TD`13 Race Discussion

[elobeck]

Brutal. Looks like Mike Hall wasn't able to sweet-talk the Forest folks into getting a hall pass.

"hall pass" ....pun intended?

I imagine JP is the only one somewhat relieved at this news....

[richNYC]

Feel really bad for Mike. The dude deserved the record, unquestionably... What a ride he has been having!!! Wouldn't have been surprised if he was able to squeeze under 14 days when everything was said and done and we haven't had the fires throughout the NM. But I guess, Mother Nature decided to intervene:(

Hey, maybe he decides to come back in a year for another run. Or, squeezes it in his fall schedule and does an ITT in September this year, just like JP did in '12... Who knows;) Still, he is a helluva rider. A few years ago I wouldn't have dreamed that anybody can crack, or even come close to, 14 days on the Divide route;)

[annais]

Although still showing as active, Walter Brumniach appears to be out. There is a message on his Trackleader page from his family thanking everyone for their support and advising that he'll be having surgery tomorrow.

[JF-mtnbiker]

Didnt think the Forest Service would budge.

Mike is doing the same reroute we had to do in 2010. Not only is a record out of question but the results won't apply to historical GC for the route. All around bummer... Absent of any additional problems, he will win the grand depart TDR. The man rode (is riding) an impressive ride. 

 

[Done]

Since there doesn't seem to a public record of GC finishes since 2010, maybe the detour isn't that big of a deal for most racers. They'll know how they compare to other racers this year, but this year only.

[Canbaroo]

Although still showing as active, Walter Brumniach appears to be out. There is a message on his Trackleader page from his family thanking everyone for their support and advising that he'll be having surgery tomorrow.

"Wal is in the orthopaedic centre of the Rockies, Fort Collins, Colorado. Hit by car yesterday. Surgery tomorrow on elbow, he will be okay."

That's a bummer for Wal, he and Hugh H had been riding really consistently. It had crossed my mind that something had been amiss looking at HH's crazy Spot track. With bears, lightning, snow, wind, fire out there who needs humans to contend with as well .... what was going on out there on a perfectly straight stretch of road?

[annais]

Hugh said virtually nothing about what happened, just that Walter had been hit by a 'pickup' right where the spots stopped.

He said that he'd emailed Matt Lee and I assume that's the reason for the loop today. I'm just glad he's feeling able to continue as I certainly would have understood any decision to stop after that. I'm hoping he reaches Brush Mountain Lodge soon. I think he needs a Trail Angel.

Hugh posted on his facebook this morning (Aust East Coast time ...) 'All okay here. Some drama yesterday that has delayed me a day. The weather and good fortune I had been enjoying made me look like a much better cyclist than I am. Original schedule was 21 days. Doesn't matter about where I finish but still have desire to finish this really difficult race. Colorado shortly, that's pretty flat yeah?'

He didn't want to say too much because he wanted to be sure Walter's family knew what was going on.

I hope the surgery goes okay for Walter tomorrow and the rest of Hugh's family and I are certainly wishing him all the best.

Hugh's race won't be the same without him.

[the tortoise]

I feel so bad for Mike and all the others that they can't complete the whole course. And who knows how long the Canadian section will be unrideable?? What an amazing ride he was having! 
And in regards to JP, he is a competitor but I am sure he wouldn't wish this on Mike.

[ComoDepot]

It is all downhill in Colorado, apart from the bits that go up.

Liam stopped and had a drink, now he is not originally from Australia so the drink was non alcoholic, he wanted to get to Salida tonight which seems a stretch. He had a bad day with achilles but is confident of catching the 2 in front.

Brian's SPOT has been playing up, met him a mile or so outside town walking the puppy. He is feeling good and also aiming for Salida, more likely stop past Hartsel, he likes to stop 10 ish and then get going in the early hours.

[elobeck]

And in regards to JP, he is a competitor but I am sure he wouldn't wish this on Mike.
[/quote]

of course. my note prior was in jest.

[krefs]

I've been almost completely out of the loop, touring (as opposed to Touring...) on my own for the past few weeks. What a shame to see Mike forced to detour around the Jemez, and probably the Gila, too. He may not set a record, but his ride certainly should go down as the most impressive yet. But with parts of NM drier than any time in the past 60 years, a fire recently scorching 6000 acres on the edge of my town in AZ, and several monstrous fires currently blazing in southwest Colorado, it's tough to criticize these closures.

[BobM]

I've been almost completely out of the loop, touring (as opposed to Touring...) on my own for the past few weeks. What a shame to see Mike forced to detour around the Jemez, and probably the Gila, too. He may not set a record, but his ride certainly should go down as the most impressive yet. But with parts of NM drier than any time in the past 60 years, a fire recently scorching 6000 acres on the edge of my town in AZ, and several monstrous fires currently blazing in southwest Colorado, it's tough to criticize these closures.

It just shows again how many ducks need to get lined up in a row for someone to set a record on a course this long.  Perfect conditions (relatively speaking) until NM this time.

[ComoDepot]

So any detours and it can not be up for a record?

[BobM]

So any detours and it can not be up for a record?

Big detours that would affect the time substantially, yes.

[mtbcast]

Matt Slater called in from Togwatee Lodge. He’s taking some time to assess his knee. Rich Otterstrom called in from Pinedale. And Dale Earixson called in to say he is OUT!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[mtbcast]

Does anyone have any deets on Walter Brumniach's injury? Please email me mtbcast at gmail.

[ComoDepot]

Big detours that would affect the time substantially, yes.

So how is that determined?

I think last year only one guy did the whole route.

[BobM]

So how is that determined?

I think last year only one guy did the whole route.

I expect the decision is Matthew's.  The detours do not affect the current year's race results, only comparison with historical results and course records.

[SlowDave]

Record or no record he will be a TD legend for a long time to come.

[Cosmo K]

We who follow this race know what Mike has done so far.  After JP's incredible pace last year, I thought that nobody would be able to match his effort.  Mike pushed well beyond what I thought was possible. Assuming he continues at his current pace, he is now the benchmark.