Tour Divide 2018 Race Discussion Thread

[kato]

Looks like the Sobo leader is on webcam in Ovando right now.  This dot watching stuff is pretty fun!

[Angler]

Richard Dunnett of England made it into Ovando around 10:35 pm and Lewis Ciddor around 11:45 pm and just because  they are #1 and #2 and I'm an idiot.......I went back to Ovando to get their photos.  And a bit of stories despite their exhaustion.  Will post photos tomorrow cuz I'm pooped!  Suffice it to say, two great guys having the time of their lives!  They are spending the night in the jail and the sheep wagon and made it in just before a new sleety heavy rainfall came thru.

[kato]

Pretty amazing to me how far in first place overall Dom Irvine, Nobo, is right now.  50 years old and blazing!

[Iowagriz]

Richard Dunnett of England made it into Ovando around 10:35 pm and Lewis Ciddor around 11:45 pm and just because  they are #1 and #2 and I'm an idiot.......I went back to Ovando to get their photos.  And a bit of stories despite their exhaustion.  Will post photos tomorrow cuz I'm pooped!  Suffice it to say, two great guys having the time of their lives!  They are spending the night in the jail and the sheep wagon and made it in just before a new sleety heavy rainfall came thru.

Caught Lewis and Gareth Pellas leaving via the web cam between 6:15 and 6:22 MST - both pulled up to the cafe and appeared to to the mental calculation to opening time before moving down the route

[flyboy]

Pretty amazing to me how far in first place overall Dom Irvine, Nobo, is right now.  50 years old and blazing!

Yeah, he is blazing along! Missing the Gila HAB and the Polvadera Mesa would save a lot of time though. They were the standout butt kickers from my ride.
Great to see so few scratches so far as the weather hasn't been terribly awesome up north I hear.

[kato]

Yeah, he is blazing along! Missing the Gila HAB and the Polvadera Mesa would save a lot of time though. They were the standout butt kickers from my ride.
Great to see so few scratches so far as the weather hasn't been terribly awesome up north I hear.

I’m a newbie dot watcher I guess.  Didnt realize the Gila HB and Polvadera Mesa were both bypassed.  Yes, he is still flying though.

[hanyo66]

Not in the cards for me this year...lots of excuses, but they are all stupid and boring.  Still such a beautiful ride, good luck to all the tough folks still out there!

Bummer dude, I was pulling for you!

[Angler]

Good morning from Montana.  Weather started off with a middle finger to the riders with snow at 4,500' and heavy slush at this level with temps rising to 36 after a night below freezing.  Only lasted an hour on that cell.  But it is cool and damp out.  Should get better later tonight or at least tomorrow. Will be posting photos of riders #1-5 shortly.

Carry On!

[Iowagriz]

Thanks for the wave and comments as you pulled into work this morning Angler  

That camera is a great addition

[Iowagriz]

Bill Littman appears to have had an adventure coming off Koko claims - took a left instead of a right and didn't go thru Fernie.  Now back on Hwy 93 just above the border - likely too long of a detour to go back and take the correct route.  Has to be a great story of figuring his way back to the Hwy.

[Angler]

Current first place SOBO rider Richard Dunnett, 29 of England landed in Ovando Montana at 10:30 pm last night, Jun 10, and I made sure I was there to get those photos.  It was dark and it took longer for him to reach here than he had hoped.  Utterly exhausted he spent the night in jail, but not until warming up in the shop and telling me that Mike Hall was his inspiration for doing this.  Richard is a first time racer, was good friends with Mike, and is carrying Mike's wallet with him on the race.  How could you not root for this kid after that?  Said he was going to take a quick 3 hour nap ["all I really need is 3 hours and I'm good"] and was out of here by predawn hours.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Been a little dry in Colorado:

http://www.westernslopenow.com/news/local-news/entire-san-juan-national-forest-to-be-closed-to-public/1230848678

This does not affect the TD/GDMBR route, but something to keep an eye on, if other land managers follow suite.

[Angler]

2nd place rider arrived into Ovando Montana around 11:45 pm, Lewis Ciddo, 28 of Australia, when asked how things were going over Richard Ridge and the new snow and weather, said "I'm having so much fun!".  This guy's enthusiasm was infectious despite being utterly spent.  After a warm up in the shop and throwing in some more protein bars, he spent the night in the Sheep Wagon and was out of here at 6 am along with Gareth Pellis, yet another Aussie.  Unfortunately Gareth who was passing the pack in the middle of the night was only caught on the webcam this year.  But at least we have that.

[Angler]

TRD placements #4 and #5 respectfully: Jacob Roberts, 44 out of New Zealand and Seb Dunn, 32 of Australia.  Jacob was flying for the first day plus of the race but has had to slow down.  Yesterday was difficult as he is not feeling 100% up to speed and the cycle seat is taking it's toll on him.  He is going to take it a bit easier, hence the more frequent stops and rest, and Jacob if you read this, I'm pulling for you to feel better and finish.  Seb Dunn is a regular around here practically and didn't waste anytime pick up water and heading out out.  He is a serious contender.

[Iowagriz]

Angler- no longer hearing sound out of the camera - did you mute?  Or, something wrong on my end?

[Angler]

This is the portrait of a TDR racer.  Muddy, miserable, guzzling energy drinks. Meet current 6th place racer Baily Newbry from, FINALLY, the USofA riding single speed.  He is trying to erase Chris Plesko's record however when he heard Gareth had snuck by everybody in the middle of the night, renewed vigor erupted and he was back on his bike with only a 2 minutes rest.  You go Oklahoma!!!

[Angler]

Angler- no longer hearing sound out of the camera - did you mute?  Or, something wrong on my end?

I have to mute it during the day.  It is illegal in Montana to record a person's conversations without their knowledge.  And the locals got really pissed at me.  So I turn it on at night with the only things to listen to are birds, bears and bikers.  :-)

[Angler]

Thanks for the wave and comments as you pulled into work this morning Angler  

That camera is a great addition

So glad I'm just not waving to my building.  People have a tendency to think you need therapy if you're caught doing it too much!
:-)

[Iowagriz]

Thanks for the update/info - I was used to hearing the cars pull thru town this morning (and the birds)

[Angler]

It's a very busy day 4 of the race for Ovando.  Next up starting at noon today the American contingent came in #7, #8 and #9:  my buddy Greg Gleason, 51 years young of SD, another long time rider Ty Hopkins, 47 of UT and Arthur Kopatsy 34 of CA who has a fan club in Ovando after his first endeavor of the TDR resulted in him having to drop out here.  For 2 days or more we all tried to get him to heal. Arthur! and I quote "See you in 10 years with my Kids" [whose name can be seen on his front saddle bag.]  Holding you to that sir.

Forgot to add the best quote thus far; by Mr Gleason:  "I'm only here for the bacon!"