TD`13 Race Discussion

[sjanes]

Stephen, when you come do a multi-day self-supported race, then you can talk to me about their rules . Rules per route mile, TD does OK in that department.

I respect that.     

[gearsconfuseme]

Kerrin Walker must be stealthing it up through the Jemez mtns.

[mtbcast]

Billy Rice called in from Pinedale. Chris Bennett called in from Steamboat Springs. And Brett Simpson called in from Kremling.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[Newfydog]

]

That place is on the maps
The problem is, it's not really part of the trail, it's a product of the race and the higher profile of live tracking. It's 'situational angeling' not likely to benefit a late season ITT or the tourists who can really probably use the mental lift more than racers. You're right that riders need to interpret this level of purity on their own, but we'd still like to minimize the temptation to accept targeted aid and stop too often for such distractions. "Alone" is part of the challenge. We'd really like to see riders travel mostly unsupported between the towns with the exception of water resupply.

You misunderstood me, or I didn't make it clear enough......On many trails, all over the world, people put things out for the riders year round.  Not just for your race.  Your race is not bigger than the trail. You are just riders on our public land, just like anyone else out there.

I think we should encourage the locals to know about the trail, and putting a case of Costco water bottles out is the way some respond.  If they only put it out at busy times, such as when you run your herd down the route, well, too bad, but it is a free world and the residents can do as they wish.  Tell your racers they are something special and they must pass it by.  Tell Toby Gadd to hold hid breath.  There are other people on that route who might appreciate the gesture.  Don't go and try to minimize those gestures to suit what you see as tempting the participants in your little game. 

PS the spot south of Whitefish isn't on my ACA maps.  I don't buy a new set every year.

[mtbcast]

Rich Otterstrom called in from Rawlins. Scott Thigpen called in from Rawlins. And Matthew Liggett called in from Atlantic City. He's going to keep an eye out for Michael's GoPro.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[BobM]

]

You misunderstood me, or I didn't make it clear enough......On many trails, all over the world, people put things out for the riders year round.  Not just for your race.  Your race is not bigger than the trail. You are just riders on our public land, just like anyone else out there.

I think we should encourage the locals to know about the trail, and putting a case of Costco water bottles out is the way some respond.  If they only put it out at busy times, such as when you run your herd down the route, well, too bad, but it is a free world and the residents can do as they wish.  Tell your racers they are something special and they must pass it by.  Tell Toby Gadd to hold hid breath.  There are other people on that route who might appreciate the gesture.  Don't go and try to minimize those gestures to suit what you see as tempting the participants in your little game.  

PS the spot south of Whitefish isn't on my ACA maps.  I don't buy a new set every year.

Hi Newfy,

I think one of the points of miscommunication that is happening is that this is the "TD '13 Race Discussion" thread in the "Ultra Racing" section of the forums.  Your suggestion is great, but would probably be better received in a thread in the regular "Bikepacking" section.  You are 100% correct that touring cyclists would appreciate the sort of gestures you are advocating.  Anyway, that's my 2 cents, adjusted for inflation.

[Newfydog]

Of course, the race is its own little esoteric world.  Try to hold it without impacting the trail.  Telling people not to be a trail angel is a negative impact.  

[lonefrontranger]

can we please go back to speculating about which flavor(s) of pie Mike probably ate this morning, and leave the whole pedantic armchair quarterbacking argument revolving around rules vs. no rules to the guys who actually organise this event? maybe?

and GO Sara Dallman!  I went to high school with her!!

[BobM]

can we please go back to speculating about which flavor(s) of pie Mike probably ate this morning, and leave the whole pedantic armchair quarterbacking argument revolving around rules vs. no rules to the guys who actually organise this event? maybe?

and GO Sara Dallman!  I went to high school with her!!

I'm rooting for Sara, too.  Looks like she and Eric Foster are leapfrogging and sometimes riding together.

[lonefrontranger]

I'm rooting for Sara, too.  Looks like she and Eric Foster are leapfrogging and sometimes riding together.

I was so inspired by her ride that I went out for the first time in several years and raced our local short track series last night (and got my butt kicked by a handful of skinny college girls too) because her doing the TD means I can't use being 44 as an excuse anymore.

because a 20 minute short track race is exactly like the TD... bahaha 

[davidhaile]

I was so inspired by her ride that I went out for the first time in several years and raced our local short track series last night (and got my butt kicked by a handful of skinny college girls too) because her doing the TD means I can't use being 44 as an excuse anymore.

because a 20 minute short track race is exactly like the TD... bahaha 

I've been inspired as well and did a local road time trial race last Wednesday. I came in last, of course, but I was faster than anyone who didn't do it!

[SlowDave]

David, how are the re-hydration efforts going at Como Depot?

[lonefrontranger]

I've been inspired as well and did a local road time trial race last Wednesday. I came in last, of course, but I was faster than anyone who didn't do it!

DFL> DNF> DNS

doesn't matter, you're still lapping everyone who's sitting on the couch!

ETA looks like Sara should be in Steamboat Springs shortly... wonder if she'll stay there for the evening or continue on.  Strategy, strategy...

[kato]

I was so inspired by her ride that I went out for the first time in several years and raced our local short track series last night (and got my butt kicked by a handful of skinny college girls too) because her doing the TD means I can't use being 44 as an excuse anymore.

because a 20 minute short track race is exactly like the TD... bahaha 

Reminds me of a quote my wife likes to recite, “Last place is better than did not finish, which greatly trumps did not start.”

[Pussywhipped]

]

You misunderstood me, or I didn't make it clear enough......On many trails, all over the world, people put things out for the riders year round.  Not just for your race.  Your race is not bigger than the trail. You are just riders on our public land, just like anyone else out there.

I think we should encourage the locals to know about the trail, and putting a case of Costco water bottles out is the way some respond.  If they only put it out at busy times, such as when you run your herd down the route, well, too bad, but it is a free world and the residents can do as they wish.  Tell your racers they are something special and they must pass it by.  Tell Toby Gadd to hold hid breath.  There are other people on that route who might appreciate the gesture.  Don't go and try to minimize those gestures to suit what you see as tempting the participants in your little game.  

PS the spot south of Whitefish isn't on my ACA maps.  I don't buy a new set every year.

Umm just a guess but I don't think you have to tell Matt Lee that the Trail is bigger than the race...

And yes, a hairless aerodynamic C$ sobo on a geared clipless Ti 29er in sponsored latex would be a hell of a sight.  Those 29er knard 3.0's however are here to stay with the looks of his ride this year! Fatties need love too.

[vistaed]

Behold! The power of Pie Town!


And remind me to never race this Mike guy around the world, or anything. Man, those photos from the start of that race last year were amazing. He looked like he was from the future when compared to many of his fellow starters.

It was fun discussing his bike set up between hill reps on wet, cold roads during December. Divide racing, and bike packing seem to have missed the other compedators completly by, that suprised me! Will be interesting to see what kit the 2014 compedators use.

[ChrisE]

If Mike makes it so that the 1.5 times rule means in future years racers must do <20hours, that will beast most people!

C

[vistaed]

If Mike makes it so that the 1.5 times rule means in future years racers must do <20hours, that will beast most people!

C

Ye, thanks Mike!

[ChrisE]

Sorry <20 days of course!

C

[mikepro]

Looks like Mike H is well on his way to pedaling through the Gila on-route, even though earlier posted info here and on Gila NF website is that road is closed S of Beaverhead WC.  I see one detour available in a few miles.  Wonder if he got some updated info on the road/route closure today while eating pie?

The race for 7th is fun to observe - after much spreading apart, re-grouping, and just plain catching up by Reto K and Saemi B, they are together as group of 5 now heading to Del Norte together.

And as far as comparing splits btwn Abiq. and Cuba:
JC's leader board split with detour is essentially 12 hrs but that includes stopping and sleeping in Abiq.  His spot dots show 5.5 hrs of pedaling the road between the 2 towns. 
By contrast, MH had lunch in Abiq. and took some time figuring things out with the post office and Forest Service, so his split by leaderboard is 8 hrs with approx 4.75 hrs pedaling the road. 
And JayP's split from last year's record ride, no detour, is 16 hrs by way of leaderboard, but without the link to last year's TL page I've no way of looking up his pedal time up and over the mesa.