Tour Divide 2019 Race Discussion

[Angler]

first time hearing of that guy.....and i tend to think the same thing....it can very easily go very wrong if he keeps throwing down like this....at the same time its almost unfathomable to see what he's done so far!!!!  good god

funny you mention this.  Asked him if I pronounced his name correctly.  He said you guys probably follow the american riders; referring I guess to the fact that he is well known in Europe.  And yes I said it correctly.

[danwiz]

7 minutes?  Maybe?  Literally ran in, down 2 dogs, filled up with water, packed up and ran out. 

dude...seriously?

[danwiz]

funny you mention this.  Asked him if I pronounced his name correctly.  He said you guys probably follow the american riders; referring I guess to the fact that he is well known in Europe.  And yes I said it correctly.

WOW the guy is unbelieveable......Mike Hall must be proud!!  and considering Sofiane is on a Niner.  its only appropriate to scream Pedal Damn It

[jjmundt]

WOW the guy is unbelieveable......Mike Hall must be proud!!  and considering Sofiane is on a Niner.  its only appropriate to scream Pedal Damn It

Given the added fun of Koko Claims, I didn't think Superman could get from Banff to Ovando in anything close to 2d 4h.  Astounding endurance and speed...and a testament to the good riding conditions up north.  Wyoming and Colorado may be entirely different beasts.  He will need to rest at some point here.  But Richmond, Huckleberry, Stemple, and Priest in one day is pretty staggering.

He's giving Mike's memory a run for the money.

[danwiz]

Given the added fun of Koko Claims, I didn't think Superman could get from Banff to Ovando in anything close to 2d 4h.  Astounding endurance and speed...and a testament to the good riding conditions up north.  Wyoming and Colorado may be entirely different beasts.  He will need to rest at some point here.  But Richmond, Huckleberry, Stemple, and Priest in one day is pretty staggering.

He's giving Mike's memory a run for the money.

i live in colorado...within mins from the CT.  and lots of those prepping for the CTR are really concerned with conditions and snowpack:

[kiwidave]

first time hearing of that guy....

Sofi came 3rd equal in the TD on 2016 on a cyclocross bike in 16:00:25. He also jointly won the Italy Divide in May 2019, and in 2017 came 8th in the TransAm in a bit over 20 days but had some costly bike issues IIRC. 2018 he biked self-supported from Paris to Shanghi averaging 200km per day.

He's the real deal.

[danwiz]

Sofi came 3rd equal in the TD on 2016 on a cyclocross bike in 16:00:25. He also jointly won the Italy Divide in May 2019, and in 2017 came 8th in the TransAm in a bit over 20 days but had some costly bike issues IIRC. 2018 he biked self-supported from Paris to Shanghi averaging 200km per day.

He's the real deal.

he sure does sound like it.....i was checking out his accomplishments today..... dude is legit... 16 days TD on a CX bike!!!!  YIKES

[BobM]

Josh Kato coming through Ovando and getting his picture taken by Angler (grabbed from the Ovando webcam).

[Angler]

2nd place Josh Kato returned to Ovando a bit over 3 hours behind Sofiane with SEVEN (7) hours of sleep under his helmet.  In fact says he has been sleeping pretty darn good.  Weather is perfect.  Trails are great.  A few storm clouds building over Richmond but nothing broke.  Josh stopped at the BCC for a couple of hot dogs and an ice cream bar and picking up a few snacks.  Stuck around for about 15 minutes.  Said last year he was chasing Mike's record but was in major hurt due to the crash on Cottonwood that left him physically busted and purple.  This year... He is in 2nd place and enjoying the hell out of it.  And said he is hoping Sofiane knocks the heck out of this race; but hoping the lack of sleep doesn't undo him.

[legendontour]

Early days, but worth remembering that in 2015, Josh had a sleep strategy that paid dividends later in the race.  Those of us who’ve ridden and followed this race for a few years know it’s a long way to  Mexico and it only takes one trail mistake from weary eyes to ruin your race.

[tanadog]

In 2016 Sofiane rode until he fell off (literally). We found him asleep on the track in the Basin at 10am, lying next to his bike....He's gained a heap of experience since then, so I'd say he's got a plan.

Mike Hall slept very little at the start in 16, then had a good kip at High Country lodge on night 4, maybe Sof has that in mind?

Super impressed with Steve H's ride/ strategy so far. Heaps of sleep, fastest moving speed of the front runners. Will he catch Josh Ibbett today?

[geekonabike]

 Haha!  I was looking for the unicyclist.

That guy still needs to go back & fix his course deviation from the 2017 AZTR  😉

[Angler]

Third Place Josh Ibbett of England made it into Ovando less than 2 hours after Josh Kato.  First time TDR'er altho has done a lot of European races, he claimed he had about 4 hours of sleep over the last 3 days.  Not sure where he was going to land up:  Lincoln or keep pushing.  Stopped at the BCC for an ice cream cone and other drinks.  Josh asked if Huckleberry and Stemple were as hard as Richmond Ridge.  I replied I didn't think so which appeared to give me a great sense of relief.

[Iowagriz]

Stefano Tomasello has his spot stopped in Fernie since Friday night. I expected him to be fast, but wasn't sure if his bikepacking experience. Hope all is OK and he is just having Spot problems.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[mtbcast]

#TD19 - Here’s your true up for Days 1-3 of the 2019 Tour Divide!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td19/

[Angler]

Fourth place Steve Halligan of New Zealand returned again to Ovando.  Can't miss him with his neon orange tire marking.  He too has had little sleep [4 hours I believe he said?].  As with previous front runners ran into the Blackfoot Commercial Company for ice cream [#1 nutrient of the day it appears] and drinks.  He is going to travel on until he can't no more.

[Angler]

Fifth place Nate Ginzton out of Boise Idaho arrived shortly after #4 Steve Left.  First timer on the TDR and I think he is appreciating the beauty that is Canada and northern Montana altho he says there is some tough spot.  He too partook in the ice cream nutrictional factor along with as much snacks as he could stuff into his bags.  Off to see how far on only a few hours of sleep the last 2 days. And Nate I apologize up front for publishing a photo of you with your mouth full of ice cream bar.  But I think I warned ya.  :-)

[Angler]

Finally getting to the Lael Wilcox story.  #6 all around.  #1 female.  #1 female breaking her own record.  Was being chased by a thunder cell but she was winning until I believe Huckleberry pass where it probably caught her.  There has been much talk about her film crew.  They consist of 3 people.  2 photographer/videographers and another videographer that is a friend.  All 3 are on spot trackers so that their ability to assist are carefully scrutinized.  The friend never gets within about 50 yards of her and does not speak to her.  When Lael was at the BCC, friend was at the Blackfoot Angler.  I was impressed that at this junction they were being very respectful of the rules.  Lael takes off on the bike, they stay behind and meet up at the next location.  Okay enough of that.  Lael is doing great.  She is happy with her ride so far.  She is feeling strong and was going to see how far she could get until about midnight to get more sleep.  Stocked up on snacks and hotdogs for later.  One photo shows the bagged and mustarded meal being squished into a bag.  Mmm Mmm delicious!

[Angler]

Last photographed rider for June 16 was Evan Deutsch of Oregon.  He did not escape the thunder cell and  was caught in the blowing gully washer.  A tad wet.  Starting to get a lot cold.  And focused on getting food, he made a quick job of collecting and storing his purchases and getting back on his way.  I do think he enjoyed the enthusiastic farewell given by a few Ovando folks and two previous female TDR rides from several years ago whose arrival surprised the heck out of me.  

Wish I could load videos to this forum for Evans departure.  

Also have videos of:  Tony Lesueur of New Zealand greeting all via the Blackfoot Angler webcam; telling folks he had planned on staying over night in Ovando, but his legs were strong, the sunset was eternal and he was moving on.  

And the best yet....... it is believed that it is Chris Seistrup of Arizona who arrived after dark, road up to the webcam, turned up the music and "got down" with his version of a funky chicken.  The funniest thing we've ever recorded.  Those videos are available to see on the Kathy Shoendoerfer/Blackfoot Angler facebook page if you so desire.  [nobody ever said these riders always took this whole thing serious]

[bakerjw]

It is still early in the race with many more riders to pass through Ovando, but I have to give a hearty hats off to the Blackfoot Angler for these pictures and stories. They, along with the webcam, bring a lot of excitement to the race for those of us who are desk jockeys in real life.
Thanks!