How about Waterton CT/Indian Creek/Rampart Range Road to Manitou? Hotel it and go back next day same way? Trails then roads and good mileage about 90-100 each way. I am down to join you.

edit- more trail can be added to the ride too. the new North Fork Trail, section 2 of the CT, and there is moto trail along Rampart Range road too. Unfortunately the trails near Manitou I believe are all closed that run near Rampart Range road, but I dont know for sure about that (fire area). maybe a local can chime in.

Using this type of thinking, my 11 day and change AZT750 result sucks too? Its over 1.55X the record. How many people could actually be competitive in the 750 then? I think my time is like 13th fastest in race history.

Or CTR. 6day and change sucks now? Even though it nearly got the podium this year? Huh?

Since this is one class racing, there is no competitive category. It makes no sense whatsoever. Pro riders with money backing will destroy me every time. If someone cheated to beat them you all would freak out. But for 25th place? No biggie you people are not competitive! In a race with no categories against sponsored actual racers. I would say finishing even dead last in one class racing is tough.

I noticed that results posted in others places (bikepacking magazine?) did not mention anything more than name and time off the spots. Thats fair and what should have happened here since the TD doesnt post official results.

Sorry if I came off harsh, but I dont like whats going on and it makes me angry.


edit- Not mad at Chris- just the whole process sickens me.

Ultra racing need a race organization pronto. This way is not working IMO.

How come all of us were not in the email loop regarding this (TD 14 Racers?)
I never saw any draft?
Lame

The quote from the rules:


"There is no finish time cut-off, however, current convention considers a competitive Divide Route finish time as approximately 1.5 times (x) course records. Currently this = 25days (~110 mi/day) for men, and 29.5 days (93 mi/day) for women. "

Where does it say one is relegated for finishing outside the competitive window? I dont see it. I see the quote above. I raced on that premise. I finished in 27 days and change in a year where the first 6 days sucked worse than anthying one could imagine.

I totally disagree with Chris if this is what is happening. No where in the TD rules do it say relegation for a 25 day plus time. I finished that damn race and beat nearly a 100 people and my time was competetive for the year and the circumstance.

Screw Y'all.



I finished a triple crown. I am a very competetive person. I think this thread is total bullshit and the spirit of the divide is a farce.



This lame bullshit is becoming a waste of my time. No results are published officially for this race since like 2010, and we leave it to a book writer to determine the list and who is relegated? Baloney. I feel completely disrespected.

Anyone out there who thinks they could have finished in under 25 days in 2014 bring it on in 2015. I will be there to race you.


Edit- I removed my 2 lines about cheating or attacking the book  or who wrote it. Maybe thats a little too much. Sorry.

One thing to consider on the 1x10 conversion is that the 30t chainrings in 104mm BCD are moved over a bit to clear the bolts. I may have to revert to the 32t or bigger chainrings that run straight on the middle of a 3x9 to fix my chainline issue in 11 and 13t rear cogs.

E13 is going to send me a new 42t cog. They said the new models are better with updates like shifting improvement and  they clear all hub bodies (my straight pull dt swiss 240 needed a spacer). And they are going to look at my CTR cog for R+D as to why it failed after 1 chain replaced at .5% wear.

So thats nice of them. Sounds like they are working hard on their 1x stuff, cogs and chainrings.

I rode the 1x10 with One Up 42 and 16 tooth cogs today. Works perfect. I can only tell the 16t is not a Shimano a little bit. Its getting better each shift though. The 42t also, getting better each shift.

Well I got the following:
Long cage Sram x9 type 2 rear mech
One Up 42 tooth cog and 16t cog.
XT cassette 11-36
KMC 10.93 chain

Existing 30t Race Face narrow wide chainring.

The results are that the new setup works well, shifts well, but still has some noise backpedaling in 11 and 13. No noise really riding forward and backpedal doesnt derail chain chain just catches on teeth a little or rube the outside of the next biggest cog. My opinion is that it is due to the chainline and I cant fix it but will have to live with it.

The shifting is way better than the E13 cog. No long b screw needed. The 16t works. Nice thing is that the cogs work with both Sram and Shimano cassettes.

The E13 42 tooth cog was bad but the Sram cassette was fine. I have the same action in 11 and 13 tooth cogs I had on the Shimano Cassette. Take the chain off and cassette freewheels fine by itself. So unless I alter the chainline thats what I get- but moving the chainline outwards would probably ruin the good shifting/backpedaling in the big cogs (36-42) and maybe even wear the 42t cog too quickly.

The long cage was a must for my bike. Med cage meant too slack a chain in small cogs and a 30t chainring. I would have had to use a 34t minimum to make a med cage work. Or buy a hardtail- chain growth happens with a fully the med cage gets locked out.
These conversions are all custom jobbers so we will see what happens. Maybe the whole thing will fix itself after riding and drivetrain sync happens.

If I cant get good results I am going 11 speed. Meaning when I change the chain next if the One Up 42t cog skips I am done experimenting.

Maybe I  am just grumpy- the Tour Divide, the gift that keeps on giving- swallowed some more dough from me yesterday. Wore my brand new Fox fork out in 2000 miles (now has 3500 but didnt understand what was wrong). Just realized it last night (not a bad front brake- shot fork bushings) as I was about to install my almost 4th complete drivetrain of the season? I lost or broke so much stuff in TD/CTR its crazy.

I think my point is why dilute the thing with stories about cheating?  I can buy the book to support the cause. But I dont like the fact there are 2014 finishers who didnt actually finish THE RACE. They for sure toured the route, but that is not what bikepack racing is about, a ribbon for everyone even if you bent the rules kind of mentality. Racers should not have to learn to coexist with these chumps. They should be DQed plain and simple. Like Nate Gallion in 2010 CTR. Self relegation has become a joke- gentlemans sport??? Please.

Well I dont think the results should be omitted from the book. But I understand why. I finished like 29th? Within a few finishing spots of me, racers skipped the CDT, new route from Basin to Butte and Brooks Lake Lodge Road. Every racer who skipped a section acts like they finished the "race". I heard of other moves too, like skipping Red Meadow Pass or taking the highway to skip Richmond Peak, but I dont think those racers "finished" or they had been relegated already. One racer who skipped a section claimed he was out of food. That same guy broke his frame mid race and had a bike shop owner deliver a frame to him in Silverthorne and assemble his bike in a hotel room. Same guy begged private homeowners for food and lodging nearly every day of the race. Impressive display of sportmanship out there this year. Only 2 of about 15 racers near me who violated rules actually relegated themselves.

One could voice an objection, but I think not contributing to The Cordillera as a silent protest is just as effective. I could post a story about the 2014 race, but it wouldnt be a true account as I would have to out some cheaters or write fiction. Notice how I never post a race recap or blog report? Think about it. Cheating is widespread in these events. A real recap of the event would include all the cheating I see. So I never write one because I dont want to have a negative memory of the event.

edit- Upon reflection I will say that I saw no funny stuff in this years CTR. So maybe things are improving somewhat. My opinion is not meant to offend the race organizer(s) either. No ill will there I blame the individuals who put the race directors in such uncomfortable positions of having to make relegation decisions because racers wont self-relegate.

I have dialed the weight down to under 8 lbs for racing. It worked, but there are trade offs to carrying nothing. You are faster, but the lack of clothing and sleep kit means you have to keep moving way more. Old habits have to die hard.

For touring too much weight can cause injury IMO. Over 20lbs is tough work.

I think HOW you carry the gear can be more important, as well as bulk (size) issues. No one way is best. It depends on the individual to find the right setup. I tried Kurt Refsniders setup in 2014 AZT300 for a ride one day. It sucked!!! But he just killed it with that pack/bag setup. I thought maybe he had some secret I had to try. It made me realize my own research/experience mattered for ME way more than copying Kurts kit.

I will ship the wheelset for free if someone is interested at $250. Same with the Syncros seatpost at $70.

pix of some of the items.

Bump. Lowered all prices.

I had at least .5%
I also think I have some cassette wear in low gears possibly, or Sram just sucks. If it is wear I am thinking medium cage derailleurs are tough on these drivetrains as chainwrap becomes an issue in small rear cogs. I ordered a long cage type 2 derailleur and if I go 11/42 cassette again its gonna be an 11/36 XT with a 42 tooth cog from One Up or Wolftooth.

I thought the 42t cog worked well. I swapped a new chain for the used chain and the cog skips under load. I havent tried to swap the front chainring yet to see if it is worn out too, but it seems okay climbing in 30/36 and my last race face narrow wide chainring lasted the whole TD.

Rick have you changed chains yet?

I am back to 30t with just a 11/36 cassette. E13 42t cog was a dismal failure. Worn after 575 miles (CTR plus tune up ride). I am pretty bummed

??

I may try the Wolftooth or One Up 42t cog. Or I may just stick to the stock 1x10  with 30/36 as a granny gear. Or I may go 11 speed. I just dont like the idea of paying for 11 speed! Huge cash even at ebay prices.

In CTR I have to admit I used the 30/42 a lot. I also just walked a bunch after giving up in 30/36 and not shifting into 30/42. So I know I will miss the gear some.

I would also say that Sram 10sp 1070 cassettes sound tinny and lame compared to Shimano 9sp XT. YMMV

I've never heard of such a thing?! But a little bit of google and I'm intrigued. I just can't envision what it would look like to replace the 17t ring with a huge 42t.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=e13%2042t%20cog&sprefix=e13+42%2Caps%2C719


This is like what I have. There are other brands like Wolftooth and One Up. Makes a 11/36 cassette into  a 11/42.