TD`13 Race Discussion

[KPut]

I'd have done it quicker than Mike if i wasn't busy sitting on my A$$ and watching the race on the computer while having a frosty beer or two, or i was in better shape and could ride like him...

Congrats on a great ride.    Anyone who finishes gets my respect, and at such a pace gets my envy.

KPut

[jmh]

Awe inspiring ride Mike. Wow.

[JRA]

Awesome display Mike Hall - Very impressive!
Thanks for the entertainment for the last couple of weeks.

[danwiz]

Unreal Mike, unreal. I can't even fathom what it takes to do something like this. Cheers

[ekloco]

Does anyone know Mike Halls new record stats?......14 days 8 hours 5 min (just guessing).....bet that one will stand for quite a while!

[Eszter]

I can't even wrap my head around what Mike just accomplished.  Completely and totally amazeballs out of this world.  Mad congrats.

[stappy]

Congratulations Mike. It was fun to get to know you a little. Mike came on my group ride from Calgary before the start. Of course there were a couple different levels but he was friendly and courteous to everyone on the ride. In fact everyone who came on the ride bonded in that short 80 mile space of time. We stayed in different places in Banff but made a point of sharing our next couple meals together.

The 30-35 hours we spent together on the race course felt like 5 hour race pace. 99% because of Mike. He peddles really hard, all day. He is also highly efficient, eating on the bike, quick stops etc. It's a shame Mike didn't get an opportunity to set the record but that's the way this thing goes.
Craig Stappler.

[Biff]

 
 And he didn't breathe properly for the first few days!?
 So impressed. And so little baggage (!)
 I take more stuff with me for a two day ride.

 Now... go JO!

[AZtrailertrash]

Congratulations Mike. It was fun to get to know you a little. Mike came on my group ride from Calgary before the start. Of course there were a couple different levels but he was friendly and courteous to everyone on the ride. In fact everyone who came on the ride bonded in that short 80 mile space of time. We stayed in different places in Banff but made a point of sharing our next couple meals together.

The 30-35 hours we spent together on the race course felt like 5 hour race pace. 99% because of Mike. He peddles really hard, all day. He is also highly efficient, eating on the bike, quick stops etc. It's a shame Mike didn't get an opportunity to set the record but that's the way this thing goes.
Craig Stappler.

Stappy... Know that he enjoyed getting buried and having to catch the hare.... You wouldn't know anyone near by that loaded a few rocks in one of his packs, would you? Say Pinedale or perhaps beyond?  ;-) You are part of the reason for his excellent time overall.

[danwiz]

So what will he do starting tomorrow?  After 14 days with near bottomless riding, he's done with the tourdivide.  Mike, seriously, what will you do immediately after this?

[Angler]

Ovando Montana is sending a standing O to Mike. He made this an exciting race.  Congrats and SMILE!

[Angler]

Okay changing focus.  Will Jesse Carlsson finish tonight?
And C$ is booking!  Over 100 miles today.

[ComoDepot]

So what will he do starting tomorrow?  After 14 days with near bottomless riding, he's done with the tourdivide.  Mike, seriously, what will you do immediately after this?

Return leg?

I have had guys come by who are doing some respectable mileage, a bit much to mention that the race is sort of over.

Today was the busiest day for riders, now seeing clumps? come through. Not really peletons.

[mtbcast]

Rich Otterstrom called in from Steamboat Springs. He got some repairs and supplies at The Orange Peel!
And Arran Pearson called in from Sargents.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[mtbcast]

Episode 159 - Tour Divide 2013 Day 15! Mike Hall completes the race with 14:11:55, a special message to Dave Blumenthal, and we true up today’s calls!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[AZtrailertrash]

When is the last time Mike Hall tried to call in to MTBcast?   

[Olefin]

So what will he do starting tomorrow?  After 14 days with near bottomless riding, he's done with the tourdivide.  Mike, seriously, what will you do immediately after this?

He should do the Tour de France - he'd win if they didn't make him stop for the night!

(on these figures he'd be back in Paris a week to ten days before the peloton!)

[nirlhn]

 :thumbsup:Tour De France starts today. Maybe Mike wason a hurry to be on time on the start line.
Great respect to Mike and all the others that are still out there

[zedmorgan]

Are there any open businesses in Hachita?  I don't recall any but I haven't been there in a few years.  I am curious as to water sources on the last leg.  There are tanks but that is off the course.  BP guys are always quick to offer some and there are plenty of them in the area but not something one would want to count on.


There are no services in Hatchita. If the post office is open you can try to scrounge a water from her but otherwise the last water is in Separ. There is a tank before Big Hatchet game refuge but its clearly marked private property, behind a locked gate and I don't think the Aeromotor was even running when we rode there in May. The BP guys on the road are awesome but they are busy and I also wouldn't rely on them. Also the Border closes at 4:00 PM  sharp and when its closed, its really closed.

Didn't the NOBO woman (Lyndsay Shepard) who scratched early leave a message about a source of water at Hachita? I remember not being able to understand the name of the place on the message, but now it looks familiar....  http://mtbcast.com/site2/?s=shepard&x=0&y=0#t=1:13.662

[Auke]

Deep respect for Mike Hall, doing 318kms a day average is almost impossible to comprehend. The Britts rule everywhere in cycling .

One question though:
Why does the TDR take the alternate sections of the official GDMBR, especially in New Mexico. From a touring point of view I found the section between Cuba and Grants through the Rio Puerco Valley very impressive. The racers always take the paved alternate section. Is that because of possible impassible sections when it might rain? To make sure that every rider has the best chance of equal circumstances?

This year due to wildfires a lot of miles through New Mexico were done on asphalt roads, more then JP did last year. For example missing the brutal climb over Polvadera Mesa also takes away some of the New Mexican hardship. Not that it makes a lot easier when it is almost 100F . But still a good reason for Mike to come back next year .

Here Mike's latest twitter pic, he still looks happy