Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #900 on: June 25, 2015, 06:25:26 AM
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pbarsom
Posts: 55
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« Reply #900 on: June 25, 2015, 06:25:26 AM » |
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And now for some washboard and sand!
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- When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself – Shunryu Suzuki
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #901 on: June 25, 2015, 06:35:00 AM
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mtbcast
Location: Sugar Hill, GA
Posts: 2455
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« Reply #901 on: June 25, 2015, 06:35:00 AM » |
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#TourDivide15 - Anthony Beatty called in from near the Wyoming border! And Jen Marsh called in from near Boulder with a four-fer! Great call from Jen! http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td15/
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JP - MTBCast.com
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #902 on: June 25, 2015, 06:59:19 AM
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AndyAmick
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Posts: 21
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« Reply #902 on: June 25, 2015, 06:59:19 AM » |
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And now for some washboard and sand!
Great, now I'm going to have more nightmares about the miles and miles of NM washboard that can suck the life right out of you. Guess if you had 29+ tires, that's where they would shine. After 2000 miles of riding, you get to be a little more comfy than the rest of the pack.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #903 on: June 25, 2015, 07:06:50 AM
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Krampus Snail
Posts: 141
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« Reply #903 on: June 25, 2015, 07:06:50 AM » |
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Nothing to stop you from riding a 29+ bike with 29 tires, then switching to 29+ in Steamboat. That way you'd have the faster tires in the northern section, and the cushier tires for New Mexico.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #904 on: June 25, 2015, 07:06:58 AM
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gringo
Posts: 21
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« Reply #904 on: June 25, 2015, 07:06:58 AM » |
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Ok, lets say your are out there now, one of these top 3 guys pushing for the win.
My question is: When do you start to jettison gear and what do you ditch? You can always drive by and pick it up after you reach the end. With it being such a close race, I guess dropping a few pounds is going to help you make time on the other two.
If I was JK or JP (riding a proper geared bike) I would ditch some weight and put the hammer down.....just a matter of timing I suppose.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #905 on: June 25, 2015, 07:17:34 AM
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pbarsom
Posts: 55
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« Reply #905 on: June 25, 2015, 07:17:34 AM » |
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Great, now I'm going to have more nightmares about the miles and miles of NM washboard that can suck the life right out of you. Guess if you had 29+ tires, that's where they would shine. After 2000 miles of riding, you get to be a little more comfy than the rest of the pack. Results will vary of course, but for me the magic number was about 16lbs of pressure (2.2 tires) and go light over the cattle guards. Made 70% of it mostly vanish (and faster). That and hands waaaay out at the ends of the bars (w-chprs). In the dark. With a lone headlamp very occasionally visible behind me (how far??). Spookiest night ever on a bike, but magic. Then: behold, Toaster House. The Plains of San Agustin, below Pie Town was some of the most spectacular scenery of the route, for me (or what was left of me by then). Loved this stretch. It's where I decided to come back again.
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- When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself – Shunryu Suzuki
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #906 on: June 25, 2015, 07:19:05 AM
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Jgrooms
Location: KC
Posts: 18
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« Reply #906 on: June 25, 2015, 07:19:05 AM » |
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Just leave the unneeded gear with someone to be mailed. Absolutely, I'd ditch anything not absolutely needed. "Hammer down"? I've raced 1 day 200s, and there is not much hammer left. I can't imagine day to day at nearly 200 per!
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #907 on: June 25, 2015, 07:27:01 AM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #907 on: June 25, 2015, 07:27:01 AM » |
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My question is: When do you start to jettison gear and what do you ditch? You can always drive by and pick it up after you reach the end. With it being such a close race, I guess dropping a few pounds is going to help you make time on the other two.
Nyet, this is considered very bad form. Run what you brung, ship home (as in *you* take the time to ship it) or throw away -- no caching and retrieving. I have to agree with earlier comments about no 'hand-holding' to the finish for Jay. I doubt that's going to happen with a record on the line. I'm surprised he has been 'holding hands' (using his own words) with Neil so much, anyway, after his 'eagles soar alone' commentary in years past. So we have ourselves a horse race! This is rare to see this late in the game, so the next 24 hours should be mighty interesting. Good thing we upgraded the TL servers the other night. I'm rooting for Kato. To get back in contact with the leaders after so long, when it's so easy to convince yourself they are out of reach -- that's impressive determination. And he seems to be having fun, to boot.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #908 on: June 25, 2015, 07:31:07 AM
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gringo
Posts: 21
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« Reply #908 on: June 25, 2015, 07:31:07 AM » |
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Just leave the unneeded gear with someone to be mailed. Absolutely, I'd ditch anything not absolutely needed. "Hammer down"? I've raced 1 day 200s, and there is not much hammer left. I can't imagine day to day at nearly 200 per!
I know I know! ''Hammer'' is purely figurative! I cannot imagine how little they must have left at this point. :-)
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #909 on: June 25, 2015, 07:32:36 AM
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JosiahM
Posts: 131
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« Reply #909 on: June 25, 2015, 07:32:36 AM » |
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I have to agree with earlier comments about no 'hand-holding' to the finish for Jay. I doubt that's going to happen with a record on the line. I'm surprised he has been 'holding hands' (using his own words) with Neil so much, anyway, after his 'eagles soar alone' commentary in years past.
Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer! only way to know he isn't planning some kind of sneak attack is to be riding next to him. One has to imagine a little company out there has to be good for the sanity too.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #910 on: June 25, 2015, 07:41:19 AM
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #911 on: June 25, 2015, 07:45:47 AM
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the tortoise
Posts: 472
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« Reply #911 on: June 25, 2015, 07:45:47 AM » |
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29 plus makes a ton of sense on a rigid tandem with all it's weight. On a fast TD bike probably not so much so. If it were so great then the leaders would be running them.
Looks like JP probably slipped Neil a little sleep aid last night, and when he heard him snoring, got up and left him!
Josh probably is paying for his big move and is quite a ways back as of now (38 miles)
Scott admonished me in 2012 for ditching gear for a later pickup on the Stagecoach 400 so that is not a cool thing to do. I doubt at this point you are going to save enough time by mailing back gear unless you can do it real fast. They could always donate if to some homeless person! On the AZT 750 I donated my cache pack at the north rim to the park service to use in their trail maintenance program knowing full well I never wanted to repeat that adventure!
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #912 on: June 25, 2015, 07:51:43 AM
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Two Tired
Location: Conoco Station
Posts: 63
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« Reply #912 on: June 25, 2015, 07:51:43 AM » |
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Hal Russell for President! 2016 ...out.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #913 on: June 25, 2015, 08:02:57 AM
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Cosmo K
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 153
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« Reply #913 on: June 25, 2015, 08:02:57 AM » |
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Jp definitely dropping the hammer. Up by almost18 miles now.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #914 on: June 25, 2015, 08:07:36 AM
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hopscotchmcgee
Posts: 28
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« Reply #914 on: June 25, 2015, 08:07:36 AM » |
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With all of the discussion about the lead three riders, isn't it worth mentioning that there could be a different thought in their minds that we are overlooking? What if it goes back to the original spirit of bikepacking - ride as fast as your ability and finish in an honest manner, a true personal accomplishment. Obviously there is some competitiveness there, but having ridden 2,500 miles in the top 6 and busting your ass - being 250 miles from the finish must feel pretty damn good regardless of the final outcome that lie ahead. Either way, I'm glued to the dots and it's a very exciting show!
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #915 on: June 25, 2015, 08:13:27 AM
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Krampus Snail
Posts: 141
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« Reply #915 on: June 25, 2015, 08:13:27 AM » |
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Lael Wilcox is sixth! Wow.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #916 on: June 25, 2015, 08:14:52 AM
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gringo
Posts: 21
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« Reply #916 on: June 25, 2015, 08:14:52 AM » |
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Lael Wilcox is sixth! Wow.
I think I am in love with Lael. Please dont tell me wife.
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #917 on: June 25, 2015, 08:25:48 AM
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superdavebruno
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 40
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« Reply #917 on: June 25, 2015, 08:25:48 AM » |
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I'm rooting for Kato. To get back in contact with the leaders after so long, when it's so easy to convince yourself they are out of reach -- that's impressive determination. And he seems to be having fun, to boot.
Amen and second that brother!!
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #918 on: June 25, 2015, 08:39:10 AM
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JRA
Location: California
Posts: 362
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« Reply #918 on: June 25, 2015, 08:39:10 AM » |
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Pie on the fly...
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I don't know what the question is - but the answer is: Lubrication!
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Topic Name: Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread
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Reply #919 on: June 25, 2015, 08:46:30 AM
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bmike-vt
Location: Horgen, Switzerland
Posts: 1122
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« Reply #919 on: June 25, 2015, 08:46:30 AM » |
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29 plus makes a ton of sense on a rigid tandem with all it's weight. On a fast TD bike probably not so much so. If it were so great then the leaders would be running them.
Looks like JP probably slipped Neil a little sleep aid last night, and when he heard him snoring, got up and left him!
Josh probably is paying for his big move and is quite a ways back as of now (38 miles)
Scott admonished me in 2012 for ditching gear for a later pickup on the Stagecoach 400 so that is not a cool thing to do. I doubt at this point you are going to save enough time by mailing back gear unless you can do it real fast. They could always donate if to some homeless person! On the AZT 750 I donated my cache pack at the north rim to the park service to use in their trail maintenance program knowing full well I never wanted to repeat that adventure!
i think it really depends on the tire and rim combo. some new +sized stuff coming out thats lighter and potentially nicer than the surly stuff... especially in the rim department. i really like my 29+ stuff... but I'm on a heavy steel krampus with rohloff... so, its not a carbon race rocket like JP is on. i think all the other stuff plays into a setup for top 10 racing as much as wheels / tires do. overall kit. how fast into and out of sleep setup. how many calories can you cary... how minimal do you go with shelter, etc. i know when i backpack with friends we can burn a ton of time just getting out of camp as everyone setups up differently. racing, thats a whole other setup. i really liked the WTB Vulpines as a dirt road / limited trail tire in 2.1 or whatever. and remember, with a 29r rim in the 35-45 range you can run regular old tires. on my rabbit holes i ran 2.3 nicotine studs all winter... the wide rim really spread out the tire. with a WTB scraper or similar a 2.2 and 2.3 would be a nice fit... so you can still run the wide gear, and tune it for the route.
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