Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread

[cccniuk]

Honoring the sport and the race is to push until you can push no more.  On the other hand, if they all agreed at some point that they'd finish together and then one guy sprints out, that is breaking rule #1 in racing...don't be a dick.  

It's cool that there are 3 strong guys at the end and any of them could win.  You just don't see this in long races like this very often.  I got almost no work done today!

Zero!

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[BobM]

In 2013 3rd 4th and 5th was settled by a sprint. All three where on different set ups. I don't remember who said race to the end. But I recon it wasn't  the guy on limited gears. Not a classy 3rd place.

(This is just my opinion)

 fantastic racing.

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The guy on limited gears made that choice for a reason, I would imagine.  Less maintenance, lighter weight.  That decision may have cost him at the finish line, or maybe not - maybe with more gears he would have had a mechanical earlier and ended up in 10th - who knows? This is a race of constant trade-offs and choices.  Why should one racer wait for another because that other racer chose a more limited machine?

[welnic]

I think that they'll be going full out to the finish. I can't imagine that one of them won't crack. But I think that if you look around 5 miles from the finish and you've been riding next to someone for the last 100 miles you roll across together.

[dskunk]

How these guys decide to finish the race is up to them. However they do it it's an exciting event to watch unfold.
(I won't be able to make fun of my wife for watching golf for a while though, whatever)

Is there roadworks or something going on through Silver City??

[JRA]

I still say it's a race, so finish it like a race.

I tend to agree.  But these guys have been slugging it out for 2500+ miles.  Whatever they decide is ok by me.  They've earned the right to do it however they'd like.  

Personally, I'd like to see them say to one another: at an agreed upon point in the course - it's every man for himself.  May the strongest man win.  Beers and high fives together at the finish.  Regardless of how this plays out, what a show of physical and mental toughness from these guys.

[aarond]

Sprint finish would be exciting, but going through this experience together engenders a strong sense of camaraderie, so i can see them finishing together, and that is cool too.

[Mxhdroom]

:headbang:Holy Smokes.The only thing this race needs right now is a little Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin commentary.
What a battle.

I'd rather hear Carlton Kirby and Dan Lloyd, but I get the point...

[29singlespeed]

wow top 3 went right on through silver city without much delay.

[JRA]

I'd rather hear Carlton Kirby and Dan Lloyd, but I get the point...

Just not Steve Schlanger please.

[AndyAmick]

I tend to agree.  But these guys have been slugging it out for 2500+ miles.  Whatever they decide is ok by me.  They've earned the right to do it however they'd like.  

Well said JRA. These guys can finish the race however they see fit. Afterwards, I'm sure we'll hear more about the reasoning for whatever decision they make.

It's going to be a fantastic finish however it plays out.

[danwiz]

I tend to agree.  But these guys have been slugging it out for 2500+ miles.  Whatever they decide is ok by me.  They've earned the right to do it however they'd like.  

Personally, I'd like to see them say to one another: at an agreed upon point in the course - it's every man for himself.  May the strongest man win.  Beers and high fives together at the finish.  Regardless of how this plays out, what a show of physical and mental toughness from these guys.

They'll either say it or say nothing at all. but trade looks at one another....a few gear shifts and heads down.. and however it sorts out, it sorts out......I hope someone can get this finish on video

[Wayne]

Is the stretch from White Signal to Separ the last of the dirt? Pavement until White Signal & pavement after Separ all the way to the border?

Wayne

[AndyAmick]

Is the stretch from White Signal to Separ the last of the dirt? Pavement until White Signal & pavement after Separ all the way to the border?

Wayne

The frontage road after Separ is also dirt/broken pavement. So really, the right turn after the frontage road is where the final pavement stretch begins.

[pbarsom]

Is the stretch from White Signal to Separ the last of the dirt? Pavement until White Signal & pavement after Separ all the way to the border?

Wayne

Hartop all the way, except that one bit.  I tried playing with the buzz of my tires on the road to see if I could hold it humming at the same pitch on the rises in the road.  These three will have more to keep them occupied, though.

[Lederman]

What makes some assume they are riding along three abreast? Maybe they are but if they are basically marking each other then the idea that a deal is being struck seems less likely.

[mtbcast]

‪#‎TourDivide15‬ - Brian Jett called in from Brush Mtn Lodge after having to get some treatment for dehydration!

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

[mtbcast]

My take is that we not make assumptions based on satellite imagery. From what I know of the three leaders, they're gentlemen and until I have some serious evidence otherwise I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.

[bikeny]

Looks like Josh has got about a 1 mile lead on the other 2, the race is on!

[danwiz]

does anyone near the finish or in close proximity to them have access to a drone equipped with a camera....and dispatch that thing above to catch this drag race!!!

[blurltd]

A drone near the US/Mexico border, things would get extra interesting, now where talking!