Tour Divide 2018 Race Discussion Thread

[Iowagriz]

Does the lead female (SOBO) have an interesting story about hiking around Richmond Peak?  Or, do you think those were just random pings?

[mikepro]

Does the lead female (SOBO) have an interesting story about hiking around Richmond Peak?  Or, do you think those were just random pings?

Dots locations on that terrain is way too fast for hiking/bushwack pace with loaded bike to be legit.  It's either random pings, or it's 1 legit ping indicating wrong way (on Rice Ridge Rd) followed by a course-correct back to and then down the route but with no pings in between to truly know.  Either way, it's gotta be legit and she's on a decent pace through 4+ days.

[flyboy]

Dave, I think that koko does add some time.  It's a bit hard to say exactly but I'd say maybe 2-3 hours.  It's really hard to say for certain yet as the weather plays such a pivotal role as well and we don't have enough runs through Kokos to say for certain yet.  The thing that koko does do, in my opinion, is add a potential for early injury if one isn't careful.  Namely Achilles strains.  It is a very steep, long walk up.  Also, the descent down isn't anything to sneeze at.  Fairly risky downhill in TD terms.  Definitely feels like more climbing to the point of rejoining the old trail in the Flathead.

In 2016 I made it over the top of cabin pass on night one.  In 2015 I made it about 40 miles short of Cabin Pass.  In 2014 I made it to Sparwood on night one.  Last year, via Kokos, I made it just past Fernie and didn't reach to the top of Cabin pass till a few hours later on the morning of day 2.  However, I was in superb fitness in 2016 and mediocre in 2017 and regularly fit in 2015 and 2014 but fairly inexperienced and with much heavier kit than 2016 or 2017.
I would say on average that just past Fernie, via Kokos, is the equivalent of getting to Butts Cabin on the old course.
Kokos is much prettier than the old route as you don't have all the mining to ride by but I do miss the "rivulets" on the road we all had to wade through after passing Corbin pass area.

Thanks Josh (and Iowagriz/andrewk). It looked like a rugged climb up Koko this year with all of the trees down. So, all up, not much difference time wise but it might work the riders harder, early on in the race?
 Cheers.
Also - “regularly fit in 2015”...........

[Angler]

Good Tuesday from Ovando Montana.  Awoke to much better weather.  Still a bit blustery but compared to yesterday, where all the riders just want to erase that day, it is magnificent.  Here are today's riders arriving around Noon:
-  Mike Barklow, 36 of Idaho
-  John Wright 54 of Australia
-  Jason Wolf, 31 of Utah.
Now upon watching them arrive you'd think all 3 were BFF's doing the divide together.  But nope, Jason and Mike were the friends [hence the blue flowers in the helmets] who met up with John whose riding styles are so similar you land up pedaling together for three days.  Especially when Mike's knee is hurting him [they told me I didn't have to have a functioning ACL in this race] and Jason loses a day with a mechanical breakdown up north. They came, they ate, they contiued on!

[Angler]

Next and out to Ovando:
-  Mitchell Potter, 64 of Virginia
-  Paul Spencer, 37 of England
-  Craig Moss, 53 of New Zealand

All doing great,  No complaints unless you count yesterday's weather.

[Iowagriz]

Dots locations on that terrain is way too fast for hiking/bushwack pace with loaded bike to be legit.  It's either random pings, or it's 1 legit ping indicating wrong way (on Rice Ridge Rd) followed by a course-correct back to and then down the route but with no pings in between to truly know.  Either way, it's gotta be legit and she's on a decent pace through 4+ days.

I am thinking similarly, no way that she packed straight up (thru snow) and over the top.  I've been in that area and doubt it would even be possible.  Likely took the wrong road down and then had to backtrack to the actual trail.

[Angler]

More from Ovando around 2 pm in and out:
-  Matej Karasek 34 from the Czech Republic
- Rob Knapp, 51 from Virginia  
Was glad to see Rob on the contiuing journey after his leg injury/problem/whatever it was. 

[geekonabike]

Could this be the 1st ever year with a Northbound winner? Forcast is looking like an early monsoon in NM. I don't think the Southbound frontrunners have ever had to deal with our SW uber clay (unrideable).

[geekonabike]

I remember watching Bikepacker.com for daily race updates in years past.  DotWatcher looks to be nice this year.  Other than here, are there any other TD update sites?

Will it be re-routed now that Santa Fe, and maybe Gila, National Forests are being closed due to fires/fire hazards?

I think most peeps in her goto www.trackleaders.com

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

[Gila Hike and Bike]

Could this be the 1st ever year with a Northbound winner? Forcast is looking like an early monsoon in NM. I don't think the Southbound frontrunners have ever had to deal with our SW uber clay (unrideable).

The weather conditions will certainly play a big factor. If Hurricane Bud drops the amount of moisture currently forecast, we will have monsoon mud very early.....  You're right, typically no mud till 25-30 day riders.

[sfuller]

This has probably been answered somewhere in the past but how does the Koko Claims reroute compare to the old Elkford, Sparwood, Corbin, Flathead route? Yes Koko is a nasty climb but there was a big climb out of Elkford on the old route, then another up from Corbin too. Just asking as to the relevance of the green pace flags being the old route versus this new one?

The climb out of Elkford is somewhat steep, but paved, and a fairly steady grade. I think it hurt more because it was the first thing out of the gate when I left Elkford in the AM. The climb up from Corbin wasn't too bad from my recollection, but there was the "road that became a river" on the back side of it that required some HAB. Based on the photos I've seen, I'd say the Koko route is probably tougher.
 from a riding standpoint (but I haven't ridden it).

[SlowDave]

The weather forecast keeps getting worse for Saturday for Pie Town and the Gila. Now it is 100% for thunderstorms and rain. It looks like a one day thing. I am in Grants heading south (not racing) and I am curious what the drying time is for the roads after a one day storm as opposed to the daily monsoon.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Another fire to keep an eye on - this one looks like it's going to be contained, but any riders in the area may suffer from the air quality:

http://www.kktv.com/content/news/Hundreds-evacuated-in-Silverthorne-for-Buffalo-Mountain-Fire-485278541.html

The turnoff for this neighborhood is right by the dam to Frisco.

One of the worst years in recent memory for forest fires in CO

[flyboy]

The climb out of Elkford is somewhat steep, but paved, and a fairly steady grade. I think it hurt more because it was the first thing out of the gate when I left Elkford in the AM. The climb up from Corbin wasn't too bad from my recollection, but there was the "road that became a river" on the back side of it that required some HAB. Based on the photos I've seen, I'd say the Koko route is probably tougher.
 from a riding standpoint (but I haven't ridden it).

Yeah, Steve, I would agree. Koko looks more like AZTR than TD.  

Ok, so where will the golden spike be? It's normally around Brush Mtn in Colorado but Dom is powering so I am guessing somewhere around Atlantic City or even Pinedale? Which way will the wind blow in The Basin? Dom could be in for a free ride there.

Can anyone on route grab some shots of Dom Irvine for us dot watchers, please?

It looks like Jason Carter (ITT) is off route in The Basin or is using an old route gpx/aca maps. I don't think the ride into Rawlins is anything special.....

[Adam Alphabet]

Hell yeah Paul! Cruisin' along. Thanks for the shots Angler!

[bikelite]

About Seb Dune,
"Hi guys.
Seb here. I’m all good but am out of the race. I’ve been managing the usual sorts of ailments that come with riding 18+ hours a day but the real problem is my head just isn’t in the game unfortunately.
I keep on thinking how I’d love to stop briefly and check out a spot or smell the roses but the self-imposed expectations/pressure and the knowledge the internet is always watching you makes me feel somehow unable to do that in a TD context. It’s a slog out there if you want to be touring with your wife but somehow feeling resentful because I’ve made the choice to race. I think I just need to get back to the joy of going out and enjoying the beautiful simplicity of riding bikes.

Having a few days to relax and might swing past Yellowstone and contemplate other adventures before heading home.
Hope everyone is well, thanks for all the support and sorry to (again) disappoint those following.
Seb"

[bikelite]

About Richard Dunnett,
"Update:
So the Divide bit back yesterday. I was feeling great until getting to Helena yesterday afternoon, stoped to grab some food and from there on into the last big climb of the day I had nothing in the tank. Everything I tried didn’t help. Eventually nearing the top at 2200mtrs and about 10pm I went over the bars crashing on a rocky section of track. It’s was dark in the middle of Grizzly bear country and I was soaked wet and cold in the snow and all my lights went out.. Probably just being soft but that definitely tested my comfort limits. I was super happy to eventually get down and sleep on the floor of a old post office... Anyway I’ve twisted my knee and it is not helping me. Can’t stand up without intense pain and my knee giving way.
Nearly stopped in Butte but before I had a chance “never give up” Richard made me push out of town and away from all means of transport to escape and it took a long time with heaps of walking up hills and swearing at my legs but I made it to Montana High country lodge, an iconic stop for the Tour Divide and one Mike always used. Just had a good feed and icing the knee. It pains me to watch riders get away up the road but I’m going to have to. I’m going to give myself a bit of extra sleep and attended to some sores etc so hopefully tomorrow I can set off fresh. I’m going to give it my all to remain in the race. But I’m not going to ruin myself to race hard and not finish. Thanks so much for the support, sorry I can’t reply to messages. Mostly no signal and no time to stop. Cheers all."

[pro_out]

Yeah, Steve, I would agree. Koko looks more like AZTR than TD. 

Ok, so where will the golden spike be? It's normally around Brush Mtn in Colorado but Dom is powering so I am guessing somewhere around Atlantic City or even Pinedale? Which way will the wind blow in The Basin? Dom could be in for a free ride there.

Can anyone on route grab some shots of Dom Irvine for us dot watchers, please?

It looks like Jason Carter (ITT) is off route in The Basin or is using an old route gpx/aca maps. I don't think the ride into Rawlins is anything special.....

  About 10 miles south of Atlantic City.

[Yann___k]

Captured at Ovando camera just now.
Identified as: Charlie Hudson, Jesse Crocker, Charlie Hayes, Dave Jackson

[ron]

About Richard Dunnett,
"Update:
So the Divide bit back yesterday. [...]"

Hey bikelite - where are these updates being posted? I'm not seeing them on either of their facebook or instagrams, so clearly I'm looking in the wrong places. Thanks for sharing!