Meanwhile the Breck group must surely be in sight of each other.  Nate seems to have joined in the fun.  I remember that climb being easily rideable, but I wonder what the surface is like today

And the Brush Mtn crew are off as well at 0400 local time.  Interestingly, it looks as though the front runners that have already tried, ie Lael, Josh, Evan and Kai, are not at this time attempting to move.  I read somewhere that 8 people were scratching, but can’t for the life of me find who those 8 are.  Also seems Steve Halligan also had his alarm set and is either riding with Josh, or at the very least - knowing that stretch of trail into Breck, they will be able to see each other’s lights.

It’s 0300 and it looks like Josh is rolling out of Silverthorne.  That guy is made of stern stuff.  Hope his shoulder lets him finish this thing

Early days, but worth remembering that in 2015, Josh had a sleep strategy that paid dividends later in the race.  Those of us who’ve ridden and followed this race for a few years know it’s a long way to  Mexico and it only takes one trail mistake from weary eyes to ruin your race.

Be interesting to hear if he tried to ride down the steep part of fleecer.  I remember thinking it can't be that bad, right up until I looked down it and decided to walk.

Looks like Steve Halligans just rolled into Ovando.  Weather looks foul and a few riders seem to be calling it a bit earlier tonight.  I remember day 4 hit me really hard.

Unless it was a random spot bounce.  There is stuff all inn Basin from memory and it looks like he's getting food now.

Josh literally stopped for about 90 seconds.  Maybe time to fill a water bottle.  The light was on in the store, but didn't see anyone walking around.

Angler, the webcam is great.  I just dot stalked Josh as he rode through town from the other side of the world.

Hi all.  I've just logged in for the first time in ages to follow a bevy of mates this year.  Can anyone direct me to the info on the Canada rerouted and the reasons for it?  Cmon the ANZACs

Terry Smith has just skipped the Sapillo section - dude is clearly riding his own course

Interestingly, Nathan Mawkes and I did the last 60 miles to the finish between 1900 and midnight in 2013, and it was an awesome way to finish I felt.  gave me a lot of time to reflect I what I had achieved with very little in the way of distractions.

I am a definite on this one. I am planning to pre ride separately both North and South Islands over the next 18 months in preparation.  Having previously ridden the length if the country via road a few years ago, I can assure anyone contemplating this it is every bit as challenging and scenic as the GDR.  It won't have the same altitude and it's hard to get more than 50 miles from a point of civilisation in NZ, but we don't have guns, we don't have bears and in February and March the chance of snow is pretty small.  If you are contemplating it, make it a family affair.  Bring the spouse and kids and let them enjoy the best time of the year down under and soak up a culture and environment very different to Nth America.

Nick


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I rode the PI x-alp pros for the TDR this year.  Lots of walking and they rocked.  I tried some of the rimes bt had two issues - firstly the boa closure is a liability.  My mate who rode them for the TDR crashed and ripped it off the day before the race.  Hard to replace and he ended up with a ski strap around his foot for the race.  Second I found they pinched me across the top of the foot.  The PI's have awful footbeds, so expect to replace that immediately.  The pros are still available in limited sizes in various sites on the web but otherwise the enduros are fairly close specs.

Hi its Mrs NH here ....

It's day 11 and those of us doing the "alternate TD" (aka "left at home to single-handedly wrestle two toddlers") are doing it tough

Silence, Isolation and loneliness not a big issue; the question "why" has been 987 times and I cannot even be alone in the bathroom.

Food remains a problem; in honour of the TD, Miss 3 has decided to eat like a grizzly bear and Mr 5 is refusing to eat anything that is not authentic "TD racer food" ... Can some helpful riders please confirm that carrots and broccoli are legimate racer food?

Distances travelled; well let's just say a 3 year old takes her own sweet time to stop and smell the roses especially on the way to the bath

Sleep; suffice to say that I envy MH at this point ...

I should mention that I am relying heavily on smartphone technology (sorry Toby) There have been frantic messages to Montana at all hours of the night (eg. Where are the spare batteries for the nightlight, how do I pay the electricity bill) The messages have only been one way though. I can't say that NH's racing has benefitted greatly from kindy updates or skype calls with toddlers whose only contribution is to tell him that a snowboard would be better in the snow than a bike

So it's true what they say.  The Tour will be physically and mentally exhausting and push you to the limits of your endurance ... And that's just the wives..

Thanks Marco.  Just followed your instructions and it was dead easy.  I split into two files  - first with 9999 pts - ends up just sth of Helena and another of about 9500pts.  For those on basecamp on Macs - double click on the file to open it.  Scroll down to the last pt you want - for me 9999 and then click on the cogwheel (settings icon in the bottom left of the box) and select split track in two.  You can then rename each track. 

I'm a definate for the ride and Hamish and I will be at Moose McGuires with bells on.  I lived at the Foothills for three months 15 years ago and it was my local!  Look forward to meeting a few guys.

Nick

Question for anyone with medical knowledge.  What prophylactic/emergency antibiotics do people carry or recommend for this sort of event.  Disclosure - I am an anaesthesiologist married to a physician travelling with a surgeon, but none of us has any infectious disease experience.  I was thinking along the lines of a stat course of tinidazole (4 x500mg) for giardiasis/diarrhoea and a weeks worth of 500mg BD Ciprofloxacin for any other systemic illnesses or wound infections.

I could see a travel medicine specialist, but I am working every day until I leave and the hospital pharmacy can get me whatever I write a script for.

Cheers, Nick

Craig, I have no intention of starting the race intending to break the rules.  I have been competing in individual events for over thirty years and hand on heart have never knowingly cheated.  Upon re-reading my post it appears I was a little blunt.  I often feel for an underground event there is way too much focus on the small stuff on the forums.  I worry people lose sight of the big picture - this is a massive undertaking with serious safety concerns - life threatening even!  

As an elite competitor with possibly record breaking aspirations - you are obviously someone for whom the nitty gritty of the rules is crucial.  The sign up sheets would suggest that rightly or wrongly, the Grand Depart will be far bigger this year than ever before.  I wonder aloud if everyone one on the start line has thought through what they will do if they become injured/trapped, alone, far from help, in freezing conditions.  As a Helicopter Retrieval physician and with alpine survival experience in the armed forces, its something I have seen from both sides - with fatal outcomes.  The point of my post was to say, sometimes strict adherence to the rules may not be in a riders best interests.

But I digress,

Re-reading the rules and particularly the FAQ's a couple of points arise.  

As long as one does not move forward en route - one can move forward away from the designated route. (1st comment rule 4 faq).  Difficulty would be maintaining route avoidance should the bike shop you visit be en route even if you arrive there using a main rd and not the designated route - maybe as long as you entered via the back door from a back street you'd be ok.  As the admin answer points out - these situations are likely to arise when one is fatigued and possibly on the edge of reason.  

Secondly - it would appear if I breakdown and am forced to walk en route - it counts!

The statement at the bottom of the rules page resonates with me

"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men —Douglas Bader"

Good luck to everyone preparing the last couple of weeks.  I know I have had my share of bad luck recently and I hope it means I will be blessed when things finally get underway.

Nick

As a novice, a non elite competitor but most importantly a Dad and a husband, I have what I suspect is a fairly common take on the rules.  I will do whatever I deem to be the safest and most time efficient way to get myself going again.  If I am 10 miles from safety ahead, but 100 miles behind, there is no way I am going back.  Equally I have a window of time that I hav to complete the event.  I'm not unnecessarily wasting 48hrs for the sake of sticking to the rules religiously.  If that results in me being disqualified, so be it.  I won't be complaining.  As long as I get to Antelope Wells under my own steam and complete the entire route, I'll be claiming a completion