Tour Divide 2017 - race discussion thread

[gf]

Adventure Cycling is adding about 400 miles to the route, north to  Jasper.  Ashley will have to return for the extended quad-yo.  12,800 miles total?

[Angler]

More information from chatting with Mr. Benns'.  Now that I have type to post it:

On August 22nd, Ashley Benns, of the UK, returned for the 4th time this year on his Quad Yo, his 4-Yo, his Yo Yo Yo YO, enroute to Antelope Wells NM for the final time. I must mention that if it weren't for the winter weather coming he might be doing it one more time. In fact his eyes glistened a bit while discussing a new option for the TDR: The Fat Tire Winter Special.

As for some answers to questions:
1. How do you get so much time off work? He is a full fledged mega yacht captain and consultant. So he is not only the Master of the Seas but also of his working hours.
2. How did the bike do? He is totally not superstitious talking about it, so had no problem saying after 8,600 miles thus far he has had one small mechanical and one flat tire.
3. Other than his bike, his shoes have taken the most damage; especially traversing the, as he calls it, KokoLoco detour. Photo attached in above posting.
4. How does he do it? He abstains completely from sugar and white flours. Loves his double latte. He doesn't cook for himself but if he opts to it is with whole wheat tortillas, avocados and fatty salami. with the occasional protein bar.
5. What is next? Ashley will be celebrating his 55th birthday on the trail next month, hopefully within miles of his final destination. Then he's going surfing in California!
6. But he looks so refreshed! Well he did leave Banff at precisely the right hour that would get him to a hair cutter in the US when they opened at 10 am. Yea he has done it so much now he knows Salon hours. Seriously tho he was in most excellent spirits altho he still hates the highway fire detours.

He said he is going to write up a bit of his adventure conditioning when he gets home. However I don't see him sitting around long enough to complete it.
Ride on Ashley. See you back here in your 60's!!! }
You promised.

[Salubrious]

^^ Thanks!! Exactly what I wanted to know...

[NewRetroTom]

Ashley is going well.

Looks like he has stopped for a night of comfort at the Sundance Motel in Pinedale.

I stayed there and enjoyed the excellent complimentary buffet breakfast. I ate a ridiculous amount! It did mean a late start, but I made over 200 miles that day, and was at Brush Mountain Lodge for breakfast the following day.

[Angler]

Good to hear.  He just keeps plugging along.

[kevinstephen]

Very nice. Age doesn't stop him.
_______________________________
Towing Springfield VA

[KO]

I was camping this weekend just a few miles beyond Lynx Pass south of Steamboat.  I was making breakfast this morning when my dog started barking suddenly.  I looked up and there was a bikepacker that just passed.  I didn't think anything of it but then a minute later realized that must've been Ashley.  Finished my breakfast then started driving home and saw the same bikepacker starting his climb up Trough pass from the Colorado River at Radium and sure enough it was Ashley.  Chatted with him for a few minutes and he seemed like he was doing great and still having fun.  Props to him for finishing this sucker four times consecutively when I struggled to finish it just once!!

[Angler]

BRAVO!!!!  Ride Ashley Ride!

I was camping this weekend just a few miles beyond Lynx Pass south of Steamboat.  I was making breakfast this morning when my dog started barking suddenly.  I looked up and there was a bikepacker that just passed.  I didn't think anything of it but then a minute later realized that must've been Ashley.  Finished my breakfast then started driving home and saw the same bikepacker starting his climb up Trough pass from the Colorado River at Radium and sure enough it was Ashley.  Chatted with him for a few minutes and he seemed like he was doing great and still having fun.  Props to him for finishing this sucker four times consecutively when I struggled to finish it just once!!

[Briansong]

Looks like Ashley is in Silver City. I'll likely miss his finish but Geeez, What a feat!!

Congratulations.

[BobM]

Looks like Ashley is in Silver City. I'll likely miss his finish but Geeez, What a feat!!

Congratulations.

He's likely to hold on to that record for quite some time!

[NewRetroTom]

Looks like Ashley finished his incredible Double Yo-Yo last night and got a lift back to Hachita.

Well done Ashley!

[Southwest Trailhead Hand/Hachita Bike Ranch]

Ashley at the Hachita Store saddling up for the last 45 miles.

[Southwest Trailhead Hand/Hachita Bike Ranch]

Ashley Benns at the Southern Terminus.

[Southwest Trailhead Hand/Hachita Bike Ranch]

  At one point yesterday I asked Ashley if he had thought of quitting.  He looked right back at me with his smile and said  " Yes, three times;  at each end."  He finished that statement with a hard earned chuckle.

[Southwest Trailhead Hand/Hachita Bike Ranch]

Ashley at the house.
Ashley's bicycle.

[Southwest Trailhead Hand/Hachita Bike Ranch]

  Ashley Benns and a group of ACA riders I invited over for the bike box party.  Everyone enjoyed a little pork roast and beer.
Special thank-you to Tim Patterson (Diablo Cycling) for assisting with the bike break-down.  Thank-you to Jay P., Ashley is wearing the tennis shoes and grey shorts from your donation box.

[Southwest Trailhead Hand/Hachita Bike Ranch]

  Ashley Benns at the Lordsburg Greyhound bus station.   Ashley rode all night to San Diego where he is ready for a little "salt water therapy"  quote from his friend Rick.  This morning you may spot him riding north for about 30 miles.  Ashley says he may be back,  but it will be a while. So if anybody runs into Ashley Benns give him FOUR cheers!.

Cheers!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Cheers!

11,010  miles according to his cycle computer.

[Angler]

Ashley Benns at the Southern Terminus.

Ashley Ashley Ashley.  Mr. Benns I was on vacation/holiday for your finish so missed watching it personally but I am so utterly thrilled for you and so thankful you didn't go for the #5 as it did indeed start snowing last week.  You have left a challenge that will likely be un-beaten for a long time.  At least I sure hope so.  Take a rest sir!  Happy Belated Birthday! And see you in a decade or so.
      -  Kathy

[Christopher R. Bennett]

The Cordillera Volume 9 on the 2017 race is now available for purchase. Thanks to all those who contributed, and especially to Megan Dunn for her work on the cover, and Dom Edwards for help with editing.  http://www.lulu.com/shop/christopher-bennett/the-cordillera-volume-9/paperback/product-23437762.html.   Nicholas Legan wrote a great forward dedicating the book to Mike Hall, JD Pauls and others who are no longer with us:

"The highest tribute we can give the members of our tribe who are no longer with us is to continue to challenge ourselves. So read on. Get fired up. Pack up your rig and head out. And if you feel so inclined, please buy an additional copy of this book. Proceeds go towards a college fund for Linnaea Blumenthal, whose father, Dave Blumenthal, died in an accident during Tour Divide in 2010. "

Thanks to all who helped.

[BobM]

Thank YOU, Chris!