TD'11 Race Discussion

[JF-mtnbiker]

Wow. Fast TD. Kirt and Jefe are lightening this thing up. Don't let that single speed fool ya. I've ridden with alot of Colorado single speeders and there are some sick climbers on those rigs. I think Jefe is at the top of the totum pole though. Great display of skill in all the long flat sections, mud and the climbing during this TD.

Bummer that Aidan had to ditch. He is a high quality rider for sure.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Finally; I would of loved to be a fly on the wall to hear Paul A and Justin Simoni's conversation as they passed and Paul debates detours or not.

Paul wants to do a lot of the passes, including Richmond Peak and the Canadian Flathead. He thinks Flathead will be plowed/free by the time he's there. I told him that Richmond Peak is damn dangerous currently.


I'm really near the place where the Wyoming reroutes start, I'm looking at 3 major passes, the first doesn't look too bad, but the third is insanity. 50 miles? I think I have to tap out and take the reroute. Adventurous is one thing. Dangerous is another.

[Done]

Adventurous is one thing. Dangerous is another.

Wise man. Good luck out there Justin, and stay safe. You are an inspiration! As an added incentive to keep moving, I'm going to donate to your cause when you make it to Steamboat!

[rocky rode]

Kurt stopped in Del Norte this AM about 9:00 AM.  He looks really good!  I never would have guessed what he's been through had I not known already.  He's sharp, talkative, very relaxed and confident.  He says his aches are actually improving now, not that he's pain free by any means, you should have seen him walking down our stairs.    He ate a big breakfast and had his first shower.  Then he took time to check out the Leaderboard and didn't seem to be in too big of a rush to leave.  As relaxed as he seems I think he's going to be hard to beat to AW.  Jefe didn't call us.

His seat bag is Cuben Fiber, custom made by Eric (Revelate)  He's got a White Bros. carbon fork and the Ti Salsa frame is custom built for Kurt.  He made his own frame bag and he's using an early version of Eric's harness and front pocket.  He replaced his rear Nano with a Wild Race'R a ways back and likes it.  He still has a Nano on the front.  He's using 9 speed Sram.

Gary

[Newfydog]

Why would anyone take drugs for this event?  If you wanted to cheat, it would be easier just to find a friend who's idea of a good time is driving all night at 10 mph.  Of course, it would be worth it---think of the prize money, the endorsements, the podium girls....

[Marshal]

When this is all over I think it would be quite interesting to see Kurt’s 09 and 11 time splits from Pinedale WY to AM side by side.

[Mathewsen]

I'm really near the place where the Wyoming reroutes start, I'm looking at 3 major passes, the first doesn't look too bad, but the third is insanity. 50 miles? I think I have to tap out and take the reroute. Adventurous is one thing. Dangerous is another.

Justin may be looking at the maps at the end of a long hot day across MT big sky country, or he's getting exaggerated local info. Union pass will only be 15-20 of snow, not 50. It's nothing he hasn't seen already. 50 would be the max between all three snow sections combined. Perhaps he'll have time to reassess b/f he 'taps out'. He's sooo close to being done with it. His best move is to ride to as close to the beginning of Flagg Ranch Rd snow as possible tonight (15mi in on the rd). It freezes in there at night so it should be solid till 11am or so.

[RonDog]

One more thing I am having a very hard time selling this to my better half and will have resort to bribery. Anyone know if there is a nice spa resort anywhere within a few hours of AW?  Safe Riding.

Suggestion, start in AW. She'll surely find something she like, but you can't afford in Banff.

[Marshal]

Why would anyone take drugs for this event?  If you wanted to cheat, it would be easier just to find a friend who's idea of a good time is driving all night at 10 mph.  Of course, it would be worth it---think of the prize money, the endorsements, the podium girls....

I have no idea why someone would deliberately cheat in the TDR, but I guess some do.  It wouldn’t be hard, just pointless.

Imo the most difficult rule to adherer to is the part of rule #4 that prohibits Drafting.  This is a very critical rule for the Grand Depart racers and much/most of the time is a non issue.

But under some conditions it’s hard to describe just how tough it is to not close up and form a pace line with out a second thought. 

I can remember feeling quite goofy about the whole concept of not drafting during the time I was on the pave between Cuba and Grants.  It was quite funny to me at the time, thinking here are several TDR racers, doing over 100 miles of pave together, and no drafting. 

We cracked up about the whole thing in the cool morning, and later individually suffered a huge head wind for 60 miles in the afternoon, but then again no one in our little group drafted.

[mtbcast]

Justin Simoni called in after entering Idaho, possibly Island Park.

You can get the audio here, via RSS,  or on iTunes!

[muze]

Justin Simoni called in after entering Idaho, possibly Island Park.

Sounds like he's gonna go for it! Go Justin!! We are sending good vibes your way!

[robinb]

Unfortunately, my frame has cracked and I'm on my way back to Steamboat Springs for repair/replacement or maybe just commiseration with Kent Erikson. So, I'm out of the race (in terms of competing for a decent placing), but still looking for the border.

Not least because my house keys are in Silver City

Aidan - so bummed to hear about the broken frame, you were riding a hellofa race brother.

Take care, maybe see you in the UK in the fall.

Robin, Michelle and Finn,

PS - your box of goodies should be in silver city already.

[Marshal]

I see Aidan has left Steamboat on Hyw 40--be safe on the hwy!!

Hey Aidan-- enjoy the rest of your time to Silver City--I know you will

[Marshal]

9:36pm
Kurt is almost to the NM border (Jefe not far behind) they both will get a little ‘boost’ I suspect when they cross over the cattle guard.  They will soon be on some rather rough forest service roads but while the sharp downhill’s can be pain with min lights, the climbing at night in this particular terrain can be quite enjoyable (assuming no mud).  And both will feel right at home in this section—very similar to their ‘home’ terrain.

[SlowDave]

Parts of Cibola NF in NM have been closed due to Stage 3 fire conditions.  The story is on the FS web site for Cibola NF.  I am not sure if the restrictions go far enough west to affect the course but it might be prudent to check the various jurisdictions on the route in NM for restrictions and closures.

[ScottM]

This is getting epic, with Kurt and Jefe so close to each other as they cross into the final state and "home stretch".  It reminds me of the inaugural divide race with Mike Curiak and Pete Basigner never being separated by more than a few hours throughout.

On the course closures side of things, the two roadies (Rob and Parker) and Josh mentioned to me today that several parts of the Yampa river bike path in Steamboat are flooded and 6-8' deep.  They wasted some time trying to figure that out.  I think it's fairly obvious how to detour around on parallel roads, and it must be what everyone is doing.

[SlowDave]

More NM closure info: http://www.demingheadlight.com/ci_18259846

[Mathewsen]

Eddie Clark just posted a MF article with some great pics:
http://www.mountainflyermagazine.com/view.php/2011-tour-divide-post-1of-3.html

Eddie's Josh Schifferly image is timeless and really says, 'TD day 10': http://www.mountainflyermagazine.com/img/upimages/eddie_clark/2011_TourDivide1/EClark_2011_TourDivide_1447.jpg

Also, man, Marysville, MT looks beautiful. Sorry I didn't get to see that detour.

More NM closure info: http://www.demingheadlight.com/ci_18259846

Thanks for mentioning the effect of the Wallow fire on the route thru the Gila. That Headlight piece is 10 days old now, but you find current info here: http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/wallow-fire-update-6102011-1030-am/#more-2684 ...and the current closure map is here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5308057.pdf for now the eastern boundary of the Gila restriction is still NM 180/12/32 (west of the GDMBR). Let's hope it stays this way.

On the course closures side of things, the two roadies (Rob and Parker) and Josh mentioned to me today that several parts of the Yampa river bike path in Steamboat are flooded and 6-8' deep.  They wasted some time trying to figure that out.  I think it's fairly obvious how to detour around on parallel roads, and it must be what everyone is doing.

What I suggested to those who emailed me from 'the Boat' yesterday (yep there's been lots of emailing from course this year), is to stay on Lincoln Ave (40) thru downtown until intersecting with Mt Werner rd. A right on Mt Werner will put riders back on Co Rd 14, a.k.a River Rd, or Railroad ave.

[29singlespeed]

Aidan already got his bike welded/fixed and is opting to ride back on 40 to rejoin at night. truely epic and still might finish ahead of mid-pack.

Josh Shifferly's spot not updating. Any pictures from his salida stop?

Justin 'The Artist' is off to make some real TD art linking it all.

I am at a loss for words on this years TD.

[AmyL]

Aidan is my hero.  The mental clarity to stay in the game with the emotional and mileage setback he had with the broken frame, I can't even imagine.  Go Aidan!