Not to distract anyone from the Rules thread or anything    but I'd love to hear about the riders out on the course, from family, friends, or fans.  Tell us something about your rider, it makes it more fun to follow their dots.  Last year we discovered some interesting things about the riders - unusual occupations, accomplishments in sport (or life) prior to the TD, family ties, motivation for signing up for the TD.  Want to hear about back of the pack, front of the pack, and everyone in between!

Props to James Hodges, the 2011 Lantern Rouge, who is solidly mid-pack this year and has been pulling 100+ mile days lately.  At 61, he may be the oldest rider still in the race.  Crossed into WY last night.  Go James!

I donated a little money to Justin when he headed into the snow.  I sent some more to help with his medical bills.:

http://gdmbr.justinsimoni.com/the-last-big-push.html

Thanks for posting this.  I made a donation too.  Justin made a great contribution to the TD with his no-detour attempt, so I wanted to give a little something back for all the time I spent watching that JS blue dot.  Justin, hope you have a speedy recovery!

Go Nick and James!

Dejay Birtch  called in with a two part-er: some final thoughts and an ode to his bib shorts!

Hilarious!  I miss Deejay's call-ins already.

James Hodges is still going but has lost his Spot.  He will try to call in with an update.

James was in Cuba a couple of hours ago.

Ahem.  Anyone noticed that Justin is no longer the caboose?    Or are we too busy debating politics and free speech? 

Justin, you rock!  I'm still enjoying following the Sheilas too, and Jackie Bonn who was the last to head through Carson Forest in the smoke.  And Caroline, big congrats on a great ride!   

No doubt!  Now I'm sure it's the same D Horton that was profiled in a documentary about running the length of the Pacific Crest Trail from South to North a few years back.

Yes, the same Horton who ran the PCT and Barkley. 

To the person who said they had to explain the drop in productivity at work due to watching the blue dots....I can totally relate!

I'm following two Virginians.  Someone recently gave a bio on Jim Hodges.  Here's a bit on David Horton.  David is an ultrarunning legend, race director and professor at Liberty University.  He's done many of the big hundred mile running races, and continues to be the most enthusiastic race director.  If you'd like to run a 100k race that starts at midnight the first week in December in the lovely Virginia mountains, Dave will sign you up!  Last year, after a lengthy ultrarunning career, he got a knee injury that seems to have ended his running.  But he loves the mountains, and quickly turned his energy to mountain biking.  He's a complete bike newbie in the last year (at age 57 or so).  He is doing fabulous out there, making all his east coast friends proud.

Jim and David have also each hiked the Appalachian Trail, and David held the speed record for a while.