[Are there any open businesses in Hachita? I don't recall any but I haven't been there in a few years. I am curious as to water sources on the last leg. There are tanks but that is off the course. BP guys are always quick to offer some and there are plenty of them in the area but not something one would want to count on.]

Are there any open businesses in Hachita?  I don't recall any but I haven't been there in a few years.  I am curious as to water sources on the last leg.  There are tanks but that is off the course.  BP guys are always quick to offer some and there are plenty of them in the area but not something one would want to count on.


There are no services in Hatchita. If the post office is open you can try to scrounge a water from her but otherwise the last water is in Separ. There is a tank before Big Hatchet game refuge but its clearly marked private property, behind a locked gate and I don't think the Aeromotor was even running when we rode there in May. The BP guys on the road are awesome but they are busy and I also wouldn't rely on them. Also the Border closes at 4:00 PM  sharp and when its closed, its really closed.

Didn't the NOBO woman (Lyndsay Shepard) who scratched early leave a message about a source of water at Hachita? I remember not being able to understand the name of the place on the message, but now it looks familiar....  http://mtbcast.com/site2/?s=shepard&x=0&y=0#t=1:13.662

OK, I am loving the banter from the significant others!  I can just picture wives and girlfriends and siblings and kids around the world, eyes glued to a blue dot on the screen, cheering, shouting, admonishing, and in all other ways exhorting that little dot to do something!  Not to make light of the stress you're under as a bystander, but it is actually really cool to see something of a community developing among you.

As one of the spouses/dotwatchers, I agree! Amazing what a cool group of people participate in and support this race. It's ruining my life, actually (in a good way). Catching up on the MTBcasts, and one quotation from Max Morris struck me as speaking for nearly all the racers (or at least "my" racer"):

"It's like being punished all day and then begging for more with a smile on your face. No place I'd rather be suffering than out here" - Max Morris (calling from Butte)

They really are a special breed.

It makes me happy to see the clusters of riders moving together. Reports from the trail are that the camaraderie is awesome, and that meal stops tend to be giddy, delirious affairs of stinky, dirty, knackered riders reveling in large piles of hot food. Veterans - do riders usually group up like this? Think it will hold, or will they string out into solo/pairs as the race progresses?

Hey guys my bud Scott McConnel is about 5 miles outside of Ovando - he rides for Moots (but not sure what he will be wearing at this point) But a Moots Single Speed...  if someone can grab a pic that would be great! if you do see him tell him Chris from home said Hi and tell him hes doing great!

Message delivered, Chris, and wish granted - Here's Scott McConnell in Ovando. That's an awful big smile for a guy on a single speed! Looks like they're on their way.

Edit: Made image smaller

Hey guys my bud Scott McConnel is about 5 miles outside of Ovando - he rides for Moots (but not sure what he will be wearing at this point) But a Moots Single Speed...  if someone can grab a pic that would be great! if you do see him tell him Chris from home said Hi and tell him hes doing great!

He's riding with my boyfriend, Brett Simpson, who has been getting intermittent cell reception - they're refueling in Ovando but planning to push on to Lincoln. I asked him to take a picture of Scott for you!