Loading up (on carbs!)

After getting our bikes set up last night, and a huge breakfast at the hostel we're staying in, today was a day for testing out the bikes, buying last minute gear additions (bear spray!), and loading up on fuel (pancakes & pizza!).  Fortunately we planned this day on with lots of flexibility, as right at the get go, Mike realized he'd left his food bag and all his food at home. The food was pretty easy to replace, but the bag was a fork bag with proprietary mounts (Ortlieb for you gear junkies!) that no shop in Banff carries... Uhgg!!  Fortunately, the local shop folks are both used to this sort of thing, and super helpful. One of the shop owners ultimately offered up a trade for Mike's one good bag and both mounts for a complete set in another brand- no charge! Super nice! First encounter with a "trail angel" that we've had and he lives up to the high reputation of many along the GDMBR...
We also got the chance to do a little sight- seeing... Banff is really a spectacular setting for the start of our ride -


After one ride into town for supplies, we returned to the hostel and fully loaded the bikes. Then we headed out to scout the start for tomorrow, as well a a short ride along the first couple of miles of dirt trail along the Spey River.  Gorgeous spot here, and hopefully much of the gravel we'll encounter over the next 6 weeks will be as nice as those first few miles :-)
Finally, we wrapped up the day downtown with a delicious if somewhat overpriced dinner of pizza & a beer along with a great conversation with a bunch of other riders. 
 One guy, an Israeli named H.R., sounded like he had a legit chance of being in the thick of it for the real race! He was a former winner of the Arizona Trail Race, which even though shorter, is of significantly higher difficulty... It'll be fun to "dot watch" home over the next couple weeks when we have internet;-)

Tomorrow -- the Tour Divide Grand Depart !



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