Tour Divide 2017 - race discussion thread

[kiwidave]

One week to go to the GD and 154 riders already are on Trackleaders, 2 SOBO ITT's have made it through the reroute to Fernie and Ashley Benns (Yo-YO)and KG are heading NOBO and are already in Wyoming. NOBO's hit snow on Indianna, Boreas and the pass between Clark and Brush Mountain Lodge.

In BC snow is out there on Koko Claims. Cabin Pass and Galton Pass are still unknown.

In MT Cricket Butler checked out Whitefish Divide and Red Meadow Pass which have snow, about a couple of miles each with warm weather coming over the next week.

No word on Richmond Pass but historically if Whitefish has snow then Richmond usually has a bit too.

[GrizzlyAdam]

We've also got Harvey Pass this year, between Fernie and Butts Cabin. 3 big passes between Fernie and Eureka, all over 5500 feet. The first several days could see a lot of hiking!

[Briansong]

Looks like Rosemary and Lisa are getting close to the turnoff to the Whitefish divide avalanche chute area. Should be interesting to watch their speeds. I think it will give all the GD'rs for next week some valuable info. I did it in 2014 and between Whitefish and Red Meadow, it was probably 6-7 hours of walking. Last year my buddy DP rode and he said it was a clear and ridable route.

Hoping for a clear trail for everyone!

[sfuller]

2015 was a snow free year as well. It was weird, after seeing the hiking people did in 2014.  I toured the route with friends the last week of July 2014 from Port of Rooseville south. Locals said that the avalanche debris had just gotten cleaned up the week before we rode. Still quite a bit of snow on the sides of the road at the top of Whitefish Divide.

[Salubrious]

Lisa and Rosemary's spots have not moved in the last 36 hours! Any idea why?

[tbmd9er]

It looks like Josh Kato has made it to the start.  Any other "big names" in this year? No Mike Hall (RIP),   I didn't see single speed stud Chris Plesko, Lael Wilcox,  Jay Petervary, Neil Beltchenko and such in trackleaders.  Who else to watch for contenders this year?

[sfuller]

In no particular order, based on my limited knowledge

Eddie O'Dea
Andrew Carney
Greg Gleason

Others to watch, as I'm guessing they are going for the Triple Crown -
Mark Caminiti
Brett Stepanik

[kiwidave]

Stefan Maertens is racing again and is in better shape than his 6th place in '16.

Rob Davidson is racing too - 6th in '14, probably a good shot at a top 10 again in '17.

[kiwidave]

Lisa and Rosemary's spots have not moved in the last 36 hours! Any idea why?

Scratched. Lisa has edema.

[Two Tired]

What were you doing when you were 68?

Hal Russell is skipping the TD this year to run the American Trail Race 2017:
http://trackleaders.com/americantrail17i.php?name=Hal_Russell

Go Hal !

[jjmundt]

If you want to look around Banff - and maybe spot your favorite rider or check the conditions - here are (at least some of) the webcams of the town...updated every five minutes.

http://banffmaps.ca/trafficcams/

So far I've seen one cyclist...on a road bike, so I doubt he's part of the Tour.

[jjmundt]

What were you doing when you were 68?

Hal Russell is skipping the TD this year to run the American Trail Race 2017:
http://trackleaders.com/americantrail17i.php?name=Hal_Russell

Go Hal !

And his calls into MTB Cast are still full of positive words and good stuff.  He's one of the most entertaining riders to follow.

[Russ Kipp]

High Country Lodge is ready for 2017 Tour Divide Riders.  We have food, lodging, showers, WIFI, Verizon cell service and some limited repair parts.  Located in the Grasshopper valley, 1 mile north of Polaris, Montana.  Track-leader is always on at our lodge so we are watching and waiting for you to stop.  Good luck to all and ride safe.  See you soon!  Russ & Karen Kipp

[Adam Alphabet]

In no particular order, based on my limited knowledge

Eddie O'Dea
Andrew Carney
Greg Gleason

Others to watch, as I'm guessing they are going for the Triple Crown -
Mark Caminiti
Brett Stepanik

Mark had a PB on the AZT300 this year, he was pumped.  Get after it Brett!

[Salubrious]

Scratched. Lisa has edema.

Yikes! Sorry to hear that!

[jmiked72]

Any favorites among the ladies this year?

[PMalcolm]

For the ladies, Lee Craigie from Scotland is a former elite XC racer and was joint 3rd in the Highland 550.

I'm looking out for Ben Steurbaut from Belgium too. He's not only a good dude but won my event this year (French Divide, 2100km, 38,000 climbing metres) in less than 7 days.

[GregMay]

Keep an eye on Rickie Cotter as well, she's not slow in the slightest.

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Welcome to our Tour Divide KickOff show as racers are getting ready to head out on the 2017 edition of the Tour Divide! We talk about the weather the racers can expect and hear from Marty Johnson and Bonnie Gagnon-Larvick! And racers, don’t forget to get your Salsa headset cap from Jay Petervary so you can get some pie in Pie Town!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/2017/06/09/mtbcast-episode-june-9-2017-tour-divide-17-kickoff/#t=1:53.766

[flyboy]

If you want to look around Banff - and maybe spot your favorite rider or check the conditions - here are (at least some of) the webcams of the town...updated every five minutes.

http://banffmaps.ca/trafficcams/



So far I've seen one cyclist...on a road bike, so I doubt he's part of the Tour.

Thanks for the link to the webcams. It looks a bit wet there this morning.

Good luck to all of the racers and enjoy the journey! I am sitting at home itching to be there for the start - damn, this TD gets under your skin! I know what I will be doing the next 3 weeks or so...