride with GPS route files

The Eastern Continental Divide is some topography that is of interest for creating a cycling route. This notion is inspired in part by the Western Continental Divide route named "the Great Divide" that is used in the Tour Divide.

A "project" of mine, (not really mine) is to propose a route. Links to info about the Eastern Continental Divide (ECD) begin with: Wikipedia Eastern Continental Divide, ECD GPS info for Ga, ECD GPS info for NC.

Work has already  been done on the ECD section from the triple point in Pennsylvania to the Mason Dixon line:
ECD Pennsylvania to Mason Dixon Line

Here is a link to a route I have been stitching together based on the Trans North Ga route, the SC Connector, and the Pisgah Traverse: ECD Ga SC Pisgah
This section runs North to South, is 620 miles and features an estimated 89,000 feet of climbing. It crosses the ECD at least 6 times.

More work is needed. If you know the areas between Old Fort NC and the Mason Dixon Line and can propose a route, please contact me.

SouthEast Climb data:  SE Hill Climb data spreadsheet

My bikepacking equipment list - Pre-Tour Divide

Equipment choice is something I take seriously. I have had enough adventures in my life where having the right equipment made the difference between success and failure. In choosing equipment listed in the linked table, I pursued the following characteristics: 


1) Reliability - will it function as designed and not fail in the field?


2) Weight - I targeted lighter weight choices if they existed, but because I am a larger person, I have learned that lighter weight often comes with decreased reliability.


3) Multipurpose - can it be used for more than one purpose - thereby simplifying the number of pieces of equipment?


4) Made in the USA - I work in manufacturing and have a bias towards goods made in the US.


5) Availability - items need to be serviceable along the Tour Divide route. Bike shops don't necessarily stock high end equipment sold in internet bike shop boutiques and catalogs.


The equipment was tested during 7 multi-day outings in every kind of weather condition. The weights I report were measured with an electronic table top balance. Total loaded bike weight was 45-50 lbs depending on water and food.


After the Tour Divide, I have made the following changes to my set-up.


1) Switched to a Shimano XT 3 x 9 drivetrain - wider gear options, serviceable anywhere.
2) Switched to Pearl Izumi Trans Alp Enduro II shoes - better to walk in
3) Garmin MapGPS 62sc - more memory, mapping GPS, push buttons easier to use.
4) Not carrying snow shoes anymore.


I purchase all my own equipment and have not received any endorsement or sponsorship.


Link to equipment table --->Ridlehuber Bikepacking equipment table

2011 TDR Ride report - final

My ride report for Banff through Butte (where I pulled out).

Click to launch presentation ---> 2011 TDR Richard Ridlehuber report

Features: scenery around Banff; Meet Crazy Larry; The start at YWCA; Riders: David Horton, Derek Bentley, Dale Shadley, Bob Anderson; the Stryker snow section; Holland Lake lodge; the treacherous road wash out near Ovando; Wickes Pass Dilemna; and my decision to withdraw due to injury. There is no sound track other than the video sections. Created in MS Powerpoint with 5 second slide transition. Good for family and friends or people new to the event. The GPS tracks shown at the beginning of each day are my own compared to the routes. I also show elevation profiles. There are no GPS mapping errors in the profiles - the climbs are as steep as they appear.   Enjoy

Some last minutes facts and figures (for those who like numbers)

Richard's weight at Start - 210 lbs, 14% body fat (by impedance method)

Miles ridden since December 5, 2010 = 4038
Number of Bikepacking trips done for training = 5 (3 in the mtns, 2 on rolling terrain)
Max number of feet climbed on a loaded bike in 1 day = 9600/120 miles
Steepest grade ridden on loaded bike - 17% for 0.2 miles (Green River Cove road)

Number of bears seen = 0
Number of deers seen = plenty
Other critters seen = not many

Weight of bike and gear (without snow shoes) 49 lbs (I will send unneeded equipment home as I go)


The sun rise in the Northern parts of the course is 4:30 AM.
Sunset is 9:45 PM.
Avg night time temp is upper 20's to mid 30's on most of the course (due to elevation)

Some Important links to Follow the 2011 Tour Divide

Here are the links to some of the key web pages about the 2011 Tour Divide:

Tour Divide web page - the main source of info. Lots of content here. I am in the start list for 2011 Grand depart. http://tourdivide.org/



Interactive map showing the route and elevation. I used this to make my plans. I am traveling North to South.
http://eatsleepridegreatdivide.com/#/


MTB Cast.com - the page with the audio call in reports: http://mtbcast.com/site2/

Facebook group: "Richard Ridlehuber can finish the Tour Divide by July 4th" Search it in Facebook and ask to be a member.

Link to a Beta version of a web page that displays: the route, weather, snowpack information, and rider location. It is not updated with the 2011 participants yet and doesn't display correctly on some computers.    http://bluedot.mobi/td


NOAA Snowpack webpage: NOAA Snowpack data
There are record amounts of snow on the course this year. It is a huge factor. Those who decide to bypass it, forfeit there claims of doing the "official route". Those who choose to go through it, will be slower. I plan to go through it - I've got one chance to do this event and I don't want to compromise my results with a detour.

The drone of the 13 year Chicada

Turn up the volume to get the effect of the drone of the 13 year Chicada's now active in Greenwood SC.

How to climb Fern Gully

Climbing this short (50 yards) steep (25%) gully single track has become a challenge for local mtn bikers. In this video, I demonstrate how it is done. Keys to a successful climb are good traction (tires) and absence of leaves on the trail, correct gear selection, how fresh you are and a little bit of coordination. My success rate is about 50% climbed - depending on how the factors above combine.

How to climb Fern Gully

2011 Tour Divide preparation report - April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011. I am ready. Equipment is selected and dialed in. I have logged 3000+ mile since December 5th and am in a maintain/hold pattern of fitness, teetering on the edge of loosing what I have and carving a peak too early. This past Sunday I rode 105 miles, two major climbs totaling 9000 feet in elevation gain and wanted to go longer, but ran out of time. My wife snatched me off the mountain and took me home. That was plan E for the weekend. Plans A,B,C and D got nixed due to killer tornadoes that ripped through the south, killing 41 people. One lesson I have learned - the hard way - about my outdoor adventures is you can't beat the weather - you must co-operate with it. Don't be a hero. More later...

The Route:

A few of pics from Sunday's ride:

Top of Caesars's Head - 7 miles avg grade = 6%, mile 75 into route

Eastern Continental Divide on the back side of Caesars head, mile 78 into route.

Cradle of Forestry, Pisgah National Forest mile 105 of my trip.

TDR 3 Day Mountain Bikepack training ride - Solo (almost)

Training for the 2011 Tour Divide has become more of a solo endeavor. My training friend, 2010 TDR finisher Shawn Sheppard, has taken a new job in Virginia and moved away. I continue on, accompanied in sunny weather by my shadow, aka Dickey.

Dickey

This weekend I needed to do 3 days and two nights in the mountains of SC/NC with a loaded bike to check out my bio-mechanical fitness (how well my knees will hold up) and soft tissue fitness and hygiene (ie saddle sore situation).
Link to video of --> Start report

My plan involved leaving from work in the late afternoon and riding to Saluda NC. Saluda is at the top of a major climb from the elevation in the upstate SC of 800 - 900 feet to the 1800 - 2000 foot level. Saluda is somewhat of a "Mayberry" town with its quaint shops and eateries. Most notable is the Purple Onion Cafe, which serves up a good pizza and has wonderful staff. After pizza dinner. I rode the final 4.5 miles to Orchard Lake campground and bivied under the stars to a huge full moon, listening to frogs and the sound of a nearby creek.

Saturday morning started before sun-up with a quick pack up of dew dampend equipment. My left knee had aggrivated me on the climb into Saluda and when it started again a mile out of the campground, I stopped and noticed my saddle had slid back and I was putting too much pressure on the top of the knee. I stopped and moved my saddle full forward, and continued on. The knee pain decreased. Lesson learned (again): mark saddle setback position with marking tape to detect saddle setback movement before knee pain starts.

Saturday's route traveled through gravel Green River Cove road, DuPont Forrest and Cascade Lakes road towards Brevard. Once in Brevard, the plan was to climb more gravel roads to Highway 215, then climb a 6 mile 6% avg grade paved climb to the Blue Ridge parkway and descend 25 miles back to Pisgah and bivy near the Pisgah Horse stables. At the entrance to Pisgah Forest, I was confronted with a huge flashing sign announcing FS 475 was closed due to a major wash out. Gravel trucks were running up and down the road, not a good sign for a guy on a 45 lb bike. After a quick stop at the closed Pisgah Ranger station, I rerouted and took FS 474  up to the Parkway, climbing steadily on gravel roads and Hway 276. The junction of 276 and the Parkway served as my rewarding milestone rest stop where I finished my SubWay sandwich in a swarm of flying things, while dark clouds loomed in the distance and the distant sound of thunder threatened. I put on my helmet cam and began the descent back towards Pisgah, only to get caught in the rain.
Link to video at Stop at Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway at junction with Hwy 276

Map location and elevation

Saturday ended with a Taco Bell dinner and a bivy near the Pisgah Horse stables. Pisgah Bivy video

Sunday started early. I needed to get back home to the wife and kids in Spartanburg, The good news was the weather was good: cool and overcast, but my fatigue level was higher and I missed the breakfast I needed because I started before the restaurants opened. Nothing like a Butterfinger Candy Bar for breakfast.

The road out of Brevard is nice. Little traffic, shouldered roads and gentle grade, My route had me taking a road through the area named Becky Mountain. The elevation profile showed Becky Mountain as a steep wall. I thought it was a GPS mapping error and ignored it as I planned the route. I was wrong.

Becky Mountain

Becky Mountain

When I turned off of 276 onto Becky Mountain Road it was an 8% 2 mile climbed, that I ended up having to dismount and push up. (I don't walk many climbs and can probably count the number of climbs I have walked in the past 15 years on one hand). I stayed positive and focused on the descent down the back side of the climb. It was worth it.


The next 50 miles consisted on re-tracing the same gravel roads I rode in on and dealing with the steady headwind back to Spartanburg. I finished the 200 mile trip with 13,000 feet of climbing by 3 PM.
Video of Finish report in Spartanburg

The contents of the mysterious, heavy old suitcase REVEALED !!!

It was full of cold war era Popular Science Magazines !! My Dad always talked about playing buried treasure. I'm sure he had fun hiding this old suitcase.

This is what the dog saw.

TDR Full Gear Test overnight ride

Tour Divide Mtn Training Ride 2-12-2011

A Pinnacle Moment - 2007 Assault on Mt Mitchell by Tandem

2007 Assault on Mt Mitchell
RW Ridlehuber (Captain) and Will Ridlehuber (Stoker)

Tour Divide!!!

On January 10th, I submitted my letter of intent to do the Tour Divide (www.tourdivide.org). This is the the most physically and mentally demanding event I have every attempted.

January 10th is also the day my father died. I know he would have demanded that I do it, so I am. I buried my mother on November 13. She would have supported me as well.

What has led me to this point in my life? Is it a mid life crisis? Am I a nut? Watched Forrest Gump too many times? Read too many Jon Krakaur novels? Not hardly.

I am simply a cyclist. The kind of person who loves to ride a bicycle. I never have stopped riding a bicycle since I started as a child. I just keep finding another aspect of the sport and new event, or something else to inspire my next ride. The decision to do the Tour Divide is influenced in part by: 1) 2010 finisher, friend and co-worker Shawn Sheppard; 2) I have logged more than 92,000 miles on bicycles during the past 30 years; 3) I believe that cycling is a life time sport for everyone - its just a matter of matching the right aspect of the sport to what fits your particular time in life. My decision takes into account my experience and a racer both on and off road, race official, coach (almost), event director, charity ride fund raiser, father, husband, son and brother.

2011 Tour Divide LOI

I have a goal to achieve, great people to meet, beautiful country to appreciate, equipment to prove, health to enjoy, and a dream to fulfill. Count me in at the start of 2011 Tour Divide race in Banff on June 10.

A very experienced cyclist and Tour Divide Rookie.

Richard W Ridlehuber

Spartanburg, SC

46  - married, father of 3.

My Dad's Obituary

(turn volume up all the way)
1) RBR Funeral - Beginning through Scripture readings
2) RWR Comments
3) Homily Part 1 Rev Tom Garman
4) Homily Part 2 Rev Tom Garman
5) Amazing Grace to end


RICHARD B. RIDLEHUBER

Richard Byrd “Dickey” Ridlehuber, 73, resident of 423 Willard Road, died January 10, 2011 at his home.

Born in Greenwood, February 13, 1937, he was a son of the late Ernest Owen Ridlehuber and Alma Wilson Ridlehuber. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and Southern Technical Institute in Kennesaw, GA. Mr. Ridlehuber was the former owner/operator of Richard Ridlehuber Real Estate & Insurance. 

He was of the Episcopal faith and was a member of the Greenwood Motorcycle Club and the BMW Motorcycle Owners Club of America. 

Surviving are two sons, Richard Walter Ridlehuber and wife Janet Hollingsworth Ridlehuber of Spartanburg and Charles Brinson Ridlehuber and wife Gail Welsford Ridlehuber of Beaufort; a daughter, Page Brinson Fletcher and husband Matthew K. Fletcher of West Columbia; a brother, Ernest Owen “Buddy” Ridlehuber, Jr. and wife, Gertie Ridlehuber of Greenwood; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Hugh Wilson Ridlehuber, MD of California.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 am Monday at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tom Garman officiating.

The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 to 11 Monday morning.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

2005 deRonde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders - Belgium)

The Tour of Flanders is one of the toughest single day cycling road races in the world. In my opinion it is the toughest - tougher than Paris Roubaix because the cobbles are climbed (Paris Roubaix is flat).  The event is 165miles long with the first 100 miles pancake flat, then the famous cobbled hills (bergs) of Flanders start. Each one is short, about 1 Km or less, but very steep with grades of 20-25% in some places. In years when is rains, the course is almost un-ridable. The number of climbs varies, but is between 15-20. The course changes slightly each year.

Every year the Pro's race on Sunday, however the Saturday before, the course is open to cyclo-tourists. Each year 10-15,000 cyclist tackle a version of the course. The ultimate test is to ride full distance that the Pro's do. In 2005, I was one of a hand full of Americans to complete the full course, thanks to the support of my co-corkers on "Team Milliken". The photo video below chronicles the entire trip, including a few surprises. Enjoy.

King Thomas Hill Climb at dusk while a dog attacks

Click the link and turn the volume up all the way ---> King Thomas Hill Climb at dusk while a dog attacks

Bike49 Crew spends Christmas in Spartanburg

3 weeks before Christmas I got an e-mail from my brother. He wanted me to know that 4 cyclists were riding around the 49 contiguous United States and were headed our way. They may want a place to stay. So I sent an e-mail to the web page address on http://www.bike49.org/ and heard from Sara: They are going through Spartanburg over Christmas and appreciate the offer for some floor space. Having lost my mother a month before, this Christmas was going to be first without her. The Bike 49 crew filled in the emptiness and it turned out to be a most memorable Christmas. The photo below was taken as we rolled out of Spartanburg in snow and ice headed towards Columbia, SC on Dec 26.
GodSpeed Bike49rs !! and thanks for a Merry Christmas.

Ridlehuber Reels em in

Check out footage of me reeeling in some friends on a Sunday afternoon group ride.

Click here ---> Ridlehuber reels em in