Mark, once again, the Triple Crown - what an absolutely amazing accomplishment!

The ability to pace yourself through such a world class season requires so much ability as an ultra-racer, but, at the same time, is so much more about a level of diligence, patience, and persistence that most people can't even comprehend. I honestly think you must keep more world class balls in reserve just to deal with the unexpected, than most racers will ever have.

You are not an exception to this feat, dude, you are the freakin' RULE!!!

Congratulations on the CTR finish and especially the Triple, Mark!

In view of Mark's failing brakes, I was going to suggest that he ride down backwards, and pedal to slow down. But he seems do be doing fine on the downhill.

Rear brake dead
Front failing
Still in sec 26
May end up walking???
Lame

Hang in their Mark!

Remember how your strap broke during your trip through the GC in the AZT750 of 2012, and you had to carry everything, including your bike, in your arms? I don't know how many people know that, but friends of mine saw you on your death march up to the N Rim. If you can do that, you can surely ride without brakes. You shouldn't be using them anyway! The object is to GO, GO, GO, not stop!

Go, Mark!

TD14: Cjell Money called in from Breckenridge to say his TD14 ITT is done.

Oh, crap.

I have Cjell right about 9 hrs ahead of Dave Wilson's recent nobo SS pace through Breckenridge. Just for example ...

Mr Money rode from his home to the border, then started his north bound run. I only wish his tracker had been reset as I am not sure where he is on his time and speed.

I just click on the first spot after he left AW nobo. 5:14:47 ago, as of this wrting, and as he's rolling into Salida, which by the comparisons I've made with others over the same distance in both directions, is samokin'!

Just incredible that he chooses to ride to this ride, and at the pace he does. The man definitely has a style all his own. 

Looks like Michelle finished, took her pink balloon, and went home.

So impressed by the women of the tour.

No kidding. I've been watching Michelle's progress every day. She must be having a wonderful time. Living large on the Divide. Very inspirational.

Cjell == One man show.  Amaazing!

If I could see results from prior years, I could relate this tale more accurately. But I'm sure someone can fill in the blanks. A couple of years ago (?), a NOBO arrived at the border, looking and smelling pretty much like the dirtbag you'd expect. And under cross-examination by the Kanadian Gestapo, was asked if he was concealing anything on his person, to which he replied, something to the effect, "Nothing except perhaps a pound of chamois butter up my butt." And they still let him through!

I was wondering what sort of sarcastic remark I might come up with if I'd been in Jill's situation on her first attempt to cross the border, and, "OK, fine! I'll go ride in the REAL France!", immediately came to mind.

(is this mike on?)

From her blog http://allthingsepicwithjill.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/sitting-duck-in-fernie.html

So, does this mean that, to some extent, her decision making is being necessarily influenced by the time constraints put on her by the Kanadian Border guards?

Tricia Toth needs to slow down. Not only because she's from my hometown, and I was hoping for a chance to bump into her while I'm up in the Brazos area for a NMES epic race, but also because the latest word is that recent rain has made the section of 87 to the climb up to Brazos Ridge so muddy that the locals are considering a course change, depending upon how much more rain comes tomorrow. Nobody needs that after 2000+ miles, but welcome to NM.

Move back behind the sign, ladies! No outside support!

Is there any info out there (other than SPOT data) on Laura Hamm's current situation?

4:30am : Jill's in, and on course!!! 

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

There is no way Jill is leaving that border except northbound.

Wow. What a nightmare for Jill.

There really are only 2 rules:

1 - follow the course as described on the TD website.  A GPS file is provided free of charge.

2 - do it all yourself, using commercial businesses only.

All the rest of the "rules" are just clarifications and guidance brought about by folks wanting to know how much wiggle room they can use and still be in the Tour Divide, i.e. you can accept outside shelter like a barn or garage, but not indoor rooms; you can accept water but not food.  For those who want to know whether a guy selling tortillas out of his car is "legal", the answer is "What do you want your race experience to be?"

This reminds me of a Mark Twain quote:

"Truth is mighty and will prevail. There is nothing wrong with this, except that it ain't so."

I have followed this (these) discussion(s) for a couple of years with no motive except a desire to understand, and have not seen a single instance where anyone, no matter how adamant about following the rules, has not, at some point, fallen back upon the reality of the need for interpretation.

Deviation from the assigned route is one thing, but otherwise, who should be culled from the race, is no more glaringly obvious than the infraction that their guilty of. And if there's one thing I have not seen in these discussions, it's a willingness to throw the first stone, and I don't doubt for a moment why that is. On the other hand, if the way you really feel is really that obvious to you, then don't just roll your eyes, or tsk, tsk, tsk, DQ them. Every rider, every instance, as soon as it comes to light. You will either stop the loose interpretations, or more likely, the public accounting of them. And the reason why I don't foresee this happening is the same reason that the problem exists in the first place - human nature.

Laura's apparent detour is perplexing enough that it's a relief to see her SPOT back on course. Hope everything is ok there. Would be nice to hear her call in.