TD`13 Race Discussion

[ComoDepot]

Many guys just went through Como today, Gunther stopped and had a beer.

Tim kept going despite being shouted at by Gunther. They seemed to have camped at Hartsel, not a good spot.

I told Gunther about the detours further south, he did not know about them, I am unclear how riders are told?

[Foster]

I basically read through most of what was commented on about me.  Honestly I had good intentions and at the time really didn't see anything wrong with what I did especially since it was prerace and only saline. What bugs me the most is that I'm out here riding my ass off self supported and there are numerous comments from people that are sitting on their couch speculating about what kind of person I am based on one thing. Maybe you should get to know me first?  Unfortunately I heard about this discussion during my ride which has shut me down mentally, so yes most of the comments on here have made me feel like a shitty person, but not all of them.  

I also got two text messages yesterday in Rawlins from an unknown number tell me that I should drop out of the race and that I'm a mother fucking cheater.  If being an ass to me makes you feel good about yourself I'm happy for you. An apology on this forum would be nice though. If not that's fine.

You'll be happy to know I am completely dehydrated and drinking water and Gatorade everyday.   I'm hoping I can eventually forget about all this so I can enjoy my time on the divide instead of wondering every mile how many people are judging me on this forum; as if riding alone isn't hard enough.  I may or may not get back on route tomorrow, either way my spot will be off for the rest of my ride, I'm tired of the speculation. I will send my gpx file to matthew lee at the end of the ride.

I don't have anything else to say so don't bother asking me anything, I'm trying to move on and enjoy my ride.  Sorry for any problemsy actions may have caused.  Enjoy tracking everyone else.

[Russ Kipp]

Thanks to all the TD riders that stopped by Montana High Country Lodge this year.  # 7

[Russ Kipp]

Thanks to all the TD riders that stopped by Montana High Country Lodge this year.  # 8

[Russ Kipp]

Thanks to all the TD riders that stopped by Montana High Country Lodge this year.  # 9

[Russ Kipp]

Thanks to all the TD riders that stopped by Montana High Country Lodge this year.  # 10

[Majcolo]

I basically read through most of what was commented on about me.
...

1. You didn't do anything wrong.
2. No serious person thinks you did anything wrong or thinks you're cheating by using IV hydration pre-Grand Depart.
3. No one at all thinks you're cheating during the race.
4. Don't let a few internet tough guys ruin your TD experience.

I hope you can shake this off and get back to the great ride you're having.

[SlowDave]

It is going to be getting hot the next couple of days.  104 in Lordsburg NM on Friday.

[rippling over canyons]

Thanks for posting all of the pictures, Russ! Much appreciated.

[mtbcast]

Episode 158 - Tour Divide 2013 Day 14! A man called Como, saline therapy, and we true up today’s calls!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[Mathewsen]

Thanks for posting all of the pictures, Russ! Much appreciated.

Yes, it's really nice to see the happy faces of TD. Makes all the work involved feel justified / the right thing to do.

[Crow_flies]

Why has mike disappeared from the leaderboard? That does not happen when your spot is not working for a while...

[Mathewsen]

I don't think that's a bad idea. As Jill mentioned most organized ultras have cutoffs to be considered a finisher. This race is certainly less organized than most, but there is a great community that has grown up around it that has tremendous value.

I personally prefer age groups (or some other creative category system) without a cutoff because I'd hate to see the Larry Hipskinds of the world discouraged from participating, but I understand your point of view. Establishing 25 days (or whatever number) as the honorable time for completing the TD is a fine idea.

As an aside, I just did the math on the miles per day requirements for my own edification and planning. I had no intention of restarting this debate in this thread and I think you and Scott do a great job.

Thank-you. To be clear, we are not talking about a time cutoff. We are simply exploring whether we can fairly define what is competitive across a broad range. Do we allow the 'curve-breakers', i.e outliers who achieve exceedingly high to define / reduce the curve by which all are graded? I rather think so. Just as I rather like only two TD categories: Open Men and Women, with subtle nods to SS and Tandem (if applicable). Equal scrutiny is congruous with equal opportunity.

[Mathewsen]

Why has mike disappeared from the leaderboard? That does not happen when your spot is not working for a while...

If you're referring to his absence from the live elevation plot + race flow, it's on account of this news ticker feed item: Mike Hall tracked off route -- at 05:23:33 PM (MDT) 06/27/13

[dp]

Mike is still on the move. Question is, can he make the border in time to finish sub-14 days?  Not like it actually matters - clearly this man is breathing rarified air. No denying that. Amazing run.

[Crow_flies]

If you're referring to his absence from the live elevation plot + race flow, it's on account of this news ticker feed item: Mike Hall tracked off route -- at 05:23:33 PM (MDT) 06/27/13

thanks. Now that makes more sense....

[Veetack]

Thanks to all the TD riders that stopped by Montana High Country Lodge this year.  # 3

Post 1259, the second picture down is Scott Thigpen. Drew is on a green fixie with a white tire.
Post 1268, the first picture is Drew McIntosh.

I'm following both of these riders pretty loyally. Scott is a good internet friend, and Drew is a hometown boy. They're both on SS. Drew is riding fixie because apparently he's either that brave or that stupid. I dunno, I've not met him, but I did offer to buy him a beer at a local watering hole here in Knoxville when he gets back.

[Veetack]

As far as things go with Eric Foster. I'm pretty upset that comments here have affected his ride. I'm absolutely APPALLED that some would hunt down his phone number and text him crap like that. Whoever you are, you should be ashamed of yourself. Eric, keep riding your ride, there are plenty that still support you. Haters gonna hate.

[Canbaroo]

Nice to see Kerrin Walker [in Cuba NM] underway again after 24hrs ... not sure what that smoke inhalation has been doing to him but looking at has SpoT track he's slightly confused! ......... or maybe it was him not Jesse who got a lightning touch up?

[Canbaroo]

My fav rider ... Prentiss Campbell

Cool dude, matching shoes and shades ... my Dad used to say. "Son, if you can't play the part, make sure you look the part!"

Prentiss is out there doing it both ways! Go Prentiss!!