Sounds like a bunch of pretentious bullshit to me.

Man, Jefe must really be fighting to keep his eyes open at this point.  I must say, as a ss rider, I was pulling for Jefe.
Wondering if he would've rather run an 18t cog instead of the 19?
No matter - amazing ride by both K & J.

High of 97 deg. F. for Silver City today.  I cannot imagine riding all day in that kind of heat, let alone on minimal rest.  Someone better have ice cold beer for these guys at AW.

With temperatures in NM pushing the mid-nineties, the heat has to be a factor for a possible near-photo finish (by Divide standards, anyway).

On a lighter note:

Trying to decide on this years divide fashion? Elvis, Bowler, Hawaii 5-0 ?

Of course you're talkin old school 5-0, right?

I'd recommend the Guayabera Afro-Cuban/Calle Ocho look myself.

Not 100% sure but I believe Grants.

"Living on the road
 My friend,
 Is gonna keep you
 Free and clean..."

Well, maybe not so clean

Only partial sarcasm w/ the being lucky comment.
Obviously, water and fuel intake/management is in there somewhere.
Never done anything like this -but have pondered much re: water re-supply issues.
For road rides I usually go 25 mi per large water bottle; For single-track mtb in the high country - around 1/2 that mileage.
So...the td appears to be somewhere in between.  Riders familiar w/ the route must have a big advantage over the rookies in terms of knowing where the next water re-supply and food source is.

How about tenacity or luck?

**News Flash** - JF,

Most of New Mexico is a third world country.  I guess that's why I like living here - so different than the rest of the States.

Congratulations Erik on a great ride.  I believe most people would've thrown in the towel dealing w/ that kind of setback.  I hope it's obvious to all that there was no "advantage" gained in your situation.  Ignore the cackling hens & naysayers. Thanks to you and all the racers for the inspiration to ride further on up the road/trail.

Matt has put in a big day.  From Horca all the way to Abiquiu Resevoir on the fire detour route.  What an emotional day of riding it must have been - for Matt & everyone...incredible.

I can't believe this...it makes all the bickering about rules and what "place" people are in seem totally meaningless.  This guy is a total stranger to me but I'm sitting here in tears.  If I were racing I don't think I could continue in "race" mode.  I'd wait for everyone behind me and ride en masse to the border.  But that's my own selfish viewpoint.  I'm going to dedicate my next ride to a stranger and maybe next year's td.

Right - what is there exactly to preview?  There's a dirt road up ahead...and after that, some more dirt...and...wait a minute, I think I see more dirt...etc., etc.

I think what's interesting is the extremes of mental attitudes expressed w/ some call-ins.  From positive vibes and bliss (Kent P.) to some who are clearly miserable and not having fun at all - excluding those w/ serious mechanical issues.  I'd like to think that if I were in the race I'd lean towards the more positive side.  But talk is one thing - I may have to walk the walk next year to find out!

BTW, slowersnot - is it Dave?  I believe the correct expression is TOEing-the-line, as in keeping your toes on the little yellow line, etc.

No doubt.  Somebody pitch this to Versus.

It is rather humorous to imagine the TD "organizers" as some giant bureaucratic institution -  helicopters whirling, motorcycles buzzing, etc.

Spot for Dummies...very helpful.  Much obliged.  How long do batteries last in tracking mode?

So...re: the SPOT operation - does it automatically send a rider's signal or does he/she have to do it manually (push a button) as they ride?

Hey man - glad you made it.  I'm the guy who was running rim-to-rim and stopped for a very brief chat while you were on your way up the North Kaibab.  I knew right away you were doing the AZT.  Nice blog & pics.  In hindsight, it's rather funny that you were hassled  at the North Rim after trudging rim-to-rim and bending over backwards to follow the rules.  Oh well, I suppose it's the better than the GC being some sort of free-enterprise free-for-all, trashed & plundered.

Congrats on a truly epic journey.
Scott in NM