Congrats to Justinas!
Some Great Eddie Clark photos here:
https://bikepacking.com/plog/2024-tour-divide-part-1-eddie-clark/
Looking forward to part two...

It would be interesting to see how he's doing compared to Lachlan Morton's pace

All three leaders stayed at Elkhorn Hot Springs last night. I might be wrong, but I believe that Montana High Country Lodge was sold several years ago and does not greet riders like they did years ago.  Might even be private.

I was thinking that they'd hit mud a Bannack, but the first few gps pings from Justinas shows approx normal speed.  The last of the rain should move through there today.

If you haven't seen the photo from Eddie Clark, he posted one yesterday of Justinas on Fleecer ridge.  Meadow completely covered with snow, but it looked like the road wasn't really holding snow.

Laurens is still there. He's either got his tracker off or is having a long rest. The Gap between the other two is only about 10 miles now!

Great observations!

Ruh roh...it's about to get interesting on the '24 TD.  A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for much of the TD path through tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.  Heavy, wet snow...5" or more possible at lower elevations, up to a foot in the 6-8000' range.

The watch area covers the route from Eureka to just north of Whitefish, then Swan Lake, Holland Lake, Richmond Peak, Ovando and potentially Huckleberry Pass.   Other places include Lava Mountain (west of Helena), the area around Butte, and Fleecer Ridge.

https://www.wunderground.com/severe/us/mt/ovando

It might be time for some of those riders to push a bit now and get as far south as possible, but nearly every rider is potentially affected.

I hope nobody's skimped on the warm clothing and waterproofs and there aren't a load of search and resucue callouts again!

Bikepacking.com have part one of their Tour Divide bikes up:
https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2024-tour-divide-rigs-part-1/
Time to geek out over the bikes and gear!

Does anybody else hate it when people call their bikes rigs?

Yeah looking forward to it  Too bad it's so quiet on here these days. Not even a single question about which tyres are best!

Anyone know what happened to Andrew Kulmatiski, now listed as scratched?  He was making a quick NOBO run and in the top ten overall for quite awhile.  Looks like he spent the night in Horca after fighting through Carson NF all day yesterday.  There was considerable slushy snow 2 weeks ago when I pushed my bike through most of it. 

BTW, I'm still recovering with Enteritis and on 2 antibiotics.  Feeling much better now.

Thanks, Tom

That's a shame, sounds like he's had rotten luck. I read he had his spot tracker and charger for his derailleur stolen along the way too.

Looks like he got about 5 hours and he's off again! Yep, dots combined with MTB cast = hours of entertainment!

I'm amazed at how little stopping time and sleep these guys are getting!

Looks like Ullrich has a cabin for the night, maybe catching up on a few zzzzz!

Captain Nat Cobb?s Trekian-homage to Fleecer Ridge!

Very entertaining!

Looks like Sophiane's sleeping in today. He must want some pie!

He sems to have NoBo ITT Jeff Hehn with him. Headed for El Vado Diner maybe?

Spoke too soon, he's still moving, but not quickly.

#2535 on 08:51:54 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (2 minutes ago) 0.5 mi traveled at 5.9 mph
#2534 on 08:46:54 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (7 minutes ago) 40 ft traveled at 0.1 mph
#2533 on 08:41:57 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (12 minutes ago) 1066 ft traveled at 2.4 mph
#2532 on 08:36:57 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (17 minutes ago) 0.4 mi traveled at 4.3 mph
#2531 on 08:31:57 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (22 minutes ago) 0.8 mi traveled at 9.7 mph
#2530 on 08:27:00 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (27 minutes ago) 0.4 mi traveled at 5.0 mph
#2529 on 08:22:00 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (32 minutes ago) 0.5 mi traveled at 5.5 mph
#2528 on 08:17:00 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (37 minutes ago) 0.6 mi traveled at 6.6 mph
#2527 on 08:11:59 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (42 minutes ago) 0.4 mi traveled at 5.1 mph
#2526 on 08:06:59 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (47 minutes ago) 732 ft traveled at 1.9 mph

Ouch - looks like real a slog!!!

Some rain in the forecast might slow SS down getting to Grants, but from there he should be fine. Manu is making a move and the weather might play into his hands....

Manu's on a bit of a charge alright, closing the gap fairly fast. I thought he might go all night but it looks like he's stopped for some sleep now.

i usually went off course on long downhills with long grinds back up.  rarely uphill.

+1!!

Looks like Sofiane's headed off course. I wonder why? Lost? Resupply? Injury?...

If there is a hint of emotional support (visitation, media) being against the spirit, can you point it out please? I am sure I will not be the only one to benefit from it. Thanks!

There's one word you seem not to understand in there. "Solo" alone, by youself, no support from inside or outside the race. Visitations count as support. Anyone who's been out there and struggled through the mental battle that is a solo endurance event will understand this.

I wish the race would stay border to border. Call it the Great Divide Race and get a better organizer than Lee.

....Well nothing's stopping you racing border to border and organising it yourself

Exciting race going on with JP and Brendan and 'only' one state to go.  Don't remember a year with such a close race for so long.  Early on JP was keeping up with Brendan by going on less sleep as Brendan was slightly fast while they were riding.  Seems like things equalized through Colorado in both the amount of sleep and speed. 

It will be interesting to see how the strategies play out. Will JP's late nights bag him the win?!
Too bad we haven't had many photos of the racers on the forum this year.

Thanks for the tip off! It makes you realise how much easier people have it now with GPS, tubeless tyres, and so much information about the route out there.