Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread

[THE LONG RANGER]

Kato is still within striking distances of JayP and Neil. Just a few miles back, near La Garita. Could be a Pie Town showdown, if Kato can keep with them all, and neglect an hour of sleep.

[mikepro]

AndresB from Uruguay looks to have missed the Gold Dust connector (yesterday).  Aagh!.  A few other riders look to have missed the turn to the GD trail, yet back-tracked to ride it.  RobD looks to have back-tracked this morning from Poncha Springs to Salida - bike repair or forgot something? - but all sorted out.  Race for 3rd among the pink dots is tight ... come on AliceD!

[JRA]

Could be a Pie Town showdown

I like it.  Starring John Wayne?

[taprider]

I like it.  Starring John Wayne?

Bozo and Crusty
cream pies at high noon

[JRA]

I like it.  Starring John Wayne?

Speaking of John Wayne...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaZ_jl-WP8M

[kiwidave]

RobD looks to have back-tracked this morning from Poncha Springs to Salida - bike repair or forgot something?

Must have been bike repair as he spent 45 minutes at Absolute Bikes.

[larsmars]

AndresB from Uruguay looks to have missed the Gold Dust connector (yesterday).  Aagh!.  A few other riders look to have missed the turn to the GD trail, yet back-tracked to ride it.

I noticed that yesterday. You can see quite a few TL tracks missed out what looks like a great bit of trail.

[dawgless]

Kato is still within striking distances of JayP and Neil. Just a few miles back, near La Garita. Could be a Pie Town showdown, if Kato can keep with them all, and neglect an hour of sleep.

My money's on Josh.  As our mutual friend is saying, he's "eating dragon scales and crapping lightning!" 

[Mike McElveen]

Just had a nice meet with Alex Harris at Bode's.  He's dreading the heat (88 degrees in Abiquiu), not much to a Texan but probably tough for mountain folk and Eskimos.  I couldn't figure out why he was asking so many questions about Polvadera Mesa until I remembered he got re-routed in '13 and pulled the plug north of here last year.  He just wants t stay ahead of JP's ghost at this point, knowing the other four are away.  Looks like he ate about 5,000 cal.  Very cordial, unassuming, and relaxed fellow.  I'd post photos if I knew how.

Go Alex!!

[mtbcast]

‪#‎TourDivide15‬ - Ryan Henry called in from Steamboat Springs! And Eijai Oxford called in from the Basin!

What I did cut from Eijai's call is a lot of pauses. There were some clicks and stuff in them. But the pauses indicate he is a little stressed.

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td15/

[blurltd]

My money's on Josh.  As our mutual friend is saying, he's "eating dragon scales and crapping lightning!"  

No doubt Josh is having an impressive run but did you see the front chain ring on JPs bike? It's all pavement to Grants and he will fly with the gearing combo.

[aarong]

JayP's BB isn't the only one to fail.  another cutthroat on their publicity run with the Radavist had the BB blow up as well.  I saw it on Instagram.

Personally I'd rather have a custom steel US made bike made over a Chinese made carbon frame anytime.

mike

The BB you're referring to was mine, Michael_S, and to be clear it did not fail. After 200ish miles, my Cutthroat developed a squeak while pedaling like none of the five of us had ever heard. Took the crank off to inspect, nothing was amok, and when we reinstalled, the squeak was gone. BB (PF41, not PF30 as some have said) was fine.

Having ridden the Cutthroat for three days, and with plenty of bikepacking and thru-racing experience to my name, I can say that Salsa has built an excellent bike. Perhaps not to everyone's liking, but no single bike will ever accomplish that. Rather than worrying about whether Salsa wants to co-opt the TD (they don't) or question their marketing intentions (these are good guys motivated by building good bikes that they want to ride), I think everyone should step back and recognize that it's super cool that a company of their size is working hard to serve what amounts to a very small niche in the cycling market.

[lotomojo]

Is that a trio of leaders in Cuba?

Looks like the Pie Town Showdown is heating up!
 

[BrianR]

No doubt Josh is having an impressive run but did you see the front chain ring on JPs bike? It's all pavement to Grants and he will fly with the gearing combo.

Afternoon headwinds between Cuba and Grants might come into play as well!!  Anybody know if Josh is riding with aero bars?  Didn't look like Alex Harris has them.
Video from last year riding NOBO on highway in Chaco Canyon...  I had a tailwind!   https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/juQwizcBXOSzLUqvaShFjQMDZJ6LPBFKDki7tWe6LGY?feat=email

[dawgless]

Afternoon headwinds between Cuba and Grants might come into play as well!!   Anybody know if Josh is riding with aero bars?  Didn't look like Alex Harris has them.

Yes, he is running aero bars.  Woodchippers with clamp on extensions. 

[mikepro]

Well, I dunno, JoshK just arrived in Cuba only 1hr to 1:15 behind JayP and NeilB.  1 hour ain't nothin', as they say.  Or, it's everything.  Anyone's ball game.  From what I saw first hand in AZ earlier this year, DylanT has a motor, too (if that isn't evident enough already).  Maybe AlexH has "thrown in the towel", but I'm not counting DylanT out just yet.  They're all going to fly across NM flats, then the run through the soft sand to Pie Town, and the Gila after that.  I haven't checked the weather forecast ... rain could still maybe factor? There's a ton of miles with clay dirt still to traverse.

Also, just linked with Nobo Jeff Taylor's FB page ... apparently he was hit by a wind/storm felled tree???  Just outside Kremmling.  Mild concussion.  Rested up in the 'boat, now headed back out on route to finish riding to Banff with new fork, bars, other parts?  What a story.  Nails.

[dawgless]

Pretty low quality pic, but here you go.

[HappyWanderer]

. Rather than worrying about whether Salsa wants to co-opt the TD (they don't) or question their marketing intentions (these are good guys motivated by building good bikes that they want to ride), I think everyone should step back and recognize that it's super cool that a company of their size is working hard to serve what amounts to a very small niche in the cycling market.
[/quote]

I agree and have to put in a good word for Salsa.  I have a salsa fargo and a vaya.  Both bikes are great!  I love them both and have ridden them for many tours and on the TD last year.  I have to say that Salsa has been a great company to work with.  I had a couple minor problems and they fixed them, no questions asked, no hassle and in a hurry.   I think I will stick with my fargo 'cause I can't imagine it will ever wear out, but if it did or I had unlimited funds a Cutthroat would be fun to own.  Anyway I doubt anyone could co-opt this crazy race and really can you complain about free pie?!

[blurltd]

BB (PF41, not PF30 as some have said) was fine.

Doesn't matter, PF41, PF30, PF6500, whatever it's press fit and I don't know too many people that are in love with PF BBs. Lael had issues with hers too. Frame makers do not have to use it to increase the stiffness of their bikes. Santa Cruz still uses good old threaded bb's no on can tell me they don't design great mountain bikes or that their frames are noodles. There's no place for PF BBs on mountain bikes. I'm sure the Cutthroat is going to be a great bike but for something that's dedicated/a tribute to the Divide, PF BB was a bad call. Do you think all the bike shops along the route stock all the god knows how many PF BB numbers there are. Your chances of finding a SRAM or Shimano threaded BB are much greater, period.

Yes Salsa makes GREAT bikes and they've done a great job, marketing to the back country riding crowd no doubt. The El Mar go to me Antelope Wells and I love it.

[Michael_S]

...but, but, but I saw it on Instagram!

you too?  what a coincidence.