Way to go Lindsay!!!


Anyone have info on Lael?  Was that Spot unable to keep up with her?


Edit:  Nevermind, it has caught back up to her in Columbia Falls.  She's moving!

The Trackleader status for both Lael and Lindsay froze about the same time. 

As mentioned, Lael has been updated manually to Columbia Falls.

Lindsay has finished and is at home or on the way.  She took 7 days off of her time from last year.

Some Women!

Lindsay Shepard is about to finish the Sapillo segment.  She'll be done in less than 24hrs.  I think there's at least one other ITT out there besides Lindsay and Lael.

I'm touring southbound and just left Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish. Zack from the shop told us to watch out for Lael coming past us. So I can confirm she's attempting an ITT. I'm excited to see her and hope she has a safe ride and stays healthy on this one.
Mike G.

She's progressing South, according to Trackleaders.com

One earbud in, one earbud out works for me. Lighter, simpler, and no chance of disturbing anyone else.

+1
I cut one of the earbuds off.  Lighter.  Maybe less power consumption?

Hi all,

Do any TD vets or New Mexico residents have any thoughts on how feasible it is to ride from El Paso to Antelope Wells? Looks like the road parallels the Mexican border - are there any genuine risks to riding so close to the border? I'm asking due to planning a NoBo ride next year and flying in from the UK. El Paso to AW with an overnighter at Columbus seems like a good prologue prior to starting NoBo.

Thanks for any info!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Riding directly across NM 9 from El Paso to Hachita is 30 miles shorter than via I-10.  (about 130 vs 160 mi).  I'd consider it pretty safe.  It's near the border and various types of smuggling activity but there are probably more Border Patrol out there that other humans.  You may not see them, but they're there.  Mostly, the smugglers avoid any contact.  I would probably make sure I camped in Columbus rather than out in between.  

Columbus has minimal resupply stuff but you can get water and basic groceries.  If you go I-10, you would have Deming as a resupply.  Also along I-10, there's a rest area on both sides of the highway near the continental divide.  The one on the south side is about 5 miles from the exit for Hwy 146 which runs down to Hachita.  From that rest area the frontage road runs over to 146, so you could avoid a little interstate trave.  At Deming, you have the option of dropping South to Columbus and then over on 9 to Hachita.

Does that not send a huge swath of darkness off behind your tire? I haven't tried that yet because I feared it would leave a large section of the road unlit, but perhaps I'm wrong.

I have mine on the mid fork eyelet.  It casts a shadow from the tire, but not more than a couple of feet out.  Doesn't interfere with the distance visibility you need.

I've used a lot of different setups. basicly, combining a yak with backrollers is possible, you can haul allot of stuff, in my example the needs for 2 persons on one trip.

Usually I use or a set of backrollers (4 ) for me and a set of 2+2 for my wife, or my bob yak for smaller trips. For trips with the Brompton or fuel ex I use a set of handlebar/sadle bags.

When my wife cant ride with her bags I take the yak as an extra platform.

What's a backroller?

These two things really don't seem to play together. I just got a new B&M headlight and am absolutely loving it. But then I realized it gets completely squished by my Revelate bar bag.

If I put the headlight on the handlebars, then it can't shine on the ground. If I put it on the crown like I have it now, then the bar bag pushes it down. Right now I have a large velcro strap around the bag squeezing it in the middle like a corset to try to keep it off the light, but I doubt it will hold as things settle in the bag and I go over bumps.

I have seen suggestions to attach it to the fork next to the wheel, but I fear that then it will throw huge shadows off to one side where the wheel blocks it.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks!

I had the same problem on Tour Divide this year and ended up using two straps, dividing the bag into maybe thirds.  It worked well.  I had my sleeping kit and rain gear in the bag.  Just had to loosen the straps when packing or unpacking.  The straps really helped to stabilize the bag.

Looks like Mike Ingram finished about 7:08 pm.  Still time for a shower, dinner and a beer.  Nice Job, Mike!

As of 10:30 Saturday morning, looks like Mike Ingram has made Elkford, perhaps push on to Banff yet today? Lindsay Shepard looks to be climbing Flathead right now. Both fellow Arizonan's!!

I think they were both in Sparwood at the same time but managed to not cross paths.

I see that Arizonan, NoBo Mike Ingram, made it to Butts Cabin tonight.  Elkford and beyond tomorrow?  Finish on Sunday sometime?

Another Arizonan, SoBo Lindsay Shepard, should be launching from Banff tomorrow.  She and Mike should run into each other around Elkford tomorrow.  Don't know how they can avoid it.

Krampus Snail, I'm envious of you being there.  My wife and I got to chill there for a few days on our way back home after the race.  Sitting at the edge of the lake with a Holland Lake Breeze in hand is perfect post-TD relaxation.  Love that place.  The wonderful young gal there that asked me for my autograph, I think that meant more to me than it will to anyone else.  Happy trails Krampus!


Best of luck to you remaining NoBo folks.  Stick to it!
Also, to you ITT folks setting out, have a marvelous time.

Sounds magical, sorry I missed it.  Seeley Lake seemed like it would be a mellow place to hang out for a couple of days, on the times I stopped in to resupply.
Maybe some day.

The last of the "racers" has arrived to Ovando.  21 year old NOBO Norman Jolly of Texas arrived around 3:30 pm with only about 550 more miles left on his adventure.  He is NOBO #3 and there are no-mo-nobo behind him.  So the race is officially over for us in Ovando, MT for this year.

Norman is looking really good despite breaking a rib just before starting out on the race last month.  His cousin Travis was joining him in the epic journey only to be punched out with dehydration soon after starting.  So Norm continued on his own; slowly, allowing his rib to heal along the way.  Hence the lack of huge miles every day.  But he says it is feeling better every day.

And Mike Ingram if you read this; slow down!!!  Norman is trying to catch up with you.   After he finishes his ice cream.

Folks it has, as always, been a real treat and experience to join you on this forum and to join you riders vicariously on your incredible journey.  We still get a lot of riders coming into town daily [currently our shelters are full with folks cycling every which way]; but the thrill of the race will be missed.  Until 2016!

And Eszter!  Someone is actually trying to make your photo booth idea a reality for next year.  HA!  We'll see if it happens.

To TDR 2016!
Carry on.

Thanks to you, Angler, and all of Ovando for the support each year.

I know of at least one more SoBo ITT that will be coming through in 10 days or so.

Lindsay Shepard will launch from Banff on this coming Friday, the 17th.  She's a student at Arizona State and had to attend an archaeology dig camp while we were enjoying the main body of TD.

Lindsay raced last year and finished in 30 days or so, I think.  This year, her goal is 20 days and I'm betting she'll do it.

I'll be watching her SPOT and cheering her on.  Don't know what the late start bodes for her as to weather, water availability, etc.

Thanks,

Jeff Taylor here; seems like my SPOT although seemingly active, was not tracking my progress for the final leg of the trip NOBO. Looking to sort that out with SPOT/Matt. Finished on July 13 at 6:28.10 PM. Congrats to all the riders who took on the challenge of the TDR 2015. Jeff

Congrats, for sure.

Thank you Bill.
I guess I'm a better dot than a watcher

I can't imagine your being a better watcher than dot.

Are all of our grand depart racers done?

SoBo, maybe.  But, I know Mike Ingram is out there still, NoBo.  Maybe others?

Same here Dave, worst case stick a whole 26" or 29" wheel in.

Orange Peel and Absolute are pretty complete shops.

I have a used but in perfect condition Revelate large pocket. Older style.  No mesh pocket on outside $25 obo
Also a Bar Fly Bags Jones bar bag.  Fits inside the loop around 2 1/2" thick. Mounted and I put the mail in it twice, otherwise as new. $40 obo

Does the Jones bar bag fit inside of the 'loop'? 
Does this price include shipping?
How to pay?
Thanks

among others ... it looks like Hal Russell finished a little after 2 this morning.  Followed shortly by Jen Marsh a little after 5 am.  Both beating the 30 day mark.

Great job, Hal.  Chalk one up for the Old Guys!

The water source is a solar powered pump filling a cow trough on the LH side of the rode. It's pretty easy to spot and is maybe 20 or 25 yards off of the road. There are no "No trespassing" signs on the property.

It's truly solar driven.  There's no battery buffer for dark time, so only water in daylight.  When it's pumping, it's cold sweet ground water.  I guess, at night, you could still get some out of the trough but it won't be as good.