TD'11 Race Discussion

[mtbcast]

Nuts!

Greyhound you can do better.

I've tried to be objective and try to hold back any criticism of the company. Keeping things on a positive note will usually get you further. However, this is the third racer this has happened to, second for this year. It sounds like Greyhound won't necessarily put your gear on your bus. Airlines try to do so but typically when not it's due to a transfer it seems. I think Greyhound has some serious  tracking issues for one and the other is that if someone is traveling on a bus, particularly to a remote area, that baggage should be with them. This is a black eye on the company. I know very little of their recent history so who knows how much they really are focused on customer service. Sometimes a company gets into dire straits (who doesn't? they rock!) and simply have a bigger ship to steer and CS gets poorer as a result.

Personally, sending a bike FedEx or UPS scares me. OTOH, most unassembled bikes are likely shipped to bike shops this way. So it may very well be that working with a local shop is the only way to go. Maybe we can start working with some of these shops closer to get things like this done. A thought.

[Taurian]

   You Guys and Gals are Amazing! To those who have finished congrats and to all still on the trail pedal down and be safe.

[brunch]

Here's the Cordillera Contest Winners

Sorry I don't know their BP.net handles.

1st place (early by only 13 minutes) = Cooper B
2nd place (over by 66 minutes) = Mike P
3rd place (early by 76 minutes) = Travis


Thanks to everyone for playing.

Eric

[DoctorRad]

Personally, sending a bike FedEx or UPS scares me. OTOH, most unassembled bikes are likely shipped to bike shops this way. So it may very well be that working with a local shop is the only way to go. Maybe we can start working with some of these shops closer to get things like this done. A thought.

Would the Banff 'Y' not be willing / able to accept and store boxed bikes for a few days before the GD start date? Quite apart from actually doing the ride, getting myself to and from the route would obviously be a huge consideration if travelling from Europe...

[cdnrider]

Is Justin finished with the re-routes and detours?  Is he on the same course as everyone else from this point until the end?  He is accomplishing an amazing ride!!

[Coop]

Here's the Cordillera Contest Winners

Sorry I don't know their BP.net handles.

1st place (early by only 13 minutes) = Cooper B
2nd place (over by 66 minutes) = Mike P
3rd place (early by 76 minutes) = Travis


Thanks to everyone for playing.

Eric

Thanks Eric.  I am really looking forward to some rest and getting back to my family after my 16 day absence.  

Great job racers.  Thanks for the inspiration.  

Cooper

[Thumby]

Bike shop in El Paso?

I'm looking at options for how to get my TD hubby (JE on the spot tracker) home after picking him up in AW.  One option is to fly home but he didn't want to bother with having to take apart and pack his bike for shipping.

Does anyone know if there is a reputable bike shop in El Paso that could handle the job? 

Thanks,
Elizabeth

[mtbcast]

Roland Sturm called in from the end of the rail trail. He may be the first rider to say something good about it. And Dejay Birtch called in from Cuba with more Animal Planet moments.

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

[bgiro]

Bike shop in El Paso?

I'm looking at options for how to get my TD hubby (JE on the spot tracker) home after picking him up in AW.  One option is to fly home but he didn't want to bother with having to take apart and pack his bike for shipping.

Does anyone know if there is a reputable bike shop in El Paso that could handle the job? 

Thanks,
Elizabeth

I know you asked about El Paso, but if he returns to Silver City, I highly recommend Gila Bike & Hike.  John, Jay and Bill have helped me to both of my TD rides.  I'll be doing business with them again.

[Erick L]

Where's Dejay Birtch headed now...?  Did he miss the turn on to 197 whilst frolicking with the elk?

[TXMTBCHICK]

Crazy Cat Cyclery in El Paso, couple of locations.

[Mathewsen]

Where's Dejay Birtch headed now...?  Did he miss the turn on to 197 whilst frolicking with the elk?

he is knowingly, or unknowingly ponying up for the main route. it's beautiful in there, but rarely used by TD racers. good on him for going for it. it's nice to see at least one gangster travel it annually.

[BobM]

Would the Banff 'Y' not be willing / able to accept and store boxed bikes for a few days before the GD start date? Quite apart from actually doing the ride, getting myself to and from the route would obviously be a huge consideration if travelling from Europe...

You'd have to send it quite early.  A rider a couple of years ago had his bike held up in customs.

[Mathewsen]

You'd have to send it quite early.  A rider a couple of years ago had his bike held up in customs.

I have to ask (again, and with all due respect), what is the aversion to flying with one's bike? it's the only way to go for the type of high stakes/tight tolerances a TD attempt dictates.

[Jilleo]

I have to ask (again, and with all due respect), what is the aversion to flying with one's bike? it's the only way to go for the type of high stakes/tight tolerances a TD attempt dictates.

Having had my own near-disaster with FedEx before a major bike adventure, I completely agree. Several airlines' fees are still quite reasonable, and the chance of lost baggage is relatively low. It is more than worth the upfront cost for the extra security. If a friend/spouse isn't driving you in a private vehicle to the starting line, then fly and put the bike on the plane with you.

[mikepro]

he is knowingly, or unknowingly ponying up for the main route. it's beautiful in there, but rarely used by TD racers. good on him for going for it. it's nice to see at least one gangster travel it annually.

Yes!  That's Awesome.  Go Deejay!

[mikepro]

I wonder if there is any chance of Aidan reeling in Robert?

Doubt it.  Unless RG stops for a LONG time in Silver City.  They are roughly 80 miles apart.  Looks closer on the screen, but you know that's 1/2 to 3/4 of day apart.

[Mathewsen]

Doubt it.  Unless RG stops for a LONG time in Silver City.  They are roughly 80 miles apart.  Looks closer on the screen, but you know that's 1/2 to 3/4 of day apart.

When judging distance and time in TD, (esp. manic NM) it's all about the average speed along a given section. Beaverhead Work Ctr to where RG is currently pushing up the Sapillo CDT hike-a-bikes are slowish miles. 7mph avg., maybe, which means 8-10hrs (or more) gap, esp. with a healthy AH pit at the Work Ctr H2O spigot.

[AmyL]

Heartbreaking missing bike stories.

Another option for getting to the starting line in AW is a variation of the Mountain Turtle method.  Get a one-way rental car and drive to the Tucson airport, drop the car and ride to AW.  It's about 300 miles from Tucson to AW and there's a pretty nice route, about half dirt and half paved. 

Airlines, FedEx, Greyhound - none of them get to touch the bike, so no chance for broken or lost parts. 

[sunset1123]

Is out before I even started, Bike is still in some sort of black hole at greyhound.... taking a free bus ride back to Tucson then flying back home on tues....

Really wish i could have provide y'all with a bit more entertainment this summer...

well have to talk to the boss about maybe another wack at it in aug or maybe a CT ride

That SERIOUSLY sux.

It WILL happen, though Dave. One thing I have learned over the years is not to force things too hard. Overcoming some adversity is one thing, but when the universe is giving you serious resistance, its best to retreat, sit it out, and try again some other time. I think every epic ride that I ever took that later turned into an epic disaster was a result of failing to heed "the signs."

I'm still looking forward to the ride report! The whole route, cranks turning over the whole way. It must be done, and you are the man to do it.

Now, go find someone at Greyhound and teach them the meaning of 'accountability.'