Yes, Koko route is slower than the previous.  Personally, I don’t think it is so much the actual time difference of the routes but the toll that the hike up Koko takes on the body and potnetial for achilles and knee issues.  I like Koko a lot but do miss comparing times over a comparible course.  However, that isn’t the end all be all of this race by any means.
How do we compare current runs to Mike’s record?  We don’t.  We know he was the most amazing rider to ever touch this course.

So, this all being said, shouldn't there be a new course record for the route as to include KoKo?

I bought an "Ultimate Direction" Marathon vest. It has capacity for more calories than I can imaging ever needing between resupply. The back has a sleeve that would fit a small C-back bladder. There is also a pocket outside of that that would fit a light raincoat, a bunch of calories or whatever. The front is also very efficient, water-bottle on one side, a phone/Spot pocket and more. It really is a huge problem solver. And again it weighs literally ounces (4.9)


https://www.runningwarehouse.com/UD_Marathon_Vest/descpage-UDMARV1.html?from=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2JWg9qD_2wIVGKvsCh3XswKEEAQYASABEgKsBvD_BwE

Here's my opinion. I started in 2014, a few bad snow and rain days for the first 4-5 days. I went our in Seely lake with Achilles problems.

My strategy was no backpack. I wound up picking up a Camelbak in Whitefish. I simply couldn't carry enough food.  Being a rookie, I had missed leaving room for food in my gear. I figured it would "just work out." The pushes between supplies varies greatly and you need varied capacity for food and water.

I do plan on a redemption run. I have since started using an ultra running vest. It weighs NOTHING yet has enough capacity to really load up when necessary. For me, it was a perfect solution.

Best of luck.

You ain’t kidding. He loves the bonus miles for sure.

It appears Mark is either lost or pulling the plug. His dot is shown as camping at either; the Helena Water Treatment Plant or the Comfort Suites hotel.

Dom already had to divert from the CDT in the Gila, and now will have to because of a fire in the Jemez. Nobody will have a pure red line route this year.

Hi Nat,

Did not realize that. The Nobo's get no respect...

Steve

Watching with interest some of these names I'm not familiar with. I have been looking at their personal sites and FB pages. There some extremely accomplished riders/races putting in some long and blazing fast days. Dom, the NB'er has an interesting history of cycling and some significant records.

How does going North play into race wins and any record runs. Also, I am assuming he will be the only one to ride the entire route due to fires. If summer monsoons start and help with fires/closures, maybe??

Wow, I have no words. Just incredible human endurance and persistence.

Caletti Ti frame, considered large. I'm 6'0" 175. Lauf, trail racer Boost. Roval Control SL wheels. SRM power meter, Specialized- "Cobl-Goblr" seat post. Son 28 hub.

Bike is extraordinarily comfortable.   www.caletticycles.com

Have two complete bikepacking bag set-ups. One is traditional frame-bag, seat bag (Wheelright) the other is Carbon Tailfin, with bag and a partial frame bag. Sweetroll included, 2 feed bags as well. Tires are a 2.3 Control Fast-Trak front and a 2.3 Control Renegade in the rear. XTR brakes. Will include electronics cache battery as well. Its a K-lite system. No light included.

2700.00. Bike cost 10K to build.

 

I had an unsuccessful 2014 run. As you say, it isn't terrible technical (at all) no jumps or drops. However, I came home with a cracked 2014 S-Works Epic. Have no idea when or where it happened. I suppose it could have happened on the bikes trip home?

High frequency vibration is the biggest thing I wasn't really prepared for. (other than the 2014 weather)

Looks like Ashley is in Silver City. I'll likely miss his finish but Geeez, What a feat!!

Congratulations.

Without much fanfare, previous Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson rode the TD this year. He was listed as an alienator finisher but he claimed foul for some reason. In any case, thats a politician I can stand behind.

I can certainly understand the desire to go keep or "go back" to underground status. However, I think movies, books, iTunes
and all the other things that are more profit motivated have done FAR more to "mainstream" both bike packing AND the TD have than Facebook pages that are more result of the aforementioned than the cause. This Genie, isn't going back in the bottle.

Hi Mark.

I assure you this state isn't as you saw. I have ridden, bikepacked all over Arizona and have never been treated like you say. There is some California attitude showing up but Arizona, specially small town Arizona, has been welcoming and always interested in guys on bike rigs.

I humbly apologize for the way you were treated in my home state.

Steve

Congratulations To Mark Caminiti. What is this? 5? Wow. 

AZ DOT publishes a study every year on all sorts of traffic accident including bicycles.  It is about 50 pages of accident statistics and they do break out bicycles.  They look at it from every angle.  The worst times for accidents is commute hours.  Urban areas are much less safe than rural.  The worst day and time is Saturdays early in the evening.  Holidays such as Forth of July, Labor Day and Memorial Day also have spikes.  This matches my experience closely.  Since I moved to Phoenix my road bike is used very little.  I spend my time on the Fargo and fat bike avoiding streets as much as possible.  After several close calls with 80 year old snowbirds in their mega RVs I am touring off road more these days.  Maricopa County had just under 1,000 accidents involving bicycles in 2015, that is enough to make a coward out of anyone.

Hi Dave,
I live in Phoenix as well (Northwest Peoria). I ride my road bike a ton. I ride (mostly) Lake Pleasant parkway/Wickenburg. I agree that the Arizona roadways are insanely dangerous. The area I ride is almost at the edge of town. I fear for only a few miles until I get out to Wildhorse West. From there, its safe, open and the shoulder is a full lane wide. don't give up!! there are plenty of places to ride safely.

Interesting, I was looking at the Mega-Tracker. It looks as though there will be racers from the front of the TD and American Trail race converging on the common route "about" the same time. That would be quite a conversation on the trail.

Wow what an absolutely awesome picture!! Thanks for posting that.

Brian Lucido's speed through the basin is impressive as compared to the chase group. He's built his lead continually. Must have a big engine.

Anybody else seeing what's happening in northwest WY and Togwotee Pass?  Things are starting to get interesting in the lead pack.  SM and BS are making their moves.

Just checked in on it. I think things are about to change some? Very interesting.

Just for giggles, I ran the leaderboard to "projections" Ben is on an 8:18 pace.

Looks like Rosemary and Lisa are getting close to the turnoff to the Whitefish divide avalanche chute area. Should be interesting to watch their speeds. I think it will give all the GD'rs for next week some valuable info. I did it in 2014 and between Whitefish and Red Meadow, it was probably 6-7 hours of walking. Last year my buddy DP rode and he said it was a clear and ridable route.

Hoping for a clear trail for everyone!