Turns out Connor O'Leary has quite a story to tell: http://theolearytheory.com/speaking/

Hi Nat,

Thats part of my intrigue with him. What an amazing young man. "Focus is a muscle" His story is truly inspiring.

Hi Brian, 
People were speculating about what it would take to beat Mike's record - seems to me that he had a fair bit of mud, plus headwinds in Wyoming. If a strong rider has a lot of good luck with the conditions, I'm sure a bit of time could be shaved off. At any rate, it's fun to watch Connor for now. Clearly a talented rider with a goal in mind!

That's right where I'm at. I am amazed at the human spirit. To willingly go out and subject ourselves to this, knowing full well how badly it is going to hurt. I felt really bad for Connor last year, he was hauling the mail and riding in the front when he got hurt.

I don't have a horse in this race, its the "what is possible" component of this that has me memorized.

Hey Nat,

I don't think there was any snow. Rain yes, lots. I spoke to a buddy whom scratched at Seely Lake. He told me he never had to get off and push through snow like we did in 2014.

I think Connor will have mud to deal with as he gets down towards you.

into Lima; Connor 4:05.23
                Hall     4:07.22

Unless I am reading something wrong, it looks like Connor is roughly 2 hours ahead of Mike Halls pace as he approaches Lima. Would love to see a ghost record marker thing.

You're correct. I have been really zeroed in on this since Sunday. Connor is ahead right now. He tends to get 5-6 hours off the bike every night, then makes up the time during the day. He must be riding exceptionally fast.

In my opinion, this is going to be the most watchable part of this years race, since JK withdrew.

A ghost would be amazing and would make having to do math on weigh points easier. Putting him up on the leaderboard would be even better.

Steve

Would putting up Mike Hall's ghost record be possible. Connor is tearing it up out there.

Thanks!

I just read that Yellowstone is being evacuated due to fear of the "Massive Volcano" eminent eruption? Any one else hear of this and will our portion of the there be effected?

Hahahahahahaha...
Thanks guys!!

I guess I'll look for an alternative for the spring months and then come back for the GD in june/july!

If you're a glutton for punishment, you might come down to Arizona and give the AZT a try. It isn't a series of forest service type stuff, mostly single track with a large helping of HAB. But, there are those that dig it. Even in April, down in the desert, winter can still be an issue. The route does go completely across northern Arizona and snow can be in issue. Oh, you get to carry your bike through the Grand Canyon as a bonus.

Well now that's rich, I don't even see him at ALL! I'll bet his batteries died on his spot tracker. Initials are DP, last seen as 46 miles from the border, on the Canadian side.

If you scroll on his name on the roster on the right, his dot will bounce. His dot is hiding behind others camped at Wigwam

Hey there! This is David Phillips's wife, I'm seeing he hasn't "pinged" for about 50 minutes and I'm getting a little worried. He is about 45-40 miles north of the Canadian/US border, any advice?

Never mind...just pinged. Oh Lord Keep everyone SAFE! Damn, wives have to worry! But it's all awesome.

Hi, It's Steve. Im certain he's camping at Wigwam. Thats right where his dot is. Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine. PM coming

My hubby is David Phillips, DP, and he is a rookie! Our son and I drew these yesterday and today!

Hi, It's Steve. I'm watching all the festivities and am riding vicariously with David. Awesome pictures!

This pace is astounding. I'm curious as to what the consensus of the forum is as to what is actually possible on this route. A perfect run, no weather impediments, no significant mechanicals, the top guys, 12 days? lower?

Those Nobo' dudes are doing some miles!! well done.

...and they're OFF!! Looked like a swarm of bees on Trackleaders at the YMCA.

Go DP!! Sending warm vibes from the sunny AZ deserts.

I received a text from David from the start. He forgot his down jacket in Phoenix and had to go buy one before getting on route. He'll be fine. Sparwood first night, Eureka night two.

I must start with the following:  The winners of these Ultra/Bikepacking events [races] are very very capable/strong/fit riders.  No question.

Ultra racing has grown to become a passion of mine and I fully support all those that give it a go no matter their individual goals. 

Here is my take:  Without a mandated 4 hour [or 6 hour, for example] contiguous stop during each 24hr period - these races can become as much about sleep dep. than anything else.   I believe RAAM mandates a 1 hr stop [which is a joke] per 24 hr period - this came to be following the death of a rider a few years back whom fell asleep and crossed the yellow line and into a vehicle.

Lets be honest, 4 hours is NOT that much and does allow for an ultra event to remain "ultra".  It adds to the safety of the event and diminishes a bit of the high stress on the body [read as - "at tad more healthy and sustainable behavior"].  In the end this is a cycling sport right?  This does not eliminate the necessity to be prompt/swift with your stops during a day.   

Should we not be as impressed by a riders 20hr moving average speed versus a rider who basically rode through the night gaining 4 hrs on the other? 

IMHO I have a lot more respect for the guys and gals that take a small rest say 4-6hrs and then can drop the hammer the next day.  Though these "lengthy" stops all but ruin their chance at a top finish.  Its healthier.  The mandated stopping would - I believe - bring more folks into our beloved sport.   

I feel this allows for a clearer distinction that the strongest bike rider would win the event and not the person who jammed caffeine and just "kept moving".

The 2016 Tour Aotearoa had a 6 hour mandated stop.  It added to the strategy and planning quite a bit....if there is not enough of this in our sport already - BUT it was, dare I say more FUN with these rest periods.

See you on the trail,

C Wellington

Hi CW,

first, articulately stated and your point is well taken. I don't have any real objection to the way it is now, however I don't disagree with what you propose either. The change will occur once this young sport reaches the level to where it becomes "not underground" any longer. Who would do the checking that everyone met their rest goals? I see complications but if it were to become sanctioned at some level, that can be handled by said body.

There are guys like me, who will go out and ride 14-16 hours and call it a day. I fall under the serious but recreational guy. The guys that can ride for longer than 24 hours are just made and wired different. I never will and won't pretend to be that level.

To underline your point, imagine what the Tour de France would look like if they could just continue on if they so chose to? Different game with different rules but to your point, someone would just ride 2-3 stages nonstop and drill the whole field.

Great topic, thanks for posting it. Took some guts.

Great start today. Alex Harris has been in and out of the lead on the 300. He's less than .5 miles behind, chasing Hunter Keating. This could be interesting.

Hi Kiwi,

Thats an interesting subject. What I am finding is that there isn't the range I expected. Just started riding the loaded the bike. There are climbs that I feel could use more gear. So, I could change the gearing for better climbing but I would reduce the already questionable bigger gear for the flatter sections. Right now, I'm geared out at about 23-24 MPH. I run 170mm cranks arms that also give it a better climbing gear. The shorter arms are better for hips (illiacus & illium) and knees, anyway.

I've gotten much stronger with the program I'm on so I don't foresee any issues by my August 19 ITT.

Hope that helps.

Steve

I just saw Alex Harris' name on Trackleaders for the 750. Wonder if he's going for a triple this year. anyone know?

Great topic.

I ran a standard "Derailleur Bike" in 2014. Had lots of troubles in the mud. I decided to ride a Rohloff/Gates Carbon Drive bike in my redemption run this year. My gearing is 46/22, I just started riding it, may want more gear can't really tell yet. I was in the lowest gear several times on an unloaded bike. I still need to get comfortable with the "technique" required to seamlessly shift it.

I also put some cool things on the bike, SRM power meter, Cobl Gobl seat post. Also going with a Schmidt Son 28 hub, same as last attempt.

Extra large dish washing gloves over my gloves worked an absolute treat for me last year. Well, until I lost one on a descent in the Flathead! Do you think I could find XL gloves in any supermarket in the US after that? Do guys have small hands in the US or just not do any washing up?

Also, if you don't know who Guy Martin is have a watch of this. https://youtu.be/oXwyhMunrXY and this https://vimeo.com/109761230
A funny, complex individual who I am sure will relish the challenge of the TD. I just worry what the inevitable exposure might do for the race. I am all for more people cycling but the wider the exposure the TD gets, more people who don't get the ethics of the challenge will be attracted.

Good luck to all of this years challengers. May your training and gear fussing go smoothly!

Funny stuff on the dishwashing gloves. I raced in 2014, the year of the "rain and snow." Gloves were a really big deal. Waterproof gloves? Ha, what a joke (for the most part). I was in Eureka re-suppling, I saw these long rubber over cleaning gloves in the grocery store. I bought them, they actually worked well. Plus, I was ready to clean the odd over if it became necessary.

On the raincoat, I had the Gore bike wear one. It worked good but as reported in the feedback, it is impossible to zip and unzip with one hand. Sounds like no biggy but as many times as you need to adjust it for ventilation, it required a stop. In a deluge, you're going to get wet. riding as the cliche goes "wet and warm" needs to be achievable.

Feet, I used Woolie Boolie socks and the gore tex sock covers. Again, feet were wet but never cold. The Woolie Boolie socks proved so comfortable, I bought enough to wear them every day of my life. I'm in Phoenix, wear them summer-winter, great product.