TD'12 Race Discussion

[rippling over canyons]

Craig and Ollie are ahead of Jay P's 2011 record pace by nearly 16 hours!  Jay reached Steamboat Springs in 2011 in 9 days, 22 hours.  Craig and Ollie reached Steamboat in 9 days, 6 hours, according to the times posted on Trackleaders.

[mbeardsl]

Craig and Ollie are ahead of Jay P's 2011 record pace by nearly 16 hours!  Jay reached Steamboat Springs in 2011 in 9 days, 22 hours.  Craig and Ollie reached Steamboat in 9 days, 6 hours, according to the times posted on Trackleaders.

Yeah, those splits are interesting though.  Essentially even at Flagg Ranch, -6 @ Boulder, -3 @ Atlantic City, -11 @ Rawlins, -16 @ Steamboat.  When you take sleep stop timing into account those numbers probably look a bit more linear.  No doubt the tailwind helped from AC to Rawlins!  They are almost on pace to break the 16 day barrier!!

[mikepro]

Ollie and Craig are putting together an impressive performance together up front, leading the Southbound charge, but as I've mentioned earlier, Jarral Ryter has been impressive in his steady move up the leaderboard after a prolonged stop earlier in Montana.  After studying the race flow chart on Trackleaders a little more closely it's clear that he's the only rider that has been able to match Ollie and Craig's pace, especially from mile 800 on.  He's solidly caught EH now, and at this rate, he will catch the group of 4 in front of him in the next 3-4 days (he's ~60 miles behind them tonight).  So, just getting into CO tomorrow a.m., we'll see where he's at in 4 days as the race enters NM, assuming no mechanicals or other set-backs.

[ridingman1]

It will be interesting to learn how Justin deals with his failing rear hub. The same thing happened to me last year between Helena and Basin. Jill Homer also writes about it happening  in her book "Be Brave Be Strong". It is one of the most frustrating mechanicals you can have.   You are basically sitting on the top tube and pushing with your legs.

Since Justin is on a single speed, he may have limited options on how to rig the cog to the wheel. It depends on whether or not there are holes drilled into the cog.

[mtbcast]

Calls overnight: Mel Liebling called in from Butte. She’s doing better after a tough couple of days. She gives shout-outs to Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish, Big Sky Bike Shop in Helena, and thanks to Trisports.com. And Tracey Petervary called in from Pinedale. She recaps her ride over Togwatee and Union Pass. And she’s getting her leg swelling under control.

[hikernks]

Just checked the weather for Rawlins today, and those coming across the basin are going to have a 30+mph tailwind from the west.  It'll be hot though, high of 88.  Looks like Katherine Wallace woke up bright and early right at the start to get some miles in.  It'll be fun to watch!

[woody]

It's my understanding that he needs to follow the route completely. More importantly, it looks like he's walking, so let's hope that everything is ok except for his bike.

FYI,
Eric K is on a cross bike with straight bars and running schwalbe marathon tires.
Woody

[ridingman1]

Another thought about Justin's failing rear hub: In Cjell Money (aka the Mantelope and Antelope)'s case, he can switch his front and rear wheels. That is a very nice way to mitigate a drive train problem. If/when the primary hub fails, then swap wheels.

Maybe the ultimate TDR rig is a Black Sheep frame with a belt driven Rohloff as the primary drive hub and the front hub set up as a single speed. No chains, no derailleurs, and built in back up hub. The front fork is super light and offers suspension without the weight of a suspension fork and the complexity of fork seals that can bust. 

[mbeardsl]

Does he have a rear hub on the front?  I hadn't seen pics. 
Smart setup if it is.  I love my BS but front is not a rear hub or even the same spacing.

With a Rohloff you wouldn't need a back up hub in my experience.  Better off with a dyno for failsafe lights/charging?

[bruce.b]

One of the nice things about a singlespeed is you can run a hub with a threaded on White Industries freewheel. No worries about an engagement failure as those freewheels are bombproof. On a SS I would never run a freehub if I was going to be far from home.

[Pivvay]

DT Swiss doesn't fail catastrophically. Expensive but that's what I ran. YOu can even carry a light replacement with you but since it fails gradually it's usually not necessary. After blowing up a Laser Disc Lite I'm at DT convert.

[Climb On]

Yesterday, I was wondering if Eszther would take a short day for the luxury of comfy sleeping accommodations. In keeping with her strategy thus far, she chose to let her miles dictate her stop instead and continued well past Rawlins before sleeping. As others have mentioned, this seems to be a key strategy for avoiding lengthy downtime.       

[JF-mtnbiker]

Yep. Another day of howling winds for westbound riding across the Basin. Poor C. Money had some tough miles yesterday trying to get to Pinedale. It's the same here in the Wy/Idaho border area. Those going up Ashton-Flagg Ranch road will have some nice tailwind push up the climb.

[ride MT]

Andy Hazen is out. I went and picked him up in Lincoln, MT yesterday. He crashed bigtime on a downhill. Cracked ribs, stitches in arm, and major shoulder injury. He was pretty dissappointed in having to stop, as he said he was just starting to get in the groove of this thing! He was very positive though and is determined to come back next year and finish.

[Climb On]

Well...It's time for our co-leaders to find out who's the strongest/toughest climber. And I imagine the upcoming sections favor the racer with the best descents as well. What amazing rides the racers are throwing down this year!       

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Well...It's time for our co-leaders to find out who's the strongest/toughest climber. And I imagine the upcoming sections favor the racer with the best descents as well. What amazing rides the racers are throwing down this year!       

Yes, I do not expect that the two front runners will climb Indiana Pass at the same speed......if they stay together then someone is going a bit slower than max pace. We shall see!

[mikepro]

Interesting developments this morning ... Serge pulls a "Marshal" and leaves the Brush Mtn Lodge at the 4am (ish) and has been in Steamboat for awhile now getting fixed up at Orange Peel.  The other 3 guys who stayed at BML got started 8am or later.  Silly sleepy heads.  Must've been quite a party last night.  It can be hard to leave that place, I know, what with hospitality, hot tub, peace and quiet, gorgeous mountain setting, ...  I'm curious to know if Serge did it on the sly or not (i.e. pulling out early without letting on before hand).

Looks like Eric S is done resting in Rawlins and is 4 hours into his ride this morning.  Jarral and Eszter doing the consistent thing they've done for the past week.

[agat]

More calls: The Long Ranger called in from Island Park. He’s having hub issues but doing okay. Eszter Horanyi called in from Rawlins. She’s doing well and feels good having come through the basin. And Jarral Ryter called in from Rawlins. He’s chasing Eszter.

No summary show tonight. Early day tomorrow! Enjoy!

Would love to have him call in!  

I will ask Eric when I hear from him. He is back on track again.

[mikepro]

Looks like Long Ranger is off route ... heading to Jackson (?)

[Climb On]

Yes, I do not expect that the two front runners will climb Indiana Pass at the same speed......if they stay together then someone is going a bit slower than max pace. We shall see!

Looking at their recent speeds, they both seem to be just steadily grinding it out on the climbs thus far.