Anyone know what happened to Andrew Kulmatiski, now listed as scratched?  He was making a quick NOBO run and in the top ten overall for quite awhile.  Looks like he spent the night in Horca after fighting through Carson NF all day yesterday.  There was considerable slushy snow 2 weeks ago when I pushed my bike through most of it. 

BTW, I'm still recovering with Enteritis and on 2 antibiotics.  Feeling much better now.

Thanks, Tom

That's a shame, sounds like he's had rotten luck. I read he had his spot tracker and charger for his derailleur stolen along the way too.

Looks like he got about 5 hours and he's off again! Yep, dots combined with MTB cast = hours of entertainment!

I'm amazed at how little stopping time and sleep these guys are getting!

Looks like Ullrich has a cabin for the night, maybe catching up on a few zzzzz!

Captain Nat Cobb?s Trekian-homage to Fleecer Ridge!

Very entertaining!

Looks like Sophiane's sleeping in today. He must want some pie!

He sems to have NoBo ITT Jeff Hehn with him. Headed for El Vado Diner maybe?

Spoke too soon, he's still moving, but not quickly.

#2535 on 08:51:54 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (2 minutes ago) 0.5 mi traveled at 5.9 mph
#2534 on 08:46:54 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (7 minutes ago) 40 ft traveled at 0.1 mph
#2533 on 08:41:57 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (12 minutes ago) 1066 ft traveled at 2.4 mph
#2532 on 08:36:57 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (17 minutes ago) 0.4 mi traveled at 4.3 mph
#2531 on 08:31:57 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (22 minutes ago) 0.8 mi traveled at 9.7 mph
#2530 on 08:27:00 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (27 minutes ago) 0.4 mi traveled at 5.0 mph
#2529 on 08:22:00 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (32 minutes ago) 0.5 mi traveled at 5.5 mph
#2528 on 08:17:00 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (37 minutes ago) 0.6 mi traveled at 6.6 mph
#2527 on 08:11:59 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (42 minutes ago) 0.4 mi traveled at 5.1 mph
#2526 on 08:06:59 AM (MDT) 06/22/22 (47 minutes ago) 732 ft traveled at 1.9 mph

Ouch - looks like real a slog!!!

Some rain in the forecast might slow SS down getting to Grants, but from there he should be fine. Manu is making a move and the weather might play into his hands....

Manu's on a bit of a charge alright, closing the gap fairly fast. I thought he might go all night but it looks like he's stopped for some sleep now.

i usually went off course on long downhills with long grinds back up.  rarely uphill.

+1!!

Looks like Sofiane's headed off course. I wonder why? Lost? Resupply? Injury?...

If there is a hint of emotional support (visitation, media) being against the spirit, can you point it out please? I am sure I will not be the only one to benefit from it. Thanks!

There's one word you seem not to understand in there. "Solo" alone, by youself, no support from inside or outside the race. Visitations count as support. Anyone who's been out there and struggled through the mental battle that is a solo endurance event will understand this.

I wish the race would stay border to border. Call it the Great Divide Race and get a better organizer than Lee.

....Well nothing's stopping you racing border to border and organising it yourself

Exciting race going on with JP and Brendan and 'only' one state to go.  Don't remember a year with such a close race for so long.  Early on JP was keeping up with Brendan by going on less sleep as Brendan was slightly fast while they were riding.  Seems like things equalized through Colorado in both the amount of sleep and speed. 

It will be interesting to see how the strategies play out. Will JP's late nights bag him the win?!
Too bad we haven't had many photos of the racers on the forum this year.

Thanks for the tip off! It makes you realise how much easier people have it now with GPS, tubeless tyres, and so much information about the route out there.

Posting this here from the Facebook TD group for those who don't check for race updates there.  JP is offering up some race alternatives this year:

"Pete Basinger it's a different year... the TD grand depart will be back in 2022 and as you know ITT's are allowed whenever the border opens for those that are focused on that record/FKT.
To extract a time from a different event for the sake of trying to compare a FKT is not a direct comparison and a manipulation of numbers. It has no significance, it's not the TD record.
There is a opportunity to do something different, interesting, and maybe even build conversations around some history, the intent, and even reiterate some of the rules. Let's face it some of that has been buried.
As far as route goes...this is what I shared with Matthew.
1) Going to Rawlins is what really makes the Red Desert for what it is, let's do that, after all it is ACA route. The TD to Wamsutter has dumbed that down.
2) Take out the Gold Dust trail. It's not a part of ACA.
3) Take pavement towards Sapillo not CDT singletrack alternative in NM. That trail never got the improvements that were claimed to get nor does it recieve any maintenance. #2 and #3 IMO do not even make sense considering this is a dirt/gravel road route not a singletrack route.
4) Dirt out of Cuba because why do we need to make things easier and faster. And to pay respect to the reservation land as well as represent the bikepack community in a positive way during the pandemic.
Maybe this will be the beginning of a B2B standard for those that want to challenge it but considering the history and that nobody challenged Nobles B2B record since TD started I doubt it. So, as a group start this year everyone would be on the same playing field. I just look forward to doing something different and hopefully people show up that want to race against each other. Kind of like the old days...and not entirely fixated on a record. I hope to see you there."

I'm planning a north-bound run and was entertaining taking the dirt route from Grants to Cuba in part to avoid impacts on the Navajo nation, but also to keep the route as scenic as possible for myself.  Going north-bound, the CDT alternate near Silver City is a nice ride so I'd hate to see that get dropped for the old route that uses more pavement and a busy state highway (although the Georgetown Cemetery is cool).
Interesting to see if Jay's suggestions become the "official" route for 2021.

I think Gold Dust should be kept in. It keeps you on your toes!
It's funny how he wants this taken out but then later goes on to say "why do we need to make things easier and faster"!

Leave the Gold

Install a couple of https://www.dyna-snap.com/ and removing the wheel is a breeze.

["Well folks, this is a bit more serious. I will remain in hospital tonight and transport somewhere else. Won’t say much now as I need to contact my family. I want to say this-Remember, if you can be out there do it! Don’t waste time thinking of doing things. Get out there now! Chase your dreams!"]

"Well folks, this is a bit more serious. I will remain in hospital tonight and transport somewhere else. Won’t say much now as I need to contact my family. I want to say this-
Remember, if you can be out there do it! Don’t waste time thinking of doing things. Get out there now! Chase your dreams!"

The man's a warrior. It sounds pretty bad. I hope he's ok and has a speedy recovery as possible after what he's been through.
Thank you Josh for the inspiring ride!

What is that picture on Dotwatcher Day 6?  I hope it's not a volunteer crew clearing portions of the route for the racers!

I was thinking the same thing! Hopefully they have a different reason for clearing it.

Where did Randy Neill come from? He's sleeping over the road from Sofiane now but a day ago was up in Bigfork MT.

This chap looks happy with his.

Thanks Eddie
https://www.eddieclarkmedia.com/keyword/Mike%20Hall/i-smRM2H7/A

Oh but he wouldn't have been if it took a knock or whatever and went haywire!
Too risky and expensive for me...but each to their own