Tour Divide 2019 Race Discussion

[jjmundt]

Ok...weather looks good through the Basin (albeit windy) and the route should be good from Pinedale to Brush Mtn Lodge at least...let's see them ride again!!!

[Angler]

Ovando Montana arrivals from yesterday June 19.  Weather was cooler, a few showrers and winds to 45 mph that were causing havoc.  Sometimes pushing you along, others knocking you sideways.  A lot of wind burnt faces.  A log of returning riders this day:  Bonnie Gagnon and Grant Larvick, the legendary Hal Russell on his farewell tour, Larry Goodman of CA, Mikki Suvia, Marty Johnson, Eric Morton, Randy Neill.  It was a regular hug-a-thon.  

-  Bonnie and Grant arrived and she is on a mission!  To finish and beat whatever record she has in the past.  A brief scare:  Grant thought he had left his wallet at the last camp site.  Frantic search was on.  Life lesson to be learned:  Before panic ensues and eyes go blind in search mode make sure you check every little corner of your bag/purse, especially the corners.  Because if it is probably there.  And it was.  They downed two breakfast each and before you could provide a profound belch for them; they were off.

- Eric Morton paid me the highest compliment:  Upon looking over the emergency bike parts corner of the fly shop he declared "This is impressive.  You have been listening.".   I did.  Gave me one more item that could be helpful; told me he'd be happy to mentor and advise on future purchases and away he went.  Thank you Eric!!!

-  Clinton Channell, who spent the night here with this year's most common lower extremity ailment, was all smiles Wed morning as he geared back up and make his way out of Ovando.

[Angler]

-  Hal Russell arrived on what we now know is his "Farewell Tour Divide" with his patented Hal Russell Smile.  Despite doctors orders Hal is completing his 6 TDR at the age of 70 in his usual style; but this time there is a lot of emotion along the way as everywhere is a cherished memory, a new/old friend, a great meal, another story.  And it obviously saddens him to leave his comfortable friend.  However we tried to discuss the future good; like going back to Vietnam but this time on a bicycle instead of a troop carrier.  Hal if you read this; you are a legend, you will be missed, we will stay in contact!

[jjmundt]

Angler, thanks for the photos again...they are wonderful!!

I will miss Hal's MTBCast calls SO much.  They are a highlight of the entire event for sure!  All the best to you!

[wedelmaster]

More great photos, thanks Angler! So cool to see Hal Russel, remember listening to his many call-ins over the years.

[Iowagriz]

In that case, it's probably fine, but it's an odd (and VERY strenuous) project.

Word with the original photo is that this was a Scout Troop doing a public service - not sure if it was planned specific to the racers or for the general good of all that tour the route.

[Angler]

More from Wed Jun 19:
-  John Shilling of AZ with my award for the brightest tee shirt.  With a secondary award to Mary of the Stray Bullet for the best photo bomb of the Tour thus far.
-  Kirra Dyer of Australia.  Spent the night and a day here trying to get the edema in her ankles to subside.  All day yesterday she sat in the cafe with tears in the corners of her eyes listening to our upbeat optimistic opinions, but never truly believe it the pain so so bad.  She made the sheep wagon her home but ultimately got a shuttle to Missoula today where she will pick up a rental car and continue her adventure on four wheels.
-  Marty Johnson back for his ---- I think more than 3 trips here!
-  Randy Neill of CO:  called it quits up north with a possible case of Mono or at least a really bad intestinal problem; picked up a you-haul-it truck, put his bike in and now is travelling the highway version of the trail visiting with everybody he had intended to on a bike.  Great time talking with you buddy!
-  William Cairns of South Africa:  Spent the night in jail which I think he really enjoyed.

[Angler]

Lastest of the cyclers I got photos of but not a lot of stories as it is difficult to run a shop and run after them. One thing I can say is:
TO JOEY'S GIRLFRIEND: HI!!!!

Okay Joey I made a promise and I stuck to it.  :-)

[Pirahna]

Tea Boy (Alex) is in Lima. Says he's not struggling in any way but is bored with riding endless gravel roads. I've posted a couple of Facebook messages on his personal page but I think he's going to quit and go do something else. Shame, but it's not for everyone.

[tanadog]

Sofiane is set up well for a night run across the Basin.... next stop Brush Mtn?

I'm also wondering how much sleeping up on Union Pass will affect JK. Must have been bloody cold up there.

[Angler]

Slow day on the back end of the Race today.  Many have dropped.  Many are situating themselves up for a stay in place day tomorrow with the weather forcasted to be in the mid to low 40's with rain and snow at 5,500 or 6,000' level.  Today the winds have subsided, however when the clouds and showers pass thru it is bloody cold out.  Then the sun peaks out and warms up again.  Highs today probably only in the 50's.   By Saturday the temps bounce back up twenty plus degrees.  Mother Nature is Bi-Polar this year.  And she is off her meds.  

-  John and Sue O'Mailley of New Zealand are, so far, the last to come thru, rushing off to Lincoln to beat the storm in between the rain showers today.  Utterly delightful couple.  Ran into snow over Richmond Ridge this morning and arrived into Ovando on the verge of hypothermia.  With the current hail storm and temp at 50-degrees; rushing off to warm shelter seems like the best idea.

- Joseph Rafferty of TX and his non-spot traveling companion David.

-  A group of 5 from NC doing the tour on their own, non-racing style did race out here toward Lincoln to also beat the storm and probably lay low on Friday.  

[Angler]

-  Tim glover of Pray Montana the biggest guy to ever attempt, multiple times the TDR.  His personality and grin is as big as he is.  Great to see him again.  He was in earlier than most so hit some of the mud from the storm at 2 this morning. 

[mtbcast]

#TD19 - Mike Enfieldand Doug Cullins called in from Whitefish, Peter Kraft called in from Lima, Alexandra Houchin called in from Island Park, and Hal Russell called in from Helena!

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

[kiwidave]

What is that picture on Dotwatcher Day 6?  I hope it's not a volunteer crew clearing portions of the route for the racers!

I was thinking the same thing! Hopefully they have a different reason for clearing it.

I wondered the same thing...

Too many people going out on the route and doing things to "benefit all the racers" will spoil the spirit of the race.  I doubt any state highway department will go out specifically to help TD racers.

Word with the original photo is that this was a Scout Troop doing a public service - not sure if it was planned specific to the racers or for the general good of all that tour the route.

Hi guys  - just to clarify for you all - they are clearing it for Camp Loll, which is off Ashton-Flagg Road. It is camp staff, locals and Boy Scouts (Camp Loll is a Boy Scout Camp). Full text is clear on https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourdivide/ if you wish to read more about it.

[Mxhdroom]

-  Hal Russell arrived on what we now know is his "Farewell Tour Divide" with his patented Hal Russell Smile.  Despite doctors orders Hal is completing his 6 TDR at the age of 70 in his usual style; but this time there is a lot of emotion along the way as everywhere is a cherished memory, a new/old friend, a great meal, another story.  And it obviously saddens him to leave his comfortable friend.  However we tried to discuss the future good; like going back to Vietnam but this time on a bicycle instead of a troop carrier.  Hal if you read this; you are a legend, you will be missed, we will stay in contact!

I have a photo of Hal and another rider (name escapes me; my apologies) at the Grand Depart in Banff in 2015. I was too much in awe/intimidated to approach him for a chat, but he continues to be an inspiration and a true hero for those of us who feel our best may be behind us. Perhaps it's not.

And I'll be surprised if this is his last TD, doctor's orders or not...

[BobM]

Do you think Josh is staying 25-40 miles behind the leader on purpose, rather than catching him up? If so, it seems like a pretty good strategy.

[geekonabike]

I have a photo of Hal and another rider (name escapes me; my apologies) at the Grand Depart in Banff in 2015. I was too much in awe/intimidated to approach him for a chat, but he continues to be an inspiration and a true hero for those of us who feel our best may be behind us. Perhaps it's not.

And I'll be surprised if this is his last TD, doctor's orders or not...

Thats right Hal, Might be time for a new Doc   #GezzerPower

[mtbcast]

#TD19 - John Schilling called in from Helena!

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

[tanadog]

Do you think Josh is staying 25-40 miles behind the leader on purpose, rather than catching him up? If so, it seems like a pretty good strategy.

I doubt it. Sofiane is on a really good schedule, hitting resupply etc at good times. Getting to Pinedale for a motel last night set him up for a night run through the Basin. Conversely JK slept at 10k ft in the snow(?)...I know who's saddle I'd rather be on right now 

[jjmundt]

Josh's dot hasn't moved now for a bit, though the updates from his SPOT have been inconsistent.  I can't believe he's stopped early, but I suppose it's possible...rest for a couple hours, then cross the Basin and up to Brush Mtn in one giant push?

No idea...