What is the finish time cut off for the Tour Divide?

[Christopher R. Bennett]

The rules state:

There is no finish time cut-off, however, current convention considers a competitive Divide Route finish time as approximately 155% of course record times. Currently this = 25days (~110 mi/day) for men, and 29.5 days (93 mi/day) for women.

Jay's record setting ride in 2012 was 15 days, 16 hours and 24 minutes. If we apply the 155% 'rule' to this, I calculate the new finish time cut off for men to be 24 days, 7 h and 25 min. So not to be too much of pedant, say 24 days, 8 h.

Ezster did it in 19 days, 3 h and 35 min. Which comes out at 29 days, 16 h and 21 minutes, so the 29.5 days seems to still apply.

Thoughts?

[Beardog]

That is the historically correct way to ride it competitively and those finishing beyond the first place rider's time by percentage are unofficial finishers. If history means anything to those riding it should probably remain the same-keeps you riding later and getting up earlier to know you have a time limit you are pushing rather than just touring it.

[the tortoise]

Age, genetics, physical condition, luck, and knowing the course have a lot to do with it. Last year I did 28 days and change. If I had another attempt and things went right I might be able to shave a couple of days off but I don't think I could break 25 days. I think everything else being equal course knowledge is probably worth a couple of days.
Perhaps course records should only be considered on a first attempt! Ha ha!

[Beardog]

not so sure -- I am 52 and in 3 finishes I rode 21-22-22 days and had major mechanicals all 3 years that cost me time and one major physical that cost me a day-just gotta keep moving from sunup to sundown and wind up where you wind up--

[the tortoise]

not so sure -- I am 52 and in 3 finishes I rode 21-22-22 days and had major mechanicals all 3 years that cost me time and one major physical that cost me a day-just gotta keep moving from sunup to sundown and wind up where you wind up--

Very fast times for you!
For the record I am 60, so I rode it last year at age 59. It seems like lots of 60 plus year olds attempting the TD race this year. It will be interesting to see their times.One of my goals last year was to have no one older than me finish in front of me. It was all working out perfectly until James Hodges passed me somewhere out of Grants! However the main goal was to finish.

[Beardog]

Did not realize so many over 60 were giving it a try- perhaps there should be different classes like at cross country races- 50-60, 60-70, >70-this race just gets bigger and bigger-amazing- first  year I rode it I turned 50 on the day I finished and we had I think 14 official finishers- I heard something like 150 starters this year? Wow

[the tortoise]

Did not realize so many over 60 were giving it a try- perhaps there should be different classes like at cross country races- 50-60, 60-70, >70-this race just gets bigger and bigger-amazing- first  year I rode it I turned 50 on the day I finished and we had I think 14 official finishers- I heard something like 150 starters this year? Wow

On the google doc start list I see over 125 names with 9 riders over 60, the oldest being 72! Hey I won the 59 year old division last year!

[taprider]

over 60 deserves a separate category than open men
be interesting so see what the over 60 times are this year with some competition