TD`13 Race Discussion

[Pollyhound]

Good to hear WL's ok. 

[mtbcast]

Brett Simpson and Nick Legan called in from Lincoln.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[MCR]

Brian Pal, whose SPOT is spotty, spent the night in Helena.  

I've formed a working hypothesis: That the SPOT trackers work best with fresh batteries. I have no way to test that, though.

It seemed like leaving Banff, the tracking was *great*. Then---more and more spotty. I'm guessing the battery runs all the device, but the voltage drops during transmit (like once every ten minutes), and then recovers. It's a guess.

[mikepro]

Max's comment about the young bucks going out too fast seems to be playing out...

I dunno yet, Brian Pal at 25 (if reports are true that he's in Helena and not back where his Spot is showing) and Robin Schwartz at 23 are still in front of Max ... that's pretty decent for these 2 young bucks.  In general, though, I see some slowing down and longer rest breaks last night.  Not by all, but significant amounts and numbers.

And the gap at the front is at 40 miles right about now.  It's all about who's climbing and who's descending, and gaps easily fluctuate 10 to 20 miles at a time.  Right now, Stappler has a 15+ mile downhill cruiser plus flat pave into Lima, while Hall still has a 15+ climb to the Medicine Lodge divide.

[mikepro]

... But the big mover was Jess Carlsson who was set free by his minder [Liam Crowley] from Helena. His sectional times through to Butte were faster than Craig and Mike. ....
Go the Aussies!

I, for one, am surprised that the Aussies split up so early in the ride, and by such a wide margin in such a short space of time.  I see that Jesse made his move coming out of Helena ... and stayed in Butte in the wee hours of the morning ... I wonder if the bike shop opened for him this morning at 5am ...

[mikepro]

And NoBo Cjell Money enters Colorado ...

[Angler]

More photos found from last night in Ovando Montana.  Identities possible but not enough to make myself look like a fool by posting their names.  

[desertrat]

I've formed a working hypothesis: That the SPOT trackers work best with fresh batteries. I have no way to test that, though.

It seemed like leaving Banff, the tracking was *great*. Then---more and more spotty. I'm guessing the battery runs all the device, but the voltage drops during transmit (like once every ten minutes), and then recovers. It's a guess.

Brian's SPOT is a 1st generation unit, so it may be a combination of old technology and your hypothesis that is causing the malfunction.  He's not too worried about it.  The rest of us want to watch him!  We'll see if he picks a new one up in Butte. 

He did text from Helena this morning and it seems he's been riding consistently with Leo Pershall and Markley Anderson. 

[Angler]

Ovando Montana Noon Update:  The following folks have passed thru today and had their photo opp:  Kevin Campagna - TX, Ryan Sigsbey - NC, Sean Putnam - CA, Ron Babington - SC, Peter Maindonald - New Zealand, Tyler Arnet - AZ, Prentiss Campbell - NY, Jeff Mullen - VT, Greg Thomaspon - Alberta, James Hodges - VA.  James is well known from last year and the Blackfoot Angler was more than happy to help him out with a new tire and tube when he blew out the sidewall of his front tire and feared not making it to Lincoln.  In partnership with Rocky Mountain Adventure Cycling in Seeley Lake, MT, the Blackfoot Angler has tires, tubes, gloves, pumps and other stuff needed in an emergency.

[Angler]

More Ovando Noon Photos:

[Angler]

Lastly, from Ovando, James Hodges, before finding a new tire, changing out to new tire, and leaving with a much lighter attitude.  Good Luck James! [Yea, he is one of our perennial favorites].

[jmh]

Stappler in Lima already.  Wow. 

[WalksOn2Wheels]

Angler, I see you listed my friend Kevin Campagna, but I didn't see a picture. Did it fall through the internet cracks?

[Pollyhound]

  to Angler for these photographs.  Out of the whole field I've only met Mike Hall but these pictures bring the blue dots to life.  Thank you Angler, you're certainly adding to my enjoyment of the race.

[Angler]

Angler, I see you listed my friend Kevin Campagna, but I didn't see a picture. Did it fall through the internet cracks?

WalksOn2Wheels:  I didn't get names for each photo and sometimes these guys all look the same.  [snicker] ...
Is the attached photo the infamous Kevin perchance?

[Angler]

  to Angler for these photographs.  Out of the whole field I've only met Mike Hall but these pictures bring the blue dots to life.  Thank you Angler, you're certainly adding to my enjoyment of the race.

let's face it.....living in a small town of only 50 folks lacks a certain excitement or sense of adventure.  Meeting these racers is the most excitement this town has seen since LAST summer.  :-)

[ScottM]

Stappler in Lima already.  Wow.  

Wow, indeed.  We have JP leaving Lima at 4:22:30, and now Craig is there at 4:05:30, likely to be leaving soon.  The lead is only growing... how long can he hold this pace?

It'll be quite a while until we see the JP flag reappear in Lima, and start heading out.  16 or 17 hours...

[mrg]

Angler - in your reply#267, the last image is Sara Dallman from Wilmington, OH - my physical therapist. Thanks for the picture(s)

[dp]

let's face it.....living in a small town of only 50 folks lacks a certain excitement or sense of adventure.  Meeting these racers is the most excitement this town has seen since LAST summer.  :-)

So cool seeing all the riders in/out at Ovando.  Lots of smiles.  Thanks Angler - loving the pics.

[WalksOn2Wheels]

Angler, that's him alright! Thanks!