Tour Divide 2010

[bmike-vt]

Thanks for the Oz Record tip! I hadn't heard of that. I've long been interested in self-supported fast action. I'm waiting for folks to dig into self-supported road racing and records, like the Trans Am (East-West axis). Chris K was organizing such an event a few years ago, but I recall that Lon H. talked him out of it.

There was some chatter on this a few years back on one of the ultra lists... basically was shot down, RAAM being a sort of thing that is interested in preserving itself and all. A self supported category was pooh poohed. There is one ultra road race where you can do self support - I think Planet Ultra runs it - they call it the Voyager class. Then there are the randonees - PBP, BMB (dead), Last Chance - etc. - all 1200k rides.


Same arguments you make. I don't think it would be any more / less dangerous than the current way its done - riders still get hurt and die when they ride in sleep deprived states and do stupid things in traffic.


This looks fun: Pony Express Permanent

Sacremento to St. Joseph, MO

[teamfaeth]

Shhhhh! That is where P Faeth lives. No one tell him about this one please! LOL.

[ScottM]

Two new TopoFusion replay videos available:

http://topofusion.com/td09replays.php

Both are through this morning, one with everyone and one with only the leaders.

[ztirffritz]

Shoot...looks like Eric B is off-course.  Hope he's just taking a detour for lunch.

[ScottM]

Just spoke to Matthew... he is currently trying to psych himself up for miles of walking through the snow on the Brooks Lake road.  Local info says it is very deep up there.

He was impressed to learn of Erik Lobeck's current position.

[howrad]

Does anyone know if any TDR2010 racers are using a dynamo hub & light?

[crolleyframes]

OUTSTANDING!!!  Erik is motoring!  We have a race here people.  Thanks to the folks who have been posting pictures.  It's cool to see these riders out on the course and to check out the bike setups.

[rhowdy]

Go Big Dave Tremblay!!!!!    Havin' fun watchin' from Vermont.  Kudos to all riders...Have fun and ride hard (of course there is little choice in the ease of riding the Divide).

[DoctorRad]

Just as I suspected, Its not coincidence the fastest guys on the tour are not using backpacks, thats the way I got my kit set up currently, nothing on the back.

I'm more and more convinced it's the way to go, but where'd you put your water for best effect do you think?

[howrad]

I'm more and more convinced it's the way to go, but where'd you put your water for best effect do you think?

I think some folks are putting bladders in frame bags, no?

[howrad]

Just spoke to Matthew... he is currently trying to psych himself up for miles of walking through the snow on the Brooks Lake road.  Local info says it is very deep up there.

looks like he cleared the snow or at least started riding over it:

#640 on Fri Jun 18 14:22:38 2010 (17 minutes ago). 2.42 mi traveled at 14.5 mph
#639 on Fri Jun 18 14:12:38 2010 (27 minutes ago). 1.73 mi traveled at 10.8 mph
#638 on Fri Jun 18 14:03:00 2010 (37 minutes ago). 122 feet traveled at 0.1 mph
#637 on Fri Jun 18 13:43:02 2010 (57 minutes ago). 16 feet traveled at 0.0 mph
#636 on Fri Jun 18 13:35:23 2010 (1 hours, 4 minutes ago). 103 feet traveled at 0.1 mph
#635 on Fri Jun 18 13:25:23 2010 (1 hours, 14 minutes ago). 0.39 mi traveled at 1.9 mph
#634 on Fri Jun 18 13:12:42 2010 (1 hours, 27 minutes ago). 1.13 mi traveled at 6.8 mph
#633 on Fri Jun 18 13:02:42 2010 (1 hours, 37 minutes ago). 1.09 mi traveled at 6.5 mph
#632 on Fri Jun 18 12:52:42 2010 (1 hours, 47 minutes ago). 0.37 mi traveled at 2.2 mph
#631 on Fri Jun 18 12:42:44 2010 (1 hours, 57 minutes ago). 0.87 mi traveled at 5.2 mph

[KootenayB]

I hope we have a race for the lead again!  Worried about Erik's mechanical before Lima, his apparent assistance forward into Lima, and Rule 4a?  Can any past TDers comment on the interpretation of this rule?  It seems an overly harsh rule, but there it is.

Don't want to be negative (I'll never have the guts to do this thing!!!), but also don't want to see that whole hullabaloo at the end like last year!  It's best to clear it up now I think.

Also, previously wondered about John Nobile's homemade "fairings" in the GDR?  Thought that wasn't kosher with the GDR rules ("windscreens, fairings, airfoils and objects intended to capture the wind are prohibited. Aerobars and their accessories are allowed").

[BobM]

I am concerned about Erik's forward move via car as well.  Hopefully he cleared it with Matthew as he was there at the time.  I'm assuming he got to Lima "on route" as there does not seem to be an alternate route at that point.  From the FAQ:

"As TD understands this 'original rule', you can even cross the GDMBR en route to help.

This rule can be problematic, even to think about. The original intent of prohibiting forward (on-route) hitchhiking is a) to prevent the reconnaissance of the route ahead and b) to severely penalize a rider for getting in a car."


John Nobile's fairings are OK as they are not designed to capture the wind, but to cut through it.  His rear fairing actually penalizes him somewhat in a tailwind.

[caseygreene]

Scott: awesome replays!

[Bounce]

I am concerned about Erik's forward move via car as well.  Hopefully he cleared it with Matthew as he was there at the time.  I'm assuming he got to Lima "on route" as there does not seem to be an alternate route at that point. 

I don't follow.  If you "ASSUME" he got to Lima on route, and there does not seem to be an alternate route at that point, and Matthew was there at the time, then why would you be concerned about Erik's forward move via car?

[Jeff Tomassetti]

I am concerned about Erik's forward move via car as well.  Hopefully he cleared it with Matthew as he was there at the time.  I'm assuming he got to Lima "on route" as there does not seem to be an alternate route at that point.  From the FAQ:

"As TD understands this 'original rule', you can even cross the GDMBR en route to help.

This rule can be problematic, even to think about. The original intent of prohibiting forward (on-route) hitchhiking is a) to prevent the reconnaissance of the route ahead and b) to severely penalize a rider for getting in a car."


John Nobile's fairings are OK as they are not designed to capture the wind, but to cut through it.  His rear fairing actually penalizes him somewhat in a tailwind.

It will be difficult for Eric to race all out wondering if he is going to end up a DSQ. It will be difficult for TD to rule on this. Like golf, Eric should probably rule on this himself.

[bjamin]

GEAR QUESTION: are the majority of the racers sporting areo bars?

thanks.

[steveintheboat]

From FAQ page tourdivie.org What constitutes "forward on route"? If my bottom bracket seizes up 30 miles prior to Helena and I hitch a ride into Helena, not following or crossing the official GDMBR route, get the problem fixed, and return to where I left the route and continue, is that OK? If not, how far away from the route (forward) is considered "directly off route" rather then "forward on route"?

reply.Re. moving forward
Submitted by admin on March 16, 2010 - 9:09am.
The direct answer to Bob's hypothetical is, "yes, that scenario is fine". As TD understands this 'original rule', you can even cross the GDMBR en route to help.

This rule can be problematic, even to think about. The original intent of prohibiting forward (on-route) hitchhiking is a) to prevent the reconnaissance of the route ahead and b) to severely penalize a rider for getting in a car.


Looking at map for this hypothetical into Helena  it seems to be what Erik did, but into Lima.  and that was Fine "yes, that scenario is fine". So i would think he is ok.

[BobM]

I don't follow.  If you "ASSUME" he got to Lima on route, and there does not seem to be an alternate route at that point, and Matthew was there at the time, then why would you be concerned about Erik's forward move via car?

Hi Bounce,

I'm concerned because the rule states that in case of emergency you may catch a ride in any direction EXCEPT forward on the route, for the reasons that Matthew stated in the FAQ.

If he hitched a ride to Lima via an alternate route, even if that way crossed the main route, he would be OK, as Matthew has clarified in the FAQ.  As I said, IF he hitched in along the main GDMBR route, hopefully Matthew has already OK'd this as an exception.  This would be a very bitter relegation given Erik and Matthew's places in the race otherwise.

Personally I feel that as long as a person returns to the route at the place they left it they should be fine, but the rules do not read that way at present.

Bob

[DW-1]

not trying to get off track here... but I know a bunch of Australian riders, heavily inspired by the Tour Divide, are considering a similar event on this trail: http://www.nationaltrail.com.au/

5530klm (3312 miles)

Elvis.