I haven't done the new version either. But the old version was tough. And maybe harder with 6in of snow and snowing hard with lots on the ground. LOL.

One thing that is definitely advantageous is the "Huge" town of Fernie on the route. Coffee, bike shops, more food. The old days you had to go to whitefish for bike shop. And coffee. Or ride 40+mi back up to Fernie from the boarder. 

The speed everyone is riding is crazy. I drove through Del Norte Sunday and wanted to see the leaders go through but one was too fast and the other still out. Then Megan blasted through seargents faster than i could ride out to watch them scream by. Impressive! 

Sofinae's IG explains the off course this moring was actually a planed rest/sleep stop:  https://www.instagram.com/sofianeshl/

He noted that he had messed up the tracks... and took a wrong turn.

I hope everyone gets save in the rain with hypothermia and bicycle handling and mechanicals.

On a side note a guy died of heat stroke on a the Palisade Plunge here in CO. It will be hot in the south!!!!!! https://www.velonews.com/news/mountain-biker-dies-on-palisade-plunge-due-to-heat-related-illness/

J

I just was looking at him. I think Will is steadily gaining?? 20ish miles? Hmm...

And Jefe is starting to push harder while Kerkove is cracking? I'm sure it is getting hot over there. Ouch.

Wow 6 tries for JK. I knew of 3 or 4. Well he should get points for sticking to it! They are just about about at the turn for the Vapor Trail! It's back on this year FYI.

Nice job and pics Evdog! And Ez as always!

2nd place... 6 guys within 10 miles of each other if i did the math right? That should be exciting to watch.

And Ned is about 40 mi up. But the pack of 6 is on fast road vs rocky trail so they should be able to get a little closer. Ned had knee issues in past and anything could go wrong. Hope if he gets caught is just due to others being stronger and not injury. They are all awesome riders and people! I first met many on this trail at one time or another.

My point spread for 2nd... Jefe is crazy good at this but only one gear... Jeff K really wants to finish this. Zach Guy....That guy is funny as hell and fast. The rest also very fast. Who can ride all night and keep up the pace? Too close to call!  Keep pedaling circles and rubber down!

Jarral

true-not much chatter here. Or even on the facebook page. I saw a pic on Zach Guys instagram... In the story part that goes away.

So I ask.... how will the nice rest for the chasers will go against this "ned" guy. They recovered and dried out..... But "ned" is on road now. I think you can ride a lot faster when you recover some... We'll see, but it will take a day to see if they can catch up.

Jarral

Rob adams... poor guy looks lost!

Joshua peter seems to have gone down Slumgullion pass and then back up?!?!? Oh the pain! 

Last ones from this morning - Blackshale suspension bridge, then lots of riders heading south on the Smith Dorrien as we left the sunshine and into rain in Canmore. Good luck & safe travels to all TD'ers!

Great pics! Looks so nice out!! That bridge looks really cool!

That is crazy so close to the finish and 3 guts go back and camp by a bridge. Crazy.

Curious how the earlier start affected weather. I did the CTR a few years ago and we started in August 1-I think-losing track of dates. It seems the monsoons are worse in July.

Nice job to everyone finishing and still out there! Getting mind/body/bike to work in water and mud is tough!

Jarral

Nice race out on the front!! Impressive work! What a great run to watch. lots of folks look to really be workin' it out there and pushing throughout the field.

It also looks like a handful of folks just came back down to Silverton (7pm ish), must be raining hard or something. Hopefully the evening brings calmer weather for those making the push out of Silverton tonight.

looks like flash floods are possible... grey and windy in Gunnison and dark in all directions. Brr.

I'm curious to see the gear list. Where does the food go? Warm clothes? Sleeping Bag? Bivy? It seems like there is room for just one of those things on that bike.

I guess you can't stop if you'll freeze! That is pretty crazy. pockets on shirt/jersey could carry food and rain jacket... Even the food some carry wouldn't fit in that. And that bike is fun but for the whole trail my back is starting to hurt.

Any commentary of the CTR going on? Facebook?? Here somewhere?

Dang. That storm showing on my weather program looks REALLY wet and cold Mon and Tues!  Leaders may be to Polaris area others spread out. Yikes.
J

The 2017 TDR Racing season is on and epic adventures begin.  Good luck to them all and hopefully the weather won't be too difficult despite rain in the forecast for much of the weekend. [Rumor has it snow to 6,000' or lower tomorrow night.  Low here is suppose to be, like, 32 degrees F --- yup back to normal.  Last year was an anomaly].

Ovando Montana is still here for them.  As usual I will be getting photos of the riders as they come thru [during business hours of 8 to 6 or 7 if they are just around the corner] and if the technical gods are with us; we are hoping to have a webcam set up today in front of the Blackfoot Angler to catch those coming thru too early, too late, or in the middle of the night.  I'll keep you posted on that.

And as in the past, I will gladly pass along words of encouragement  to the riders from friends and family by posting them on the message board if you wish to send them on.  That goes for SOBO, NOBO and ITT'ers.    What we do for one; we do for all.

Here's to a successful race!

Hoping someone takes the challenge of taking that "Heavy Duty Camp Grill"! Looks like a great mix of cycling gear for the weary!

Noob question: Does Neil know how close he is to catching Jefe? More broadly, do the leaders know where their competition are throughout the race?


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They probably know positions from where they were in Silverton.  Doubt anyone is trying to get cel reception now....

Jefe is on some sweet single track right now as are the chasers. And sunsets up there are awesome. Gunnison and Crested Butte boys crushing it! Jealous! Fun to watch Neil chase them down!

There is a gas station that may be open later... But not much there. Maybe someone will leave donuts. Ha--if you've been watching this race for a while. 

Holey moley! Neil may get close to Jefe before this is over. Even though Jefe is in a "Tour mode" as he said he still is killing it! Lovely day to ride a bike in the high country.