Tour Divide 2015 - race discussion thread

[ScottM]

This has a been a great year to be a dot watcher.  I see the mileage that most folks finish with per TrackLeaders is 2,753 - would this be the "Official" mileage for 2015?  I have the GPX file in TopoFusion and see 2,650 as the mileage.  Working on a window decal and would like to have the most relevant mileage listed - Appreciate the feedback - Understand mileage is all relative - first hand knowledge from knocking out the 2013 route.

I don't think anyone would be bold enough to claim an official mileage, least of all me.  The # shown on trackleaders is likely somewhat inflated.  If I wanted to get the most accurate number, I would take the official ACA mileage (from the maps) and subtract the difference between the 2014 and 2015 files.

The 10k GPX track is likely too low.  The trackleaders # is too high.  The truth is somewhere in between.

Hope that helps a little.

[mtbcast]

#‎TourDivide15‬ - Steve Fuller called in with his finish call! And Hal Russell called in from Pie Town!

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

[mtbcast]

Episode July 7, 2015 – Tour Divide Day 26 True Ups!
A quick true up of your Tour Divide day 26 calls!

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

[Wayne]

both take the Salsa tokens.

Which restaurants take the salsa tokens for free pie for the riders in pie town? Hours open? Thanks!

The Pie-O-Neer Cafe lists their hours as 11:30 am to 4:00 pm Thursday through Sunday. They may be open more days for the Tour Divide. Call and ask them.

http://www.pie-o-neer.com/hours.html

Wayne
Looking forward to the Green Chili Apple Pie with a side of Starry Starry Night Blueberry pie and whatever Josh had for dessert in Pie Town. Someday.

[kiwidave]

Looking at the post finish photo's of Josh, Neil and Jay I can see that they are all wearing watches. Why?

Everyone is seeming to want to get their gear weight down as light as possible, so why wear a watch when their GPS and/or telephone should be sufficient? There must be a reason as these guys are all top level racers.

[bpeschka]

Hungry Bear!!

Hungry Bear is 1 mile off course but well worth it.  Great food and welcoming.  They serve pretty late and are at least open pretty late for water and bathroom, since there's a bar.

[bpeschka]

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...

For future reference and in case it's not obvious, Lima has the rest area with plenty water, bathrooms, etc.  If it's cold, there are enough separate restrooms that you can roll down to the last one when no one is looking and sleep in comfort on the floor.  Outside, by the dog run, you'll find a nice water spigot to help clean your drive train. (before the next span of mud).

[dream4est]

Well I am finally back home and my brain works again.

I got to say that Josh Kato is the badass of all-time !!!
Amazing effort you owned that MFer.
What a ride. I am so happy for you man. You and Val must be living large right now.
I cant wait to read all about on your blog.
What a race!!
You seemed to be in such a good place mentally in Banff- so laid back and happy and ready to ride.

I am proud to be a part of such a great event.

I also want to say that Marshal Bird is one tough hombre. Slim shady just killed it out there. Possibly the best ride of the finishers based on personal skill level and such.

Others who I raced who deserve props for their racing skill and great personalities:
Alice- all class all the time. I was in shop in helena after side bail. She showed up to fix bke. Took time to talk to me and gave me a hug when I was completely destroyed about leaving the course. It helped me calm down and get to a hotel and pizza, and then back to the course the next day. Thanks so much Alice you didnt have to do that but you did.
Elenor- another fast SS lady rider who tried to help me in my meltdown phase
Mike S- The Ironman! First race ever he crushed it.
Elliot DM- Way to move up through the field my man. Impressive!
Sara D- nice riding with u for a few hours- my only join up of the whole race.


I want to say great race to my man Neil B. You are a podium machine.

Finally, I have to thank Slowride- Steamboat Johnny- For all he did for me in the race. My coach, bro, text buddy, etc.
John is the man and I am rooting for him to pull off the career triple crown at CTR in only his third race.

What a year bikepacking racing is having!!! Not just me everyone. Awesome stuff going on out there!

[mtbcast]

#‎TourDivide15‬ - Nick Legan called in to say he is OUT! And Team Rice Burner called in leaving Grants!

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

[mtbcast]

‪#‎TourDivide15‬ - Hal Russell called in from near San Jose Spring. This call breaks up a little.

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

[bmike-vt]

Looking at the post finish photo's of Josh, Neil and Jay I can see that they are all wearing watches. Why?

Everyone is seeming to want to get their gear weight down as light as possible, so why wear a watch when their GPS and/or telephone should be sufficient? There must be a reason as these guys are all top level racers.

Phone stays in bag. Off or in airplane mode, maybe depending on location and terrain. GPS gets turned off at night. Watch - alarm clock... Basic check for daylight hours, basic check to time services, etc.

And when I did some longer randonneuring event I set a reminder alarm for food / drink.

[bpeschka]

Looks like Bill P is posted at the top of Red Rock Pass to welcome the leaders to Idaho.  Pics?

Yes, I stopped at the pass and took a photo.  By the time I'd put the phone away, Jay P had flown up to the crest with me, literally jumped off the bike and asked my to take his pic.  He was riding like it was the finishing sprint in a road race.  Don't know if he was riding that hot for real or it was just jubilation in reaching the pass and me.  I know that catching me was a major goal for his day ;}.  Regardless, we said hello and he was gone in a twinkling.

I didn't stick around to welcome the other leaders.

[DaNM]

Way to go Mark, very cool. As one of the original 10 in the CTR I feel some connection and have been inspired and impressed. Just to dang busy for now to join in.
 Someone mentioned the tour de france started, I had no idea.

[bpeschka]

@ Gringo

On the MTBCast call-ins, there is lots of talk about stopping to clean drive trains. Naturally, I know how to do this in the comfort of my garage with bike conveniently hanging from the work stand (chain cleaner gizmo & cassette brush). How is this best done on the trail?

BTW: Thanks Get Mounted for asking about Rohloff/IGH! I've been wondering this myself from studying the pics. I was beginning to think the cost could not possibly be the main reason I'm not seeing more of them in use here.

Clean drive train means get at least enough mud out so that you can ride.  The mud has built up on the wheels to be over the width of the fork/seat stays, scrapes off and falls into the front derailleur mechanism, chainline, rear derailleur, etc.  It's thick enough on the wheels to wedge them where they won't turn so you're dragging the bike.  The added weight is noticeable.  Likewise, your shoes have like an added 10 lbs on each one.  The much contains gravel the size of rice crispies, so if you're not careful turning the cranks, you'll crunch something.

So, cleaning to me is finding a stick or rock to scrape all the big stuff off.  I also carry a couple of old toothbrushes and some popsicle sticks to then get in and dislodge the next level of stuff.  The brushe help clean the chain.  Then, if I have enough watere, I use a bottle to hose down derailleurs and chain.  Finally, get some oil on the chain and derailleur pivot points.  Do some more scraping to lighted shoes.

In Montana, if I figured out in time that the mud wasn't a short term thing, I'd give up early and walk it off the road through the sage brush.  The sage would help rub some of the mud off of me and the bike plus the smell was really something (good).

ymmv

[bpeschka]

Oh jeesh. Wamsutter is a bleak town.

It's not a scenic location but it has everything a rider could want in one place.  Lots of liquids, Subway, Chester's Chicken, convenience store, bathrooms, showers, more liquids, a place to sit and eat, drink, charge electronics, drink some more.  24 hrs a day. Interesting people to talk to on the sidewalk while you clean your bike.  Converted two truckers into blue dot trackers while getting things together in front of the store.

But, yes, it's bleak. 

A friend of ours from WY told me the Subway was the/one of the largest volume in the US/world because of the number of oil field workers who do breakfast/lunch and dinner there.

But, yes, it's bleak.  Not sure I'd like to live there.

[bpeschka]

Looks like it's actually about 29 days since she was in Banff.....for some reason the clock restarted about 9 days ago for her on her statistics though.

One of Trackleaders unique features is that when they start the clock for the Grand Depart, data for the ITTs, etc get whacked.  My data points from Canada down got trimmed about the same time as the GD.
You need to look at all the data available for the rider and make your own calculations.

[bpeschka]

holy shiz with a z...that rig just oozes a Win

or not

[bpeschka]

It has been suggested that Salsa Cycles, with its launch of Cutthroat to coincide with this year's Tour Divide, is somehow attempting to co-opt the event. The timing was simply a smart marketing move from a brand that for years has demonstrated passion and commitment to this form of cycling. And let's not forget the deal Salsa made with Pie-O-Neer to provide sustenance to the riders.   

+1

[bpeschka]

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??

There's a major bridge out, being replaced, on US 180 in Silver City.  You'll have to follow a posted detour around the missing bridge.

[bpeschka]

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.

Why 5 as opposed to 4 or 6?  It's called a race.