Winds swinging to the WNW tomorrow at Salida, so maybe they'll get a break and a bit of a tailwind.

Wow, it's blowing 21 gusting to 34mph at Breckenridge - even at climbing speeds, that's got to be a drag.

So Erik lives in Steamboat Springs, elev 6700'; will he have an advantage over Blaine and Matthew in the high country of CO? Now that he's caught up Blaine, and within 60 miles of Matthew, this is getting interesting again!

Blaine just rolled into Rawlins - he must be feeling good as he appears to have taken a good chunk out of ML's big lead.

There are several bike shops in Jackson, maybe he got a lift for repairs. On the other hand, there's a shop (maybe only rental?) in Moose, and he just blew through there!

The race has become big enough in terms of participation that maybe in the future there should be consideration of setting up an impartial referee or panel of refs (not participating in the race) to weigh in on any DQ decisions, so an organizer/racer like Matthew is not put in the awkward position of having to make a ruling. The ref could make a quick ruling and get word to the affected racer so he or she would know where they stand right away...

So did John Nobile start yesterday? Does he have a SPOT?

Wow, Matt should be in Boulder about an hour under the record pace, and with a 110 mile lead. Incredible considering how behind the pace he was after the muddy bit...

Dropped something or forgot something where he stopped to eat is my guess. When you're carrying so few things, it's hard to leave stuff behind. Esp if it was a jacket or leg warmer or glasses.

Looks like he missed the turn and had to go back to it.

Looks like Erik is about to pass Eric - will they ride together?

Matthew and Blaine appear to be sleeping in after their late-nighter's (assuming Blaine has stopped, and turned off his SPOT - but maybe he's gone stealth too!).

A chilly night (around 30 degree F forecasted low in Island Park) - many of the frontrunners appear to be roughing it tonite. Hope they're equipped for it...

ML's trucking - is he shooting for Flagg Ranch tonight?

Will Blaine make it through the muck to Lima today?

Stay tuned!

Bummer. Can you get overnite delivery (USPS? UPS?) in such an out of the way spot (Lima)? It is on an Interstate, at least.

Or maybe get a ride to Dillon, where according to Google there is a bike shop? Is that allowed, assuming he eventually gets back to his original departure point and resumes by bike?

A couple of new derailleurs and a new chain should be about thirty minutes if there's a bike shop in town, so hopefully Erik will be back on the road quickly. (Assuming nothing more serious is broken).

Are the race roads/trails back around Butte and Helena (ie, where the main pack is) solid enough that the folks behind Matthew and Eric will be closing on them, or will they be having just as much trouble covering the ground in between, given it sounds like they've had just as much rain?

Matthew was asked about water procurement at a screening of the Ride the Divide film here in Carrboro, NC, a week before he left for Banff. He said he preferred to get water from proper sources along the way (ie, tap water), and avoided taking it from streams. If forced to use stream water, he treats it with pills, and does not carry a filter (he feels using them is dangerous, as they are difficult to keep from contaminating with the very water they are being used to filter).

At the moment, I'm wondering where he is - looks like he's turned off his SPOT again. And forward progress will be painful the next few days at least, with the mudfest that is sure to ensue.

Hang in there racers!

Looks like there's a glitch (entry error?) in the split chart - Matthew's moving fast, but I don't think he's in Lima yet!

Go Matthew! He told us he wanted to do 180 or so the first day, and put some space between himself and everyone else, so I guess he's done both.

I think the old vet wants to set that record before he retires .

All the best to all the racers, from Carrboro, NC.