[Bike pathin' through Steamboat]

Bike pathin' through Steamboat


Jefe not going to the Art Festival

Just got back to Steamboat after picking up Becky Sears from her CTR finish.  Not sure what the general knowledge is but we were surprised to find a bike shop in Silverton.  It's a small shop called Polar Opposites on Empire St (I think) with pretty much all you'll need to get back on the trail.  It's run by a guy named Matt who I'd be fine entrusting my bike to.  It fills a gap in the CTR shop list.  For the CTR in 2013 it'd be good to call and see what hours it's operating. 

Never mind, Becky seems to be moving now towards Leadville. Ill see if I can get in touch with her.

I detect a Wyoming jersey under Todd's vest 
Go Todd,  and everyone else, (especially the singlespeeders)

Looking at CTR2013 myself.

Yeah, he's riding on the Hoback Sports team out of J-hole.

Looks like Cjell and Serge both have around 150 miles left to complete.  I'd guess Cjell has the tougher terrain plus it looks like rain is forecast.  Either way, both these guys have put in strong efforts.  Jarral seems to moving well.  The only way I think he'll catch Serge though is if he puts in an all nighter and Serge doesn't.  Still a lot of good racing going on.  Ezster is 5 days ahead of record pace...unbelievable!

How did the fire-reroute in NM affect CM's terrain and mileage overall?  I looked for the re-route tracker dots but they aren't on CM's or Fixie's history.  I'd guess that the pavement is a faster option than going thru the Gila.  Not to discount CM's ride cause for sure he's faster than I and most of the other riders out there...and on FLAT PEDALS no less.  Kids got some determination and stamina!

Oh noes!!!111!1 

I think there was a grizzly bear attack on a female, tandem, solo, single-speeder guy!  A SPOT blip showed up and then 1.2 seconds later it showed up again! Quick, alert the authorities and tell Matthew Lee to enact a rule against grizzly bear attacks in the middle of the race, especially while I'm watching trackleaders.com

PS.  It's any wonder how the northbounders average 2700miles per/hr on the first day.  Isn't there any way to tell them to slow down and not burn all their matches?  Matthew Lee should enact another rule specifically banning northbounders from exceeding mach 3.5471.

So, that's my take on it.  Just sit back, shut up, and watch some blue dots.  Adding speculation on what you think a rider has done only cheapens their enormous undertaking.  I'm sure Matthew Lee is better informed then the lot of us and doesn't need us chiming in and telling him how to run his bike game and how to disqualify a racer in a non-sanctioned bike game for unauthorized use of a water bottle. 

Was up north of Steamboat again today for some MTB'ing and fishing and cheered on Max Morris as he rode by.  He saw me in the middle of the river, smiled and yelled "I'm going to Mexico!!!"  These unintentional run-ins are pretty fun.  I guess that's part of the kicks of being on route!!

Just got back from a ride up north of Steamboat.  Passed Mark Farnsworth on the way out and the other guys I was riding with mentioned "that he looked like he'd been ridden hard and put away wet"!  I had to chuckle at the comment cause MF was clearly smiling as we rode by.  It was a nice morning in the 'boat though so that helps.  Although it's getting upwards of 90 degrees today so that could put the hurt on some riders late in the day.

Dang, looks like Mike Arenberg had some fun atop Stemple Pass on Thursday.  Seems that turn has gotten a few people...

It was a rule change in 2010. It was not in effect during Ride the Divide or the following year during which I definitely saw my wife.

I see, that makes much more sense now!  I retract my previous comments, except for the part about dinging my bell on the bike path.

[from challengers' family or friends]

If any of that were true then "Ride the Divide" would have never had the crux moment when Mary's sister came to Salida to cheer her on.  Sure the idea is poo-pooed but in the end a determined family can't be stopped.  And as far as I know, no races are won simply by the racer's parents showing up.  I fully understand and appreciate the basis of the rule but gotta say that it's the one most commonly ignored and/or over-looked.  I won't be chasing down riders but I may run down to the bike path and ding my bell as the racers make their way thru Steamboat.

Visitation: Divide racing is not intended to be a spectator sport! However, route-town locals only may interact with (i.e. visit briefly, cheer on) thru-racers as they pass through their locale. Out-of-town visitation to the GDMBR mid-race from challengers' family or friends—even if only a  'loosely-planned', remote possibility for rider rendezvous—is prohibited.

I think the key is in bold.
Just don't feed, touch, or help any of the riders. Sort of like a zoo.

Looks like Tracey P and Dylan Taylor took a short break in Whitefish and carried on into Columbia Falls where it looks like they inspired Jarral to pick up and also carry on into the night.  Or at least some version of those events took place over night.  Whatever the case, I'm actually kind of excited that some racing happened while I was on night shift. 

Holy Moley!  That Dave Meissner guy is running V-brakes!  I bet those are fun in the rain!

Rider29er,

The solo rider in black is Jarral Ryter.  If that pic was today it looks like he found an answer to his brake problems!  Toughing it out thru mechanicals and diabetes.  I'm pulling for this guy!

I use photobucket to upload my images for posting.  Looking at your image code it looks like the picture link is lacking a .jpg ending so that's probably whats keeping the pics from showing up.

Anyone headed from Durango thru (or to) the Gunnison area on Monday?  Looking for a rideshare.  PM me if you might be able to help.