Tour Divide race discussion

[Angler]

Anyone know if Casper got his phone? Ovando?

Have not a clue.  Sorry.  I only got to see him for a minute or two and the café folks didn't know to ask.  Sorry.  No help on that one.

[chainagent]

The turn at S Fk Poorman Ck claims another victim ...

Exactly the same spot where I got lost last year. If you don't keep watching continuously your GPS you're getting lulled by these big forest roads.

[MattL]

The turn at S Fk Poorman Ck claims another victim ...

I don't want to turn into the race sheriff, but I think the quote below applies to navigation mistakes and possible rules violations, either in progress or already over.  It can be really demoralizing and it has the potential to remove the individual challenge from the racer's adventure.  If there are to be questions, challenges, or relegations, they can and generally should wait until the race is over.

It wouldn't be anyone's place to contact Billy to inform him he made a mistake. It's probably also not kosher to discuss non-compliance here on the forum 'as it happens', so it might be used by tuned-in racers to correct their own bad behavior.

We, even the veterans, are merely spectators.

[Angler]

After a rather long lull; the bikers are coming into Ovando.  Currently here:

-  Josh Taylor VA, doing well but probably not going past Lincoln as his knees just now started giving him fits.
-  John Fairbairn, CO - of the flying hair rider
-  Jeff Rawson, New Zealand - not on the tracker and official racer but banging in out all the same.
-  Shane Rauch, WV who along with Jeff had the best quote of the day:  "The upside of hypothermia is the inability to feel your pain."  "Now that I've thawed out my knees are starting to hurt".  

Have also posted a better photo of John Fairbairn he of the "locks".

They are all continuing onto Lincoln!  
Carry on guys!

[THE LONG RANGER]

Oof! When you can't feel pain, once hypodermic - oh man, that's a bad place to be! You can certainly think everything's going to be OK, and you stop fighting to stay warm.

Stay safe, everyone!

[Angler]

Some good news!

The previous mentioned Jeff Rawson had found a Samsung phone in the snow on Richmond Peak with the name Colin Anderson on it.  They had heard he had to drop out due to severe bronchitis so dropped it off in Ovando.  After calling the hotel from his previous night and Mike at Rocky Mtn Adventure Gear in Seeley we heard he was on his way home.  Luck be with us Missoula airport security found Colin at the airport and we were able to connect and get an address to mail the phone home to him.

Happy people everywhere.

More good news:   the brothers Arndt arrived to Ovando; Matt and Sean.  Sean has a few cuts on his left knee due to a fall at the beginning in Banff and now is pedaling thru a pretty painful left ankle.  But they are pushing on after a meal at Trixi's.

Carry On All!

[mikepro]

I don't want to turn into the race sheriff

You just did.  And, I disagree with your opinion.

We, even the veterans, are merely spectators.

As a veteran, that's one of my ways of spectating.  It's an innocent, whimsical observation meant to point out that no matter the volumes of information available about the potentially tricky nature of S Fk Poorman Ck (like the map cues themselves, or the GDMBR guide book, or the past 8 years of blogs and forum posts, etc, etc) riders still miss the turn, year after year.  And, year after year, they figure it out for themselves (as in this case, as well).

[Auke]

Jefe Branham just turned onto Brooks Lake Rd... will it be the last long walk through the snow and mud? If so, then it seems he has a very good chance to beat JP's record (which is imho quite amazing considering the brutal weather earlier this week).

[sfuller]

More good news:   the brothers Arndt arrived to Ovando; Matt and Sean.  Sean has a few cuts on his left knee due to a fall at the beginning in Banff and now is pedaling thru a pretty painful left ankle.  But they are pushing on after a meal at Trixi's.

Local boys and both my friends. They look pretty good considering what Mother Nature has wrought upon them and the rest of the field so far. They are both tough as nails and I have no doubt that, barring something extremely serious, they will make it to Mexico.

Steve

[mtbcast]

TD14: Lindsay Shepard called in from Seely Lake!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td14/

[Eszter]

Interesting to watch the tandem - the current record is sitting at 18d13h50 minutes.

The EH pink dot that they've been shadowing since the beginning is setting a 19d3h pace, which means the tandem is well within striking distance of the record if they get a break with the weather.

[Angler]

Last input for the day.  The following came into Ovando at 5:30 pm:

-  Jason Snell of MI
-  Brett Wolf of CA
-  Sheila Torres Blank of TX
-  Rod Gemmell of the UK
-  Mike Caminiti of CO

All in great spirits.  A few sore ankles or knees or gosh knows what.  Gathering some snacks and catching up gathering a few sun rays.

Carry On All.
Til tomorrow.

[sfuller]

I can't imagine how happy everyone is to be out out of their rain gear and riding in short sleeves.

[phil_rad]

Anyone know if Casper got his phone? Ovando?

Joe, he hasn't gotten his phone back but he has a replacement one.

Angler, thanks for the great pictures of the racers!

Phil

[mtbcast]

TD14 Day 7 and TABR14 Day 13 Episode and True Up! A big show as we true up Trans Am and Tour Divide calls for today, a quick chat with Max Morris about his Ride for Hannah, and our interview with Tim Hinderman riding for the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation and the Ski Heritage Center Museum of Skiing!

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

[mtbcast]

Joe, he hasn't gotten his phone back but he has a replacement one.

Angler, thanks for the great pictures of the racers!

Phil

Good to hear!

[ndevries]

Hello everyone, we got a message from Dad (Tom DeVries), today, and it is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that he is dropping out from the race.  Between the horrendous weather, serious issues with clothing, and some mechanical issues with the bike, he is mentally and physically depleted.  Here is the message he sent for us to post;

_______________________________________________________________________

'I was prepared physically for the challenges of the race, but was completely unprepared for the logistical and mechanical challenges and the gear choices required for the conditions of the last week. I regretfully and sadly am pulling out of the TD at this time. Best of luck to everyone! Thank you for the support and encouragement along the way. Godspeed on your journeys."

______________________________________________________________________

I for one am infinitely proud of what Dad accomplished, and I know he has learned a ton about the TD and about the limitations of the bike and his gear.  I would classify what he has completed thus far as something "epic", and I also wish the best of luck to the rest of the continuing riders, and the best of health to those that have already reached the end of their amazing journey.  

Thank you again to all of those who have supported Tom (Dad) on his journey thus far; the community support for him, and all the other riders, has been absolutely amazing!

Dad said it best, 'Godspeed everyone';  thanks!

[Angler]

Hello everyone, we got a message from Dad (Tom DeVries), today, and it is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that he is dropping out from the race.  Between the horrendous weather, serious issues with clothing, and some mechanical issues with the bike, he is mentally and physically depleted.  Here is the message he sent for us to post;

_______________________________________________________________________

'I was prepared physically for the challenges of the race, but was completely unprepared for the logistical and mechanical challenges and the gear choices required for the conditions of the last week. I regretfully and sadly am pulling out of the TD at this time. Best of luck to everyone! Thank you for the support and encouragement along the way. Godspeed on your journeys."

______________________________________________________________________

I for one am infinitely proud of what Dad accomplished, and I know he has learned a ton about the TD and about the limitations of the bike and his gear.  I would classify what he has completed thus far as something "epic", and I also wish the best of luck to the rest of the continuing riders, and the best of health to those that have already reached the end of their amazing journey. 

Thank you again to all of those who have supported Tom (Dad) on his journey thus far; the community support for him, and all the other riders, has been absolutely amazing!

Dad said it best, 'Godspeed everyone';  thanks!

Well shoot.
Tell Tom it was a pleasure meeting him and we hope to again in the future some time.  He has accomplished in this week more than most people could ever dream of.  Remain proud!

[Angler]

Angler, keep it coming. In fact, me and 2 others are doing a 5 day tour in late July. Originally planned on Eureka to Seeley before turning back north. I'll have to talk them into extending it to Ovando and visit the town, drop a few bucks in payback.

Sorry thought I had responded to this long ago, but alas I get lost in my own musings.  Would love to have you.  Would love to have all of you visit.  Just not everybody at the same time.  [joke]

here is our town's web page for being cycle friendly.  hope it helps:
http://www.ovandomontana.net/recreation/cyclefriendly.php

See you next month!

[SonOfStork]

Lindsey Sheppard ITT, our first NOBO rider has arrived in Ovando.  And she was wearing a tank top.  Yes the weather is warmer but seriously?

Steve Watson, 67 years young, of Australia has been in and out of Ovando.

Michael Cleaver is still here.

Carry on!

Thanks for the pic of my old (young at heart) man Angler!
Good to see he's still trucking on...  

Cheers B. (#1 Son of Steve)