Tour Divide 2023 - Race Prep Discussion

[mtbcast]

#TD23 Peter Kraft Jr. called in climbing up Union Pass!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td23/

[jjmundt]

The three leaders appear to have stopped together in an odd spot last night and have been stationary for more than 8 hours. Seems strange. Anyone know what is going on?

If I had to venture a guess, the rain that rolled through there last night/early this morning - and there was some heavy rain in there - has got them stuck.  There are flood watches in the area for today.

[larsmars]

If I had to venture a guess, the rain that rolled through there last night/early this morning - and there was some heavy rain in there - has got them stuck.  There are flood watches in the area for today.

Yep, I quickly came to the same conclusion after seeing how slow their progress was last night. And then I saw the photo posted on IG of all three of them huddled in a portaloo which can be seen on Bing Maps exactly where there have stopped. Must be some awful peanut butter soup!

https://www.instagram.com/stories/direct/3126261046272353984_259966139/

[bon]

Looks like the 3 leaders are holed up in a small structure.

[jjmundt]

Yep, I quickly came to the same conclusion after seeing how slow their progress was last night.

Yeah I looked at Justinas' individual map early this morning and saw the signs of "I'm just creeping along" there for the last couple of hours.  What a shame for them after pushing so hard for an entire week.

[jjmundt]

Hmmm...and there's a creek right there as well.  I wonder if it's flooded as well...

[larsmars]

Looks like the 3 leaders are holed up in a small structure.

https://www.instagram.com/stories/direct/3126261046272353984_259966139/

[bon]

https://www.instagram.com/stories/direct/3126261046272353984_259966139/

Lars is that your IG account? It comes back private with one photo.

[jjmundt]

I don't have IG...any chance of just posting the photo in here?  Many thanks if you can.

It appears that 2 of the 3 leaders have now moved .1 miles...maybe they are trying to get unstuck.

[bon]

Probably trying to get the mud out of their cassettes! Hopefully things dry out soon. Sorry the photo is so big. Love the smiles in spite of the situation. They encompass the spirit of the Divide!

[samh]

I just want to voice how wonderful I think it is that these three race leaders are hanging out in a port-o-potty probably laughing and making the most of the situation.  It's kind of the perfect spot since they're at almost the exact halfway point, they have more than likely kissed the course record goodbye (someone correct me if Lee had a long slowdown in the second half that might mean it could still be broken), and they are all riding a very fast and competitive race yet have a kindness and geniality about them where they can be competitors as well as pals!

[bon]

Totally agree Sam!

[jjmundt]

Thanks for posting that...a great photo!

Yeah, it might be too much now to catch Mike's dot, but if they have food and water, it means their bodies have had an extended (for them at least) recovery time.  Once they get going, they might show some significant pace.  We'll see...

This is very much like 2019, when a freak blizzard dropped something like 20" of snow around Steamboat Lake and many of the leaders got stuck at Brush Mountain Lodge.

[jjmundt]

They're moving again!!!

[bon]

'19 is a good comparison. You never know what the Divide will dish up. Always some tricks up the sleeve!

[jjmundt]

Well, the leaders seem to be moving forward at 7-10mph, so the ground may be firming up a bit, or they are into an area that got less rain.

[bon]

Good to hear!

[jjmundt]

The leaders have cleared Wamsutter and are taking advantage of a light tailwind.  Mike Hall's spirit is still a ways ahead, but this isn't as over as I thought it was this morning.

Getting more popcorn...

[jjmundt]

I just want to voice how wonderful I think it is that these three race leaders are hanging out in a port-o-potty probably laughing and making the most of the situation.  It's kind of the perfect spot since they're at almost the exact halfway point, they have more than likely kissed the course record goodbye (someone correct me if Lee had a long slowdown in the second half that might mean it could still be broken), and they are all riding a very fast and competitive race yet have a kindness and geniality about them where they can be competitors as well as pals!

samh,

They're actually chasing Mike Hall's 2016 record, and if I read the 2016 flow correctly, he only rested more than three hours twice...Montana High Country Lodge and Pie Town.  And from Pie Town, he rode pretty much straight to the border.  The leaders aren't THAT far behind, and with the pace they have now with a bit of tailwind, they'll pick up a couple of hours this evening.

[samh]

samh,

They're actually chasing Mike Hall's 2016 record, and if I read the 2016 flow correctly, he only rested more than three hours twice...Montana High Country Lodge and Pie Town.

Thank you for adding that correction.  I had Matthew Lee in my head when I was typing up my comment and meant Mike Hall.  Thanks also for your 2016 analysis.  A lot can happen in a week but an overnight setback seems really hard to overcome.  I'm enjoying following along one way or another.