Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread

[dgaddis1]

I'm leaning towards camera tricks, as Seb D and Dylan T pics have sim 'phantom spoke' effect in their respective rear wheels.  Not quite as 'phantom' as in the Neil B pic, but there.  Fascinating.

I certainly hope that's the case.  As a wheel builder it's the first thing I noticed, and there's nothing I can really do to help him at this point.  He's got a few spare spokes, but I hope he only needs them for roasting marshmallows or something like that.  Dealing with those internal nipples would be a pain out on the side of the road somewhere.

[pbarsom]

I rode through the Rez at night. All the bud light cans and the vodka bottles on the side of the road kinda freaked me out.

I slept for a couple of hours out there by a side road in what was essentially a sand trap full of liquor bottles.  The stars were amazing.  

[mikepro]

Noticing a few of the riders seem to be making a wrong-turn at the base of Stemple Pass and headed up and over. My buddy Troy Hopwood looks to have lost time there today and Jean Michel Monot looks to have been wandering in the area before finally kicking out to the highway.

For those who have ridden it, is that a particularly tricky portion of the course?

Things have a way of looking, feeling, or seeming tricky to tired minds and eyes at this stage.  In addition, yes, the turn to S Fk Poorman Ck is notorious for the above average incidences of 'oops, missed a turn'.  Glad Mr. Dirtworld fingered it out sooner rather than later (i.e. he didn't climb all the way to Stemple Pass).  The man from Tahiti, on the other hand, looks to be taking the highway to Helena.  Hope he's okay.

[THE LONG RANGER]

I don't remember any bottles/cans strewn about the Rez, but I've only gone through it during the daytime.

What I *did* remember was a runaway horse, and a few cars trying to capture it.

I usually was outside grants in the nighttime, waking up early to hit up Pie Town. I also remember the road to Pie Town had some fairly deep sand pits in it, that I certainly didn't want to hit at night. Oh man: another memory. Someone in Pie Town warned me of, "The Dust" near the work center. Yeah, yeah, I thought, I'm scared of a little, "dust".

Turned out to giant pits of this talcum powder-like stuff. Everywhere on route. For miles. You couldn't get away from it. Engulfed you. Heed the warning about The Dust. That was one night I was afraid I wouldn't see the end of (but, I made it!)

With the speed this flock is flying, I'm thinking a 5 o'clock shadow, rather than beards will greet the people picking them up!

[mikepro]

Rob D's call-in from Butte is good ... DNF Reaper sightings!

[Blackhound]

Stemple Pass turning onto S Poorman Creek: Glen Carter has just left Lincoln.  Now I warned him last week about that turning. Let's see if he took any notice......

[Mike McElveen]

I ascribe much of this year's blistering pace to two things:
1.) This forum's recent (last two years) clear message that preparation is very important.  That includes having seen the route before.
2.) Weather IS the Divide.  As Jill Homer said, some good luck you can make, other good luck is purely good luck.  It's almost like results from years like this need an asterisk,
*Abnormally conducive conditions.

Nonetheless, being able to ride 25 hours a day is only marginally influenced by #1 and 2.

[THE LONG RANGER]

I think the weather we've had here in Colorado is an example how this "abnormally conducive conditions" are so flaky to get right.

Billy Rice hit CO earlier when it wasn't so conducive. Let's see how things shape up when the front runners hit it in a coupla days. I think they'll be fine, and the "good" weather will continue. NM is still a question mark (for me)

[BrianR]

Are any other desk jockeys not getting any work done?

This race is quite suspenseful!!  I've got my favorites, however I'm rooting for Bill Peshka to stay with the leaders!!
I'll see some of you riders this Saturday on the Grassy Lake Road. The Around the Rock Ride overlaps with the Tour Divide.

[AZLobo]

A quick note on JayPet for those who only follow the TDR.

He came into this adventure having thrown down massive rides at the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000, and then the AZT 750. Two very different, and very difficult events. To now be pushing the pace on the third leg of his Grand Slam +1 is mind blowing. Most impressive bikepacking season I can imagine. Positive thoughts to Jay and all the intrepid on route. CTR will be special to watch.

Also I see Lael has caught Eszter's ghost. What a year.

[bikee]

And then there's this:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3841620

[shammers]

A couple more photos from yesterday.

I spoke to Ryan Correy (my fiancee) today, he wanted to sincerely thank the folks at the Montana High Country Lodge for their awesome support on his short stop there last night. It was a highlight for him to see the Lodge so supportive of the race and he highly recommended that other riders take the opportunity to stop at this great place. Thanks for all you did for him!

[Krampus Snail]

I'm glad that the riders are being responsible, and leaving good feelings behind them, unlike the Oregon Outback fiasco, where some jerks trashed campsites and a barn a kind man had opened up for them in the rain, and now the "organized" ride is no more.

http://www.oregonbikepacking.com/the-death-of-the-oregon-outback/

[cobbnat]

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. 

Roger that!  A friend of mine tried Tour Divide on a cross bike, had to call it in Silverthorne due to numb hands. I couldn't imagine riding some of that washboard on drop bars and skinny, hard tires - it was rough enough with an upright position and 2.2 tubeless!

[HappyWanderer]

Thanks to Russ the High Country Lodge for posting a picture and taking care of Josh Kato!   I am happy to see him looking good this year without an aching leg.   

Mark, I am so glad to hear you are taking time to think over dropping out.  Talking to you and seeing you keep going despite all the problems you had with your bike etc was inspirational.  Kept me from whining so much and got me moving out of Lima and back on the road.  Take some easy days and get back into it if possible.  If not then you know you gave it your all.

[dream4est]

I rode 30 miles back to course
Flew to town
Back on race course
Bike has issue
Chainring

Got one shipped to wise River
Was my only option

Feel amazing
Best riding ever uphill today

Thx all
U guys and gals rule

[JRA]

I'm glad that the riders are being responsible, and leaving good feelings behind them, unlike the Oregon Outback fiasco, where some jerks trashed campsites and a barn a kind man had opened up for them in the rain, and now the "organized" ride is no more.

http://www.oregonbikepacking.com/the-death-of-the-oregon-outback/

Wow!  That's really sad to read.  I'm seriously disappointed to hear of the demise of this event, an event that I was hoping to attend next year.  But I'm even more disappointed to hear of the irresponsible, disrespectful behavior from a few self-centered morons.  

[bouldernick]

How many of the top men riders have beards? Think about it. 

At the start or at the finish?

[mtbcast]

I rode 30 miles back to course
Flew to town
Back on race course
Bike has issue
Chainring

Got one shipped to wise River
Was my only option

Feel amazing
Best riding ever uphill today

Thx all
U guys and gals rule

Woot! Go Mark!

[MikeI]

There ARE bears in the Santa Fe forest between Cuba & Abiquiu

He was well behaved - but unexpected

Also saw Tiana headed south today. Looking excited and happy