Silk Road Mountain Race (SRMR)

did bjorn start?

Hanging off the car to stop it tumbling down the mountain... hmm... I think for once I'd prefer to be doing the hike-a-bike dance.

Ah thanks! Had been struggling to view the official website tracker on my phone. 'Mon Lee!

https://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2015/10/an-open-letter-to-jay-petervary.html

Interesting and if all that was known why was he allowed to enter , he is currently off the front with a control car/van on his heels.

Björn said in facebook that his partner got sick just before the start, they are hoping to start later.

Ok, thanks Samuli.

Some pretty serious allegations there. Dude sounds like a dick (if true of course).

Would be interesting to know the full story, I can't be bothered stalking all parties on social media to find out.

I assume if @hippy is choosing to re-iterate the story that it's true. The accusations are all based on old (most recent 2010) events, but the post appears to be from 2015 so I assume there is an ongoing beef or continued failure to play by the rules.

I can imagine the Ultra racing world is quite tight knit so, especially based on the historical accusations things have not been resolved. Interested to know more.

On a totally separate note, I think using a sail to race downwind is inspired. If you can use tight fitting clothes, hi tech waterproof fabric, power meters and aero wheels etc, why not? Is a wing suit cheating? If you can walk during a bike race, then why not sail or swim.

Race report 2: https://www.instagram.com/p/BmrHFI5hYIu/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=x4ng37l2yjv1

I've not followed it at all, but I vaguely remember there was an incident in another race about a year ago where he did something else either against letter of spirit of the rules. That was when I became aware of the post that @hippy linked.

I'm definitely following Kim Raeymaekers, who has done Tour Divide, TCR and TABR (came second). He was a friend of Mike, I met him in Sydney after IndyPac, and he was a good guy to have a few beers with!

Everything I post is lies...

Seems like a pretty crazy statement to fabricate though, doesn't it?

Is a wing suit cheating?

Yes

If a wing suit is cheating because you benefit from wind assistance, how about descending where you benefit from gravity or, indeed, aero bikes where you benefit from the lack of wind resistance?

Human-powered effort + 'spirit of the race'

If you have to question whether what you're doing is a bit dodgy, then it's a bit dodgy.

"From the original GDR rules:
The original intent of this race was to ride the GDMBR as fast as possible in the simplest/purest style possible. As time has gone on people have begun looking for loopholes within the rules that'll save them time on the course. This is human nature and all of us do it in different ways in our everyday lives. With respect to the GDR, we ask that you please consider the long term ramifications of finding and using loopholes--the race will only get 'easier' and (conversely) require more rules/regulations as time goes on. This goes against all of the principles that the race was founded on. People: PLEASE don't bring The Race down to your level--elevate yourself to the level of The Race. If you find yourself looking for loopholes, consider taking another year to prepare before racing. Most likely you'll go faster and enjoy it more as a result."

I've followed the instructions on how to setup dotwaching in Google Earth. Pretty cool!!!

1 Attachment

Nice, looks worth attempting.

install google earth,
download the file:
https://app.maprogress.com/event/download/kmz/pedaledsilkroadmountainraceno1
open it in google earth & check out the menu on the left and click around.

Cant stop thinking how awesome this would be for TCR.

Chris Hall and Rob Quirk have scratched. Chris’ brakes were causing problems before they left and only got worse. Not really a ride to do with no brakes.

What sort of problems? Can't imagine starting without spare pads and cables. If hydro, did he bust a line or something?

Appears he had a bleed issue that a shop fubar'd that resulted in a threaded caliper or lever.

Shame his partner had to stop too!

That sucks. If they could bleed brakes could they not sell him brakes? or was it like some truck repair joint working with a hammer and a welder? :)

Cantis.
Just saying...

They would've retired even sooner, having flown off the first descent.

It's like MS Windows versions, we're on 'Disc' now, there's no support for two versions ago. They just stop working...

It slightly bothers me that Kim and Pierre Arnaud Le Magnan in second place have ridden together for the last day and a half.