Tour Divide 2010

[Bounce]

Did Eric miss his intersection?

[JML]

Looks like Erik is correcting his mistake and heading back down to the intersection. too bad he was getting closer to ML

[ScottM]

Looks like Erik is correcting his mistake and heading back down to the intersection. too bad he was getting closer to ML

He went to Elkhorn hot springs (maybe for water?), and it was likely intentional.

ML seems to be in stealth mode...

[cbillman]

Kerby hasn't officially scratched but it's safe to assume he's done.

Bummer. He's a good guy. He and Jon were riding partners for the second half of the 2007 GDR, up until Kerby got food poisoning from a bad burrito in NM and ended up in the hospital, agonizingly close to the goal. I've been rooting for him ever since.

[clydeone]

ML seems to be in stealth mode...

He's back on.  Looks like Eric made up some distance could be close. 

[ztirffritz]

I think that since this is a fundraiser for the ACA, this should offend anyone:

If anyone is interested, Eric Bruntjen put together a small publication that is a collection of writings from Tour Divide riders and a few other people related to the Race in some way.  The proceeds from the purchase go to the ACA, the organization that defined most of the race route.  If you're interested, it can be downloaded as a PDF or purchased in 'dead tree' format from here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-cordillera-volume-1/11051486

"If you have fun watching the race please pick up a copy of The Cordillera, a collection of essays about Divide Racing. The Cordillera is a fundraiser for the Adventure Cycling Association so every copy sold goes to a good cause. I was lucky enough to edit this first edition and can tell you that we have some excellent authors including Jon Billman (Outside Magazine), Mark Jenkins (Outside Magazine and National Geographic) and 2009 racers Paul Howard (Two Wheels on My Wagon published by Random House) and Jill Homer (of Up in Alaska fame).

The book will be available on Amazon.com and bookstores soon but if you order direct from the printer the ACA will get more money per copy. The link is below:

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-cordillera-volume-1/11051486

More information including links for purchasing can be found at www.thecordillera.org"

[krefs]

Uh oh.  Matthew and Erik have slowed down to nearly walking pace on the Old Bannack Road.  Parts (all?) of that road surface turn to absolute slime when saturated, and from the looks of it, they may be facing a battle to simply get dinner at a decent hour in Lima tonight.  If this section is that bad, they're likely doomed to some serious carry-a-bike getting over the low divide at the high point on the road.

[DoesntOwnAbike]

Bummer. He's a good guy. He and Jon were riding partners for the second half of the 2007 GDR, up until Kerby got food poisoning from a bad burrito in NM and ended up in the hospital, agonizingly close to the goal. I've been rooting for him ever since.

It is a bummer for those of us tracking. He finally called in this morning and made it official. He sounds happy with his decision. He really is a good guy and it's great to hear that he's happy. It sounds like this may be the end of the Tour Divide road for him altogether. If that's the case I think we'll all miss him call in his stories of random encounters.

[JeffOYB]

What's the rationale for the time of year when TD starts? I wonder if the rainy-season for certain parts of the course could be more risk-reduced. Likely that's all been parsed out and there are pro's/con's. Maybe it gets too hot in the south if you wait much longer. ? Anyone know the scoop?

I vaguely recall that John Nobile is planning to start his ITTD on the 18th -- I wonder if he's doing that with a thought to weather. (I have no idea. Just a notion.)

The hike/carry-a-bike thru the Basin road-slime that now seems likely sounds quite miserable...

[Jeff Tomassetti]

I see a Peleton forming outside of Helena........9 riders in about 7 miles. I wonder how many will stay in Helena tonight?

[ScottM]

You can see Matthew's latest SPOT dot right in a barn at the 'cross ranch' outside of Grant.  Miles of slow pushing on the Bannack Bench, and the radar and upcoming conditions do not lend much hope.  Erik is not far behind, distance wise, but still perhaps a sizeable gap with the mucky conditions.

Jeff, there is some rationale to the start date, but it's still a crap shoot no matter what you do.  If you start too much later you can hit monsoon storms in New Mexico which can shut progress down just as easily.  I think John's later date is due to a work/life conflict, not so much looking for better conditions.  But I don't know for sure.

[BobM]

Lima forecast:

Rest of Today
Rain showers and scattered thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds and small hail in the afternoon. Highs 45 to 55. South winds up to 10 mph...shifting to the west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Tonight
Rain and a chance of thunderstorms in the evening... then rain after midnight. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds...large hail and heavy rainfall in the evening. Lows 30 to 35. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
   
Thursday
Rain and snow likely in the morning...then a chance of rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Total snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Snow level 7500 feet. Highs 45 to 55. West winds 5 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

[bjamin]

Looks like we have a new leader! Love this race.

[BobM]

Spot data need careful interpretation.  Matthew's Spot has not updated for an hour and a half, so he may still be in the lead - we won't know until it transmits a signal again.

Bob

[ScottM]

Attention any friends/families of people dropping out.

I'm trying to get a different SPOT unit to Shawn Sheppard, who has been having problems with his (he is the lone rider still showing in Banff).

I just spoke to him.  He is in Lincoln, and could pick up a new SPOT in Helena or Butte, maybe at Great Divide Cyclery or the Outdoorsman bike shops, respectively.  If someone happens to be scratching in either of those towns or heading back that way, both Shawn, his wife and myself would greatly appreciate it if you could pass your SPOT onto him.

Thanks.  Drop me an email at smorris@topofusion.com if you think you can help.

[krefs]

Looks like Matthew and Erik are going to battle the next section of mud together.  I bet they'll stick together for a while now...misery loves company, right?

[BobM]

Looks like Matthew and Erik are going to battle the next section of mud together.  I bet they'll stick together for a while now...misery loves company, right?

And 2 riders together in hypothermia weather is a lot safer.  Kurt - what are their chances of making Lima before dark given the forecast?

Bob

[bmike-vt]

whoa. just saw they both updated about 5-7 minutes ago.
curiuos where erik was able to make up ground... especially if the weather is bad all around.

i'll wait for the topofusion instant replay...

[krefs]

Bob, you're right, given the forecast, pushing through storms when temps are in the 30-40 degree range is pretty dangerous, especially since few Divide racers come prepared for dealing with those conditions.  Last year it took Matthew 7 hours to get from their current location to Lima, and that was with a couple miles of pushing and carrying over the next pass.  Conditions seem to be considerably worse this year, so even if all goes "well," they're probably not going to make it into Lima before dark.  Fortunately, there are a few options there for rooms/cabins, so they should be able to warm up and dry out. 

It also looks like they've now fallen behind record pace, which means they lost 5+ hours since last evening.  I'm sure neither one is in a terribly happy place right now, but the company will be good.  I bet MikeC's happy glasses would also help.

[BobM]

whoa. just saw they both updated about 5-7 minutes ago.
curiuos where erik was able to make up ground... especially if the weather is bad all around.

i'll wait for the topofusion instant replay...

The route is paved up to the Bannack State Park turnoff, so when Matthew hit the first mud, Erik was still spinning on wet pavement - that's probably where he cut most of the distance.