TD'12 Race Discussion

[Roland Sturm]

Its interesting to compare Katherine and Eszter. Katherine is about 65 miles behind Eszter this morning but her moving average speed is actually faster than Eszter's. Unfortunately for Katherine, Eszter has been moving 17 more hrs! So it may come down to who does best with the least sleep and which stategy is best---hit it hard and require more recovery or slow and steady for extra long days.

That may be a misinterpretation of the spot numbers, which aren't necessarily reflecting what is going on the ground - depends on when spots are on and off at night and morning. So taking the averages it shows at face value can be misleading. Having been in a race with Eszter, Katherine, and Tracey earlier this year, it is also not my impression. Take a look at Stagecoach 400. http://socalenduro.wordpress.com/stagecoach-400/2012-results/
Eszter rides fast, very fast, and sleeps little. Her moving speed is up there with the fastest racers (I wouldn't try to keep up even for a few hours). Maybe she sleeps more than JayP, but that's about it. JayP doesn't like people to look at his Spot (and keeps it turned off more often than on), unfortunately, so we don't really know what he did (stop or ride), but assuming he didn't sleep at night, Eszter rode faster than JayP on average. Katherine may be new to racing and it seems unlikely that she would try to push her limits, not knowing what they are. She is just great pacing herself. Steady pace, steady hours. Not that she's slow, I vividly remember her catching me on a long climb at night and I tried to hold her pace for an hour before I had to drop off. But Eszter will ride faster and longer hours than pretty much everybody and that's why she is in the top group out of which the overall winner will emerge, whereas Katherine and Tracey (very experienced rider) are likely to be among the faster overall finishers, top 1/4 of all starters.  

[IanPeace]

It appears that Craig Stappler has just missed a right turn and continued straight on Cave Falls. This just after the separation from Olli.

[DenisVTT]

I'm sure this is out there somewhere, but I've yet to find it. Can someone explain how the riders keep their GPS, lights, spots, MP3's, etc. charged? This has perplexed me for the past several years. I've had enough with hoping I find it - can someone educate me please? Thanks!

Basically the key is to make sure as many as possible of those things work on AA or AAA batteries. Pretty much every convenience store, no matter how small, carries those.

[ride MT]

It appears that Craig Stappler has just missed a right turn and continued straight on Cave Falls. This just after the separation from Olli.

Now things may get more interesting!

[bobloblaw]

@Jill Homer--Thanks for the insights. As I was just comparing Katherine and Ezster's rest strategies, I was surprised to see that there is almost a full day difference in stopped time yet only about 60-70 miles separating them. I'm guessing that Katherine has been taking more of those brief, pause and admire the beauty of where you are, moments. When I'm mentally bonking on a long ride, I find that these pauses rejuvenate me and I always ride faster and with more joy just after them.  

If you look closer, you can see that Eszter has actually stopped for about 42 hours at night (10 hours more than the calculated stop time), but the calculation on her page is skewed because her spot didn't log a point until she was already down the road a bit in the morning - so some nights would not have had any stops recorded - just a low speed all night.  

[caseygreene]

I don't think Craig has gotten lost, he seems to be at the Timberline Golf Course where he can resupply.

[woody]

Noticed that Dave Nice is on Boreas Pass road proper...instead of heading for the Gold Dust route.

I remember seeing that Gold Dust had been added. Anyone know the details? Is Dave off route or was there an option??

Gold Dust is only for SoBo.

Woody

[DaveG]

Basically the key is to make sure as many as possible of those things work on AA or AAA batteries. Pretty much every convenience store, no matter how small, carries those.

Thanks RCtracker and Denis. RCtracker - is the solar panel worn on the back while riding? Denis - I've heard of lights that run on aa/aaa batteries, but didn't figure they'd  work very well. I do remember reading though that Jefe and/or Kurt used them - and obviously they both rode a lot at night. For the GPS do you get a GPS that uses regular batteries or some kind of USB charger using batteries? I'll go on record now as saying anyone who can do the TD must be a logistical genius.

[Area45]

Use a GPS that runs on AA batteries. That's your best bet. I used my iPhone to listen to podcasts as I rode. I put in Airplane mode and the battery lasted much longer. Every time I stopped to eat I'd find a plug and top off the battery while I was there. I never ran out of juice.

I used a dyno hub that powered my headlight and had the capability to power my GPS and charge my phone as well. Worked well for me. Rob Roberts had a similar setup.

[Climb On]

If you look closer, you can see that Eszter has actually stopped for about 42 hours at night (10 hours more than the calculated stop time), but the calculation on her page is skewed because her spot didn't log a point until she was already down the road a bit in the morning - so some nights would not have had any stops recorded - just a low speed all night.  

Got it and thanks. Based on that, I guess route distance per day is the best predictor.

[DenisVTT]

Denis - I've heard of lights that run on aa/aaa batteries, but didn't figure they'd  work very well. I do remember reading though that Jefe and/or Kurt used them - and obviously they both rode a lot at night. For the GPS do you get a GPS that uses regular batteries or some kind of USB charger using batteries? I'll go on record now as saying anyone who can do the TD must be a logistical genius.

Lots of people use Fenix lights. They don't work as well as other typical night ride lights but they last longer and anyway, this isn't singletrack. You usually are on fairly wide gravel or paved roads with very little traffic so you don't need millions of lumens.

Having a GPS that runs on AA batteries is a must, IMO.

BTW, the Spot's batteries might be the toughest ones to replace. That's because the Spot requires lithium batteries. They last long (a week if you turn it off at night isn't rare), but lithium batteries are often not found in convenience stores. That means if you run out you have to wait until you hit a larger town to replenish. Keep that in mind when you see someone seemingly stopped for a couple days or so on Trackleaders. Could be their Spot batteries.

[KRyter]

Thanks for the update and posting the pictures. He looks a little tired but it is great to see him in good spirits. I was hopeing to swing into the big hole and watch him come through but didn't make it so this is the next best thing!

Riding conditions look great in Southwest Montana today.  The tandem team and Jarral dropped into the Grasshopper Valley early this morning after spending a chili night up on the Byway.  The tandem team was excited to hit a section they will be able to make good time on.  I have been watching Jarral with interest as I too am a diabetic...what an inspiration.

  http://www.crowdrise.com/RacetheTourdividefordiabetes

[JF-mtnbiker]

I don't think Craig has gotten lost, he seems to be at the Timberline Golf Course where he can resupply.

Yep. Not alot open as they passed the highway near Island Park early this morning. There is a Subway and a couple gas stations there. The golf course doesn't have much in the way of resupply but they do cook good food. I dropped into there for a cheeseburger when i went through in '10 cause I wasnt sure if I  could get to Flagg Ranch that night. Ended up sleeping on top of the pass that night so I'm glad I ate there. They can get a good meal in Flagg Ranch, however.

[bikingbakke]

Interested to hear thoughts from those who have raced before... saw all the earlier discussion on "attack" or just wake up and go one day, to create a gap.  My question would be "when" more than "how"... murphy's law would tell me there's all the probability that something will happen to either Craig or Ollie somewhere in the next 10 days that will create a real gap, not from "racing" - a mechanical, a pulled muscle, a cold, whatever (but let's hope not).  And the attractiveness of riding with someone around (and simply safety issues of animals, hypothermia, etc) seems to be something that'd be worth keeping going at least through Colorado if possible before worrying about brass tacks racing.  But I haven't been there...

[Mauro_N]

Ive happened to find this neat portable charging device that could be used to charge a iPod nano or things of that nature, http://www.gomadic.com/

Does anyone have a list of food stops and their location along the route?

[sluttyduck]

Yep. Not alot open as they passed the highway near Island Park early this morning. There is a Subway and a couple gas stations there. The golf course doesn't have much in the way of resupply but they do cook good food. I dropped into there for a cheeseburger when i went through in '10 cause I wasnt sure if I  could get to Flagg Ranch that night. Ended up sleeping on top of the pass that night so I'm glad I ate there. They can get a good meal in Flagg Ranch, however.

good to know...is the golf course listed on the maps?

[GAB]

Anybody know what GPS unit is used by most riders?  Garmin 800s? Other?

[mikepro]

well i think its time to wonder when and if the front guys will ever stop rubbing tires...

go to bed at same time, wake up at same time?
if one goes to the bathroom does the other wait?
will one try and ever get up earlier then the other?
if one cracks do they both crack?

clearly they are encouraging each other (and hopefully not helping each other) but as they ride more and more together they will have a harder time leaving each other.

Ah yes, I've been waiting for the inevitable JayP "hey, y'all, stop holding hands" type of comment.  It's tough to tell from the computer what their relationship is like after 6 days of riding side by side, but I too am wishing for a little solo, or individual, efforts off the front.  Hopefully soon.  A little more like the Kurt v Jefe jousting from last year.

[2wheeler]

looks like Craig's Spot might be off?  

[Ryan Correy]

Thanks RCtracker and Denis. RCtracker - is the solar panel worn on the back while riding? Denis - I've heard of lights that run on aa/aaa batteries, but didn't figure they'd  work very well. I do remember reading though that Jefe and/or Kurt used them - and obviously they both rode a lot at night. For the GPS do you get a GPS that uses regular batteries or some kind of USB charger using batteries? I'll go on record now as saying anyone who can do the TD must be a logistical genius.

I believe the solar charger is attached to the bag on the back of his bike. Should be interesting to see how it held up, though I haven't heard any complaints about it yet.