Yea!!!!!!    Cjell monee finished his race.  He did a terrific job and on a one speed!
We, his parents, could not be prouder.  He called at the finish line and sounded elated.  I know he was disappointed not to be able to ride all the way to Banff but even so he was pleased with his ride.  By my calculations he would have had an excellent finish place.
Can't wait to see him and celebrate back in Minnesota.

I want you all to know what a great person he is and how lucky we are to have him as a son.  He certainly has opened our lives to a new world with the most interesting, wonderful people.  Congrats to all riders.  It is a huge accomplishment to ride the divide.

I enjoy this forum and it makes all of us at home feel more apart of the race.  I have always loved going to my sons sporting events to cheer him on and this forum makes me feel like I am "watching" him on the TD.  
He checked in today (he carries a cheap flip phone, no internet capabilities) and said, with a laugh, that he heard I was trash talking on here about other SS riders.  I did not think I was!  But I will comment.....as a proud parent of a NoBo'er.  Last year I figure c$ finished in the top ten but was never listed because the spots are logging north to south.  I found that frustrating.  I don't think my son cared one bit.  But this year I realize that is the nature of the beast.  It is c$ choice to be a NoBo'er.
But I have to say, by my calculations he is riding between 5th and 6th place right now.  And on a one speed!!
He may stop at the US border cuz of the flooding but still will have had a tremendous race.  A proud mom I am.

Annie,  I see cjell and Forrest have met this evening! 

Thank you everyone who gave me feed back.  
Is it within the rules for me to give any of this info to cjell?  Or does he have to figure it out himself.  I do plan to tell him how bad conditions are in the banff area.  Hopefully that is ok.

Chip - cjell told me how much he appreciated seeing you before the Arizona race and the advice you gave him.

I see he is almost half way.  Way to go cjell!!!

Kucebags- thanks for the info.  I do not know where any of those trails are so it hard for me to grasp the meaning for cjell's ride.  We, his parents, are wondering what to do.  If he can't finish we will cancel our plans and visit banff some other time.  But we really want to be at the finish if he can get there.  Such a dilemma!

Does anybody have an idea how far north the No-Bo will be able to go?  It doesn't sound promising to make it all the way to banff.  But in a week who knows?  Maybe.

Brush mountain,  thanks for the pix of the golden spoke moment.  I am cjell's mom, so it was good to see him.

We are heading to Calgary on Thursday.  We hope to be at the finish line when he comes in.  We have reservations in Canmore so it will be interesting to see if we are able to get there.  Another couple is coming on sunday and staying with us in Canmore.  The best laid plans...................

Big day yesterday from SS'er Scott McConnell road till 3:00 AM with about 180 miles yesterday! I am enjoying this Scott Arron battle as mush as Craig and Mike!!

if you compare cjell$ to to Scott and Aaron, all SS riders,  I think c$ is leading by a good margin.  We will see who hits the half way point first.

I am also following the single speeders.  By my calculations cjell money is leading that group even after his long over night in salida.

I just talked to Cjell and he was in great spirits and glad to be done.  He loved the surprise of his dad meeting him at the finish line.  Shocked would be more like it!!  It was a little outside his comfort zone, a trip on the spur of the moment.
Cjell said he is glad to know he isn't getting up at 4:30 tomorrow morning and getting back on his bike.
He did say how beautiful the trail was coming into Banff.  Lots of wildlife.  He said he was cold and miserable and then a bald eagle flew in front on him.  Beautiful.  Life was great.  How could it get better than that!!
Kucebags - the bike shop guy in Banff - He said you were great and enjoyed going back to the bike shop and shooting the breeze.

I'm so glad he is well and safe and had a good race.
YEA Cjell!!!!!!!!!!

Just to clarify.....we were not planning it to be a surprise that his dad will be at the finish line but we have not been able to let him know.  Remember he lost his cell phone and the trip to Banff was very last minute.  So if someone lets him know that his dad will be at the finish line that would be great.  Thanks.

Cjell - pronounced chell

His real name is taylor zimmerman.  He adopted this name when he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and it seems to have stuck.

I am Cjell's mom.  In regards to his clothing.....he did do some bike racing in college and had all the appropriate clothing, shoes, etc.  So he knows what the advantages of those choices.  He has biked many places in the world and always looks pretty much like he does on this race.  So I guess that is what he is most comfortable with.  The helmet.....as his mom I am not happy with that choice but he is old enough to make his own decisions and I can only give my opinion.  For someone who usually makes very good decisions this helmet one, in my opinion, is a poor one.  But you gotta love the boy!!!!!!!  He is one in a million.  Always upbeat and loves what he does.

He is pretty frugal (that's putting it nicely) but he will put money into something important to him, ie his bike, but if he sees no advantage he won't buy extras (the clothing).

We are so proud of him.  His dad is in Banff waiting for him to finish and I don't think he knows so it will be a big surprise.
Go Cjell!!!!

Does anyone know where the finish line is in Banff?
Cjell looks like he will finish in the next few days so dad is going to head up to Banff to see him in.

Does anyone know where the finish line is in Banff?

rootingforgary
Cjell isn't planning to come to Minn. until July for a wedding of a friend and then he'll get to see his new nephew (yup, we know it's a boy).
His transportation back to Vail depends on if his girlfriend makes it up to Banff.  He may be biking part of the way.

I guess I will weigh in on Cjell Money, the Manalope, one of the few northbounders.  I'm his mom.  His real name is Taylor Zimmerman and he was born and raised in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  He even has some North Dakota blood in him, college at North Dakota State in Fargo.  He hiked the Pacific Crest Trail a few years ago and thought this would be a great way to do the continental divide trail.  I'm sure the Appalachian trail is in his future.  He doesn't own a car so biking is his main mode of transportation.  He has biked through India, Thailand, Indonesia, South America, Central America, across the US.  To prepare for the race he biked up to Mexico from Costa Rica.  His dad and I are not quite as adventurous but love following his travels.  Within a week he will become an uncle for the 2nd time.  
Even though his hair is too long and messy for our taste, we think he is the greatest thing since slice bread!!!  As his parents we may be a bit biased.
Interesting fact, Cjell designed and sewed his own back pack and tent for the Pacific Crest hike.

I'm sure he loved meeting all the southbounders as he pedaled north.  He has very few left to pass on the trail
He is doing a great job on the race and I hope as he finishes in Banff there will be people there to congratulate him. (we decided to stay in Minnesota for the birth of our grandchild).

I have really enjoyed reading the comments on this forum every day.
You have to admire all the riders.
The girls are awesome and unbelievable.
But, of course, my favorite is Cjell Money.

Go Cjell!!!