The revised route up north to Hopewell Lake is beyond my ability to rationalize between MapMyRide, Google Maps, and the TrackLeaders route.  I'll keep messing with it to try and get it.  If someone else has those numbers, feel free to share!

The section north of Hopewell Lake in New Mexico pretty much follows the CDT hiking trail. I have ridden that section and it is *mostly* rideable, but it is almost all singletrack and definitely more difficult than the old route, which is doubletrack. It is beautiful! Definitely slower going than the old route, but shorter, so I'm not sure what that means for riding time. I would say more effort for tired legs.

I just wanted to add my two-bits worth of saddle advice: I like Ergon saddles, but even more important than the saddle is a good suspension seatpost, especially when your legs are too tired to stand for every bump. The Cirrus carbon kinekt is pricey but really works and is light.

Adding a note of caution: while doing the border-to-border ski across Finland, we ate a LOT of pickles. About day 3 all of our group were very puffy in the face and hands - probably from sodium overload. Even though we were working hard, at 20 below we weren’t sweating like in summer. After backing off on the pickles, the edema went away.

Couloirman is correct, it isn’t only electrolytes. Muscle fatigue and dehydration and electrolyte imbalance all contribute to starting a feedback loop between muscle and motor neuron in the spine, so the whole muscle group contracts. Pickle juice, vinegar, hot sauce, all cause a lot of activity in the vagus nerve, next to the esophagus, and essentially damp the signals that are circulating between spine and muscle. So for prevention get lots of fluids and e-lytes, but when the legs cramp up in the sleeping bag, go for something pungent. Check out hotshot.com.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Blazing hot in New Mexico now. Wouldn't be surprised to see some riders going longer into the night.

Not sure if this has been posted, but looks like Mandatory CDT before Silver City is a no-go. Shame, lovely section of trail that.

http://www.krqe.com/news/wildfires/meadow-fire-burns-in-gila-national-forest-near-signal-peak/1216513767

Is this closure still in effect?

The CDT section is now open. Andrew K rode it on his way NoBo a couple of days ago.

Never a dull minute watching Mark Beck's spot.

Right, the Santa Fe National Forest is closed, so all riders have to go off route between Abiquiu and Cuba. So far I think only Larry Shaw (Nobo ITT) has done that stretch through the Jemez Mtns and over Polvadera Mesa.

Greg Gleason is definitely killing it, looking for a podium spot for sure. Plus, he is now first in the "over 50" category, as Dom Irving seems to be fading after a brilliant NoBo start.

Northbound ITTer Andrew Kulmatiski has put down some serious mileage in his first day of racing.  Looks like he left Antelope Wells at 4 am and is currently somewhere near Black Canyon in the Gila having ridden the CDT alternate (first NOBO to do so?).    Nice work Andrew!

Larry Shaw, NoBo ITT who just finished in Banff, did both the CDT alternate and the Jemez/Polvadera Mesa (Cuba to Abiquiu), which Andrew probably won't be able to do because of forest closure.

I think almost everyone who lines up for the GD really intends to do their best, and knows that the comraderie and the competition of a group race format will help them. Some of them haven't done their homework/training and they quickly learn that they aren't prepared. Others have every intention of going fast (just look at the number of people who predict 21 day times!) but are foiled by freezing rain and mud, mechanicals, knees. I don't think you can determine who will do well and who will scratch beforehand, except for a few proven racers. And I have to say, among the "serious" racers, how many of them have a bit of an injury or sore knee, realize they can't win it all, and just quit? Not judging any individual decisions, but I have more respect for the guy for whom 30 days is a stretch goal, who gets hypothermic and bails off the course for a day to recover, but then gets back on the horse and finishes the beast off. Tour Divide is more of a pilgrimage than a race, except for maybe the top 15 racers. So many people have learned so much about themselves because of this amazing format that pushes each one to their limit, even if they are off the back. I say keep it like it is, change the dot color if they deviate but let them finish with honor and respect. For the top 15 or so, bragging rights are involved, so enforce the rules rigorously, keeping in mind that it really is mostly an honor system. Let's not go the route of striped shirt referees riding motorcycles along the course. Keep it wild, pure and personal.  (OK, off the soapbox now... :-}

With no reroute (for Santa Fe NF or Gila) put out by TD organizers yet, maybe they are waiting until the SOBO riders are closer to see if it reopens?

At this point it's likely that there will be more closures before SoBo riders get to NM. Cibola National Forest just closed today - not a problem for the TD because the route (with Chaco bypass) stays on roads through that section. But watch for Carson National Forest - if it closes, the northern NM section becomes problematic.

Current first place rider Richard Dunnert ...

Correction: Second place. NoBo Dom Irvine is about 90 miles up on him...

If it continues to be hot, dry and windy, the SoBo's may have quite a different route in northern NM as well. Every year, and every ride, is so different, it's hard to compare.

How does going North play into race wins and any record runs. Also, I am assuming he will be the only one to ride the entire route due to fires. If summer monsoons start and help with fires/closures, maybe??

Dom already had to divert from the CDT in the Gila, and now will have to because of a fire in the Jemez. Nobody will have a pure red line route this year.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the course, Dom Irvine is killing it! He rode through the night, not a bad idea in the heat. Will he make it to Pie Town before a rest?

New fire (Meadow) has the Sapillo section of the CDT closed (on the TD route).

https://nmfireinfo.com/2018/06/04/gila-national-forest-meadow-fire-temporary-closure-order/

NoBo take note! According to this closure notice, Hwy 15 (Pinos Altos rd) is still open, so the ACA Great Divide route is available as a reasonable alternative (Hwy 15 to Hwy 35). If Hwy 15 gets closed, the most likely option from Silver City will be US 180 to Hwy 152 to Hwy 35.

A useful map is here: https://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/predictive/intelligence/admin/google_maps/ics_209_incidents/ics_209_incidents.htm

Hi Dave, I’d like to attend in Albuquerque June 12. Let me know when and where, thanks.
Nat  cobbnat@gmail.com


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Basemaps.  I initially downloaded complete USGS topo maps, but found that it slowed my Garmin Oregon down quite a bit. Then I replaced that with the (purchased) Garmin 100' contour interval basemap, which works fine. Less detail than a backpacking map, but adequate for the TD when you are following a track, and good enough to see the route to a town when you have to go off-route for help or supplies.

The two New Mexico forest fires of interest to TD17 are named Bonita and Corral:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5235/
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5210/