Erik and Blaine finished together at 18:11:38

For the past hour they have been riding with about 1000 feet of separation. If you amplify the map and look at their satellite ping times and if they coincide timewise you can make a judgement on the distance between Erik, and Blaine.

As it turned out a very prophetic warning indeed. It would be a great advantage to travel in a group as one can be on post guarding the bikes while the others shop for food and other necessities. Racing solo has many disadvantages and extra hardship. Here in central Florida on road bike group rides we always have someone guarding the bikes while others replenish with water at a gas station, since sadly, there have been instances where the bikes have had the spokes kicked out or otherwise vandalized.   

Congratulations to Mathew Lee. While pondering his bike theft incident, would like to ask the Tour Divide racers, what they do with their bikes when they eat at restaurants, shop for food, and resupply at gas stations? Do you carry a chain or cable to lock up your bike? Do you hide your bike? As every gram counts it would not seem possible to carry any locking mechanism and if one does not, it must be nerve racking while carrying on the above listed activities. All it takes is one nut to ruin one's race and years of preparation.