Pretty good rain last night in New Mexico:

0.67" at the "Rio Puerco" station which is along the dirt between Cuba and Grants
0.82" in Grants
0.27" in Pietown
~1.0" at various stations in the Gila National Forest
1.31" in Mogollon
1.5" in Silver city

https://maps.cocorahs.org/
https://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/mesomap.cgi?state=NM&rawsflag=3

https://livefromsilver.com/   (is this one on the route? not sure)

No, that one is about a block off the route.  Good for checking the weather in Silver City though.


Colorado DOT has a camera near the summit of Cumbres Pass just before the route enters New Mexico
https://www.cotrip.org/list/cameras?searchTerm=17&page=1&pageRecordLimit=25#media/camera/579/908211949

I am watching a bunch of people this year:  Marshal Bird is pretty amazing and did the TD 13 (!) years ago - the same year I raced it in 2010.  Dale Perzanowski is an East Coast guy - I rode Paris Brest Paris with him in 2007.  It'll be interesting to see what he thinks of the West and elevation.  Also from the east coast is Tim Wagner who slayed the Vermont Super 8 last year and David Landis of The Rockstar fame....they should have no problem with this longer distance. Robert Lesmerises is another VtSuper8 veteran and Guillaume Tessier Tremblay is perhaps my cousin  so I gotta watch him.   I think Sofian really wants to win - and I think he can pull it off - should be to watch fun if there is someone there to keep him on his toes.

I'm watching Marshal too, having followed him for his past attempts.  Looks like he had a slow slog through the desert and the Separ Road.  Got right back to it though and hasn't really lost much time on the NOBO front runners.  I've ridden the Gila reroute and it is hot and exposed!  Going to be a grind getting up from Glenwood to Mogollon.  Already pushing 100 degrees out there.

I've been watching Andrew Kulmatiski's NOBO ITT with great interest.  He finished up yesterday with a time of 15d 12h 45m.  Incredible ride!  He stopped in Helena for a covid test before proceeding to the Canadian border and the finish.  Josh Kato had an excellent write-up which he posted to Facebook and I'm posting here for those who may not be on FB.

"It?s been awesome watching Andrew Kulmatiski?s ITT.  He?s getting right down to it. A few hours to finish.  I posted this last night elsewhere on the interwebz.
Andrew Kulmatiski is currently battling over KoKo Claims in the dark.  That place is hard to move through in the daylight! His current elapsed time is about 14days 19 hours. He has a bit over 100 miles to go.

While the Great Divide isn?t about time the Tour Divide is a race and yes time is recorded.
I believe Andrew?s fastest Tour Divide time is 15d10h20m which he did in 2017 on another independent time trial (ITT).  His time was fast enough for 3rd place of all racers that year.
A Tour Divide time under 16 days is wildly fast.  I think there have been 18 finishes throughout the history of the Divide that have gone under 16 days. Only 3 people have had more than one finish under 16 days. Mike Hall, Jay Petervary and some other guy who likes orange jerseys.

I have to think that Andrew could easily finish in the next 12 hours.  Also, I am in doubt that anyone else will finish the full length Tour Divide this year faster than Andrew.  If that is the case he effectively becomes the 2021 Tour Divide winner. If that is the case he also joins a very small group of people who have podiumed more than once.
Cheer on that dot! Get it, Andrew!"

Huge congratulations to Andrew!

I'm trying to wrap my head around what my options are for riding my bike from the US/Canadian border to the US/Mexico border starting at noon on June 11th..  Are there two races (one a modified TD and one the GDMBR)?  Or is there just one, the GDMBR?  Thanks!

Yes, that seems to be the plan for this year.  When you register on trackleaders, you'll actually have three options:  Tour Divide border to border, Tour Divide Full (the border would of course need to be open, which could happen for northbounders in the grand depart or those doing an ITT later in the year) and then the "Great Divide Classic" which is the GDMBR route.  GPX files for 2021 have been posted to topo fusion:  http://topofusion.com/divide/gps.php?fbclid=IwAR2F1vVwhC6wQmClZXH3QxEIGvXXPcOSgJhpMLEkJJAK7FZkZbYo4Lpfe7Y

Posting this here from the Facebook TD group for those who don't check for race updates there.  JP is offering up some race alternatives this year:

"Pete Basinger it's a different year... the TD grand depart will be back in 2022 and as you know ITT's are allowed whenever the border opens for those that are focused on that record/FKT.
To extract a time from a different event for the sake of trying to compare a FKT is not a direct comparison and a manipulation of numbers. It has no significance, it's not the TD record.
There is a opportunity to do something different, interesting, and maybe even build conversations around some history, the intent, and even reiterate some of the rules. Let's face it some of that has been buried.
As far as route goes...this is what I shared with Matthew.
1) Going to Rawlins is what really makes the Red Desert for what it is, let's do that, after all it is ACA route. The TD to Wamsutter has dumbed that down.
2) Take out the Gold Dust trail. It's not a part of ACA.
3) Take pavement towards Sapillo not CDT singletrack alternative in NM. That trail never got the improvements that were claimed to get nor does it recieve any maintenance. #2 and #3 IMO do not even make sense considering this is a dirt/gravel road route not a singletrack route.
4) Dirt out of Cuba because why do we need to make things easier and faster. And to pay respect to the reservation land as well as represent the bikepack community in a positive way during the pandemic.
Maybe this will be the beginning of a B2B standard for those that want to challenge it but considering the history and that nobody challenged Nobles B2B record since TD started I doubt it. So, as a group start this year everyone would be on the same playing field. I just look forward to doing something different and hopefully people show up that want to race against each other. Kind of like the old days...and not entirely fixated on a record. I hope to see you there."

I'm planning a north-bound run and was entertaining taking the dirt route from Grants to Cuba in part to avoid impacts on the Navajo nation, but also to keep the route as scenic as possible for myself.  Going north-bound, the CDT alternate near Silver City is a nice ride so I'd hate to see that get dropped for the old route that uses more pavement and a busy state highway (although the Georgetown Cemetery is cool).
Interesting to see if Jay's suggestions become the "official" route for 2021.

I had a nice training ride yesterday outside of Silver City.  Rode the CDT alternate route northbound and back to Silver City on the pavement by Lake Roberts. 



Here's the entrance heading northbound (or terminus for you southbounders):


It is worth noting that the Gila National Forest has just closed the two track you see in the photo.  It is apparently a 1-year closure but it does impact that section of the TD route.  There isn't a physical barrier yet but it looked like they were constructing a gate.  Southbounders will approach that gate at considerable speed while descending the two track down to Meadow Creek.  Here's the signage posted near Meadow Creek:


and a map




Its unfortunate that they didn't qualify the closure to motorized vehicles only since that seems to be the resource issue they are trying to address.

6 months to go!  Is it too early to talk about snowpack?  Looking pretty light all across the route right now with the exception of the watershed near Indiana Pass and Summitville south of Del Norte. 

https://tinyurl.com/yd79gqyg

Dave could you share the link to the doc vs the form as would love to see who else has signed up?

Here you go:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CbYlMTvpCsikWFL_AK_9Wmxy35caavdC_zAOEnd1D00/edit#gid=1206541648

I am tempted to hook my sheep wagon up to the truck, fill a bunch of jugs with fuel and water, and head to the Gila.  Perhaps camp on the Plains of San Augustine for a week or so with interaction with anyone, the ultimate in antisocial distancing.

I'm in Silver City and you might be surprised at how many people have been doing the very thing you suggest here.  This is often a busy time of year in the Gila (turkey hunting, extended spring break trips, folks from northern areas escaping 'mud season, etc.) but it feels different this year.  More random dispersed camping where you wouldn't ordinarily see it.  Perhaps it is the closure of the Forest Service campgrounds that are pushing people into atypical spots.  Hard to say.  County-wide we currently have 15 confirmed positive cases and seem to add two or three cases a week.  Not the runaway growth we are seeing in other parts of NM. 

In town most services a bike rider would need remain open.  The bike shops in NM have been considered "essential services" but that doesn't necessarily mean the shop is open 9-5 Monday- Sat.  I wouldn't count on pedaling into town with a mechanical issue and expect to get service immediately.  It may take a phone call to arrange an appointment. 

Food resupply wouldn't be too difficult, but most stores are metering the number of customers entering to comply with the State's guidelines for social distancing so you may have to wait in line before entering.  Of course all the Forest Service developed campground are closed and I'm assuming that means the Beaverhead Work Center as well.  Last weekend I rode up to the Signal Peak fire tower (just off the TD route north of town) and they had the road to the facility gated with a sign explaining the closure due to Covid.   I'd have a back-up plan for water in case Beaverhead is not allowing visitors-- like filtering out of Wall Lake or finding a windmill and stock tank. 

Looks like NOBO leader Graham Suffield has hitched a ride into Rock Springs from Wamsutter.  Hope all is well. 

Looks like NOBO Graham Suffield is taking the Gold Dust trail uphill from Como to the top of Boreas Pass.  That is still optional for NOBO riders, right?  I'm assuming the road is probably cleared of snow, but I bet that trail is not much fun going uphill in these conditions. 

Looks like current NOBO leader Graham Suffield rode the Brazos Ridge through the night and didn’t appear to be slowed down much by the reported snow and mud.  Maybe it was cold enough to solidify and make it ridable.    Smart move if that was a planned strategy!

Island Park is +36 degrees F this morning with light winds from the south that will increase to 15-20mph as the day progresses.  A cool morning for the leaders!

With ripping west winds on tap in the Basin for tonight and tomorrow!

ITT Nobo Michael Grosso is reporting tough conditions due to snow in New Mexico!   Pulled this from the facebook page: "PSA - what those guys said about Brazo Ridge was right. Terrible conditions of thick mud and lots of snow from NM border to lagunitas. A very hard hard day. I am completely wrecked. Maybe it will be better for SoBo riders but the NoBo should prepare for some serious shit. It’s awful and unrelenting. We are all used to tough trails but this is next level. Nothing is rideable and you will get covered in mud. Very slow going."

Not sure I ever recall snow being in issue in New Mexico in June!

Peter Puenner pulling into the finish line at Antelope Wells.  Target finish of 20 days and he's at 19 days 9 hours.  Nice job! 

Hachita is 114 deg F right now!

.. as Dom Irving seems to be fading after a brilliant NoBo start.

Andrew Kulmatiski is having a phenomenal Nobo ITT-- 11 hours ahead of Dom at the timecheck in Del Norte. 

Nobo ITTer Andrew K. just cleared pie town.  Looks like he is slightly faster than Dom Irvine through Pie Town:

Dom Irvine,  AW-- Pie Town:  1 day 9 hrs 25 min
Andrew K, AW-- Pie Town:  1 day 7 hrs 20 min

WOW!

Northbound ITTer Andrew Kulmatiski has put down some serious mileage in his first day of racing.  Looks like he left Antelope Wells at 4 am and is currently somewhere near Black Canyon in the Gila having ridden the CDT alternate (first NOBO to do so?).    Nice work Andrew!

Dom Irvine must be in the dark blue/gray long sleeve shirt and black backpack? post 24

Yup, that's him.  Saw him cruising through Silver City a two days ago.   The backpack and dark colored long-sleeve seemed like an odd combination for the hot desert-- but it doesn't seem to bother him!  He finally took a 4 hour break in Grants.  Incredible.