TD`13 Race Discussion

[Super Grover]

Not to change the subject but has Dennis Lowen gone into the camping mode in order to get the "Red Lantern" or did he just forget to hit Spot?

[EMathy]

So it seems that it's OK for you to express your opinions in this forum, but it's not for others to do the same?

Just like the TD, let discussions flow. Ideas matter, and this is about the only place where everyone can share their thoughts, learn from each other, etc. You obviously feel that your perspective is important enough to justify a lengthy rant, so let others share theirs too.

LOL! You are missing my point entirely, so rant on. I am merely pointing out that arguing about rules is a fruitless endeavor and that there are better things to do with your time. So, have fun with that. This whole thing reminds me why I avoid this yearly thread so religiously. Take care and have a great life.

[EMathy]

Not to change the subject but has Dennis Lowen gone into the camping mode in order to get the "Red Lantern" or did he just forget to hit Spot?

You aren't changing the subject. You're bringing it back to where it should be.

[SlowDave]

Sometimes I read this stuff and it is like listening to my ex wife in stereo.

[annais]

I drafted off a cow in NM

What sort of bike was it riding?

[BobM]

...It works, but as Kristin mentioned, there are implications to the group start "race" that may eventually force the issue. Every year I'm a bit surprised when there's no crackdown, by Parks Canada or the Forest Service or some other authority.
...
But to those who so adamantly disagree with an arbitrary standard of 25 days, I'm curious ... why? One of the greatest benefits of "racing" the Tour Divide as opposed to touring the GDMBR is attaining the impossible.

Hi Jill,

To your first point - there is no crackdown for the same reason there is no crackdown against the Rainbow Family when 10,000 of them have an event on FS lands - there is no one to crack down on.  10,000 individuals are allowed to use FS land; 500 people are allowed to ride the Spray River and Goat Creek Trails out of Banff.  So long as it is a bunch of individuals who get together and say "Hey, let's do this!" as opposed to an organized event, it is OK.

For those who have worried about the "impact " of a few hundred bike riders on the services on the route; well, Banff and the Boulton Creek area are set up to service millions of visitors every summer and the TD occurs during off/very early shoulder season.  Further down route the riders begin to spread out and so places like Ovando get a bonanza of folks who come into town silently, drop a pile of money, and either leave immediately or crash and then leave - great customers to have!

To your second point, Toby and others have addressed it pretty well.  It seems more than coincidental that riders right around the 25 day mark advocate for 25 days being the cutoff point for "racing" rather then "touring".  If it is possible for a particular person to complete the course in 16 days, then 16-18 days is actually the "competitive" number.  However, on an individual level, "attaining the impossible" might be pulling 16 hour days in order to finish in 30 days.

[sthig]

What sort of bike was it riding?

MOOOOOOOOTS

[sthig]

I refuse to get into the time cut off argument - but let me just say this

The Tour Divide, as it is, as the most amazing journey/race I've ever been on.  I would not change one thing about it at all, it was perfect in every way. 

[james-o]

MOOOOOOOOTS

Dreadful ) Scott, wish I'd been riding with you sometime along the way ..

[woody]

All this chatting about cutoffs should be moved to a new thread. As the name of this thread states "TD`13 Race Discussion".

Anybody have any info on the Kraft's? I think it's so cool that a father and son are doing this together.

Looks like five more finishers today - Go get it done guys..


Woody

[sthig]

I briefly rode with the Krafts and they were two very fine people.  Sadly they caught me at my worst as I was pretty stressed out, out of sorts and really not collected mentally.  I ate with them at the Lodge in Polaris and there were none finer cyclist than them.

James-O...if I couldn't make the race fun, I'd gone nuts.

[Dumpster Juice]

I talked with Peter Kraft Sr. yesterday. If the doctors clear his son they will be finishing in 30, 31,32 days, who cares as long as they finish. I have riden with both Peters in races and they are great people. I only wish I could experience something like this with my son. Peter Sr is sore but hey are not sure what is worng with Junior, hopefully just dehydration. I told him Jr was probably just stressed out from his dads crash and it took a toll on him. 20 years old, in the middle of no where and you see your hero (dad) come in all bloody and not remembering anything, it would get to most people...

[dp]

I refuse to get into the time cut off argument - but let me just say this...  I would not change one thing about it at all, it was perfect in every way. 

I'll echo this sentiment from the sidelines.  I can't imagine a cutoff would make any difference to a rider on the course in and event of this magnitude.  And for those of us watching blue dots on our laptops (in the cozy comfort of our homes, with a cup of steaming hot coffee in hand), turning on "record locations" in map layers is all that's needed to see how the riders out there stack up against previously established benchmarks.  So much preparation goes into riding an event like this, I'm guessing that the riders probably know what splits they need to hit in order to maintain a given pace.  And if they don't know, they probably don't care.

[desertrat]

I talked with Peter Kraft Sr. yesterday. If the doctors clear his son they will be finishing in 30, 31,32 days, who cares as long as they finish. I have riden with both Peters in races and they are great people. I only wish I could experience something like this with my son. Peter Sr is sore but hey are not sure what is worng with Junior, hopefully just dehydration. I told him Jr was probably just stressed out from his dads crash and it took a toll on him. 20 years old, in the middle of no where and you see your hero (dad) come in all bloody and not remembering anything, it would get to most people...

Please keep us posted on the Krafts.  We are praying for them!  Their determination and grit shows us exactly why so many people are captivated and inspired by this event.  Much much respect for those guys.     

[woody]

I talked with Peter Kraft Sr. yesterday. If the doctors clear his son they will be finishing in 30, 31,32 days, who cares as long as they finish. I have riden with both Peters in races and they are great people. I only wish I could experience something like this with my son. Peter Sr is sore but hey are not sure what is worng with Junior, hopefully just dehydration. I told him Jr was probably just stressed out from his dads crash and it took a toll on him. 20 years old, in the middle of no where and you see your hero (dad) come in all bloody and not remembering anything, it would get to most people...

Thanks for the update and we all hope to see their dots moving south soon.

Woody

[mtbcast]

Fred Arden called in with his finish call!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[dadana]

will there ever be hot chix giving flowers at Antelope Wells?  My decision for next year hangs on this, I love flowers.

HTF did you miss this? Must not have made the cutoff.

[sthig]

Mom!?

[BobM]

Forget cutoffs for inspiration - these ladies will greet riders from days 14 - 21.

[Dotwatch]

I would prefer shorter cutoffs for the females, aber the males should make their cutoffs around knee length.