TD'11 Race Discussion

[brunch]

I don't want to hijack the thread again but I just have to share this:    24 copies of the Cordillera sold last night!

We are closing in on $2,000 going directly to Linnaea Blumenthal's 529 college savings plan.

The book is truly worth buying for its own entertainment value but supporting Dave's daughter feels great too.

Eric

[Marshal]

Now comes the interesting part ... zooming in on his spot shows that he's topped out on Union Pass, or Union Plateau is it were.  His last 3 spots show him a little to the side of the road, so I imagine it's a blanket of white up there and with the flat topography he's got no definitive way of knowing where the road actually lies.  So, for him, it's a cross-country white walk.  Hope it's sunny and clear in that area today.

Looks like he may have already lost about 1/2 day route travel distance going the wrong way, hope he has lots of food

[mikepro]

Kurt and Jefe are really blowing my mind.

I'm thinkin' they will continue to do so ... and sell out, give it all they've got, completely fry their adrenals, dance with purple monkeys and sleep monsters ... and push the last 300 mi from Pie Town to AW without a bivy.

[mikepro]

I don't want to hijack the thread again but I just have to share this:    24 copies of the Cordillera sold last night!
We are closing in on $2,000 going directly to Linnaea Blumenthal's 529 college savings plan.

Hey man, with another 59 pages of forum filled-up, it's a really not a hijack anymore.  You go ahead and shout it out!  Nice work!

[brunch]

How long can they keep it up?

For me that's really where the TD becomes a spectator sport. It's a whole new dimension to bike racing... timing the breakdown of your body. There's not many sports where that plays such a front and center role. It's just fascinating to watch.

In sailing they say that the perfect boat is one that immediately sinks after the finish line. I guess the perfect TD racer would be one that bursts into flames at the border crossing. Let's hope the leaders don't cut it quite that close though.


Eric

[mbeardsl]

Interesting to watch the last push between KR and Jefe.  I can't imagine doing this in the heat and wind, but...

Jefe thinking if he got a goods night rest last night he could push the whole remained with no sleep starting this morning?
KR thinking of getting to Pie Town, resting, maybe until Jefe arrives, then pushing the (slightly shorter) remainder?

Can't wait to see how it goes.

And how about Aidan trying to close the gap to #4/5 after all he's been through?

[fromBrushMtn]

Wondering what is happening to fellow Vancouverite Jackie Bonn? SPOT dot hasn't moved in days. Anyone know if this intrepid Canuck is still in the game?

Jackie was here last night--along with Markley, Tori, John Umstead, Luke Doney, and Daniel Bayley...
She said her spot has been broken for a while...and was hoping to maybe buy a new one in Steamboat...
Anyhow, she's looking great...and having fun! 
(i'll post more pics a little later this afternoon) 

[mikepro]

Looks like he may have already lost about 1/2 day route travel distance going the wrong way, hope he has lots of food

I just hope he takes a hard right soon....Doesn't seem to me that he's got a GPS, which is okay, it just makes it more interesting to navigate especially since the ACA maps aren't detailed enough for what Justin's into now.  He can definitely counter around the East side of the plateau up there, knowing that he's got to keep heading downhill, and he'll eventually end up where he needs to.

[Marshal]

Ahh three ways to get ‘miles/day’.  
1) Inherent speed
2) Ride time/day
3) 1+2

#3 is the only way to win

And it looks like the current standard for #2 is 4-6 hours down time in any given 24 hr period with the occasional 2-4 hour down time

[sunset1123]

And as exciting as the race between the leaders is, I'd like to give a HUGE shout out to Justin Simoni for riding the full route, even when it meant doing mountaineering style traverses with his bike. Definitely know what that is like, and it takes some nerve. He's really been running his own race since the start, showing some true spirit to abandon comfortable detours and winning chances to do something memorable in an epic TD year. Bring it on, JS!

[mtbcast]

Overnight:
Paul Attalla called in from Lincoln!
Today:
David Horton called in from Steamboat Springs. Dejay Birtch called in from Sargents sounding a little more spry. ITT racer Stephen Huddle called in from Banff. He’s delaying his start until the 30th. ITT Dave Nice called in from Lordsberg where he’s waiting on his bike. Unfortunately, Greyhound is holding his bike hostage! And Jefe Branham called in from Grants. He’s had his first hotel stay and was very glad to shower.

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

[mikepro]

He’s had his first hotel stay and was very glad to shower.

I guess it remains to seen whether or not a GC contender can make it from Start to Fin sans a hotel overnighter.

[woody]

Correct.  He's stayed to the main TDR route from the beginning.

Thanks

[SlowDave]

Easy, Tiger .... the dude's spot still shows him sitting at the counter eating pie.  Still a couple hours and some climbing to come before the "Plains of SA".

Sorry about that I got 60 and 12 confused in my pre coffee state.  I hope he had two pieces of pie.

[mtbcast]

I don't want to hijack the thread again but I just have to share this:    24 copies of the Cordillera sold last night!

We are closing in on $2,000 going directly to Linnaea Blumenthal's 529 college savings plan.

The book is truly worth buying for its own entertainment value but supporting Dave's daughter feels great too.

Eric

Waiting on mine now! I heard some schmuck named Joe had something in there. Hope he didn't bring the quality down. :p

Seriously, good cause and why not buy extras for your biking friends. The crazy ones who may not be following this event.

[nickyattalla]

No kidding Justin Simoni! Can't even begin to imagine how much food you must be packing and what your shins look like. You are amazing! Go go go!!!!!

[RonDog]

I just hope he takes a hard right soon....Doesn't seem to me that he's got a GPS, which is okay, it just makes it more interesting to navigate especially since the ACA maps aren't detailed enough for what Justin's into now.  He can definitely counter around the East side of the plateau up there, knowing that he's got to keep heading downhill, and he'll eventually end up where he needs to.

Looks like he got up high enough to get his bearings and is heading west. I was beginning to worry about him. Way to go Justin! He definitely should win the bad ass award.

[mk313]

It seems like Tony Cervati & Justin Simoni would be naturals for a chapter in the 3rd edition, should there be one. Also, it would be pretty cool to have Jefe & Kurt both write chapters about their respective races.

I don't want to hijack the thread again but I just have to share this:    24 copies of the Cordillera sold last night!

We are closing in on $2,000 going directly to Linnaea Blumenthal's 529 college savings plan.

The book is truly worth buying for its own entertainment value but supporting Dave's daughter feels great too.

Eric

[RonDog]

Kurt and Jefe are really blowing my mind.

+1
But after Kurt spent an hour in pie town and Jefe is closing in on it, I can't help but wonder if there losing just a tad of their focus on the riddle:
"How much pie could a bikepack racer pack,
if a bikepack racer could pack pie!"

[Bernd10]

Me thinks Jefe is closing in to Kurt - rest+ss vs. unrest+gears? Anyway, thrilling.
Go, go , go -  all you Tour Divide racers