Folks, just bumping this up as they're now off and running!  (but looks like track leaders are 19hrs behind (edit: should be fixed-ish now thanks Scott)

http://trackleaders.com/hurt

We also have a call in thing setup, though no where near as slick as Joe's stuff....

http://solonutter.org/

750km's in probably 4 days something is my guess

Enjoy!

...Sigh, Walked into that one.

At the risk of being boring.  Has anyone actually ridden this:

http://tctrail.ca/

Was thinking maybe Banff to Vancouver.  Not sure how long it would take but I reckon I'd have 2 weeks up my sleeve...

Cheers
Craig

Hey Guys,

Looks like I could be heading over to Canmore as support for the 24hoa worlds in Sept next year.  Just thinking idly maybe I could tie a trip in to that.  there's always GDMBR but I'm also wondering about the Trans Canada trail which I think ran through Canmore...  are there other options? 

Obligatory Australian question: what will the bears & cougars be like that time of year?

Have a merry Christmas everyone!

Cheers
Craig

and from people I know/trust!

...I've heard there's a sucker born every minute!!

Cheers
Craig

That time of year it shouldn't be too bad.  That's going on Autumn for us.  We had snow in the high country in Late april/early may this year.  Out there it could be anything from still high 30's to bitterly cold (or at least my version of it).  Especially at night!

I'm pretty sure that race has changed significantly in nature I think from when it was first advertised.  I seem to remember the entry fee being much higher too!  I can only think their attempts to string it together as a "proper" race has failed which has left it in the state that it is.

I'd personally find the lack of defined route frustrating from a competition point of view. I'm not sure the route they are suggesting is particularly interesting.  I find it interesting that the entry fees and prizes are listed in GBP and not AUD perhaps an indication of the market segment they're going after?

A few of us have known about it, but I haven't heared anyone buzzing to do it from this part of the world at least.   

There's a few underground multi day Self Suported races popping up though, and a couple people actively trying to plot reasonable routes.   There are a couple people riding the bicentennial trail end to end (5000+ km's) in a fastish touring pace.  I'm wondering if someone will try and set a reasonable bench mark one day but the trail is not especially mtb friendly

If you want to come to Oz to do a multi day fast tour or "race", I'm sure we could string up some better options for you.  Not that I don't think that race won't go through some spectacular country but well...  probably not the best Aus has to offer...

Cheers
Craig

Despite injury I wish I could still be out there riding. After months of training and planning I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do now that I don't have the TD as my target.

What about next year?

Cheers
Craig

"I fell asleep on the bike.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't fun either" followed by a giggle.

Can someone ask these guys to slow down a little? I'm having too much fun watching...

Cheers
Craig

"Hey, this is Joe. I'm in Pie Town. Rode through miles of smoke yesterday. It probably took about a quarter ounce just to get to Pie Town from Beaverhead. I hope to leave tomorrow..."  beep "Hey, this is Joe. I'm in Pie Town. Where am I going again?" beep "Hey, this is Joe....Pie Town is sooo cool....<giggles uncontrollably until 3 minutes runs out>"

Post of the day!  if only there was a "like" button.  Thanks Joe

Cheers
Craig

[oh and hey!!, thanks to all for all the recent posts about all the racers out there!!  I have been clicking on some names now with a bit of insight, thanks,  keep the info coming]

Likewise from me!  it's nice to know there are some fellow humans also doing the race  

As a blue dot junkie over the years, My thoughts also go out to those  remembering David B. I wish everyone safe passage in what's sound like trying times out there.

Cheers
Craig

Hey, we're not out there...it gets cold...

What happens on tour, stays on tour??

Cheers
Craig

umm... that's an outside the square Idea!  I wish I had of thought of that before I sold my tangle bag.  Not that I'm sure it'd work for me still

Cheers
Craig

By the way, have a look at the picture from Casey in Butte, Kurt seems to ride on a rigid fork ...

Yup...  the article in outside magazine:

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/2011/06/the-cycle-life-10-questions-with-tour-divide-favorite-kurt-refsnider.html

shows it a little better

I have to admit, it's got me thinking a little, mostly for his 20lb bike, and 13lbs of gear!!   The maths on saving 1kg in weight puts you at up to (a dirty guesstimation of) 8hrs ahead by the end in a pure dragging weight up hills kind of way.   is it worth it?

Cheers
Craig

So I'm wondering if the NoBo or SoBo guys will be first into Rawlins...

...and if anyone packed some jousting sticks

Cheers
Craig

I do suspect the SS gearing will take a toll around day 11-14, but then that’s were the real mental test kicks in.  Ahh,it’s such a long race, so much fun to watch!! Keep up the good work Jefe

...and with Mike Hall lurking there in 4th.  Could this be an attempt to break Kurt and Ethan early?   He may not need much; the desire for an extra sleep in or an early night somewhere, a bit of rain, and he could have half a days break

Cheers
Craig

Hey Scott M,

Do you think you could graph the avg call in time to mtbcast vs time in race.  ~30secs yesterday, ~45secs today, at this rate they'll be 5mins by the finish

On a more serious note, Would it be possible to put the mileage under the timing points in the race analysis page or on the map layer?   I hope there are plans for the NoBo racers here too!!

thanks in advance!

Cheers
Craig

Was just looking at the race analysis on TrackLeaders (which is awesome by the way!).  I've never looked at the end to end eleveation profile before.  Will be interesting to see the difference between the nobo and sobo racers through Colorado.  Will the SOBO be quicker since they've had longer to get used to the altitude (steady progression) or will the fresh legs of the nobo racers win out...

...Some how I suspect the former

Cheers
Craig

Hey Joe,

Are you still going to be aggregating the daily mtbcast call ins as a single podcast this year? or just posting them individually?

Just about to clear out some space on my iPod

Cheers
Craig

8lbs?  Fark...

Not a crosser, but my setup on my Niner a while back



used a FreeLoad rack.  I've since been using a revelate designs seatpack.  I'm a chronic thigh rubber but Have not had any issues so far with mine.  I do find the seatback sitting up does impact your ability to get off the back where as the freeload was out of the way.  That setup, plus a 6L camelback, was enough for about 20lbs of kit.   The only problem with a freeload would be if you have pencil thin seat stays.  It's also a bit annoying strapping something to the top every day.  you have to re-tighten a few times no matter what you do.

There are probably numerous ghetto options to get a bar bag that fits within the drop outs.  a Silnylon compression sack and some straps come to mind.

HTH

Cheers
Spoon

Heya,

So I'm short legged wonky rider who seems to pedal with my knees bowed in.  I'm playing with frame bag solutions but don't want something that my knees are going to rub on every stroke.  

does anyone else have this issue?  I'm thinking something that ends short enough so I can still have a rear bottle might do the trick... or get something cut that's thinner at the top and back.   Just wondering if anyone else has gone through this before I start talking to frame bag makers.

Cheers
Craig  - Off back country for 3 days.... see ya!!

Can someone recommend a place where I could buy pre-paid phone cards in Eureka? What is the most reliable brand? AT&T?

I'm wondering the same thing.  I bought a Rogers sim last time I was in Banff.   In some ways, I wonder if that wouldn't be the better option since you won't be locked into a US network.   I can't get my head around the US telco industry.  Coverage, quality and roaming don't seem to be their strong points

Cheers
Spoonie - maybe I could just get work to pay for the international roaming...