TD`13 Race Discussion

[bikingbakke]

Calgary, Canmore are in partial states of emergency, haven't heard on Banff.  At the very least, they've got another week for it to dry out up here, but it hasn't been good weather.  Very fortunate the Grand Depart wasn't a week later.

[skipandmadge]

Banff itself is ok, but all roads in and out seem to be affected (chunks of the Trans Canada Highway washed out)  https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BNN8-xhCQAIrBCV.jpg:large .

It will be a bigger deal if some of the bridges in the Flathead (e.g. over Wigwam River) area are washed out and dangerous to cross on foot.

[bikingbakke]

atlantic city golden spike?  dots overlapping i think - but seems like 3 of them there?

[bdstew]

atlantic city golden spike?  dots overlapping i think - but seems like 3 of them there?

This is my first year following Tour Divide racing and I am hooked.
What is a Golden Spike is it when the SoBos meet the NoBos?
If so should that not been when Craig or Mike meet Cjell.

I wonder will Craig and Mike push for Rawlins tonight (Would be a 1am finish)

[bikingbakke]

yes that's right.
my bad, i misinterpreted that yellow spot.  they're something different on the legend.

[mtbcast]

Dale Earixson called in from Helena.
TD13 - Dale Earixson called in from Helena.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/]http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/[/url]

[Veetack]

My best guess it that, depending on which riders have a headwind and which have a tailwind across the basin, we'll see the golden spike somewhere near Rawlins either late tonight or sometime tomorrow.

[Canbaroo]

Liam C slowing due to Achilles injury - he's tough so should push through. Only many hundreds of miles left....

A few of the boys have had Achillies problems, they can be slow to recover from [rest!] and not while you're slogging up hills on a bike and on foot. A cortisone injection is usually the best short term solution.

[Veetack]

Here's a dumb question: I just noticed that the route makes a loop in Butte, anyone know why?

[MCR]

Here's a dumb question: I just noticed that the route makes a loop in Butte, anyone know why?

Because the racers are on I-15 and that is the obvious place to exit.

[Newfydog]

There is a good alternative to the interstate, and Adventure Cycling may re-route that piece in the future.

[MCR]

I really like the idea that the route uses a few miles of Interstate highway. If it is considered dangerous or something, then sure, but it seems like a short section of downhill, very rural road. How often does a biker get to ride on an Interstate?

[Veetack]

The problem is riding on interstate is illegal.

[MCR]

The problem is riding on interstate is illegal.

I have no knowledge of the course designer's thinking on this, but I always assumed it was an accommodation for that piece of road because rural---Montana.

[Canbaroo]

[quote @Canbaroo - was it you who was saying Liam Crowley is Irish but living in Oz?  Did I read that correctly?  Do you know where is he from?  As far as I know I am the only finisher with a Guinness label on my passport!  And I struggled a lot.  
[/quote]

No, someone else made the comment. I don't know him. Listening to his MTB cast the other day I'd say he's been out here a while, only a faint Irish lilt left. As far as I know he's a mate of Jesse Carlsson's and runs/mechanics at a bike shop in Melbourne. He's mentioned in a few long haul blogs and done a few of these style rides along with Arron Pearson http://www.wannaberacer.info

[bdstew]

I would love to know the discussions that took place once Mike caught up with Craig and what is happening now.
Are they riding together or is the plot data correct and Mike has pulled out a 10 minute lead.

[AZLobo]

You can legally ride on an Interstate if there is not a direct paralleling paved alternative. Now that does not mean a LEO cannot pull you over for a chat, but in quite a few freeway miles over the years it has never happened to me. Any reroute that replaces pave with dirt is a plus in my book no matter what the ride.

[ScottM]

I would love to know the discussions that took place once Mike caught up with Craig and what is happening now.
Are they riding together or is the plot data correct and Mike has pulled out a 10 minute lead.

The raceflow plot is a good way to see lead changes, riding together, splitting up, etc, that is less prone to old data or differing update cycles.  It's still a little hard to tell, but sure seems like Mike is very slowly pulling ahead.

[Canbaroo]

Hi Canbaroo, I don't actually know if Hugh knew Walter before the race or whether they've only just managed to meet up on the road! Either way it's been great to see them both riding so strongly. This is Hugh's first race but he's done a lot of miles with his mate Gavin (Wright - another TD rider who unfortunately scratched the day before yesterday), including a ride over the Andes and another through the Atacama desert and up Ojos del Salado.

Should probably mention that I'm another Canberran - greetings from Dickson

Well he's certainly done the altitude  ... and doing this with attitude! Nice pic's of the boys today, all looking happy, a bit rugged up for summer though.

I'm in Braddon @ Paintbox. Pop in and say g'day.

[Veetack]

Looks as if Mike Hall is laying on the gas pedal and trying to put some distance between himself and Craig. It'll be interesting to see where each of them stops tonight.