The 2022 Tour Divide watchers thread.

[Dave Barter]

Steve is definitely going for the hardcore approach, can't think why he did not push on to Lincoln for a motel stop just down the road from his current bivy?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Sounds like it'll be a good year for stories

[fatbikephil]

Blimey and they aren't at the bit that hits 11,000ft yet...
Only 3 official scratches so far - One of the British guys seemed to go off route to a bike shop on Day 1 then stopped yesterday. Broken bike plus crap weather? Must be gutting having gone all that way....

It does present a kit challenge if you want to travel fairly lightweight. Single figure temps and slashing rain in the north, desert sun in the south

[sean_iow]

It does present a kit challenge if you want to travel fairly lightweight. Single figure temps and slashing rain in the north, desert sun in the south

You could start with more insulation and then post it home once you get past where it's needed? Within the rules. Obviously easier if you live in the US and not the cheapest option. They do say it's the most expensive free bike race you'll ever enter.

[woodsmith]

It does present a kit challenge if you want to travel fairly lightweight. Single figure temps and slashing rain in the north, desert sun in the south

You could start with more insulation and then post it home once you get past where it's needed? Within the rules. Obviously easier if you live in the US and not the cheapest option. They do say it's the most expensive free bike race you'll ever enter.

Easier and cheaper to send to a Post Office in the US "General Delivery" for collection after the race from the city you fly out of.

[PaulB2]

The Guardian reported that Yellowstone National Park is closed at all the main road entrances at the moment due to flooding, will that affect the TD? It looks like the route goes around the park rather than through it but I wasn't sure.

[Bearlegged]

Josh and Manu going well in the pairs category...

[fatbikephil]

Steve is definitely going for the hardcore approach, can't think why he did not push on to Lincoln for a motel stop just down the road from his current bivy?

Saw that - 4 straight bivvies so far, a true Boner

[fatbikephil]

Sofiane Sehili's training ride:- https://bikepacking.com/news/sofiane-se ... bia-video/

[woodsmith]

Steve is definitely going for the hardcore approach, can't think why he did not push on to Lincoln for a motel stop just down the road from his current bivy?

Saw that - 4 straight bivvies so far, a true Boner

From what I've seen of budget motels along the divide you're better off sleeping in a ditch and saving the $60 -100

[Cheeky Monkey]

Just seen this on the FB group, looks like the weather is bad this year.

A message to all Tour Divide racers from the local Search and Rescue groups:-
There have been a number of rescues for Tour Divide racers in the Elkford - Fernie area in the last 72 hours. 6 in the course of today. Most have involved serious cases of hypothermia.
We would like to draw your attention to the challenges of the route from Fernie to the US border, which are potentially extreme with the current weather.
Fernie to the US border is typically 14-16 hours of riding. There is no food along the way. There is only one public shelter (Butts Cabin, about half way). The weather will be heavy precipitation for the next 24 hours, much of it snow at higher elevations. The risk of hypothermia is extreme and riders who are not sufficiently prepared are encouraged to delay this stage until the weather is more supportive.
Ride safe and enjoy!
Fernie Search and Rescue

Don't know if it's funded the same way as UK (doubt it ) but you'd hope there would be some contributions and support from the race and riders for the SRT. IMO it's poor show creating more work and dragging the SRT out because some racers have chanced their arms with too little kit or poor choices whether to continue.

[faustus]

Looks like a particularly tough year, and 6 rescues in a day has got to be in the territory of the organisers re-routing or doing something/facilitate to stop people getting into that difficulty? Not really feeling the interest to follow the race this year for some reason, although it sounds good.

The discussion point about social media and outside assistance and Mike Hall's stance is an interesting one. I personally err on the side of it being a kind of support, but I guess it goes hand in hand with spot trackers and dot-watching, people expect to know where riders are, and other riders to see other riders if they want. I guess it's a purist's argument which has it's analogue in the world of road racing and team radio - it can affect race decision making in a way not really possible without it, and can anyone now imagine the TD and similar events without spot trackers? Dunno myself - posing the question seems an interesting point perhaps?

[voodoo_simon]

The discussion point about social media and outside assistance and Mike Hall's stance is an interesting one. I personally err on the side of it being a kind of support, but I guess it goes hand in hand with spot trackers and dot-watching, people expect to know where riders are, and other riders to see other riders if they want. I guess it's a purist's argument which has it's analogue in the world of road racing and team radio - it can affect race decision making in a way not really possible without it, and can anyone now imagine the TD and similar events without spot trackers? Dunno myself - posing the question seems an interesting point perhaps?

I guess the trackers could all go through to one tracking website that could be monitored privately and the rest of us would just have to wait for stories to come from riders as and when

[Bearbonesnorm]

A few pics from Steve

[PaulB2]

The third picture looks much more inviting than the first two.

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks Stu for them pics. Is SLARGE on Twitter? Solid work from him and the rest. Agree with Cheeky Monkey (tim?) about excessively relying on mt rescue but I suppose they would have gone prepared as much as they'd realised. Snow that's buried the car - bit extreme

[Boab]

Snow that's buried the car - bit extreme

Extreme for here sure, extreme for there not so much...

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks Bob. Never knew that...

[fatbikephil]

He should have put his mudguards on
I see he's still in his scratcher but looking at the weather tab, it's snowing!

[summittoppler]

Sofiane seems to update his Instagram story on a regular basis. Seems quite an upbeat fella with plenty of singing going on!

https://instagram.com/sofianeshl?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[JohnClimber]

With the sh!te conditions on this year's TD it's amazing that Sofiane Sehili is only 40 or so miles behind Mike Hall's record

[Dave Barter]

With the sh!te conditions on this year's TD it's amazing that Sofiane Sehili is only 40 or so miles behind Mike Hall's record

Course is 80 miles shorter in New Mexico. Not sure how the record dot deals with that?

[Richpips]

With the sh!te conditions on this year's TD it's amazing that Sofiane Sehili is only 40 or so miles behind Mike Hall's record

Course is 80 miles shorter in New Mexico. Not sure how the record dot deals with that?

Well the record dot didn't go over Koko for starters. The route irrespective of fire reroutes is not the same as in 2016.

[Richpips]

.....irc Mike didn't get the record in 2013 because of fire reroutes which shortened the route.

It's all record BS really though, as the route evolves permanently over time.

[holdsteady]

maybe someone could clarify as I’m not sure what the rules are on the Tour Divide as regards to being self supported, does being bailed out by the mountain rescue team not mean disqualification ?