Introducing the 2019 NOBO first place rider as of Ovando MT, Daniel Thrush, 45 of Washington. With only two left going northbound he and Max Southern aren't that far apart.

Daniel arrived around 6 pm today, said the ride was going great. A true adventure. That some of the streams/rivers in Colorado were insane to cross; reaching his tall height up to his waist. Then he jokingly asked, don't suppose you have a 29'er inch tire.

Yup sure do.
"No seriously I need a 29" tire".
"Yea seriously I have them. Have a lot of emergency bike parts"

I do believe he about fainted.
Apparently he arrived with a front tire he said was dying from "cancerous tumors"; making a thunka thunka thunka sound that was especially audible on pavement.

After spending a couple of hours switching tires, airing up and consuming as much as he could manage from the BCC market, it appears he has decided to continue his journey toward Holland Lake. Good thing I guess since all the shelters are full in town.

Good Luck Daniel. Glad we could help!

Looks like they will have to go through the Mines of Moria.

Okay that is a great visual.

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!!!

Christopher was little known prior to the race and is now a rock star due to an impromptu dance off in front of the Blackfoot Angler's webcam in Ovando.  [you can see it on their / mine / Kathy Schoendoerfer's FB page unless there is a way to post it here].  

But as much fun as he appears to be, there is a seriousness in this ride.  Check out:

http://www.lostonabike.com/lost_divide/?fbclid=IwAR2ATGFVBGiUHD1OKSjVex_htx2ZvWCRHGLMX5ljv_HRam2ECotFTvXQhT4

"This summer I am racing in honor of Barry by raising money to support Save One Life. Like Barry’s first cross country ride, my goal is to become the first person with hemophilia to ride the divide over 2700 miles, from Banff, AB to Antelope Wells, N

Now I'm super impressed with this guy.

and

Today's rider that came in between 9am and 6 pm:
-  Ross Judice of OR.  Okay he isn't on a spotter, not in the race but he has taken the NOBO trail all the way here so I figure he deserves his claim to fame.  Arrived earlier in the day with a bad belly that he is blaming it on last nights beer, so is spending the day and night with a hot shower at the BCC and rest in the sheep wagon.  Hopefully he'll be on track again Sat.

-  Michael DeJong of CO and his son Devin.  Lunch at the Bullet and out to Lincoln.  Notice Devin's suspension.

-  Phil Rice of VA, pedaling for the cure for MS.  Please see https://pedalingforthecure.com/.  He is riding with

-  Sam Garre of WI.  Came in late afternoon with

-  Andreas Hitzler of Ontario Canada who they met on the trail. 

All went to Trixi's for a sit down meal.  Then Sam and Phil decided on a night time climb over Huckleberry and Andreas is still at Trixi's where they have a band playing tonight.

and

Things are really slowing down on the flow of riders.  Nice thing is I get to actually talk with them and chat with them which for me, is the best part.

Spending the night in the tipi and jail last night and rushing off after a breakfast at the Stray Bullet; I introduce you to:

-  Bryson & Sam R Slow out of NC and in their 20-somethings.  I don't think they are that slow but one is definately running faster than the other so gets to the next destination and scopes it out before the other arrives.  My biggest joy was having Sam [I think] open the Sheep Wagon to check it out and as I drove by all I heard was "WOW!!!!".  Great personalities.  Obviously have more fun than a human should have.  Great outlook.  I really enjoyed their visit.  Don't know why......     :-)

-  Carolyn Franzone of MN at age 59.  You got this Carolyn.  I know this weather of COLD! and rain/sleet can dampen the spirit but you are traveling  the boys and Kevin so they should be able to get you into tomorrow for a brighter and sunnier and warmer days. 

-  Kevin Kloberdanz of UT at 55.  This group of 4 didn't know each other prior the race and are now an extended family, ending up each day and starting off each morning together.  THAT is magic on the trail.

Early morning start for Gary Johnson of NM, out of Ovando Montana after breakfast at 7:42. Get further east as fast as you can. Highs today in the mid-40's. 80% chance of rain/sleet/hail and snow at 6,000'. Winds to 23 in the afternoon. Helena is far better. Butte worse.

BTW:  Gary arrived into Ovando after all the shelters were full and the Inn booked so slept on the back deck of the Blackfoot Commercial Company. 

Alex Bostic of CO scooted thru over night and camped out at Cooper's Lake.

-  Tim glover of Pray Montana the biggest guy to ever attempt, multiple times the TDR.  His personality and grin is as big as he is.  Great to see him again.  He was in earlier than most so hit some of the mud from the storm at 2 this morning. 

Slow day on the back end of the Race today.  Many have dropped.  Many are situating themselves up for a stay in place day tomorrow with the weather forcasted to be in the mid to low 40's with rain and snow at 5,500 or 6,000' level.  Today the winds have subsided, however when the clouds and showers pass thru it is bloody cold out.  Then the sun peaks out and warms up again.  Highs today probably only in the 50's.   By Saturday the temps bounce back up twenty plus degrees.  Mother Nature is Bi-Polar this year.  And she is off her meds.  

-  John and Sue O'Mailley of New Zealand are, so far, the last to come thru, rushing off to Lincoln to beat the storm in between the rain showers today.  Utterly delightful couple.  Ran into snow over Richmond Ridge this morning and arrived into Ovando on the verge of hypothermia.  With the current hail storm and temp at 50-degrees; rushing off to warm shelter seems like the best idea.

- Joseph Rafferty of TX and his non-spot traveling companion David.

-  A group of 5 from NC doing the tour on their own, non-racing style did race out here toward Lincoln to also beat the storm and probably lay low on Friday.  

Lastest of the cyclers I got photos of but not a lot of stories as it is difficult to run a shop and run after them. One thing I can say is:
TO JOEY'S GIRLFRIEND: HI!!!!

Okay Joey I made a promise and I stuck to it.  :-)

More from Wed Jun 19:
-  John Shilling of AZ with my award for the brightest tee shirt.  With a secondary award to Mary of the Stray Bullet for the best photo bomb of the Tour thus far.
-  Kirra Dyer of Australia.  Spent the night and a day here trying to get the edema in her ankles to subside.  All day yesterday she sat in the cafe with tears in the corners of her eyes listening to our upbeat optimistic opinions, but never truly believe it the pain so so bad.  She made the sheep wagon her home but ultimately got a shuttle to Missoula today where she will pick up a rental car and continue her adventure on four wheels.
-  Marty Johnson back for his ---- I think more than 3 trips here!
-  Randy Neill of CO:  called it quits up north with a possible case of Mono or at least a really bad intestinal problem; picked up a you-haul-it truck, put his bike in and now is travelling the highway version of the trail visiting with everybody he had intended to on a bike.  Great time talking with you buddy!
-  William Cairns of South Africa:  Spent the night in jail which I think he really enjoyed.

-  Hal Russell arrived on what we now know is his "Farewell Tour Divide" with his patented Hal Russell Smile.  Despite doctors orders Hal is completing his 6 TDR at the age of 70 in his usual style; but this time there is a lot of emotion along the way as everywhere is a cherished memory, a new/old friend, a great meal, another story.  And it obviously saddens him to leave his comfortable friend.  However we tried to discuss the future good; like going back to Vietnam but this time on a bicycle instead of a troop carrier.  Hal if you read this; you are a legend, you will be missed, we will stay in contact!

Ovando Montana arrivals from yesterday June 19.  Weather was cooler, a few showrers and winds to 45 mph that were causing havoc.  Sometimes pushing you along, others knocking you sideways.  A lot of wind burnt faces.  A log of returning riders this day:  Bonnie Gagnon and Grant Larvick, the legendary Hal Russell on his farewell tour, Larry Goodman of CA, Mikki Suvia, Marty Johnson, Eric Morton, Randy Neill.  It was a regular hug-a-thon.  

-  Bonnie and Grant arrived and she is on a mission!  To finish and beat whatever record she has in the past.  A brief scare:  Grant thought he had left his wallet at the last camp site.  Frantic search was on.  Life lesson to be learned:  Before panic ensues and eyes go blind in search mode make sure you check every little corner of your bag/purse, especially the corners.  Because if it is probably there.  And it was.  They downed two breakfast each and before you could provide a profound belch for them; they were off.

- Eric Morton paid me the highest compliment:  Upon looking over the emergency bike parts corner of the fly shop he declared "This is impressive.  You have been listening.".   I did.  Gave me one more item that could be helpful; told me he'd be happy to mentor and advise on future purchases and away he went.  Thank you Eric!!!

-  Clinton Channell, who spent the night here with this year's most common lower extremity ailment, was all smiles Wed morning as he geared back up and make his way out of Ovando.

josh k and sofiane back on day 1. so amazing that these fellows are already halfway across WY. what a race!

My Gods I love your photos!

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

Randy Neill is out of the race with Mono.  So he picked up a you-haul-it truck and is carrying it bike back to Colorado via the trail to to roote the riders on.  

Will have more on yesterday as soon as I can catch my breath.  :-)

The latest in TDR hair styling: THE TWO TRACK as modeled by Nigel Williamson of New Zealand. Easy to care for and your cycle helmet fits nicely into the groves.
Way to be styling Nigel!

and

Coming up:
1. GUMBY! Yes, seriously, Gumby of Ohio is doing the TDR. Am not allowed to take "Its" photo without the costume. Must admit I laughed til tears in the ears when he came bouncing into the shop. Thank you Nate for the best laugh since the dancing TDR machine.
2. Hannah Dhonau aka Sparkle Cheeks as she was dubbed by Fred at the BCC due to the glitter on her face has a matching personality. She was kind enough to grab Greg's credit card and chase him down with it. At least we sure hope she did.
3. James Morrell of England.
4. Jimmy Bisese of CO, Jayne from yesterday's husband. Okay this is a sweet scenario. He isn't as trained as Jayne so is a day back. She wants to stop and wait. He wants her to go for everything she has trained for and leave him in the dust if need be. She wants to share the moment with him. Ohhhh the drama. [I think he'll win the debate].
5. Ken Waring another annual stable of the TDR. Another suffering the lower extremity ailment. Said he hadn't sat on his seat in the last 65 miles. And yet off he went toward Lincoln. Good luck Ken.
7. Del Gordon and Nigel Williamson of New Zealand. My first couple racers. So bitchin. More on Nigel in a minute.
8. And the every wonderful Ross Burrage of Australia. Ross is a social media penpal as it were as is his wife Rachael who we both joined in front of the webcam to wave to her. That was for you Mrs. Burrage!!!

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