TD`13 Race Discussion

[vistaed]

Does anyone know Mike and what the trinket around his neck is for some backstory? 

I do know him, but not much as others. I was training with him during the winter of 2011/2012 in his build up for the world cycle race. He is indeed very nice, but can be quite. I suppose like a lot of us he is happiest when turning the pedals. I agree with Craig's call in, he is indeed a beast! No idea what the trinket round his neck is.

[mtbcast]

Forest Baker called in called in from near Ovando. Erick Armentrout called in from Port of Roosville. He’s across the border and hoping to nurse his achilles. Karlos Bernart called in from Whitefish. He recaps his ride and his battles with not feeling well. And Rick Ashton called in from Whitefish where he got some repairs.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[bikingbakke]

Re: Thigpen's blog.  Viewing the world through his eyes is definitely generating some laughs!
Re: I suppose like a lot of us he is happiest when turning the pedals. - AMEN!

[mommak8]

Yes, you can imagine life around the homestead is less ... interesting ... when he's not here, but it's definitely fun to see him catalog it from his gloriously quirky perspective. Some people have suggested that he may be spending too much time doing that, but really it wouldn't be Scott's race if he didn't - it's second nature to him and half the fun for him is sharing it with others, that's just how he is. He pretty much documented our entire Disney trip and we hardly noticed him being on the phone. It just comes naturally I guess!

Shame about Mike Hall. Hope he gets to feeling better!

[vistaed]

If anyone one wants to know a little more about Mike Hall and why he's giving Craig a hard time, this is what he was doing with his time: http://worldcyclerace.com/300/

[bikingbakke]

If anyone one wants to know a little more about Mike Hall and why he's giving Craig a hard time, this is what he was doing with his time: http://worldcyclerace.com/300/

Man, with both that and Tour Divide, my yearly holiday allowance from work is starting to look really thin!

[Martin W]

Check out this article by Mike -  published in a recent addition of privateer magazine.

Bears and Demons:
http://www.privateer.cc/2013/06/bears-and-demons-letter-of-intent.html

[mjr5house]

Oh my god Stappler's crushing it! What is he running on dark matter? I'm guessing his bar bag is cuban fiber?

[bikingbakke]

Check out this article by Mike -  published in a recent addition of privateer magazine.

Bears and Demons:
http://www.privateer.cc/2013/06/bears-and-demons-letter-of-intent.html

I haven't done such large scale events as either of Mike's current ride or his prior biggest one, but I relate to the empty feeling of returning to life/work/the normality after large tasks (which in my little leagues, week long mountain bike stage races scattered whereever I get myself organized to travel to are what qualify).  The decompression from having a sole purpose for a week, a month, or a round the world trip is so invigorating compared to the humdrum.  Plus the size these guys pull off, the body must take quite a while to recuperate, which I'm sure exacerbates the feeling.

[KPut]

Mommak8,  Thanks for the link.  My brother in law is Eddie (who thinks they are lost evidently).  Don't trust his navigation skills...  

KPut

[Angler]

Ovando Montana Update:  As of 1700 hours the following came in and left in the last two hours:  Ethan Stewart - Switzerland, Walter Brumniach - Australia, Hugh Harvey - Australia, Eric Foster - Arizona, Chris Arndt - Ohio, Robin Shwartz - Arizona.  The latter two are hurting but pushing through it.  Photos attached.

[Angler]

Last of the photos from Ovando MT at 1500 hours.

[Matt Schiff]

I haven't done such large scale events as either of Mike's current ride or his prior biggest one, but I relate to the empty feeling of returning to life/work/the normality after large tasks (which in my little leagues, week long mountain bike stage races scattered whereever I get myself organized to travel to are what qualify).  

Yup, pretty well documented that many people get post event depression. On one level, it's the issue of dedicating so much thought and time to the event, and you feel empty once it's over. On the other hand you are so physically spent that the body can't even produce a little adrenaline to you get you excited once again. For normal racing you try not to overtrain. For ultra endurance you have to accept you're going to over do it and deal with the mess afterwards. It certainly helps to understand how you're going to feel after a big event so it doesn't take you by surprise.

[elobeck]

Oh my god Stappler's crushing it! What is he running on dark matter? I'm guessing his bar bag is cuban fiber?

...yes, his bag is made or real cuban's:)

Yup, pretty well documented that many people get post event depression. On one level, it's the issue of dedicating so much thought and time to the event, and you feel empty once it's over. On the other hand you are so physically spent that the body can't even produce a little adrenaline to you get you excited once again. For normal racing you try not to overtrain. For ultra endurance you have to accept you're going to over do it and deal with the mess afterwards. It certainly helps to understand how you're going to feel after a big event so it doesn't take you by surprise.

I suppose one way to avoid the post event depression you refer to, is to keep doing yet another one. Craig divulged to me before the TD that he was "hoping for a quick turnaround" in order to...wait for it...take part in the Colorado Trail Race in July!

[bikingbakke]

...yes, his bag is made or real cuban's:)

I suppose one way to avoid the post event depression you refer to, is to keep doing yet another one. Craig divulged to me before the TD that he was "hoping for a quick turnaround" in order to...wait for it...take part in the Colorado Trail Race in July!

Awesome, I hadn't heard that tidbit!  We've got him lured out with a bunch of other friends too to hit the "Yak Attack" next spring, which broadly falls into "bike race" category, but is also just a good excuse for a bunch of friends to go see a cool part of the world.

[sfuller]

asthma? + allergies.
i can tell you it sucks, regardless of fitness level.

We just got back from western SD / eastern WY area last week. My wife's allergies went completely ballistic due to something out there (suspecting the pine trees). She's still not back to 100% even tho we've been back nearly a week now.

[Matt Schiff]

I suppose one way to avoid the post event depression you refer to, is to keep doing yet another one. Craig divulged to me before the TD that he was "hoping for a quick turnaround" in order to...wait for it...take part in the Colorado Trail Race in July!

Doing another event is sorta like drinking more in the morning so you don't get a hangover. It'll be fun to see him for the CTR. Like Kurt Sandiforth, he'll probably still post a descent time, but I can't imagine him leading the pack after what he'll go through on the  divide

[the tortoise]

The triple crown race is fun to watch. Forest is in 10th place, Eric in 19th place and Max is in 20th place. Forest is a big guy. He must really haul on the flats!

[mtbcast]

Paul Vaughn called in from Ferndale. Richard Costello called in from Whitefish. And Rich Otterstrom called in from Whitefish. He’s seen lots of bear scat, apparently, but only 1 bear so far.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[WyoRacerX]

Agreed with everyone on the allergies right now.  I'm taking 180mg Allegra 2X day with the pine tree pollen hitting hard now in SE Wyoming.  And I never leave on a long ride without my inhaler for asthma.  Never know when it may hit me.
BTW, love that last guys aero helmet, but I hope he doesn't have to put it to use going through Wyoming.