something tells me it must have been a hot and windy day between Rawlins and Brush Mountain...maybe?

ready to tour africa? South america? I have the machine. Greatly overbuilt Moots rigor 26" hardtail. Fits both Rohloff as well as conventional der system, both dropouts included. Has an eccentric BB built in, room for four full size water bottles on the frame. Size 20.5". Includes rohloff 14 speed internal rear wheel, front gen hub wheel (schmidt) and Supernova E3 pro LED head and taillight. Custom one off Moots seatpost. Old but reliable XTR crank with spare BB included. Front brake is an avid mech disc with XTR lever, rear is an XTR hydro. Stem is a Moots Ti, Chris King headset.
Pedals included but not the seat. If one wants  this thing could be re-bead blasted and look like new. The Rohloff (and the bike) have about 30000 miles on it, but a) its a rohloff and b) its an overbuilt Moots. Vintage is 2005. This thing has raced the TD, toured the US and Europe and been a faithful bike commuter. The front fork is a Salsa steel unit. Frame has suspension geometry for 100 mm fork. Cable from front dyno hun to light runs through fork leg, not taped to it. Yeah, and fenders , eh? Rear rack is a TUBUS.

The best:
It has a welded on Ti beer bottle opener on the left seatstay.

Taking offers.  

Erik

Heli reconn saying Corbin Rd. has 6 washouts, Flathead Rd. basically gone in sections.  Will be days until total damage known, but this is truly a huge crisis far beyond GDMBR route viability.

Extremely concerned about anyone on route anywhere in Canada or in the Flathead in US.  DK and RK have old dots so hard to say where they are?  If anyone knows about the whereabouts of DK and RK or anyone else in region, please post info!!!

This could be an impediment for the NOBO's. Maybe things will resolve themselves to a small degree in 7 days time? Craziness up there. Hopefully Craig doesn't arrive in Rawlins to find out his home in Calgary is flooded....

Mike H is PUSHING HARD...his efforts last night will allow him to climb Middlewood Hill this AM with minimal heat and wind. Craig will show up there in the heat of the afternoon when it is hot and likely much more windy. That climb is exposed.

uh oh.... some late afternoon t storms closing in on the Bannack Road vicinity according to radar. Hopefully not enough precip to turn that dry clay into glue.

Yep Lobeck. Like seeing them duke it out as they enter my hood. WY/ID. Good weather, typical late afternoon t-storms and mid-day prevailing winds. Clean road over Ashton/Flagg Ranch.

Good seeing our 2010 bud Forrest Baker having a solid run. No snow, rain or soggy shoes this time. Not yet...

yes, and watching Jesse Carlsson...running a very strong 3rd. Fast field. Fast conditions (says flavored with a tinge of envy). Temps have cooled down a hair here in Colorado=good.

Spoke with Brock, owner of Orange Peel Cycles in Steamboat Springs. Asked him if he was ready for the masses.....Orange Peel has always been super accommodating and friendly to the divide set, but he had a bit of a "deer in headlights look" with regard to the size of the field this year, but ready and willing he is.
I imagine the minimal mud this year might simplify or even eliminate the need for extensive service by many riders.

do you think Hall is on to Stappler's stench 15-20 miles ahead?

good racing. love it.

Oh my god Stappler's crushing it! What is he running on dark matter? I'm guessing his bar bag is cuban fiber?

...yes, his bag is made or real cuban's:)

Yup, pretty well documented that many people get post event depression. On one level, it's the issue of dedicating so much thought and time to the event, and you feel empty once it's over. On the other hand you are so physically spent that the body can't even produce a little adrenaline to you get you excited once again. For normal racing you try not to overtrain. For ultra endurance you have to accept you're going to over do it and deal with the mess afterwards. It certainly helps to understand how you're going to feel after a big event so it doesn't take you by surprise.

I suppose one way to avoid the post event depression you refer to, is to keep doing yet another one. Craig divulged to me before the TD that he was "hoping for a quick turnaround" in order to...wait for it...take part in the Colorado Trail Race in July!

I like the "estimated finish time" flags...nice work. Can't find the "13 day flag" that Craig seems to be chasing...

The chase group seems to have made some inroads towards shrinking the lead of MH and CS...the gap seems less  pronounced this AM. MN is gaining nicely on JP's "ghost"....

looks like the motel in Eureka is going to be busy tonight....

Looks like some good racing! Stappy putting some time on Hall. Maybe Craig foregoing a Whitefish resupply and instead opting for the Columbia Falls gas station/convenience resupply. He has already clocked a significant day....curious where he calls it "good" tonight...

and also curious to see what the chase group does....

For a Canadian Craig sure can't wait to get out of Canada.......
Flames coming off those tires......

Those two, how far will they probably ride today? What place is good for camping down Flathead Valley Rd? Thx, sorry, I am a total newbie.

Butt's Cabin is a likely bet. However, they might surprise us and keep going...

Thx. Know anything about the section between Silverton and Salida?

Anyone know about snow coverage on the CT right now Durango/Silverton area? I know its early but think it was a light snow year down there? Thinking about some riding next weekend..

Bummer Paul. I was watching your efforts closely. But likely a wise decision to pull out. One can risk a lifetime of achilles issues if one "toughs it out".(not worth it) Hard choice when will is there and fitness is there. I know this firsthand from last year. My achilles took 8 months to feel normal. Please, please come back for another attempt. I know firsthand what a letdown this can be.

Erik

Nice work Paul....that 4 AM start seems nice for riding flathead pass before dark. Cool plan. I wonder if he will enjoy the comfort of Butt's Cabin, or.....

Paul is en route to Banff. Probably starting Tuesday in the early AM. It will be a good ride to watch.
Good luck Paul!

anyone know what his motivation is in starting ahead of the GD by just a few days? "Hoopla" avoidance? More "purity"? Work schedule? Weather? Just curious....

oh really...paul attala is back? This is getting interesting. When is he starting his ITT? Anyone?

After taking a vote, Stefan decided to include the Tarryall detour in the official route. But then he caught wind of some extensive road work taking place this summer, so he was going to call the construction company to see whether it would affect the CTR. Once he knows more, he'll let everyone know.

Once this gets sorted out, I'll update my GPX if necessary.

So hang in there, lots of time yet!

Thx Toby,..yes, I know lot's of time, just had a rare moment of quiet and idle time (I have a three year old), and wanted to do some research, might not happen again until night before the CTR.....