Tour Divide 2019 Race Discussion

[laniakea]

It seems most of the riders at Mountan Lodge now decide to move on after all. It apparently took some brave souls to (re-)break the ground.

[mountainbaker]

Lael is marked as a scratch though

[Woodland]

Lael is marked as a scratch though

Yeah, that is a bummer

[jmiked72]

Here's a pic of the now infamous Brush Mtn mud…

 I am puzzled by the chain routing in this photo.  It appears that the lower part of the chain goes back up near the top part of the chainset. I have not seen this done before.  I can’t tell what’s going on because of all the mud, can somebody explain what’s going on?

[BobM]

I am puzzled by the chain routing in this photo.  It appears that the lower part of the chain goes back up near the top part of the chainset. I have not seen this done before.  I can’t tell what’s going on because of all the mud, can somebody explain what’s going on?

I think it's called chainsuck.

[ghbucky01]

I guess Sofiane was in a hurry to get off that mountain. I just noticed he backtracked into the basin on Saturday (check his full history)

[MikeI]

I think it's called chainsuck.

mud has got to be the worst ... I hit the area south of BML after a little summer rainstorm and was stopped in my tracks out where the sheepherder lives ( there's a sign calling it Slater Park ) ... in a matter of 30 seconds the bike becomes immovable ... it suddenly weighs about 100 lbs more ( maybe not, but feels like it ) .. can't roll, can't drag, can't carry, can't push ... thought about just throwing it in the creek and walking out ... these folks were feeling that, plus snow and cold ... serious admiration for those that made it through

[danwiz]

I think it's called chainsuck.

I concur!!!

[Eszter]

I am puzzled by the chain routing in this photo.  It appears that the lower part of the chain goes back up near the top part of the chainset. I have not seen this done before.  I can’t tell what’s going on because of all the mud, can somebody explain what’s going on?

I concur!!!

I think it's called chainsuck.

Pretty sure it's also called an e-bike.

[mtbcast]

#TD19 - John Schilling called in overnight from Lima and Josh Uhl called in this morning from Boulder!


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

[bakerjw]

Pretty sure it's also called an e-bike.

<edited>Yes, it is an e-bike. Looking for the model. It is chain suck too. Although I have seen some real odd chain runs lately.

mud has got to be the worst ... I hit the area south of BML after a little summer rainstorm and was stopped in my tracks out where the sheepherder lives ( there's a sign calling it Slater Park ) ... in a matter of 30 seconds the bike becomes immovable ... it suddenly weighs about 100 lbs more ( maybe not, but feels like it ) .. can't roll, can't drag, can't carry, can't push ... thought about just throwing it in the creek and walking out ... these folks were feeling that, plus snow and cold ... serious admiration for those that made it through

Although the mud is bad, what killed me North of Elkford 2 years ago on my ITT was the small rocks that got jammed in the cassette. That was not a good time for me too.

[bakerjw]

I cannot imagine what has been going through the riders heads these last few days. Many here who have completed the entire route and those of us that have failed miserably on each attempt (I am in the latter group) know how quickly a great day on the bike can turn to junk in a moments notice. Going from "I'm doing great!" to WTFJH #$%^$%&%^!!!!! can certainly mess with your head even if you have plenty of rest and are not sleep deprived.
I know that Lael had some folks riding with her to document the race and her goal of breaking the women's record as well as even perhaps beating the Mike Hall record. I hate that she scratched because this would be a perfect year to fully document how things can go bad so quickly. This seems like one of the years that will live in TD infamy.

[ghbucky01]

Any news on why Lael decided to scratch? It looked like she was still in a commanding position to win the women's race.

Pretty amazing that Alexandra is still way ahead of women's SS record pace.

[bakerjw]

Alexandera is one of the diamonds in the rough in this years race. That picture of her carrying her bike over Koko Claims screams volumes to me.

[BobM]

Any news on why Lael decided to scratch? It looked like she was still in a commanding position to win the women's race.

Pretty amazing that Alexandra is still way ahead of women's SS record pace.

I'm guessing she had no desire to win the "women's race".  She was out to win the Tour Divide.

[superdavebruno]

Explanatory post on Lael Wilcox just went up o IG => https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGx5mkgf9a/

[laniakea]

Yes, and apparently she continues the ride just not tracked and in race mode.

[flyboy]

Each and every rider has their own story and objectives in this race and each one has to make his or her own tough decisions. So it is not for us to judge I suppose. I would think, though, that if you are into it for the win then this is the chance to demonstrate grit, perseverence and, at the least, an opportunity to use the race to prepare for these conditions in future races. I would also think (but I have no experience myself so am the last qualified to say this) that the mind plays a lot of tricks convincing yourself that you cannot win anymore once behind. But those thoughts exactly will rob the energy from you. I am sure the four in front now have pushed on despite being behind at times and faced with seemingly unsurmountable conditions. But experience and preparation also clearly shows. Looking at Josh Kato's Instagram, he has been riding in mountain winter conditions all winter.

I am not judging, was merely speculating which is why I suggested “they have all done the TD before” and there is simply no way to win it (or go close to a record time) after being holed up in BML for so long. Perhaps their leave timeframes don’t allow them to finish now? Everyone has real lives too.
LW wanted to set a record time and have it all on film. Perhaps that doesn’t suit their agenda now. Personally, a movie where they all get stopped by snow, then push on eventually and keep smashing it out would be better than one that is all rainbows and tailwinds to a record finish. The TD tends to be the former in my mind - but that is just my take on it.
Go Chris, Josh and Steve!! They are the real deal for sure!

[BobM]

I am not judging, was merely speculating which is why I suggested “they have all done the TD before” and there is simply no way to win it (or go close to a record time) after being holed up in BML for so long. Perhaps their leave timeframes don’t allow them to finish now? Everyone has real lives too.
LW wanted to set a record time and have it all on film. Perhaps that doesn’t suit their agenda now. Personally, a movie where they all get stopped by snow, then push on eventually and keep smashing it out would be better than one that is all rainbows and tailwinds to a record finish. The TD tends to be the former in my mind - but that is just my take on it.
Go Chris, Josh and Steve!! They are the real deal for sure!

Indeed, very few unicorns out there.

[mtbcast]

#TD19 - John Schilling and Hal Russell called in from Island Park and Peter Kraft called in from Steamboat!

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