TD'11 Race Discussion

[Marshal]

This is a big change of pace - to be watching the the race unfold on the computer.  Cheers to all the racers dealing with all the snow and re-routes!  Really makes me wish I was out there again.  Here's some photos from last year to look at in between waiting for new posts to pop up.
https://picasaweb.google.com/parisbrestparis/TourDivideRace2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMC1vfjPtofuUg

love those pictures, ahh-you had camp fires--I am jealous

[aplummer]

i asked this question a couple pages back but was wondering if anybody is using cyclocross bikes in  this race or in any races like this. i can see the advantages on the smooth gravel and bitumen but what about the rest of the time?

[Spoonie]

Hey Scott M,

Do you think you could graph the avg call in time to mtbcast vs time in race.  ~30secs yesterday, ~45secs today, at this rate they'll be 5mins by the finish

On a more serious note, Would it be possible to put the mileage under the timing points in the race analysis page or on the map layer?   I hope there are plans for the NoBo racers here too!!

thanks in advance!

Cheers
Craig

[pgadola]

only enough to get to the next resupply so it constantly changes depending on how far in time the next point is (plus 1 or 2 extra e bars for back up)
the logistics of water and food run through your mind in endless loops--do a good job here and all is smooth saling--mess up and lose time

What did you personally choose to carry?  I realize that in some places choices would be very limited.

[Georg66]

Hey Scott M,

Do you think you could graph the avg call in time to mtbcast vs time in race.  ~30secs yesterday, ~45secs today, at this rate they'll be 5mins by the finish

Cheers
Craig

... in my opinion it's possible to make a call in during riding the bike,
so Scott should measure the loss of speed during call-ins :-)

[bjamin]

Sure you could run a cross bike, but this is a mountain bike event.

[Groundshine]

love those pictures, ahh-you had camp fires--I am jealous

I never planned to have campfires - but Pete Faeth convinced me otherwise... said it would helps to lift my spirits.  He was carrying a full bottle of white gas in one of his cages... crazy I thought but I wasn't about to second guess a former marine.  And he proved right... had some great times sitting around TD campfires drying my socks.    I hope Pete is having high spirits on his north-bound race this year.

[sanjuanrider]

I know, he's moving so slowly, but there was a reason they did the reroute.  I image the conditions and snow are horrible through there.  Hope he pushes through, I would love to see him finish.

It is pretty cool to look at the snow layer option on the trackleader board to see his progress.  Based on the color of the snow layer at his current location and the time of day he his probably post holing every step.  It will be interesting to see if he decides to take the reroute detours after this push the the snow.  Conditions going over the Tetons could be interesting if he decides to stick to the original route.

[Mathewsen]

We've scheduled a reroute to the reroute that bypasses Huckleberry Pass east of Ovando, MT. The 'Cutoff Road' from Ovando-Helmville Rd over to MT-141 (included to avoid sketchy MT-200) is closed due to flooding. Riders will therefore be routed on the main route up Dry Gulch Rd (marked in yellow) directly to MT-200. From there it's straight (east) into Lincoln to resume the main route.

Below is the Gmap graphing the changes. The yellow line is the high water line. I've arranged for signs to be hung at the Stray Bullet Cafe and the Mercantile. Hopefully this enough. I'll try and phone the leaders in Seeley Lake now. They'll be loitering at the Conoco store soon.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=200334849650645495946.0004a4094c052d4b30cf6&ll=47.01678,-112.94632&spn=0.580499,0.987396&t=h&z=10

[elobeck]

reroute to the reroute.....wow. I'm impressed with Jefe....but frankly somewhat surprised he hasn't been passed by Kurt/Ethan group yet. (not because of ability or lack thereof.....but singlespeed vs. gears, Jefe is on a single, right?) I'm also curious to see if he can sustain the quick past the 5 day mark-fun to watch if he can.

[bmike-vt]

Looks like Errin V has been sitting offroute for some time. Mechanical? Justin is moving oh so slowly. Must be some beautiful country in there despite the snow. As mentioned upthread what a shame to have to loop back to cross the border...

Jefe is really keeping the speed on to stay out front of Kurt on the SS. Will be interesting to see how the night goes with the upcoming reroute.

[jrmoore49]

Sure you could run a cross bike, but this is a mountain bike event.

1. There is nothing in the rules defining the equipment to be used.
2. Any definition of 'mountain bike' that doesn't include any bike suitable for off-pavement use is probably meaningless.

[bjamin]

Jrmoore49 I stand corrected. Nothing in the rules defining equipment to be used.

[mtbcast]

We've scheduled a reroute to the reroute that bypasses Huckleberry Pass east of Ovando, MT. The 'Cutoff Road' from Ovando-Helmville Rd over to MT-141 (included to avoid sketchy MT-200) is closed due to flooding. Riders will therefore be routed on the main route up Dry Gulch Rd (marked in yellow) directly to MT-200. From there it's straight (east) into Lincoln to resume the main route.

Below is the Gmap graphing the changes. The yellow line is the high water line. I've arranged for signs to be hung at the Stray Bullet Cafe and the Mercantile. Hopefully this enough. I'll try and phone the leaders in Seeley Lake now. They'll be loitering at the Conoco store soon.

If you want to craft a script I can put a msg up on the greeting for the call in line. Or I can email you the info and you can just record it.

[mtbcast]

Vance McMurry called in from the Piggyback BBQ in Whitefish. Dan Simas called in from Whitefish after slogging over Striker Pass. Dejay Birtch called in from Whitefish. He picked up some discarded snowshoes and has a message for Matthew! And Jake Kirkpatrick called in from Whitefish with Dejay.

Get them all here!

If anyone is noticing a problem with the audio, particularly on your Android phone, please let me know. At least one person is reporting fast audio.

[Mathewsen]

Dejay Birtch called in from Whitefish. He picked up some discarded snowshoes and has a message for Matthew!

Bummer about the litter-bug. Not cool. @Dejay, there was talk of how the meat of MT was gutted by the reroutes. Well, we couldn't very well let challengers get away with any hike-a-bikes! Plus, Hwy 93 features more roadside white crosses than most. Hiking snow is a better altenative.

[Marshal]

What did you personally choose to carry?  I realize that in some places choices would be very limited.

Rather then gum up this thread with TDR basics—

You can find an answer to virtually every TDR question about food, clothing, gear, bike, route, strategy, training etc etc here: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,929.0.html

For Marshal’s Truisms to many of these same questions go here: http://desertmountaindivide.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-no-particular-disorder.html

[elitheknife]

Anyone know what's going on with Errin Vasquez?  Seems as his SPOT has not updated in some time.

Did he get sucked in by the luxury trappings of Bigfork?

[Groundshine]

Justin Simoni has entered the single track connector to the base of Galton Pass!   Will he camp out or try to make it through the hike-a-bike section before dark?

[Doug F]

I just spoke with Errin Vasquez (Sunday evening)
He's gotten a room in Bigfork.
He's doing well, no broken skin, no bike problems. Though he says he is sore (as he should be, right?)
He's just taking a break before the next climb that's just in front of him.
Last night he pushed his bike through approx 7 miles of snow, before reaching a dry place to camp for the night.
He's getting enough to eat and staying hydrated.  He explains one of the drawbacks to these mountain communities is that the restaurants and stores all close up in the very early evening.