Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread

[Briansong]

I think the type of race this is leads many to the user of cross bikes and drop bars. And you're seeing drop bars more and more on mountain bikes where bikepacking is intended. You're starting to see more "gravel grinder" bikes that are essentially cross bikes as well. Here in the U.S. it seemed to be a bigger issue in XC racing but for bikepacking many seem to prefer them and it's accepted, for the most part.

Hi Joe,
Yes the "gravel grinders" out here in Arizona pretty much fill up. They have funny rules. Cross bikes with drop bars are ok, but no aero bars on MTB's. No music either. I think the rules are a hybrid of shorter MTB races and longer adventure type stuff.

[forest_on_bike]

Given the big rain cloud over Bannack Rd, I predict that JP and Neil are in for a struggle in the mud. I've been in that situation twice and it totally sucks.

Alex will likely close the gap on them, especially if the road dries out quickly behind the race leaders.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Drop bars on MTBs are almost as old as MTBs themselves. Same with rigid forks. I think the new thing is the (re)introduction of these products as some sort of innovative thing by large producers of cycling equipment.

There has also been a trend to borrow ideas from winning rigs of past runnings of this race. Which makes a ton of sense: use what works. I guess things are a little different now, as you can now literally buy a TD rig off the shelf.  Big races have been used to test out product ideas.

I hope that racers do go through a phase of experimentation to see what works for them, as a multiweek race is going to require you to do, to tune in exactly what it is you will need, personally. Go through Marshall's voyage of equipment experimentation through his blog. He's been incredibly candid about his experience. That type of tinkering is extremely important, IMHO. But, ya know, gotta start somewhere

[Angler]

A pictoral of Marketa "Peggy" Marvanova whose friend Yann was nice enough to contact me to take plenty of photos and let her know he was wishing her well.  

Had to do it!

And she is very happy to be here.

[pbarsom]

Amazing all the colorful gear that everybody's got this year.  They all look so clean.  Last year by Ovando, everybody was riding brown bikes and wearing brown clothes.  

[pbarsom]

Given the big rain cloud over Bannack Rd, I predict that JP and Neil are in for a struggle in the mud. I've been in that situation twice and it totally sucks.

Alex will likely close the gap on them, especially if the road dries out quickly behind the race leaders.

Now things get interesting.  Dan Hensley and I barely got out of that valley last year before some big rain hit and glued the racers behind us to the road.  Not a good place to be when it's wet.

[forest_on_bike]

I think everything closes in Lima by 10pm. Assuming Alex needs to get food there, getting there in time will be a big factor on whether he can stick close to JP and Neil. The clock is ticking...

[cousinmosquito]

Is that a Tioga Spyder saddle on Marketa "Peggy" Marvanova's bike?

[Nellie]

Thanks for the opinions on CX and drops guys. It's interesting.
The comment on aerobars was a good one too. I'm planning on using aero's next year, I've already started training with them, and it's been a bit of an odd cultural change for me!
I've never used them before but they have proved to be really useful in headwinds on the smoother trails, and for hanging stuff off of them!

[pbarsom]

Thanks for the opinions on CX and drops guys. It's interesting.
The comment on aerobars was a good one too. I'm planning on using aero's next year, I've already started training with them, and it's been a bit of an odd cultural change for me!
I've never used them before but they have proved to be really useful in headwinds on the smoother trails, and for hanging stuff off of them!

Mostly they'll mean that when you get to Antelope Wells you'll still be able to grasp things.  Saving your hands from grasping tubing all day (nerve damage) is one of the biggest benefits. 

[Mxhdroom]

Others will probably have different opinions, but I don't really see the TD as a 'Mountain Bike' race, just a bike race. As such, I think people should be allowed to ride whatever bike they think will work best for them. Drop bars, riser bars, Jones bars, whatever works. 4" tires, 3" tires, 35mm tires, whatever works! I kind of like that fact that you can use whatever equipment you see fit to use.

One thing I find interesting is the almost universal use of aero bars, those probably would be frowned upon in your average mountain bike race!

Wondering what type of rigs the riders will show up with is a big part of the intrigue for me. I can understand closed-course, mass-start MTB races (or road races, for that matter) having bicycle type and other, stricter rules, but this run-what-ya-think-will-work-best thing is a big part of the allure. Not only that, it has sparked design and manufacturing innovations to try and find the best possible platform for bikepacking in general and ultras in particular (the Rocky Mountain Sherpa and new Salsa Cutthroat fr'instance).

I wouldn't want to see the rules get to that point; it would take a lot of the mystique and relative simplicity out of the sport.

But, hey - back to the racing! Will JayP and Neil be sharing a steak at the Peat Hotel tonight?

[dwengs]

Bummer..........my husband Doug Wenger stayed in Ovando last night.  Was hoping to see a pic of him....

[the tortoise]

JP has opened up about a nine mile lead over Neil heading into Lima.

[Majcolo]

Drop bars on MTBs are almost as old as MTBs themselves. Same with rigid forks. I think the new thing is the (re)introduction of these products as some sort of innovative thing by large producers of cycling equipment.

There has also been a trend to borrow ideas from winning rigs of past runnings of this race. Which makes a ton of sense: use what works. I guess things are a little different now, as you can now literally buy a TD rig off the shelf.  Big races have been used to test out product ideas.

I hope that racers do go through a phase of experimentation to see what works for them, as a multiweek race is going to require you to do, to tune in exactly what it is you will need, personally. Go through Marshall's voyage of equipment experimentation through his blog. He's been incredibly candid about his experience. That type of tinkering is extremely important, IMHO. But, ya know, gotta start somewhere

+1 for Marshal's blog; it's a gold mine.

[Angler]

Last of this morning photos with Brad Perry coming in and Shane Wighton of MA with Morgan Allan of CA and Gabriel Mak of the UK having breakfast.

Also a photo of Morgan's hair.  Couldn't help myself.

These three were fun to have and Scotty Thigpen:  he kinda sorta reminds me of you.  A little bit crazy.  A whole lot dedicated.

Currently in having a late lunch:
Tom deVries of AB who is absolutely thrilled he is not sitting in the corner trying to thaw out like last year

Nick Brodie of England

David Schlenker of Germany

and Brian Jett of TX who is thrilled not to have mud skid marks down his back like years past.

Photo to follow!
Carry on!!!

[Nellie]

Brace yourself for the moment that you discover which side of the road that we drive... 

Cheers Mate and best wishes for the 2016 TD.

TT

You mean you don't drive on the left??? Holy smokes!

[Angler]

More photos of racers coming in and leaving Ovando today June 16!

Carry On!

[Angler]

and some more photos out of Ovando....

[ScottM]

Thanks so much for the pictures, Angler.  Keep them coming.

Sorry about the downtime (database error) there folks.  I went riding and things went haywire.  Should be all fixed now.

[Angler]

and even more photos in no particular order out of Ovando......