This is where I'd seen that photo last week https://judice.com/
you can read more on Day 42 of this person's GDMBR ride blog but they wrote "As I got closer I realized there were a couple of adults supervising and in fact these kids were from a Boy Scout troop camped nearby who decided to shovel out the road. How incredible is that."

Whether or not they were doing it with any awareness of the Tour Divide ... ?

In that case, it's probably fine, but it's an odd (and VERY strenuous) project.

Too many people going out on the route and doing things to "benefit all the racers" will spoil the spirit of the race.  I doubt any state highway department will go out specifically to help TD racers.

This was my thought as well.  If a state road crew is clearing roads because that's what they do...cool...fine by me.  But if there are folks doing these types of things specifically as an assist to the TD riders...I'd rather they not.  It's not as though the riders are directing it, but that kind of help - at the very least - bends the spirit of the race.

The photo in question - along with what we've seen on the Brazos and will likely see in CO - is one more grain of sand in the ever-growing pile that proves Koko Claims is unnecessary hike-a-bike on a race filled with places to walk...last I'm going to say about it...this year.

josh k and sofiane back on day 1. so amazing that these fellows are already halfway across WY. what a race!

A couple of over-achievers...

 

What is that picture on Dotwatcher Day 6?  I hope it's not a volunteer crew clearing portions of the route for the racers!

I wondered the same thing...

...and Josh's dots are tightly packed in the same place as Sofiane...I'm guessing there is snow on part of Brooks Lake.  Sofiane is now heading up Union Pass...let's see what happens...

Sofiane's dots indicate there might be a bit of snow on the road to Brooks Lake, but hard to know for sure...and Josh's dots have been so inconsistent that it might be hard to determine...

Finally, the weather forecast on the Lodge website is calling for rain/snow showers tomorrow and Friday, with cool temps.

https://www.togwoteelodge.com/discover/weather/

I should add I've watched this webcam on and off since 2015 (at that time it just did 1-minute refreshes)...first time I've caught a TD rider.  About 20 minutes before he passed, 4 bike-packers rode through going the other direction.  If they were riding the route as NOBOs, they may have been able to give a snow update for Brooks Lake and Union Pass.

I think I caught Sofiane as he passed the Togwotee Mountain Lodge just after 2pm MDT.    Thanks much to their live webcam at https://www.togwoteelodge.com/webcam/

what are men's and women's singlespeed records?

I believe the men's record is the 2016 run by Chris Plesko - 15d 8hrs.  Don't know about the women's record.

Hwy 287 going past Togwotee Mtn Lodge is clean and dry and the area looks snow-free.  But under the trees where the route goes there could still be snow.  I'm guessing road crews don't put a blade on those roads until the snow is gone.  We'll probably have a good idea sometime today.

I think Sofiane has done his homework. It looks like his strategy was to get past Mike Hall then rest when Mike did. I wonder if Josh is reacting to what Sofiane is doing? They both have access to Trackleaders so can keep an eye on the MH dot as well as each other.

Both are running an incredible race.  I didn't think one rider could get in front of Mike's dot...to see two of them is - I don't know - proper words elude me.  The roads up to Togwotee Pass, Brooks Lake, and Union Pass will determine much.  If there are snow fields, Mike's memory will blow past them and won't likely be caught, given what may be awaiting in the elevations of Colorado.

This is super-exciting for sure!!!

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!

And now Josh Kato has pulled slightly ahead of Mike Hall's marker...staggeringly good rides!!!

Whew!  Looks like Evan caught his error and got turned around...just a few miles lost...

Whoa!  I hope Evan's dot is just misplaced and he's really not going down I-15 to Butte... 

Hehehe...missed Angler's comment just a bit earlier...nevermind!!  I need to read just a bit more thoroughly...

Back up to that last set of photos...

Is that really Aaron Denberg's ride?!?

Are the Ovando hot dogs famous or something?  Sounds like every rider has been getting them.

Well, first off, hot dogs are delicious, especially with a little Hormel Chili on them...or a lot of Hormel Chili.

I was wondering about how all the filming of Lael would play on the route, so it's good to hear how the crew is handling it.  I wondered if it might slow her down a bit - good to hear that's not the case.  I can't imagine she would race with anything that costs her time.

Excellent use of "mustard" as a verb! I never really considered hot dogs as a "for later" kind of food lol. Thx for the great pics!

Do I dare do this?...yes I do, and I apologize in advance...

"Mustarded" in this context is an adjective.

Running to hide in the corner...