TD Race Updates

OK, here's a table of the riders and their bikes (as self-reported). Compare, contrast and be edified!

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Aillaud, Brian              Specialized Hardtail 26"

Arnold, Mathew          Gary Fisher 29er hard-tail

Baker, Forest              Salsa Mamasita - 29er, hardtail

Billman, Jon               Siren John Henry 29er (SS)

Bird, Marshal             Carver Ti, 29er

Blumenthal, Dave       Niner Air9 (hardtail 29er)

Borstmayer, Robin       Niner AIR 9 - fully rigid

Bruntjen, Eric             HT 29er

Butler, Cricket            2010 Gary Fisher Superfly 29'er

Christiansen, Reid      Gary fisher Cobia 29er

Crosby, Grant             Gary Fisher, hardtail, 29er

Dawe, Heather            Ira Ryan 29r rigid SS ratio 32:18

Dean Kevin                 Niner Air 9 Hardtail with a Rock Shox Reba xx

Domecq, Christina       Giant 29er

Faeth, Pete                  Fisher Rig, SS (generally 32/17ish)

Fogg, Phillip               Niner SIR 9, Geared Read more »

Here’s one of the wonders of the Tour Divide. In spite of the rigours and risks involved, humour is never far below the surface and, once the routine of ‘Eat, Sleep, Ride – Great Divide’ has set in, the call-ins begin to reveal the importance of maintaining a sense of humour as some sort of coping strategy.

David Goldberg has already baffled us with his HAFEs (still don’t know what they are) and Stephen Huddle has now confirmed that his mascot – Henry the green engine from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories – is bringing him good luck and good cheer (don’t worry, it’s to do with the old rail trail section they’ll encounter in Idaho that we rode together last year).

Then there are the pearls of wisdom and humour from the Mountain Turtle, Kent Peterson. ‘My strategy of starting out slow, and then backing off, is working our perfectly. I’m pretty sure I’ve lulled Matthew Lee into a false sense of security.’ I feel a new parable coming on – the Turtle and the Hare.

Back on the trail, it sounds like Richmond Peak is indeed an even more significant challenge this year due to the amount of snow. Dave Blumenthal described about two miles of intermittent snow on the climb, including a sketchy traverse across steep ground and some very annoying trees – I remember them well. In fact, the air might still be blue given the volume and quantity of the expletives they inspired when I passed through. ‘Kind of annoying,’ said Dave. He’s obviously not a man to be provoked easily.

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MTBCast: Jim Helms pulls out with some health concerns, the Mountain Turtle reveals his strategy and recalls old times, and Bob Moczynski’s wife sends an update on Bob and some thanks! Our leader, Matthew Lee is beyond Helena today!

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Erik Lobeck calls in from Helena, trailing Matthew Lee.