Tour Divide 2017 - race discussion thread

[PKraft_Sr.]

Hey Scott

On the Trackleaders there are various points on the map that have "Bullets" that make them stand out. I am not sure what determines these points, but I was thinking that Brush Mountain (Kirsten is part of TD lore) maybe should be recognized with their own bullet.  Just a thought as it is one of, if not the most, anticipated stop for those competing.

[ScottM]

Hey Scott

On the Trackleaders there are various points on the map that have "Bullets" that make them stand out. I am not sure what determines these points, but I was thinking that Brush Mountain (Kirsten is part of TD lore) maybe should be recognized with their own bullet.  Just a thought as it is one of, if not the most, anticipated stop for those competing.

Those bullets are the 'time split' locations used for the leaderboard.  You are right that Brush Mtn is a very significant place on the route.  Steamboat and (formerly) Rawlins are used mainly for historical purposes, but perhaps some of the checks could be given some more thought.

Meanwhile, Matthew is hard at work figuring out a re-route for the Bonita Fire.  Stay tuned for more on that.  (BTW, check out the fire perimeters layer on the tracker to see where the fires are.... I see multiple in the Gila, too).

Peter, thank-you for the very kind donation to Trackleaders, by the way.  The support is much appreciated.  Glad your son is having a great ride so far.

[Lederman]

For me the FB sites are good but I enjoy reading the race commentary here. I feel like here I get general race commentary by veterans and experienced people that really highlights the minute to minute racing. Thanks for all your comments it helps learn detail I wouldn't get anywhere else.

Wow!! B.S. first the fork now the frame. Jeez. J.P. blazing through the pack. It would be so awesome to chat with him as he goes to the front. The re-route really slowed the racers down. Folks are working back from the 30 day flag up to the 25 day flag. Does that mean the conditions halfway through MT have been favorable for the mid packers?

I'm having fun watching, reading and listening to the race.

[taprider]

https://fiberfix.com/get-fiber-fix13742603

or similar product should be available at hardware stores
just wet with water to activate resin
if the break is really bad, add tent poles or arrows as splints


or just duct tape  
this repair worked for 20km of hills for a completely broken chain stay

[taprider]

the duct tape probably would have lasted a lot longer
I just stopped riding it when I made it home and traded the bike for car repairs
the car mechanic made a splint out of an aluminum tube and epoxy and the bike is still going

[Mike Honcho]

or just duct tape 
this repair worked for 20km of hills for a completely broken chain stay



You gotta be kidding me - NORTH Vancouver??? I thought just us southern boys did stuff like that!

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Eddie O'Dea called in from Wamsetter and Andrew Stauffer called in from Steamboat Springs!

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

[gringo]

It looks like BL had the opportunity for two comfy nights' sleep in a row in Salida then in Del Norte. I wonder how this will / could play to his favor with Kato  breathing down his neck, but not really able to get closer than 40-50 miles since the Basin.
What do you guys think?

[robfmiller]

I'm just a TD wannabe ... Was looking ahead at the high temps in southern NM through Saturday ... 100+ at the finish 105 on Friday yikes!  ... Have any of you veterans experienced temps quite that high at the end of this grueling race?

[GregMay]

I'm just a TD wannabe ... Was looking ahead at the high temps in southern NM through Saturday ... 100+ at the finish 105 on Friday yikes!  ... Have any of you veterans experienced temps quite that high at the end of this grueling race?

We clocked 42C through the Basin last year (107.6F). Was a tad hot.

[tanadog]

Russell Shanks has had to bail out to Baggs WY to go to hospital - chest infection he's been fighting the whole way has finally got hold. Sounds like it's final.....

[Angler]

I know the racers have gone thru but someone said adding some "normal" continental divide riders photos would be good for "the cause". I hereby introduce you to Stan Lindquist of Missouri and his brother in law David De Sotomayor of Spain. They rode thru and spent a few hours in Ovando. David was a huge fan of Mike Hall. Didn't understand what my signage saying Ride for Mike and RIP meant. When I told him the story, he practically wept. He had not heard.  So for that alone I hereby post their photos.

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Bonnie Gagnon-Larvick called in from Butte to say she is OUT and Randy Neill called in from Montana High Country Lodge!

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

[Iowagriz]

Angler - is Stan packing a squirt gun on his shoulder strap? I assume with water or ammonia for dogs?

[ChrisE]

With the latest tragedy on the TransAm being the 3rd similar incident that I know of, is it not sensible to introduce a rule that riders must display a flashing red LED from sunset to sunrise?

I know its a fafff and would only be self policing but we can't keep doing this. Both for the human cost, the waste and devastating consequences but also for the publicity.

C

[SlowDave]

Such lights are blinding to following riders and there is also the issue of target fixation. 

It would be interesting to look at the number of fatalities per mile comparing various forms of riding including randoneuring and other endurance events along with casual riding.  RUSA has been talking about this for quite some time.  I suspect there is no easy fix.  That said there is an interesting idea that I believe Los Angeles has adopted, it is the creation of a civil cause of action against drivers that get too reckless near a cyclist.  It is very similar to a common law cause of action for assault where no contact is required.  It specifies minimum damages of $1,000.  In theory a cyclist could collect photos of the misconduct and file small claims actions against several at once.  Being a civil action the burden of proof is simply more likely than not the wrong happened.  Then like the bill collectors do, get judgments against them one after another on the same day in court.  Such ordinances would be adopted on a local level which is much easier than on a state level. Word would get out real fast that getting to close to a cyclist gets real expensive real fast.  I had a lengthy email discussion on this with the Phoenix mayor's office and they seemed quite interested but so far I have seen no action.  Phoenix is one of the worst cities in the US for cycling on the road, everyday someone is getting hit.

[Pirahna]

I believe in Holland any incident between a cyclist and car/truck the driver is automatically at fault. It's up to the motorist to prove their innocence.

[ScottM]

Quick update: If you refresh your tracker maps, you'll get an orange line, the detour, in northern New Mexico.  BL should be there later this evening.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Did Ben decide to soldier on, with the cracked frame?

[mtbcast]

#TourDivide17 Tyler Ubinger called in from near Savery!

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