Stefan is out! It looks like cooked wheel bearings and according to FB he doesn't have enough time to fix them, finish and catch his flight home. What a shame as he was having a stellar race, what with his day one issues.

With the latest tragedy on the TransAm being the 3rd similar incident that I know of, is it not sensible to introduce a rule that riders must display a flashing red LED from sunset to sunrise?

I know its a fafff and would only be self policing but we can't keep doing this. Both for the human cost, the waste and devastating consequences but also for the publicity.

C

Unfortunately I don't think any amount of rear facing light would save you from some drivers at night. One thing the internet has taught me is to not be surprised at the stupidity of the general public. Riding a race on relatively major public roads exposes a rider to a much broader spectrum of the general population which equals a higher risk factor.
 The TD is largely on back roads and as an example one of the "major" roads it used to traverse was into Rawlins on the southern edge of The Basin. As far as I know several riders were struck and many more rattled on this short, but bustling section of race trail. The reroute through Wamsutter has removed the danger of this particular section but in any of these Ultra Endurance type races you can't remove the racer from the race. Riders will push themselves on these busy roads and perhaps prioritise speed over safety.
I am no hard arse (ass) and wish to pass my condolences to those who have lost loved ones. Mike H was on one of "our" roads, so his loss was particularly painful to us bikepackers in Oz.

Here you go.

That, is frickin scary!   knowing how fast he must be bombing the descents I hope it doesn't get worse for him.

I'm just a TD wannabe ... Was looking ahead at the high temps in southern NM through Saturday ... 100+ at the finish 105 on Friday yikes!  ... Have any of you veterans experienced temps quite that high at the end of this grueling race?

Rob, that is just normal for the final few days of the TD. If you have made it that far you will know what to do ie switch over to night riding from about Cuba to the finish. I didn't do this in 2015 and was caught by a few who did HOWEVER, looking back at my photographs I was kitted out in all black, with just some small reflective strips and a small rear light. In hindsight I am glad I mostly rode daytime from Cuba but I did set out from Silver at 2:30am to beat the heat and "get it done".

Looks like Brian had no trouble finding the Gold Dust trail turnoff. I wonder how many will blast by, then have to climb back up Boreas to it?

He seems to have a comfortable buffer over Josh now but there is still a loong way to go. Great to see some huge solo efforts going into this race. It must be hard riding alone at these high intensity levels.

Sorry I had to laugh at this......as the photographer is a town of only 50 with no cell service......I found I didn't understand a word you just wrote.  Shows you how far behind Ovando is in the technology world.  Geez.... it took a group of us a week to figure out a webcam.  HA!

Angler, that is also my point. I use Smugmug to host photos so I can post them here (and elsewhere) but there is a lot of faffing around just to post a photo. It needs to be easy and seamless like FB etc.

Sorry about that Angler -- I've increased the capacity of the overall attachments directory, so you should be good to go for the rest of the race.

I am happy to see you still posting the photos here -- THANK YOU, very much.  Facebook is great, but once things are posted, they are gone, so it's nice to have the more permanent record here on the bikepacking.net forums.

Thanks for the reminder Scott.
The move by many to FB really grinds my gears too. I found this forum invaluable in planning my run at the TD and I am using it to plan an AZT750 attempt, so as you say, with FB the information is lost almost right away and the dispersion/loss of intel makes the hurdle for rookies that much higher. I get that FB is easy to use as an excuse so in light of that is it possible to make it a bit easier to use this forum, especially posting photos and links? Maybe a slight makeover in usability to bring it into the Twenty Teens? (Full disclosure- I am a techno numpty so it might be just me that struggles to post stuff)

Thanks again for hosting this forum and also for all the contributors going to the effort to post in here.

Yes, he can be returned to where he left the course and carry on.  Question will be how long to replace the fork.

I recall there was a pre race notice that there would be no mechanics at the Outdoorsman, not that it would be hard to swap a fork. I hope he can get back on the trail quickly.

Josh and Brian must be syncronised! They both started pedalling within 2 minutes of each other this morning.

He just posted this photo to one of the facebook groups

Ouch! Hope he is ok. That has to be soul destroying after powering along so strongly. I wonder if other Lauf users are nervous now? Isn't Josh rocking a Lauf?
Note to next years racers - stay away from Ti forks (ask Seb Dunn 2015) and now perhaps Lauf. While I am sure some have failed, a quick Google search doesn't show any Niner RDO fork failures. Stick with what works. Just my opinion of course.

Can anyone confirm that Ben can catch a ride back to that turn just outside Wise River, then pedal on from there? He did go sideways off route-initially.

*Edit for grammar.

Hey guys. Is there a FB page where there is chatter about the race? Obviously not much going on in here.

It rained for 8 hours then turned to snow at the High Country Lodge which sits at 6500 foot elevation. Rugged conditions today for the Tour Divide riders when they come over Fleecer Mountain, the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway and on to the Bannack bench road. For sure we will be ready for the first TD riders to arrive at our lodge later today.

Yeow! How is Bannack rd going to be after all that rain Russ? Are the leaders about to hit flypaper?

Looks like Ben and Brian are going over Lava Mountain. Looking at the weather radar I don't think it will be a pleasant experience.

Nah, Ben is fine. He's making good time up the pass. I'll be quiet now

Easiest pass on the Divide. Even I logged zero walking up that one!

I missed the webcam action due to work so I'm wishing the next pack would hurry up!

I'm holding back sharing evidence of 2011's version - it looks as if there's icebergs floating on the lake itself! I DO remember curling up under a large tree to sleep while it started snowing. I was so happy to get into town, and the people of Whitefish proved to be most inviting community (although I heard there may be a weirdo living among them...).

Would love to see the 2011 version Justin. You were the only one to see it IIRC?

Nope, Cabin Pass, The Wall, and Galton Pass are all still on route.

Great. I thought Cabin was further North. Cabin Pass was pretty. I'd hate for them to miss it.

How is that Greg Gleason going! Go the "older racers"! Let's hope he keeps something in the tank for the next 2 weeks.

By my count. ~31 racers opted for an off-route Elkford night's sleep.  I wonder what the folks who run the motel complex are thinking?  Last year they were flooded with riders.  Sparwood of course, will see no one this year.

I think I would have stocked up big at Bolton Creek rather than do those extra miles....unless I was wet and cold. Then it would be a tough call.

The leaders are making great time, despite the conditions on day one. I take it they miss Cabin Pass with the reroute?

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

There is a bridge out in the upper Flathead so to avoid a heap of blacktop Paul Attula scouted out the reroute around it to the west through Fernie, then it joins the original route about mid way down the Flathead. It looks like a steep, tough reroute - about 15 miles longer than the normal route.  The Wall is still in there in the Flathead too.

Check Trackleaders for the map.

Hey flyboy, I knew you would be watching

Looks like it could be 2014 conditions over again.... did someone mention mud?

Thanks for the pics Tractormann.

Right back at you Mark! Have you finished therapy for your 2014 freeze-fest yet? 

Looks like it might be pretty wet toward the back of the pack! How many times has fortune favoured the fast in this race? It seems like the back of the pack always suffer the worst of the weather.

If you want to look around Banff - and maybe spot your favorite rider or check the conditions - here are (at least some of) the webcams of the town...updated every five minutes.

http://banffmaps.ca/trafficcams/



So far I've seen one cyclist...on a road bike, so I doubt he's part of the Tour.

Thanks for the link to the webcams. It looks a bit wet there this morning.

Good luck to all of the racers and enjoy the journey! I am sitting at home itching to be there for the start - damn, this TD gets under your skin! I know what I will be doing the next 3 weeks or so...

The Wall must be experienced!  However, it is a red herring.  The real challenge is the ascent (and descent!!) of Galton Pass soon afterwards.

It really isn't that bad in the big scheme of things (400m in 4400km) but is a "must do" much like Brush Mountain lodge and Pie Town.
I must admit, I am feeling some pangs of jealousy not being on the starting line this year. This damn race gets under one's skin.....
Some free advice for the rookies, the race isn't won in the first few days but you sure can blow it in the first few days. Soft pedal for the first 3-4 days and get a feel for it. Enjoy and look to the long term.