MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
It's nearly here ! http://tourdivide.org/
Stuff the Tour de Dope and all the circus that surrounds it, this is a real race.
I'm going to be routing for Mike Hall ( @Normally_Human ), if anyone can beat Matt Lees record it's him.
[url= http://road.cc/content/news/59716-interview-round-world-record-holder-mike-hall-talks-round-world-record-kit ]For anyone who doesn't know who Mike is.[/url]
Who else is in that I should be looking out for ?
Any of course, the all important tracker board.
http://tourdivide.org/leaderboard
YES mike is the man who can.
Just been listening to the build up with joe polk on mtb cast on the bus this morning.
Jealous , somehow this year a sparks been reignited for me to do this - i blame aidans highland 400 ride 😀
Saw a blog post about his bike and compenent choice yesterday - was very interesting.
Oooh - care to share wwaswas ?
its on his naturally aspirated human blog.
Mikes website is down at the moment. Normally it can be found here
[url= http://normallyaspiratedhuman.com/ ]Normally Aspirated[/url]
bandwidth limit exceeded on his blog site - he's too popular!
[url=normallyaspiratedhuman.com]normallyaspiratedhuman.com[/url]
Trail rat, did you do the highland 400? You probably know my mate then.
did i ****. I just felt motivated.
When i get back either pre or post alps i fancy a crack at the cairngorm loop - weather an midge dependant.
Midges are only a problem if you stop.
I'll be following him too,
I went to one of his talks in dalby last year, excellent.
Ist the record now with Jay Petervay (spelling?) and was held before that by Oliie (the NZ who raced with the canadian chap last year till the last day when the canadian broke a pedal). Will be following Mike for sure
You beat me starting a post on the TD.
Really gunning for Mike being an old mate and all and I think this is what he needs to get his head straight and refocus! I'll be glued to the blue dots for the next two weeks for sure!
And good luck to everyone else partaking in the race!
I used to follow the posts on the divide race a few years ago.
Thanks for the 'heads up' on this years event.
I watched [url= http://www.ridethedividemovie.com/ ]Ride the Divide[/url] again at the weekend, it's certainly on my list of things to do within the next decade 🙂
Looking forward to seeing how everyone does this year.
Cheers, Rich
So, the day is here. The Grand Depart should be happening sometime today
The wonderful MTB cast page has a Google doc [url= https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdFRTWGUyNTRnWGNrNkZsbVVPNTViNkE#gid=0 ]HERE[/url] with all the starters for 2013. you can also listen to their podcasts on their page [url= http://mtbcast.com/site2/tour-divide-2013/ ]HERE[/url]
Facebookers can also join their page to get updates [url= https://www.facebook.com/pages/MTBCast-Mountain-Biking-Podcast/45955433314?fref=ts ]HERE[/url]
Mike Halls blog is back up and running, if you're a gear junkie like me, then you can have a look at what equipment he is using for the trip [url= http://normallyaspiratedhuman.com/?p=1337 ]HERE[/url]. Some very interesting choices on equipment, including new dynamo hubs and lights from Exposure
[img] 
[/img]
I tweeted Mike last night to wish him good luck, and told him that I would be posting updates back in the UK on this page, and he said he might drop in, [b]IF[/b] he gets a chance. So, if you don't do twitter and want to wish him luck, you can post here, and he might get the messages.
This was him yesterday, riding 85 miles to the start line, as you do 😯
[img] 
[/img]
Unlike bland ^^^, I don't actually know Mike personally, however, since learning of this race a few years ago, I find myself drawn to it every year. I have nothing but admiration for every single competitor that takes part in what really has to be the hardest race on the planet, but of course I'll always be cheering on the British riders 😀
I'd be much more interested in the Tour de France in they released bears in the countryside around Lyon, mountain lions near Bordeaux, and all the racers had to carry all their own kit, find their own food and shelter every night, whilst dodging potholes, traffic, bad weather, forest fires, and red necks, all for no prize money. That is [b]IF[/b] you finish, and your bike stays in one piece.
Chapeau.
Looking forward to following this again.
Good luck to Mike, my team mate and friend Marco 'Yoda' Nicoletti is also riding, I think he'll do OK too. I take my hat off to anyone that attempts this event, awesome...
my exposure hubbed carbon rimmed 29er wheels are bring built as we speak!
think I will order the Plug II thingy as well!
Yoiks!
What happened to Ricki Cotter? Thought she was racing this year and can't see her on the start list?
JP's record attempt trailer.
I've got the Exposure hub/Revo combination - its brilliant. (built the wheel myself on A23 rim). I use a Kemo USB connector to switch between the light and GPS charging. Only issue with the light is lack of an "off" switch for stealthy cheeky trail riding...
Anyway, lets not forget [url= http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide13i.php?name=James_Olsen ]Jameso[/url] of this forum.
We're off! Mike starting an early pace, thought the plan may have been to hang back then pass everyone in the night but he has clearly decided to wave goodbye to everyone and ride it lone the whole way!
Expect some 250 mile plus days off mike. I wouldnt be surprised if he pulls out one or teo 300 mile plus days too! From speaking to him in the past he can do 14 days of crazy miles fine, more than that and his head srarts getting the better of him I think so I imagine its going to be head down, job done!
[quote=scandalous ]my exposure hubbed carbon rimmed 29er wheels are bring built as we speak!
Where and how much? I'm trying to decide if I want to give it a go myself or not.
ir_bandito - can you link the kemo
scotroutes - bouyght mine from wiggle and the rims from flyxii in China. Will report it up.
Was going to buy a Pjug II but want to see if the Kemo is better as its way cheaper!
Routing for James Olsen, a regular poster on here and fellow Jones rider. Helps me dream that one day I might
215 miles in, mike is currently leading by ten miles
GO MIKE!!!
James in 7th...
[url= http://www.kemo-electronic.de/en/House/Home/M172-Bicycle-charge-controller-USB-Mini-B-.php ]Kemo[/url]
[url= http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/380410143275?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=63&ff19=0 ]On Ebay[/url]
mike on his RTW record ride
jameso up to 6th in Whitefish which is brilliant as he was aiming for 25 days. Likely to be well under 20 at that pace. Last year Olly Whalley was aiming for <20 days and end up with 16+ so people get it wrong, especially foreigners with no experience.
Craig Stapler who is now a few hours ahead of Mike is a really nice guy. 5th in the recent Trans-Portugal mtb race he has some speed in his legs and he led the 85 mile ride mentioned in an earlier post that Mike was on. I met Craig in 2011 and he took me and a mate over to Canmore for the TD start of that year.
Gear note: Craig has switched to Niner carbon forks this year from a hardtail he rode last year looking at the pics. Olly Whalley who CS rode with to Grants NM before his pedal issue used Niner forks to win.
craig rode all through last night i think. he will have to stop at some point.
Craig had about 4 hours off the bike in Helena, Mike had an earlier finish and started 45 mins later than Craig, mike had 6 hours rest all told.
Craig is pushing some pace, mike reported dome breathing difficulty though over the last two days and quote
called it early last night to get proper rest, still can't breathe right but seem to be minimising the damage
He is about 60 miles back now, nothing an all nighter wont fix. Maybe Mike is pacing himself for an attack once craig tires himself out. Only Mike knows his actual pace and condition but i suspect we may see an overnight position change in a couple of days!
700 miles, off road, in 3 days is simply incredible. 😯
@bland 300 mile days - really?
I know Mike is capable of 200 mile days which he did on his round the world record but 300 miles off road is simply mental.
Obviously Mike's first stab at the TDR resulted in him picking up an injury, plus his recent blog on facing his demons makes me wonder whether he'll push hard until some way after the half way mark.
Who knows. To my mind he's definitely the favourite.
From Twitter:
Mike Hall ?@Normally_Human 1m
Another rough day & night in real trouble with breathing. Nearly scratched last night. Suspect allergy of some kind. Experimenting with meds
Back in the room. Sorry folks, been away preping for an interview to see if I can join the bike industry 8) Will talk abut that later.
Back to the race.
Mikes stats
Current place 2
Race Status Active
Last Update Rec'd 12:43:32 PM (MDT) 06/17/13
Current speed 2.8 mph
Route mile 685.94 mi
Route average speed 8.9 mph
Route distance per day 214.57 mi
and James Olsens' stats
Current place 5
Race Status Active
Last Update Rec'd 12:51:39 PM (MDT) 06/17/13
Current speed 5.7 mph
Route mile 608.39 mi
Route average speed 7.9 mph
Route distance per day 190.00 mi
Yurp, 200 miles per day 😕 Makes me want to sit down even thinking about that.
Simply. Incredible. Hope Mike starts to feel better soon
[i]Mike Hall
6 hours ago via Twitter
Oh beautiful deep full breaths, I can BREATHE!![/i]
that's him away again then.
he was just getting warmed up 😉
sounds like craigs kicked 7 bells out him self to get where he is listening to the his call from butte - claims he feels good and that his tactics to break mike are working , sounds like he just did a 24 hour race and needs to go to bed.
mikes pulled back 30 odd miles today.
Excellent news from Mike 10 minutes ago there was about 30 miles between them I expect that to decrease from now on!
Mike seems better, had a message to say he has some meds and flew up lava mtn so clearly feeling better, sure he has a game plan now. Stapler won't be happy if he realises he is bearing down on him. However I read he doesn't use electronic devices, doesn't even have a phone with him so not sure how he checks on progress?
he has been checking at his stops i guess , he definantly mentioned at butte that on trackleaders he seemed to be pulling a gap on mike.
I thought using your mobile phone in anything but an emergency was not allowed by the rules or did they relax that -not followed for a couple of years
tral_rat: The original border to border race had the no telephone's rule but once a second race started from Banff they were allowed.
The border to border has not taken place for a few years - everybody goes from Banff - but if you want to ride the old border to border then 'phones still not allowed. If you do use a phone you are dq'ed.
I think the rules were set before smart phones technology kicked in and perhaps difficult to monitor.
People like Mike and Craig are not stopping and checking there phones every 15 minutes - they are too busy riding. Also minimal coverage except in towns so not as many opportunities to check as you might imagine.
The valley Mike is riding up right now is really nice. Remember camping at Little Joe campground one night.
[img][url= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6129/6022198546_75dd20306a_o.jp g" target="_blank">
Mike's winding him in, slowly but surely. If there's one person you wouldn't want to try and grind off your wheel, it's Mike.
Craig pushed on later last night and the gap is back to 40.
given it was 60 a couple of days ago thats still good .... Long way to go.....
Jesse Carlton is sneaking up the rear guard.
Last night the first American, Markley Anderson was 8th and after a 20 hour stint, and counting, has moved passed jameso and Leo into 6th.
The chasing pack, including James, heading for Lima will be hoping for dry weather. It is a long tough walk through the sage brush if it rains.
oooh they are close.
mike seems to be 20miles behind
Yeah he's hunting him down alright. Fingers crossed we don't get up in the morning and Craig has stretched it out again. Come on Mike!
I'd rather be 20 miles behind if I thought it was in me to make it up. That's putting a lot of pressure on the leader.
11 miles!
Latest tracker shows Mike Hall has gone way off course to the West .It looks like it could cost him time?
one of the vets could confirm but to me it looks like hes gone to the end of the dead end track fannied about for a bit - then pitched up for the night.
theres nothing in that loop is there ? lodge , restaurant, shop, camp ground ? going by the names looks like forest tracks to me
Lets hope it doesnt cost him ,as he was starting to close in on Craig
According to the internet there's a lodge there. Probably taking advantage of what looks like at most 1km off his route to get a good rest and meal and cleanup.
That`s good then .I had not looked at the scale and thought he may have drifted up a blind alley so to speak
yep sensible choice
given that on the call ins mike sounds like hes ready for a night out on the town and craig sounds absolutely nailed - like he is giving it his all..... hes pulling back a gap on mike every night by going into the wee hours but every day mike gets closer to him and hes getting more rest.
although i believe mikes mantra was its not he who rides fast but he who lives fast....... craig is living fast - but can he keep it up for another 2 weeks - 3 or 4 hours a night sleep , times so short the camping symbol doesnt even come up on the trackleaders board.
best of luck to him but i am still rooting for mike.
Mike's moving average speed is 12.6mph and Craig's is 11.8mph so Mike is pulling him back.
See James Olsen has been in Lima for 12 hours according to his SpoT, hope all ok with him and or it is just a SPoT issue.
mikes up an at em early again .... could be interesting - will he pass craig as he sleeps ...... - its only 11 miles 😉
I am struggling with the tracker, the ticker at the bottom is clear enough but the people/pins on the map seem a bit out, what am i doing wrong?
zoom in closer and pan around .... there are so many riders and so close together this year that its hard work to watch*
* on my satelite connection in Port harcourt 😀
what are the 5 people/pins in front of Stappler all about?
Got it they are doing it Northbound... weird, why?
[quote=tinsy ]what are the 5 people/pins in front of Stappler all about?
Folk going north and/or ITT riders heading south (i.e. not competing in the race)
read the key at the side - explains about ITT south bound - ITT north bound .... and billy rice going for the double --- hes gone all the way north to banff - turned about and is working his way back down was supposed to be the idea.
OK, whats ITT? middle aged desk jockeys?
edit, ok so not in the race,,,, why would anyone do that, why not just be part of it & to hell with the result?
JayP was an ITT when he set the record.
Why bother with the Grand Depart?
Just as valid in both cases.
Nope still dont get it.... especially if you thought you could do a decent time, let alone set a record.
Nope still dont get it.... especially if you thought you could do a decent time, let alone set a record.
Cos its an ITT not really a race? If your fastest youll be at top of leader board irrespective of when you did it.
Its annoying you cant just watch the people in the 'race' tho, rather than all riders.
[quote=STATO ]
Its annoying you cant just watch the people in the 'race' tho, rather than all riders.
Select "Riders by Category" then "Grand Depart"
why bother riding it at all is also a valid stance.....
im sure everyone has their reasons .
in othernews - craigs out his bed
WTF are these guys & girls eating on a daily basis? Must be a huge graze of calories throughout the day.
eating sweets and drinking palm oil. anything calorific!
bleaughgggh.
Re. the Tour Divide diet, there was a really good piece written in the magazine by a former competitor, which went into a fair amount of detail about the food. Remember her writing about consuming ice cream sanwiches from gas stations at '1000 calories a pop' and still losing weight at a scary rate.
6 miles in it now!
You've got to be a bit careful with those mileages. If the leader is doing a steep uphill then you might expect the distance to shrink. It'll elongate again when the leader goes over the top and the chaser is climbing.
yup and quite evidently craig is climbing up a wall right now wheree as it looks like mikes on flat/gradual climbing track at the moment
Was just reading Mikes blog on setting up his bike .......
[i]"On the bars I have a Garmin 705 which has done the Divide before as well as a lap of the planet, without any issues..."[/i]
What a thing to be able to say !
sounds like money bikes needs to work on the design a bit more before selling them
1800 miles in on the northbound and hes in getting some work done on a crack in his frame.
Just had a look at JamesO's standing. He's nearly got the fourth placed rider in view. Great riding from him today.
I had no idea James was preparing for this… I knew he was doing bivvy stuff and lots of miles but no idea it was for TD. Amazing that he's hunting down 4th, really pleased for him!
trail_rat - Membersounds like money bikes needs to work on the design a bit more before selling them
1800 miles in on the northbound and hes in getting some work done on a crack in his frame.
Aidan needed his frame repaired when he raced the TD.
http://www.aidanharding.com/2011/07/my-tour-divide-in-pictures/