TD`13 Race Discussion

[Mr Cup]

IV Guy...  you're missing the point.

[the tortoise]

This was my exact thought as I was looking at the sub13 day expected times a few days ago. I'll be 53 next year and "felt" a 24-25 day time was great. Now it feels like I would be a "lapper"

Last year I was slow but had the time of my life. I am amazed by record runs and record times but I was more amazed at my own experience. I rode hard and pushed myself but above all I saw and experienced things I never would have without this race. To me it wasn't about finishing first but finishing. Plus the people you ride with and meet along the way are amazing individuals. In a way I feel sorry for the fast people, they are home and back to the grind much too soon! You don't have to be fast or first to get a lot out of this adventure.

[Cosmo K]

Here's an idea...start another thread and discuss IV therapy and other tangential issues there.  I'm tired of having to read through all those friggin' posts in this thread..the TD '13 Race Discussion thread.  And I don't mean family perspectives/comments, etc.  I love that stuff.

Ya dig???

[Olefin]

Seconded, Cosmo.

IV Guy, please create a new thread, separate to this one.

[JRA]

Here's an idea...start another thread and discuss IV therapy and other tangential issues there.  I'm tired of having to read through all those friggin' posts in this thread..the TD '13 Race Discussion thread.  And I don't mean family perspectives/comments, etc.  I love that stuff.

Ya dig???

I was thinking the same thing Kramer.  While it is an important and worthwhile topic, it is taking away from the race discussion.  I apologize to the forum for my participation in taking this thread off topic.

[Briansong]

Here's an idea...start another thread and discuss IV therapy and other tangential issues there.  I'm tired of having to read through all those friggin' posts in this thread..the TD '13 Race Discussion thread.  And I don't mean family perspectives/comments, etc.  I love that stuff.

Ya dig???

x2

[ComoDepot]

X3

For the non Americans following this thread, the US Media has a LOT of advertising for prescription and non prescription drugs.

One of those things that is very odd to an outsider.

[WalksOn2Wheels]

In terms of what "racers" expect, I think it's quite obvious that the TD has some similarities to a triathlon. There are many folks who will train to finish a full ironman, but know they have no shot of winning or coming close to a record. It seems like every year I've observed the TD, there has only been maybe 5-10 serious contenders and then a lot of fast folks who want to push their limits, but don't expect to make history. And then there are the "fast tourers" who are looking for the experience, but don't expect a seriously fast finish.

I would love to ride the route one day, but I think even at my best, 20-25 days is it. If Mike Hall manages to finish in 13 or 14 days, it won't put a damper on my dream, it will just add to the allure of the event.

[bobloblaw]

This was my exact thought as I was looking at the sub13 day expected times a few days ago. I'll be 53 next year and "felt" a 24-25 day time was great. Now it feels like I would be a "lapper"

A 24-25 day time is great..... it's an incredible accomplishment.  It's an incredible accomplishment to do it in 30 days, or 40 days.  You still have to ride strong and rely on yourself and survive 2745 miles and deal with the weather, riding conditions, resupply strategies etc.  Just because you aren't within spitting distance of a record doesn't mean that you didn't do something awesome, and maybe you had a chance to enjoy more interaction with great people along the way - and they had a chance to feel like part of your adventure.  

[annais]

I'm +30 on his age and I'm going to make a run for it next year, I just hope I'm not too late!

I cheered when I saw the picture of Larry Hipskind going through Ovando - you haven't left it too late at all!!

More Australians to follow next year would be wonderful.

[BobM]

In terms of what "racers" expect, I think it's quite obvious that the TD has some similarities to a triathlon. There are many folks who will train to finish a full ironman, but know they have no shot of winning or coming close to a record. It seems like every year I've observed the TD, there has only been maybe 5-10 serious contenders and then a lot of fast folks who want to push their limits, but don't expect to make history. And then there are the "fast tourers" who are looking for the experience, but don't expect a seriously fast finish.

I would love to ride the route one day, but I think even at my best, 20-25 days is it. If Mike Hall manages to finish in 13 or 14 days, it won't put a damper on my dream, it will just add to the allure of the event.

Here's the quote from the TD website:

"There is no finish time cut-off, however, current convention considers a competitive Divide Route finish time as approximately 1.5 times (x) course records."

If Mike finishes in 14 days the "competitive" finish time will be 21 days for men.  Personally, I wish this statement would be eliminated from the rules.  It seems pretty meaningless to tell someone they are not competitive if they finish in 22 days and are in the top half of the field.

[goaussie]

Has anyone got any info on HH and WB?
The spot tracker has not updated for 2 hours.

They should be near Rawlins.

[Briansong]

A 24-25 day time is great..... it's an incredible accomplishment.  It's an incredible accomplishment to do it in 30 days, or 40 days.  You still have to ride strong and rely on yourself and survive 2745 miles and deal with the weather, riding conditions, resupply strategies etc.  Just because you aren't within spitting distance of a record doesn't mean that you didn't do something awesome, and maybe you had a chance to enjoy more interaction with great people along the way - and they had a chance to feel like part of your adventure.  

Understood, excellent analysis. I think the disparity is simply a function of mortals like me riding side by side with super human riders like MH, CS, JP and the like. even if it's only for about 3 minutes. One of the only sports I know of where the record holder and the 30-40 day guy start an event possibly side by side.

[Briansong]

Here's the quote from the TD website:

"There is no finish time cut-off, however, current convention considers a competitive Divide Route finish time as approximately 1.5 times (x) course records."

If Mike finishes in 14 days the "competitive" finish time will be 21 days for men.  Personally, I wish this statement would be eliminated from the rules.  It seems pretty meaningless to tell someone they are not competitive if they finish in 22 days and are in the top half of the field.

Thank you.....my point exactly.

[mtbcast]

Steven Martine called in from Grizzlie Grill to say he is OUT
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[annais]

Has anyone got any info on HH and WB?
The spot tracker has not updated for 2 hours.

They should be near Rawlins.

I'm watching and keeping my fingers crossed too. I'm hoping to know more when ES and RS reach Rawlins. Looks like they all stopped together for about an hour, then the other two got back on the road.

[Majcolo]

Here's the quote from the TD website:

"There is no finish time cut-off, however, current convention considers a competitive Divide Route finish time as approximately 1.5 times (x) course records."

If Mike finishes in 14 days the "competitive" finish time will be 21 days for men.  Personally, I wish this statement would be eliminated from the rules.  It seems pretty meaningless to tell someone they are not competitive if they finish in 22 days and are in the top half of the field.

This is a great point. Makes the case for parsing the results by age group and category.

I've always been a fan of the original ethos of the race that Matt Lee describes so well, a sort of wilderness brevet in the pure sense of an individual achieving an honorable time on a self supported ride. In that paradigm other riders efforts are respected but the racing aspect is downplayed.

I think the 1.5 x the record estimate was meant to define the honorable time for this event, but without categories that's like having Lance in his prime define the honorable time for a local 200k.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[mtbcast]

Episode 155 – Tour Divide Day 11! Four more scratches, smoke clears in Del Norte, are bears cleaner in the U.S., and a true up of today’s calls!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[mikepro]

X3

x2,745


Mr Hall is climbing La Manga, or is nearly done, - I wonder if he amused himself with taking up the Money challenge.

[Cosmo K]

Thanks Desertrat for your thoughts. The Tour Divide changes the riders, and it appears to have a similar impact on the family.