I just listened to Serge's final call in and am wiping the tears out of my eyes. He really sums up the experience and captures the depth and purity of the event. Wow !

Elena M.  looks to be inside an ancient meteor crater or perhaps a volcanic bast of the past!  Any geologist or astro physicist out there?

It looks to me,  hhhmmm hhmm, that she is in the crater left when the space ship landed. You know, the one from from the MOVIE where the ALIENS INVADED and the SUPER HERO squad saved the world?  (yeahh, that's what really happened geologically)

Has anyone else noticed that Ryan C was off the course and headed further up Rte 35 in the Gila earlier today.  Had to tick him off!  And now, Alberto B is doing the same thing!!!  Maybe this will give Katherine W a chance to gain back her spot if she can avoid the same pitfall.  Just has to get Terry B off her tail. Tons of excitement still out there...

Footnote:  Hope Eric S set his alarm or he'll be known as Rip Van Schraufnagel!

They went to the nearby general store. Must have been hungry. 

The first finishers have completed the last stretch at faster speeds than is common on the other parts of the course. Look for Kurt and Caroline to roll Babe up to a nice pace and have an impressive final stretch, assuming the wind is not in their faces and energy levels are there. 

I thought I saw a bladder tube sticking out the front on one of his shots somewhere. That might be it in that shot too.

Platypus and Nalgene make collapsible 2 - 3 liter bladders and water bottles that can be rolled up and stuffed inside a pack.

I can't figure out if Craigs spot isn't tracking or he stopped.  I went on to Google Streets (yes, they actually have this town mapped out ) and I see he stopped at the laundromat, but only for maybe a few minutes and then went across the street but I just see what appears to be a house.  My guess is he's still moving but he could be sleeping for a few since he only slept 3 hours last night.  In the mean time GP and KS are closing in...less than 20 miles.

There is more safety in being in stealth mode on some parts of the course. Unfortunately, not everyone who follows the blue dots is encouraging and supportive. Bikes have been stolen and riders have been harassed in the past. The riders number one concern is safety. That is why the riders wish each other safe rides in their call in's. I am sure Craig, Kurt, and Serge are making progress towards the finish.

As we sit comfortably in our homes and wifi cafe's watching the dots, it is easy to forget some of the hazards they are faced with and become consumed with finish order, drama and the other behaviors we have learned by watching other sports.  The riders will appear when they need to.

Tweet photo of Ollie at the finish in AW. He makes it look easy. His gear is "super-minimal".

George Deck's broken frame.

Another thought about Justin's failing rear hub: In Cjell Money (aka the Mantelope and Antelope)'s case, he can switch his front and rear wheels. That is a very nice way to mitigate a drive train problem. If/when the primary hub fails, then swap wheels.

Maybe the ultimate TDR rig is a Black Sheep frame with a belt driven Rohloff as the primary drive hub and the front hub set up as a single speed. No chains, no derailleurs, and built in back up hub. The front fork is super light and offers suspension without the weight of a suspension fork and the complexity of fork seals that can bust. 

It will be interesting to learn how Justin deals with his failing rear hub. The same thing happened to me last year between Helena and Basin. Jill Homer also writes about it happening  in her book "Be Brave Be Strong". It is one of the most frustrating mechanicals you can have.   You are basically sitting on the top tube and pushing with your legs.

Since Justin is on a single speed, he may have limited options on how to rig the cog to the wheel. It depends on whether or not there are holes drilled into the cog.

Looks like veteran rider Phillip Fogg missed the turn at Stemple pass and rode into Helena the back way and is holding up in a motel. I hope he is Okay and keeps going despite the nav error.

Georg Deck has turned around after staying in Butte last night. I hope everything is Okay. 

Anyone know where to find the results from 2011? Can't seem to find them on the Tour divide website.

I just posted a Google docs copy in spreadsheet format at:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvJRKbtpM51ZdDQtcFc2XzQwR3lfenFvQWN5bzhUY1E

For all you dot watchers who are unfamiliar with the event, the section from Basin to Butte Montana includes a ride down interstate 15. Last year I filmed this descent and hit speeds greater than 40 mph - fully loaded, which is an absolute blast !  At the end of the descent, you make a right into the OutDoorsman and meet Rob Leipheimer and his friendly crew for a hot meal, quick bike tune up and hotel room if needed.

Linked is the video summary. Enjoy !

https://vimeo.com/34273120

[other bike shop in Helena.]

I'm wondering if some of these riders into Helena are going to start stacking up at Great Divide Cyclery for repairs. In my experience that bike shop wasn't very Tour Divide friendly —

I stopped at Big Sky Cyclery in Helena for a few small items and to top off the air in my tires. The guys in their were very friendly and went out of their way to help me. Big Sky Cyclery is the other bike shop in Helena.

Then when I got to The Outdoorsman - the service was so good, I nominated them for Bike Shop of the year for Adventure Cycling.

Link seems to be broken

Corrected - sorry for the confusion !!

Does this blown turn even happen with GPS, or are these cues-only kinds of scenarios?

You can miss a turn with a GPS depending how you truncated the track to make it fit on the device memory card. The problem with the turn they are missing is that there are 5 roads at an intersection. Using a combination of the cue sheet, map and GPS is the most sure way for a rookie to navigate.

Last year, I filmed a 360 view of the road situation. It is confusing.

https://vimeo.com/43913409

Thanks for posting that, ridingman1.

As President of the South Carolina Chapter of the CrazyLarry Fan Club (CLFC.SC), it's the least I can do.

CrazyLarry posted another video on YouTube of the riders rolling out. Enjoy !!!

2012 Tour Divide Race - riders leaving YWCA Start

Looks like Josh Shifferly jumped from Eureka to Whitefish but no tracks on course. Hmm..?? He was having some leg pain/issues before leaving -- but maybe just riding with Ezter and spot was not on?

I'm sure Josh didn't cut the course - last year he stayed with the top 5 until pulling out at his home in Colorado. He is the real deal ! Those Spots can be a little hinky - turning them on and off with cold, gloved hands when you are half asleep doesn't help either.