TD`13 Race Discussion

[Dumpster Juice]

Ever cared to dig in the history of the TD race?
In 2009 Erik Lobeck caught giardia south of Pie Town. He had to withdraw. Next year he returned and gave Matthew Lee a strong battle until his rear derailler ripped off in the sticky mud on the Old Bannack road. He finished in joined 2-3 position, but was later disqualified because he had made a move against the rules to get his derailler repaired.
In 2009 Per Eklof hit a pothole 30 miles south of Silver City. He never saw the finish line.
In 2011 Justin Simoni crashed on the CDT alternate, some 15 miles north of Silver City. He had showed true TD spirit by going in the snow-covered Flathead valley, bypassed by all other racers. He didn't get to the finish line.

The key thing there is they did not finish...the Krafts are going to...I felt bad for Justin in 11 Eklof in 09 but... they did not finish, no fault of there on.

[Christopher R. Bennett]

How pathetic! This is a comment from the world where misfortune has no place. Fortunately, it is not the world we live in.

Ever cared to dig in the history of the TD race?
In 2009 Erik Lobeck caught giardia south of Pie Town. He had to withdraw. Next year he returned and gave Matthew Lee a strong battle until his rear derailler ripped off in the sticky mud on the Old Bannack road. He finished in joined 2-3 position, but was later disqualified because he had made a move against the rules to get his derailler repaired.
In 2009 Per Eklof hit a pothole 30 miles south of Silver City. He never saw the finish line.
In 2011 Justin Simoni crashed on the CDT alternate, some 15 miles north of Silver City. He had showed true TD spirit by going in the snow-covered Flathead valley, bypassed by all other racers. He didn't get to the finish line.

Yes, shit happens and in a race with cutoff time (not this TD'13) it may drop you behind the cutoff. So what? It may earn you the respect that an unbounded finish time doesn't.

And myself on Day 1 going NoBo when I got a serious asthma attack and had to go to Silver City hospital. DQ'd myself since I had to get a ride forward on the course to the hospital (good call - I was down to 70% normal blood oxygen level).

[Stumpy+Cranky]

Ever cared to dig in the history of the TD race?
In 2009 Erik Lobeck caught giardia south of Pie Town. He had to withdraw. Next year he returned and gave Matthew Lee a strong battle until his rear derailler ripped off in the sticky mud on the Old Bannack road. He finished in joined 2-3 position, but was later disqualified because he had made a move against the rules to get his derailler repaired.
In 2009 Per Eklof hit a pothole 30 miles south of Silver City. He never saw the finish line.
In 2011 Justin Simoni crashed on the CDT alternate, some 15 miles north of Silver City. He had showed true TD spirit by going in the snow-covered Flathead valley, bypassed by all other racers. He didn't get to the finish line.

The key thing there is they did not finish...the Krafts are going to...I felt bad for Justin in 11 Eklof in 09 but... they did not finish, no fault of there on.

You're actually supporting Dumpsters message with your list of race-ending problems. There is so much cr$p that can happen during the race that throwing additional and arbitrary stuff like a random cutoff isn't actually necessary.
And yes, most of the racers are more likely chasing personal goals rather than winning this race, and they may not even care if they're listed anywhere. It would be a shame nonetheless if, after overcoming all problems, the cutoff would be the sole reason to not have them listed as finishers.

[Done]

It would be a shame nonetheless if, after overcoming all problems, the cutoff would be the sole reason to not have them listed as finishers.

Aside from the record-setters who are recorded on this site, nobody seems to have been listed as an "official" finisher since 2010. Might make the whole issue of time cuts, relegations, disqualifications, etc. somewhat less pressing?

[Foster]

Here some pictures and a little bit about my ride on the divide this year.  Its about 95 percent finished but good enough to post up.  Theres a photo gallery at the bottom, just above that is a day by day summary and at the top is the long version. 

http://headwindsandhills.com/2013/07/15/tour-divide-2013-redemption/

[Pollyhound]

It's so good to see the Krafts moving southward!   

So, so very good!  50 miles to go.  If it wasn't 20 mins past midnight here I'd watch them to the finish. Hope to check in in the morning to see two blue bouncing dots.

[desertrat]

So, so very good!  50 miles to go.  If it wasn't 20 mins past midnight here I'd watch them to the finish. Hope to check in in the morning to see two blue bouncing dots.

The weather map down in NM looks pretty sketchy.  But my app said the winds were on the tail! 

[mtbcast]

Rick Ashton and Hal Russell each called in with a finish call!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[desertrat]

YEAAA!!!!  The Krafts made it.   

[mtbcast]

Tour Divide 2013 Day 31 True Ups!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[Pollyhound]

YEAAA!!!!  The Krafts made it.   

Phew! They've certainly shown great determination over the last week or so.

[drews256]

I saw the Krafts 39 miles from the border last night on my way out. Peter Jr. looked unhappy but willing to finish. They were riding with a bit of a tail wind but were headed straight into a wind/rain storm that I beat by about 45 minutes. Unbelievable respect for these two men. Way to finish Krafts! And congratulations on being two of the most bad ass finishers of the year!

[SlowRide]

That's what they call true grit, kudos to both of the Krafts for their courage and dogged determination to finish.

[dp]

YEAAA!!!!  The Krafts made it.  

Grit (noun): the tendency to work strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress.  -Charles Duhigg, The Power Of Habit

Kraft = Grit

***EDIT***

Just wrote a blog post about the Krafts & Grit.  It's meant to be a tribute (I hope it's taken as such).  As accurate as I can tell, based on what I've gleaned from this forum and trackleaders.  Enjoy.

http://davidjamesphillips.blogspot.com/2013/07/reflections-of-grit.html

[mtbcast]

Richard Costello called in with his finish call!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[desertrat]

Grit (noun): the tendency to work strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress.  -Charles Duhigg, The Power Of Habit

Kraft = Grit

***EDIT***

Just wrote a blog post about the Krafts & Grit.  It's meant to be a tribute (I hope it's taken as such).  As accurate as I can tell, based on what I've gleaned from this forum and trackleaders.  Enjoy.

http://davidjamesphillips.blogspot.com/2013/07/reflections-of-grit.html

<tears>  Well written.  Thanks for honoring them.  They so deserve it. 

[Pollyhound]

<tears>  Well written.  Thanks for honoring them.  They so deserve it. 

+1 Great tribute

[mtbcast]

Peter Kraft Sr. called in with his finish call!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/td13/

[dp]

Here some pictures and a little bit about my ride on the divide this year.  Its about 95 percent finished but good enough to post up.  Theres a photo gallery at the bottom, just above that is a day by day summary and at the top is the long version. 

http://headwindsandhills.com/2013/07/15/tour-divide-2013-redemption/

Awesome photos Eric! Thanks for sharing.

[Dotwatch]

Re Eric's supply of "from the road pictures", I have looked at them many times already and REALLY appreciate his entire effort (as well as all you other picture posters too).  Though I have been through some of the areas many years ago and seen some of the vistas from helicopters and 4wd doing Air Force field surveys, I can much more appreciate and imagine the feelings you riders must be feeling at seeing such 150 mile vistas from a bike with only the water and food you carry to the next stop store.  My hat is off to all of you, and a BIG THANK YOU for providing a source of triggering many really good memories for this old guy now just watching the dots....and studying your pictures....and always hoping for more.