My prediction is a 9:23 pm finish time.  I have no idea what the podium will look like but the name of the bike that JayP is riding could be a sign.  I think he will dig deep and cross that finish line first, even if only by a sprint.  Kato deserves and award for his slow and steady gain over the past seven days.  

Dylan's position behind the leaders has dropped by a few miles each day but he will continue to race with Alex should the need arise.  For those who followed Dylan's progress behind JP in the AZT race you'll notice the man is an animal and needs very little rest even at the end of a  grueling multi-week challenge like this.  

Dylan is going for the Triple Crown Challenge this year to have his name added to that short list:

Kurt Sandiforth – 9:05:36 / 16:22:04 / 5:10:15 / Total 31:13:19 — CURRENT RECORD
Forest Baker (2013) –
Eric Foster (2013) – 10:11:15 / 23:11:50 / 6:23:00
Mark Caminiti (2014) –

To me the real factor towards the tail end of this race is sleep or lack of it.

I tend to agree that proper sleep management and powering through 2x or more their daily average in the last 48 hours of the race has proven a winning strategy in years of the TD that I've paid close attention. 

Kevin Jacobsen here.  Northbound GD single speed... am officially pulling out of TD 2015.

Kevin, watching you absolutely DESTROY the competition so far has been awesome!  So sorry to hear you're heading home.  I'll continue cheering our fellow Bozeman brother Dylan on as he stays up at the front of the SOBO pack. 

I just like how this looks as the excitement builds.

Looks like we'll have a winner in the very near future.

...I do expect to get a point on the rim from him.  It does seem like it's about or beyond time, though.

Thanks for your thoughts on that, Scott. 

The suspense has been killing me, but Dylan has entered the Canyon!  And I truly thought that JP would be out by now.  That hike up Bright Angel has got to be absolutely brutal but he's had 5.5 hours to travel 6.25 miles so perhaps he's just enjoying the scenery down there.  It's probably quite nice at the bottom of the Grand Canyon at this time of year. 

I expect we're going to see JP exit the Canyon just about the same time we see Dylan enter it.  And stoked to see Aaron, Josiah, and Robert all North of Flagstaff now. 

Just a hunch, but thinkin JP should almost to the north rim, or still taking a marathon nap on the south rim.

Yeah, what gives - does the SPOT not work down in the big hole or something?  Did he start hiking last night?  (*Edit - I see Scott clarified this in the previous post - thank you *) There's no way he's been hanging out at the trailhead since 11pm unless he's planning to start hiking late morning with the assumption that all he's going to have in him physically for the whole day is just the hike section.  I've been very intrigued on this for the past 12 hours I must say!  

Subsequently curious what timing Dylan will opt for as well since he's been at it for 18 or so hours straight.  A 24 mile hike is a big deal even when you DON'T have a bike strapped to your back!  

Dylan Taylor -- psyched to see my buddy staying strong and approaching the Big Hole.

Does anyone have any photos of him?

Kirk, soride catpure a photo of him at the start, but that's it.  Here it is:

...He’s heading back to Flagstaff for food...

Ouch, that's a 25 mile round trip for more grub. 

Last of the 750 riders is just about to finish the 300 section. 

No idea what's going on with AD as he travels backwards.

JP is approaching the big hole in the ground!

750 start pics - Jason Thorman/Dylan Taylor; Katherine Wallace/Spencer; Norb DeKerchove; and the start

Yay!  Thanks for sharing a photo of Dylan at the start!

I read Montana Miller's blog and he was going to ride his bike to the start.  I believe he lives in Colorado, so that's pretty boss.  That being said, anyone willing to carry their bike across the Grand Canyon is pretty badass though.  My homeboy Dylan Taylor is riding/hiking and he's who I'm rooting for. 

Bravo, Mr. Branham.  Spectacular showing. 

good morel picking where Bill is at. hopefully he tripped across some good spots he can let us know about.

Good hotsprings too.

Any idea if this was a tourer or TD'er?

I apologize for what a stereotyping response but the victim was on a bike with a step-through top tube, fenders, and was carrying a number of grocery bags.  The section of road it occurred on is frequented by bicyclists who can't afford automobiles and therefore must brave this dangerous section on their bikes.  Although my statement is purely speculative I expect the victim will prove to be someone in that category.  That paired with the fact that the location of the accident is around 70 miles from the nearest point of the Divide route makes that scenario highly unlikely.

Get 'er done, Sam and Katy!!!  And dig deep, Jefe!

...Btw shouldnt this topic be under Winther bikepacking

Ouch!  Good luck out there, riders!

U.P. to T.C. sounds awesome!