Excellent!
I have hiked in some of that area and would love to ride there some day too.  I'll look forward to the maps.

Very cool!
Thanks for all the photos.

Cool!
Thanks for posting that.

There seems to be a number of more "mature" riders interested in the TD, (myself included).  
Perhaps there could be a separate start a week or so after The Grand Depart for the more mature crowd, - "The Grand Defart"

Great story and photos.
Thanks!

Here's an idea...start another thread and discuss IV therapy and other tangential issues there.  I'm tired of having to read through all those friggin' posts in this thread..the TD '13 Race Discussion thread.  And I don't mean family perspectives/comments, etc.  I love that stuff.

Ya dig???

I was thinking the same thing Kramer.  While it is an important and worthwhile topic, it is taking away from the race discussion.  I apologize to the forum for my participation in taking this thread off topic.

The point about the TD is that it is unregulated and it is pointless trying to enforce regulations that don't exist. As regards this IV episode, if there was one, it took place outside the race and so did not break the self-supported rule.

Not everyone would agree with you about the history of cycling. I think the recent history is one of fake moral categories and sordid moral posturing attended by mass hypocrisy. The war on drugs will never be won. We would be better off without it.

I wasn't attempting to enforce anything.  I was offering an opinion - nothing more.

And the culture of doping in professional cycling goes back decades, long before any of the more recent higher profile incidents.
The "war on drugs" takes on a much broader context than just racing clean.  I agree that the "war on drugs" will never be completely won.  That being said, I'm not in favor of just looking the other way when it comes to competitive sport.

Due to cycling's sordid and well publicized history with drugs and other dishonorable attempts at performance enhancement, some of us are hypersensitive.  I admit that I am.

Yet if cycling's reputation is ever to be repaired, hypersensitivity is necessary IMO, particularly from those of us within the cycling community.

  

Those riding the Divide.

You're probably right - they're too busy pedaling! Hah!

Congrats to the finishers!

I do not get the impression that many riders follow this forum.

When you say "riders" do you mean racers?

I don't think there are many forum members who are not riders at some level.  I can't imagine there are too many people willing to read this stuff if they don't actually ride.

IV Guy's post was not a hoax. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Standby-Hydration-Therapy/534440156600883 is full of cheering for Eric, and Eric lists them as a sponsor on his tracking page.

I'm not sure why everyone is in a twist about it, the only questionable thing I see is the advertising in his post, otherwise he's super supportive.

Go Eric! Go Forest! Both remaining triple crown riders will need an IV at antelope wells to accelerate the healing process. CTR comes extra early this year and starts with a bang.

The cycling world at large has already addressed this.

I realize that the TD is essentially an unregulated event, but the governing body for professional cycling (UCI) has a rule in place prohibiting the use of IV fluid replacement.  In the eyes of many riders and fans, and in consideration of the rules governing professional cycling, the use of IV's is cheating.  Perhaps this is why many here are in a twist about it.

Not enough money for a map?  Seriously?

Somehow I get visions of Alexander Supertramp.

In reply to Randomlurker's post on Hydration: Wow, you are correct! Somewhat...lol.  All of these riders could benefit from IV therapy with the day to day rigors they are putting themselves through; and if there is a stomach virus on top of that, it is crucial that these athletes do something for their Hydration levels just to keep them from ending up in the hospital. I am one of two owners of Standby Hydration Therapy out of Arizona and Eric Foster is one of my riders!! Eric is an intense individual and a top competitor; he understands the importance of hydration when it comes to performance, recovery from one endurance race, and the rehabilitation to be ready for the next (Triple Crown Prospect right??). This is why we have put in place a plan to provide therapy for Eric before every race and after every race. Oh and guess what?  Robin Schartz may understand the importance of being hydrated going into an Ultra race such as this too... Standby Hydration Therapy and The IV Guys stand behind both of these top level athletes and plan on seeing them in Antelope Wells!!  I congratulate every athlete that started this adventure on June 14! So, Max and any other athletes returning home to AZ from the trail, give me a call directly to schedule your therapy session before heading down to Tucson 208-514-6558. Anyone else interested in learning more about us, find and like us on Facebook... Ride On!!!

Lance Armstrong was BIG on IV therapy - just sayin'

Here's to hoping that the TD doesn't go that direction.

The Sawyer looks like a good option.  I'll remember that for next time I need to buy a new filter. 

I've been told that the filter will also thread right on to standard 500ml drinking water bottle or a collapsable Platypus bottle.

And it seems to me that firstneed or drinksafe filters are the way to go

thanks
d

Check out the Sawyer Squeeze filter - light and simple.
I have not used it myself, but I know of several people who have and they've been happy with it.

Thanks out to those of you who have taken the time to share photos in this thread.
It's really cool to see the riders using their various setups in an actual race. 

Hi,
Where I'm from we don't need to boil water from streams/bores/springs. Ok, if I'm to get water from a dam or a river beneath where cattle are grazing i'd be sure to boil/treat it.

I keep hearing people talking about water treatment on this forum.  Will I need to filter/treat water from streams/springs, etc. when ring trails i Colorado, Utah, etc?  I'm thinking of riding the Colorado Trail and some other areas around the Rockies and midwest.

And it seems to me that firstneed or drinksafe filters are the way to go

thanks
d

Many people never treat the water they drink, but the risk of contaminated water definitely exists. 
Filtering or chemical treatments are just cheap insurance IMO.

FYI, Giardia can be transmitted from beaver, deer and elk too, not just cattle.

I know most of the ultra-ultra-lighters will just chime in here and tell me to bring iodine or something, but I am pretty picky about water and would much rather filter out the sediment as well. My MSR mini works has disappeared and I need a new filter. Anything better/lighter weight these days for week long trips? Im doing the C&O trail to the Great Allegheny Passage (Washington DC to Pittsburgh) with the girlfriend, then flying straight out to Colorado to do the CTR in a few weeks and am debating the Katadyn offerings, MSR, etc......



What do you guys bring on 1-2 week solo bikepacking trips?

The Sawyer Squeeze has gained popularity with many backpackers -
http://www.sawyer.com/sawyersaves/products-squeeze.html

Sawyer also makes a gravity drip system thats easy to use.

I hate the taste of chemical treatments.

I've done both as well.