TD'12 Race Discussion

[Roland Sturm]

Certainly on target to get below 16 days, which then is likely to stand as a record for a while - as long as JP has the same favorable weather for the rest as the main group did.

But Erik, the no-speed record is still wide open and as the leading practitioner of extremely simplified bike setups this could be your opening. Almost all those vids were so darn earnest (and piling on the cliches), yours should have gotten extra credit.

(For those that haven't seen it: http://www.salsacycles.com/revealyourpath_video)

[mtbcast]

Rob Roberts called in from home with a recap and some final thoughts about his finish.

[the tortoise]

Ollie to Steamboat Springs 9:06:38

JP to Steamboat Springs 8:15:36

JP 15 hour lead

[the tortoise]

Looks like JP didn't have a big mileage day yesterday. If my calculations are correct he needs to get near Hartzel today but tons of climbing lay ahead!

[elobeck]

But Erik, the no-speed record is still wide open and as the leading practitioner of extremely simplified bike setups this could be your opening. Almost all those vids were so darn earnest (and piling on the cliches), yours should have gotten extra credit.

(For those that haven't seen it: http://www.salsacycles.com/revealyourpath_video)

LOL didn't know anybody watched that. A few hours of fun for our family.....my daughter had a great time even if she didn't understand it. (No surprise there).

Erik

[goldenboy]

Looks like JP didn't have a big mileage day yesterday. If my calculations are correct he needs to get near Hartzel today but tons of climbing lay ahead!

The elevation profile seems to show a few good climbs for the next 100+ miles in to Silverthorne and then up and over through Como and on to Salida.  Fortunately the weather looks fair with warm temperatures going through Colorado.  And he now knows the route well enough to pace out certain sections.

Great fun to still be following the TD action.  Congrats on the finish Rob Roberts.

[mtbcast]

Jay Petervary called in from Steamboat! He recaps his ride from Rawlins and he got his shower at Brush Mtn. Lodge!

[caseygreene]

LOL didn't know anybody watched that. A few hours of fun for our family.....my daughter had a great time even if she didn't understand it. (No surprise there).
Erik

Well, it definitely got passed around the office here in missoula. Good stuff. Should have made it into the final.

[Done]

Well, it definitely got passed around the office here in missoula. Good stuff. Should have made it into the final.

Agreed. I little irreverence and humor sure would have done some of the other entries a world of good. So many of the videos are SO SERIOUS and self-engrossed that I had to close them before I dozed off and bounced my head off of my keyboard. My path isn't narrated in a monotone; it's got volume, laughter, energy, and PASSION. Your submission made me want to fire up my no speed and rage through a coffee shop of artisinal navel-gazers!

[the tortoise]

Ollie to Silverthorne: 10:02:23

JP to Silverthorne: 9:12:30

14 hour lead

lead is coming down

I still think he needs to get near Hartzel before he beds down.

[cousinmosquito]

LOL didn't know anybody watched that. A few hours of fun for our family.....my daughter had a great time even if she didn't understand it. (No surprise there).

Erik

Thats awesome Erik. Completely entertaining. You have renewed my faith in these types of things.

[seabrin]

I'm probably not going to make many friends with this one, but this is a forum, and I am entitled to expressing an opinion so here goes.

JP's "crows and eagles" statement really has gotten under my skin. I've read the statement before on those motivational posters you see plastered on the walls of corporations all across the country. I have to say I never expected to hear it from the mouth of someone that has no problem speaking out when he thinks the "solo and unsupported" ethic is being infringed. I find it hypocritical for this reason: the eagle has no stature without the crow. If JP can't define himself without the use of other TD participants, "the crows", then he's exactly the same as the racers he complained about this past June. All his talk about ITT being the true standard is crap. He derives motivation by chasing a record that someone else laid down. His effort and decision-making is affected by the result of another rider. Does it really matter that it's a number on a page instead of a blue dot on a web site, or a cloud of dust disappearing over a distant rise? Or that the ride was done three months ago instead of concurrent with JP's? I think not.

[mtbcast]

Jay Petervary called in from Hartsel. He recaps his ride including waking to a female bow hunter outside Steamboat!

[Aaron]

No comment about the crows and eagles debate, but I will say I think it's harder to chase a record than another rider.  The record is set in stone.  In a race with another rider either one can falter or get sidelined by a mechanical.  Jay is chasing a number, and he needs to have a near perfect ride to beat that number.

[moosevt]

I'm probably not going to make many friends with this one, but this is a forum, and I am entitled to expressing an opinion so here goes.

JP's "crows and eagles" statement really has gotten under my skin. I've read the statement before on those motivational posters you see plastered on the walls of corporations all across the country. I have to say I never expected to hear it from the mouth of someone that has no problem speaking out when he thinks the "solo and unsupported" ethic is being infringed. I find it hypocritical for this reason: the eagle has no stature without the crow. If JP can't define himself without the use of other TD participants, "the crows", then he's exactly the same as the racers he complained about this past June. All his talk about ITT being the true standard is crap. He derives motivation by chasing a record that someone else laid down. His effort and decision-making is affected by the result of another rider. Does it really matter that it's a number on a page instead of a blue dot on a web site, or a cloud of dust disappearing over a distant rise? Or that the ride was done three months ago instead of concurrent with JP's? I think not.

A very humbling point of view. I will chew on it more before agreeing but that is sort of my feeling after hearing his "rant" about what TD has become. Build it and they will come!

[bmike-vt]

without the internet and the SPOTs and this whole interconnected thing that has evolved, JP wouldn't be out there right now doing whatever he's doing - riding in anger, going to his zen place, being an eagle, eating crow, finding peace, etc.

[the tortoise]

Ollie to Salida: 10:14:22
JP to Salida: 10:07:04

Lead to this waypoint is down to 7 hours but If Ollie spent the night in Salida that might account for some of it. JP will continue out of Salida today.

Trash talking is part of the fun as far as I see it. At least Jay walks the walk!

[bigfork]

Tortoise, thanks for bringing us back on point...for now.
And thanks for your splits.
Ollie and Craig put in a huge day from Salida, all the way west of Cuba, it appears. Short of breaking out pen and paper to make my calculations (per Sean Kelley analogies) JayP may not fully capitalize on his present gap until the final day. Ollie stopped/slept for over 6 hours near Lordsburg, before his final push to AW. It would make sense to optimize the riding on the final day, and hit the border under the stars w/o factoring in sleep towards the end.

With JayP closing in on Del Norte tonight, towards the end of his 11th full day, the stage is set for quite a run. It appears to be cooling off in NM for the weekend, with fewer afternoon thunder boomers which could keep the track dry.  Though I remain fixed on the edge of my seat, things may just align for a fairly intense surge here towards the end!!

[cousinmosquito]

I'm probably not going to make many friends with this one, but this is a forum, and I am entitled to expressing an opinion so here goes.

JP's "crows and eagles" statement really has gotten under my skin. I've read the statement before on those motivational posters you see plastered on the walls of corporations all across the country. I have to say I never expected to hear it from the mouth of someone that has no problem speaking out when he thinks the "solo and unsupported" ethic is being infringed. I find it hypocritical for this reason: the eagle has no stature without the crow. If JP can't define himself without the use of other TD participants, "the crows", then he's exactly the same as the racers he complained about this past June. All his talk about ITT being the true standard is crap. He derives motivation by chasing a record that someone else laid down. His effort and decision-making is affected by the result of another rider. Does it really matter that it's a number on a page instead of a blue dot on a web site, or a cloud of dust disappearing over a distant rise? Or that the ride was done three months ago instead of concurrent with JP's? I think not.

I tend to think the purity call is a bit suss when it seems to be acceptable (at this level) that ingesting caffiene pills is the norm.

[elobeck]

I see JP riding towards Del Norte in agreeable temperatures. Everytime I have ridden this section it has been mind bogglingly (alteringly?) hot, complemented by a dry dessicating wind that made my lips fall off. I know its a wee chilly at night, but JP should be used to this from his Alaska adventures.

Fun to follow a "second" divide race from my computer at work....

Now for the divide snowbiking record, Dec. 1st start date. Any takers? (Wink)

Erik