Tour Divide 2010

[naked indian]

Damn Where's Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin???

Erik Lobeck seems to be chasing or just faster pacing, gap is down to 3.5 miles. 

Will Blaine make it, or get caught?

[JeffOYB]

Those guys are amazing!

Can Erik the Mud-Puppy catch Blaine the Cool-Smoothie?

If he does will there be a truce?

[naked indian]

Those guys are amazing!

Can Erik the Mud-Puppy catch Blaine the Robo-Cool Smoothie?

If he does will there be a truce?

I would think after that much time on the route, they may want to call a truce.  I am way impressed by both their efforts and I think its awesome that they are closing in on the finish, I wonder if Erik Catches site of him will he chase harder and then drop him or ride in?  It all remains to be seen.  Wonder if Nester is making an effort to finish second?  All speculation at this point..

[wookieone]

Man I was away from the net and so much has happened. I know everyone has already spoken, but Dave B. I never met ya, but I enjoyed your posts, your presence here in the universe. I could just tell you were a solid person, so yeah the rest of this summer's big rides are dedicated to you.
I know most of us use them, but damn those F%^$ing cars!!!

Oh and another bad ass preformance from a MR. Lee!

good and bad, keep keeping on everyone, peace Jefe

[SimonK]

Too close to call as they approach Separ. From there on in the visibility down the road is generally several miles, so nobody will be making a clean break unless somebody stops for a significant rest.

I was a true weight-weenie on the divide, but still carried a very small cable lock (for use in town). A pair of bicycle cable cutters could have severed it, but the sort of casual thief that stole Matts or David Nices bike probably doens't carry a pair of those around with them.

[naked indian]

Well Erik is now in front?

Will he hammer away???

wow, this is awesome!!

Where is the motorcyle guy with the camera and the versus coverage!!

[JML]

i am down in Deming NM so i can pick those guys up.  i will get some good shots of the photo finish for you.

Where is the motorcyle guy with the camera and the versus coverage!!

[AmyL]

I think Blaine stayed slightly in front all the way into Separ.  Erik arrived within a couple minutes.  They  both stayed in Separ store (popsicles, shade, air conditioning) for ~45 minutes, departing together at 15:27.  They turned their spots on at the same time, so the spot dots are synchronized, and the spot dots are moving in lock-step, at least until 16:17.  70 miles to go, with a chance to stop at Hachita to pick up more water. 

Time to border will depend on head or tail winds.  Maybe they'll catch a break and have a nice tail-wind, they have certainly earned it.  Looks like the temps are ~90.  Hot, but not as hot as it gets down there.

[AmyL]

Aidan made it through Collins Park and O-Bar Canyon at a reasonable pace.  That's the area where Jim and I got mud-stuck on our 2007 tour.  If it got rain there recently, it must have dried out a bit before he got there, since it doesn't look like he was moving at walking pace.
But -- he hasn't reached the Gila section where Blaine and Erik had mud.

Blaine & Erik still lock-step at 16:38

[Chauncey Matthews]

Do you carry a chain or cable to lock up your bike? Do you hide your bike? As every gram counts it would not seem possible to carry any locking mechanism and if one does not, it must be nerve racking while carrying on the above listed activities. All it takes is one nut to ruin one's race and years of preparation.

A funny/ironic story for ya: the day of the race I was talking with Cricket, Jeff K, and another racer whose name escapes me but I remember he was from Cincinatti and loved bacon!
Anyway, the subject of carrying a lock was brought up and we all thought it wasn't worth the weight, but I told everybody, "We'll probably be fine in all the little towns we hit along the way, but if you make it to NM, don't ever leave your bike unattended in Grants!"

[Sleipner]

As it turned out a very prophetic warning indeed. It would be a great advantage to travel in a group as one can be on post guarding the bikes while the others shop for food and other necessities. Racing solo has many disadvantages and extra hardship. Here in central Florida on road bike group rides we always have someone guarding the bikes while others replenish with water at a gas station, since sadly, there have been instances where the bikes have had the spokes kicked out or otherwise vandalized.   

[SimonK]

With about 20 miles to go it looks like Blaine and Erik are riding together. It's such a boring stretch of road - the company will make it pass quickly. I imagine they are currently forging a friendship that will last a lifetime.

[naked indian]

Maybe they will agree to take second together. It would be fitting.

[Sleipner]

For the past hour they have been riding with about 1000 feet of separation. If you amplify the map and look at their satellite ping times and if they coincide timewise you can make a judgement on the distance between Erik, and Blaine.

[SimonK]

I've been comparing ping times, too. I think you might want to check your maths. The rider who's dot looks 1000ft back has an older date stamp - take that into account and they'd be very, very close.

[mtbcast]

Blaine's back in front. What a nail biter!

Edit: Looks like they crossed together. ??

[Sleipner]

Erik and Blaine finished together at 18:11:38

[northofbeyond]

i am down in Deming NM so i can pick those guys up.  i will get some good shots of the photo finish for you.

Did you pick them up? Hope to see those pictures!

[SueF]

Please include a link to view those pictures. Also, how do you view the pictures attached to the race update messages? FYI, Shawn Sheppard is operating without a Spot but is still in the race. Staying in Abiquiu tonight.

[lexi]

The time of the memorial has been changed to 3:30 pm.

A memorial gathering for Dave B.  will be held at 10 AM on Satuday July 10 at the Green Mountain Club in Waterbury Vermont. (https://www.greenmountainclub.org/)  Folks are welcome to join me afterwards for a hike in Dave's memory.