TD`13 Race Discussion

[Crow_flies]

I hope they take the detour. Mike clearly believed that the Forest Service was monitoring his route - said they called the cafe where he had lunch. If riders choose to violate the closure order it could mean trouble in future years.

It's clear they both checked it out and Detour it is! hot hot hot...

[Angler]

C$ has left the building.  At 10 am MDT.  Crazy Fun Dude with a heck of a smile!  And he has a message for his Mom:  "See Ma!  I'm wearing the helmet!  Now you have to if you're riding the motorcycle!".  And indeed he was wearing it when he zipped into town.  Photos below.  Hopes to make it to Whitefish by tonight!

[SlowDave]

Mike Hall's secret weapon? 

The JET Bicycle - The most dangerous unsafe bike EVER

[Angler]

The most epic battle of all! James Hodges has retaken the 60 plus division lead over Kent Davidson!

This is the 2nd time James has been thru our town on the TD and he has always made an effort to talk to locals and accept our congratulations.  He will always be a town favorite.  You go James!

[Newfydog]

I have just had an Australian refuse a free Beer.

Wonder if he will be stipped of his Citizenship?

Perhaps he didn't understand.  In official 'strailn it would be called a pint'o piss.

[Crow_flies]

So - the top 5 consist of a welshman, an australian, an englishman, an irishman, and south african. Without taking anything from the personal achievement of every rider even attempting this challenge (and with BP chasing them all down), that's quite an international mix (3 rookies?). Anyone surprised by this and how far ahead most of these are from the main field? Has this been the case in previous years, or is this a symptom of the growing global awareness?

[SlowDave]

Reminds me of that old (pre metric) joke, where you find four Irshmen you are sure to find a 5th.

Could it be that frequent trips to the pub is good TD training?

[lonefrontranger]

So - the top 5 consist of a welshman, an australian, an englishman, an irishman, and south african. Without taking anything from the personal achievement of every rider even attempting this challenge (and with BP chasing them all down), that's quite an international mix (3 rookies?). Anyone surprised by this and how far ahead most of these are from the main field? Has this been the case in previous years, or is this a symptom of the growing global awareness?

I'm not surprised by 3 international rookies doing as well especially if you consider their past history of ultra racing. Rookie to the TD is a big deal but if I am not mistaken most of them are well proven in the global elite UM ranks, no?

I think the globalization comes in greater international awareness which seems to be pulling the cream from the top of the international UM ranks. This shows by the previously "unthinkable" benchmarks someone like Mike can set.

At the risk of sounding like an elitist bike racer (which I am not, and this is seriously not to take away from anyone else's efforts) I think this also shows in CTR and TD women's records set by Eszter. She is an amazing athlete who brings not only her backcountry survival skills from a decade's worth of adventure skiing and bikepacking to the table, but she is also a former elite level collegiate road and MTB racer who took her speed, strength and technical bike handling skills and applied that to ultra racing, at an age where she is arguably at peak endurance capacity.  You may well see more of this in the future as elite level athletes at the top ranks of cross-country and enduro MTB racing turn their focus towards more challenging adventures.

A multi-week bikepacking adventure in no way resembles a 3, 6 or even 24-hour cross-country race, and I am not trying to draw too many parallels between the two.  However there is a distinct advantage to having the strength and skill to ride through the woods at 15-20mph, and I have personally observed the difference in speed and skills between someone like John Stamstead (before you argue I used to ride with him in Cincinnati) and someone like Matt White or JHK. Even on a loaded bike the pro/elite riders will still have a significant advantage.

Add to elite level athletic capabilities the benefits of better and better gear technology, training science, and knowledge transfer on the TD course year over year, and yes, I think you'll continue to see an "elite" pack off the front as is represented in this year's edition.

[mtbcast]

Eric Sime called in from somewhere east of Teton from the looks of his track. He’s off route right now and this call cuts off. Cjell Money called in from near Ovando. Peter Kraft Sr. called in from The Basin. And Eric Foster called in as he was leaving Steamboat.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[annais]

I have just had an Australian refuse a free Beer.

Wonder if he will be stipped of his Citizenship?

If it's the one I'm thinking of, he's not a huge drinker but can eat his own bodyweight in custard donuts.

[Angler]

Looks like C$ is in Ovando.  An awesome little town with a big heart for bikers.

wow.... thank you very much!

[MotherRadar]

Re. message from lonefrontranger:-
Of the three "Rookies", 2 are not novices to competitive MTB/long distance racing, but this is JO's first ever race of more than a one day event. He has painstakingly prepared & trained for this over the last year, and entered the TD with the aim of finishing having had a marvellous experience unsupported and unsponsored. He is probably more surprised than anyone to find himself where he is! Whatever his final position, we know he will be delighted & satisfied with his achievement. The memories & experiences of TD13 will be with him always - and we hope that if he ever does anything like this again, he'll remember to turn his Spot Tracker on in the mornings!!

[JRA]

So - the top 5 consist of a welshman, an australian, an englishman, an irishman, and south african...

Quick!  Somebody call the Queen!

[RossC]

I have just had an Australian refuse a free Beer.

Wonder if he will be stipped of his Citizenship?

Yes

[capibino]

It looks like Prentiss double back to Steamboat. Does anyone have an update on him

[SimonK]

So - the top 5 consist of a welshman, an australian, an englishman, an irishman, and south african. Without taking anything from the personal achievement of every rider even attempting this challenge (and with BP chasing them all down), that's quite an international mix (3 rookies?). Anyone surprised by this and how far ahead most of these are from the main field? Has this been the case in previous years, or is this a symptom of the growing global awareness?

Last year it was a New Zealander and a Canadian in first and second.

When I did the GDR in 2008 the riders who made it to the finish were 2 Americans, 2 Brits, 1 German, 1 Canadian and 1 New Zealander. Coming from overseas is a bigger commitment and it shows in the results.


Of the 18 starters

[SlowDave]

Current conditions at Lordsburg:  91 F  wind SE 18  gusts 20

Mike Hall isn't going to get anything easy.  He must be feeling 10 feet tall and totally exhausted.  What a ride!

[schillingsworth]

MH making the 'final' turn for the border!! Super impressive.

[SimonK]

Seems like a question to send to the ACA, since it's their route.

If you do put them up, be careful not to make them too nice. People will steal them. Happens all of the time!

Yep - it's something for ACA to consider, not the TD (and not to be done without premission). It's not out of the question that ACA would be interested in this. If done with some restraint, it could add to the experience for GDMBR riders in general (and I think they did put up a few signs when the route was first opened). http://olliebray.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341eb53c53ef01157233eb5e970b-300wi

I did the route without a GPS and did feel a bit confused on several occasions (but was lucky to have a couple of seasons MTB orienteering under my belt). The navigational challenge was great (says I, as somebody who didn't get lost) and the ACA maps are very good 99% of the time.

Regarding cut-offs (or any sifting of blue dots that might resemble the execution of a cut-off) - this is fairly standard in the world of Brevets and doesn't seem to effect participation. I think the GDR faded away due to a lack of marketing and blue-dot-junkie inspiration, rather than the cut-offs. Jan Heine of Bicycle Quarterly did an interesting artical on Paris-Brest-Paris which included some analysis of finishing times. He found that a lot of riders managed to dig deep and beat the cut-off and others almost appeared to slow down a little to make full use of the time available before the cut-off.

I include a cut-off in the 1100 km Kiwi Brevet (of 8 days - about 2 times the fastest time) and it adds to the challenge and prestige for the riders at the back of the field. Last year, only one rider missed the cut-off, but he still rode happily to the finish (albeit via a short-cut or two).

[SlowDave]

Are there any open businesses in Hachita?  I don't recall any but I haven't been there in a few years.  I am curious as to water sources on the last leg.  There are tanks but that is off the course.  BP guys are always quick to offer some and there are plenty of them in the area but not something one would want to count on.