Tour Divide 2017 - race discussion thread

[Pirahna]

My problem with Facebook (and perhaps it really is just MY problem) is that replies to threads get buried and I cannot tell when something new is posted under an existing comment.  The linear nature of the Forum here ensures that I don't miss anything.

Facebook hides things. It hides comments and replies to comments but gives you the choice to "view X more comments" or "Joe Blogs replied" to show the hidden stuff.

I think both the forum and Facebook have their place. For people on the go it's much easier to post on Facebook, more work for people like Angler who posts on both. The forum is good for getting opinions from people who know the route and can make a bit of sense of what's going on, for example going down Fleecer or weather.

[bikelite]

My problem with Facebook (and perhaps it really is just MY problem) is that replies to threads get buried and I cannot tell when something new is posted under an existing comment.  The linear nature of the Forum here ensures that I don't miss anything.

There was a ton of race prep posting on facebook. It sucks because you can't find much when you go back unless you starting saving posts. I wonder why they don't post here for all that.

[Adam Alphabet]

and.... back to the race.
Super stoked to see 6 single speeders in the mix this year! One is all you need! Get after it guys and girls!

[Two Tired]

My problem with Facebook (and perhaps it really is just MY problem) is that replies to threads get buried and I cannot tell when something new is posted under an existing comment.  The linear nature of the Forum here ensures that I don't miss anything.

You are not alone.  All that one can hope for is that annoyances such as Facebook, Tweets, Hashtags, Triggers, Fantasy Leagues, YouTube (fill in the blank) Challenges, and the Kardashians will ultimately go the way of MySpace, Milli Vanilli, Dancing Babies, Clippy, CB Radios (wait - what??), Livestrong Wristbands and high ranking Nigerian officials.

Looks as if Bicycles are here to stay.  Hopefully this upsets somebody!  My Mood Ring says that I'm OK.

 

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 MikeTuomi called in from Butte and Marty Johnson called in from near Helena! He has lost his backpack. I have a message up on the MTBCast line. Hopefully it’s found!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td17/

[mtbcast]

Marty believes his pack is somewhere between Empire Mine and Blossburg.

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Peter Kraft called in from Lima with a twofer and  Michael Schroeder called in to say he is OUT!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td17/

[MattL]

NoBo Michael Grosso has left the course in Del Norte after arriving around midnight last night.  Hope he's OK, but it doesn't look great from his tracks.

[HappyWanderer]

Another mud alert for the racers coming down the road past the Tetons.  Josh texted me from Pinedale.   He said there was quite the mudslide up on the Brooks Lake road.  He went through in the dark so is not really sure but it looked pretty bad.  His text said "a tree flowed by me in the mud".   Josh sent a message to Matt Lee and Matt was going to try and look into it and see how bad it is in daylight.  

[Iowagriz]

NoBo Michael Grosso has left the course in Del Norte after arriving around midnight last night.  Hope he's OK, but it doesn't look great from his tracks.

Facebook from Michael - suspicious looking crack in frame at headtube (pic on FB).  Headed to frame builder to get it looked at.  Ironically, same builder that Seb Dunne went to when his fork broke in 2015(?)

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Eddie O’Dea called in from Lima, Tyler Ubinger called in from Lima, and Glen Carter called in from Helena!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td17/

[cobbnat]

Meanwhile in hot, dry New Mexico, two fires to keep an eye on (plus a couple in the Gila): the Bonita fire has caused closures along the northern NM route south of Hopewell Lake. So far the NoBo riders have been able to get around the closed roads with a minor re-route, but if the fire grows...here is what the Forest Service had to say: "Forest road 45 northbound at the intersection of FR 42 and FR 45 is closed due to increased fire traffic. This will restrict bicyclists’ access to the Continental Divide Trail. Forest Road 111 northbound at the intersection of FR42 and FR45 is also closed."

The Cajete fire in the Jemez (southwest of Abiquiu) is probably not a threat, as much of the forest north of that burned a few years ago so I think it won't spread to the TD route. But, sometimes they close all nearby roads because of heavy firefighter traffic. Expect smoke, at the least.

[aarond]

Stefan Maertens is busting a move after an early mechanical, but keep your eye on Jay P who is making a stealth attack.

[saskawhat]

Not 100% sure on my math but looks like Maertens made up most of his ground on the US Border to Lincoln stretch -- about 11-12 hours faster than anyone else.

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Rick Ashton called in from Helena!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td17/

[Angler]

And the Incoming Riders slow to a trickle......

Only two photos today, both in the morning; with 2 riders going straight thru and not getting their photo op.  

Gary Johnson of NM.  Okay I now know why Guy Martin went under an alias last year.  Poor Gary.  The Independent Presidential Candidate last year doing his TDR --- a journey of self inflection and perseverance ---- and he is getting "hounded" by the press.  Even in small town Montana.  He arrived into Ovando around 9 am met by the "paparazzi" of myself and a local small newspaper report/photographer.  No real smile or acknowledge but a "Hi".  He went immediately to food at the Stray Bullet.  He tells his waitress he just wants to ride and doesn't want any more press right now.... He just wants to ride!!!!  Find out the aforementioned small town reporter had actually met him in Seeley Lake first thing when he was getting ready to leave and spent over an hour interviewing him.  So when Gary saw him again in Ovando, along with me, he just wanted to eat and run.  Which he did.  Never got to talk to him. And no close up photos.  And yes I was darn disappointed.  

In right behind Gary was Randy Neil,58, of CO who brightened my day 100%.  Randy and I have been "social network" friends on Blackfoot Angler and the guy is a joke a minute with him wanting a "dry nymph" being our mutual joke.  [You have to be a fly fisherman to know that is funny.]  He has a song for everything.  After extensive talking and photo sharing of his family while reflecting on a magical moment when his wife was able to call him while on Richmond Ridge, he went for a breakfast that even his waitress had to brag to me as very impressive.  So much so he took a few hours nap in the jail and was back on his way.  Randy!  Great to see you!  Keep in touch.  I need to send you a tee shirt that says you spent a night in jail in Ovando.  

And that was it.  
Will keep the photos coming as long as they keep coming in and we await the NOBO's.
Have a nice night and Carry On!

[Marmey]

The leaders look to be following some bad weather across The Basin. I've ridden across in perfect conditions (TD '14), what is it like after rain? 

[flyboy]

Sorry I had to laugh at this......as the photographer is a town of only 50 with no cell service......I found I didn't understand a word you just wrote.  Shows you how far behind Ovando is in the technology world.  Geez.... it took a group of us a week to figure out a webcam.  HA!

Angler, that is also my point. I use Smugmug to host photos so I can post them here (and elsewhere) but there is a lot of faffing around just to post a photo. It needs to be easy and seamless like FB etc.

[jjmundt]

You are not alone.  All that one can hope for is that annoyances such as Facebook, Tweets, Hashtags, Triggers, Fantasy Leagues, YouTube (fill in the blank) Challenges, and the Kardashians will ultimately go the way of MySpace, Milli Vanilli, Dancing Babies, Clippy, CB Radios (wait - what??), Livestrong Wristbands and high ranking Nigerian officials.

Looks as if Bicycles are here to stay.  Hopefully this upsets somebody!  My Mood Ring says that I'm OK.

 

Amen to that!

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Marty Johnson called in from Helena! He has his pack!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td17/