https://apnews.com/article/montana-lifestyle-travel-c1d866fa4113b50b9292d8fe5f0301e2

Definitely GDMBR-related, and I hope not TD-related. Ovando: I remember seeing 3 bears just north of there in 2011 while riding at dusk. Deepest condolences to family and friends.

Race between Chris Seistrup and Lael's Record heading into Separ junction!

They are entering the blast furnace now. I remember crossing onto Bursum Rd. that Chris is coming up on now, and saying aloud, "This is Hell." the 90+degrees F headwind blast furnace pouring across that valley, water seeping out of every pore faster than you can drink. Stay hydrated you noble Dividers!! 

It's 5am and Steve Halligan is up and chasing down the easy trail from Grants to Pie Town! Gotta love this guy's drive. You never know what can happen - KEEP MOVING!  ---Tour Divide Forever

Seistrup continues to create his own good fortune with great on-course tactics. Early start to this long paved section, he's just passed "No Pueblo No Pintado" and will have the soul-sucking road into Grants behind him probably by mid-afternoon. But then a critical decision on logistics - Pie Town is not 24/7 and the next real supply is Silver City - so does he attack the Gila all the way from Grants or lay-up for a Pie Town breakfast? JUST KEEP MOVING. Amazing ride for this man, I am a fan of his positivity and energy! Steve is giving a great chase and you never know what can happen - let's hope for an injury free finish for everyone still on course. -- Tour Divide Forever!

Steve Halligan just rocketed up Indiana Pass and now has a 35 mainly downhill miles gap!  This is gonna get close. New Mexico is a long hard race all on its own. Lets gooooo!       

Does anyone know the backstory on Tony Lesueur. He actually looks like he has a chance at closing the gap after the whole BLM incident. Imagine that! Closing a gap of 200 miles in the last 1,000 would be an incredible feat! It could happen! There is a race going on this year. A pretty awesome one.

Seistrup standing there on Indiana Pass just taking it all in! 

Chris' logistics are looking really fortunate right now. He's got Platoro in store-opening hours, which helps a lot because after that its a loooooong dry Brazos slog to El Rito and Abiquiu. Hopewell campground is an oasis. This race is on!!

Chris Seistrup hit the snooze button! Twice!

Chris has another great setup position. Del Norte by midnight for some civilised sleep and re-supply, and Indiana pass by the dawn's early light, whereas his chasers have a cold bivy up there in the outer space of Cochetopa and Carnero. Soon we're into the wilds of the Brazos, Polvadera and the Gila-Monster!! It's logistics time!!

Explanatory post on Lael Wilcox just went up o IG => https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGx5mkgf9a/

Easy Cruising after Como for Chris Seistrup! Thanks Scott Morris for this awesome weather overlay! I believe Chris will make up ground on Mike Hall's dot in the coming days. The conditions are gorgeous and there is still 1/3 or 5ish days of racing for Chris and his chasers. New Mexico is a long haul. Hoping Josh Kato is ok and will finish this race! And that Kristen has enough eggs and bacon for this sudden mass tourism. - Tour Divide Forever!!!

"If you wanna soar you gotta jump." => https://www.instagram.com/p/BzDX_2hFCAH/

[Kremmling]

Well this is an amazing race! Recap last 48 hours from the safe warm armchair of a retired Divider (not based on any confirmed facts - just what I think we witnessed):

"The race leader, a bike messenger from Paris and Divide veteran, who is riding just behind the course record ghost of Mike Hall's spot track, gets lost in a horrendous snowstorm in the middle of the night on a 3,000-meter col, circles around lost, appears to not have the right bivy gear and smartly backtracks to Bear Mountain Lodge to survive the night. Meanwhile former Divide winner Josh Kato takes what appears to be a layup snow bivy, then with the break of dawn summits the col along with three other riders and keeps moving through tough conditions down towards Steamboat! For all other chasing riders a course conditions door literally closes. That col now becomes un-passable with peanut-butter mud, and a clog of racers is piling up stuck at Bear Mountain Lodge while the leading four continue on and chase each other towards the huge elevation gains of Boreas and Indiana Pass! Chris Seistrup who had been surging before the snowstorm passes Kato to take the lead heading into the night! Will there be a meeting for midnight coffees in beautiful downtown Kremmling? For the leading four its now a battle of the happiest rider, with lots and long (..sleep-inducing..) paved roads into Breckenridge. Who can maintain flow and keep the sleep monster at bay, and keep smiling through the onset of a long cold morning in Colorado? Amazing piece of Divide lore that I am thoroughly enjoying watching over unlimited espressos at home. I hope for the safety of all the riders, and for the sanity of all family and friends watching I hope that those holed up in Brush Mountain Lodge are able to keep riding soon." - Tour Divide forever!!!

Wow Bob you're right. He's going backwards. 4am is soul-crushing time, easy to get disoriented, and a good time to get in a sleeping bag and warm up and recover a bit. I really hope he is okay and find new energy with the morning light or crosses Path with Josh Kato and that brings him back up. "Never give up at night. Always wait to the next morning." I forget who said that but it was my North Star on the Divide.

This RACE tho! Hot. I like Seistrup. 38. Is he a "rookie" at TD? Getting stronger and faster as the race wears on. Simplicity always wins, those without plans who don't need motels. Matt Lee's original "one-motel-night challenge" still stands. TD is a spiritual journey and the happiest rider will prevail. Remember that video of Kato 3 or 4 years back joyously "WHOOOHOOOing!!!" on that final stretch to the border for his win?? TD Forever!!!

I rode Tour Divide in 2011 on a brand new carbon Cannondale 29er (this was the model Matthew L. had a hand in designing) outfitted with custom Carousel Designs bags. That bike was ridden once - the full length of Tour Divide - then professionally serviced by a Cannondale dealer, sealed up and never ridden again. Its been sitting my my father's attic in Massachusetts in a box awaiting its glorious day in the sun racing again. Which I am never going to get around to. If you want to get an awesome professional rig fully ready-to-ride for a great price please write me at superdave (dot) bruno (at) gmail - I live in Switzerland but my dad can ship it anywhere and I'm very open to find a fair price. Thanks for reading and happy racing! -SuperDave   

Thanks, good points! Clarified in ad. Best regards Dave

Cannondale Carbon Fiber 29er model year 2011. Frame Size Medium, Lefty, XTR-level components. Only Ridden Once from Banff Canada to Antelope Wells, NM by me. Price $1,950. Will include custom fit Carousel framebags handmade by Jeff for this bike!  Offers to superdave.bruno@gmail.com.  Bike is in Massachusetts and can be at your door within a week.