Way to go, Mike!  Big congrats on finishing!  Wish I could buy you a beer (or three)!

PS.  Mike's words of wisdom are priceless!  Thanks for posting them.

Thanks SO MUCH for giving MK's dot a face.  I've been on Team Geek for a while, but I had no idea what he looked like.  Go, Mike!  And to everyone else out there:  We're still cheering for you!  You can do it!  Go, go, go!

Fantastic photo!  It should be shown to anyone who contemplates taking on the CTR.  And to anyone who wonders why it's such a tough race! 

Huge congratulations, Mark!  What a fantastic accomplishment.  And many thanks for giving me a phrase I'll use on the trail from now on:  "I'm living the weather layer."  Brilliant! 

Thanks for adding the weather layer, Scott.  It's not too late for those of us still watching the dots!  And a belated thanks for the great photos, Nick (I think it was Nick).  It's great to see your race through your eyes.  This has been and still is a vintage year for the CTR.  Enjoying every moment. 

@Erik---Thanks for identifying some of the rookies.  Spot tracker used to have a "rookies" group, but it doesn't this year, which is a pity. I enjoy cheering them on!

Freaking amazing!  Chapeau, Jesse!  And thanks---it's been a privilege to watch you race.

I miss the weather layer!  There's a huge storm with flood warnings in the B.V. area right now.  Would be nice to see it on the map.  Hope everyone out there is okay.  Ride, Jesse, ride!

@samh (a long time ago):  Thanks for posting the sign!  Most of us are aware of the CTR's DON'T BREAK THE LAW rule, but some of the posters this year clearly need a refresher course/basic education.  

Richie cracks me up!  Best phone-ins EVER!  Wish I could be there to welcome him and Jim at the finish (and maybe share some spotted mushrooms), but I'll certainly be there in spirit!

"To play in the heavens . . ."  Nailed it, Norb!  Congratulations and get home safe.

Sorry, I don't see you as a quitter, but as a man wise enough to know his limits.  Thanks for taking the time to record your adventure, I really enjoyed the write-up.  Hope to see you back at it next year! 

Way to go, Norb!  Fantastic finish!

Thanks, Bryan.  Garrett hasn't been listed as Finished yet, but I'm sure he will be soon.

Meanwhile, Garrett Alexander appears to be riding at 5.5mph in his tent.  Late-night spot-watching reveals some amazing cycling skills.  Or, possibly, spot anomalies.

Let's hear it for late-night bars!

As for Mark's 63mph---seems like something that could happen when riding without brakes!  Glad it was only a spot issue.

Thanks!  I didn't see a road, either, but I thought there might be a secret bail-trail known only to The Initiated.  As you say, we'll find out when he wakes.  And well done, you!  In terms of excitement, your amazing ride was right up there with the Jefe/Jesse showdown.  Hope your knee heals quickly and never troubles you again. 

Does anyone know what's going on with Mark C?  Is it a spot problem?  Has he bailed because of his dead brakes?  Great to see Ritchie and Jim making such good progress.  Thanks, person who mentioned that they're retired firemen.  It makes me cheer for them even more!  Oh, and before I forget, congrats to everyone who's finished so far.  I haven't been commenting, but I have been spot-watching.  Fantastic runs, all of you!

Sounds reasonable to me.  I hope this year's scratched rookies come back as veterans next year.  Experience is so helpful in the CTR.