Tour Divide

Ha turning into a joke at that lodge.

Sounds to me like a bunch of people cracked mentally.

Yeah, group-think can do some crazy shit. I guess they were convincing one another that it was impassable, then the tourist came from the south on a heavy bike and some started having doubts. Lael had her reasons for quitting, but it seems using her film crew's e-bike for a reccy should probably be included in that. I doubt Matt Lee will be happy about the film crew having influence over the race at all, even if that meant riders quitting. I suspect that will be the last documentary he allows. I certainly hope so.

If you want to experience the divide, go ride it. I for one get enough Wahoo advertising on strava, I don't need paid 'documentaries' with product placement.

To be fair, Reid just passes more.

I was pretty ambivalent about the documentary side, but using their e-bike to check out the trail ahead sounds bang out of order.

I have no idea what that means.

Surname

Reid Passmore, yada yada "impassable" yada

To be honest, I like seeing a well-produced film, but now they've stopped following Lael, I hope they follow some of the middle of the pack. The TCR documentary did a great job of this and I find some of the most interesting stories and characters really do come from the folks who are closer to us "mere mortals".
The Racing to the Rock documentary did a really great job of documenting the front end of a race, so I can understand the mindset of trying to strike a balance between not interfering and trying to show how hard the front runners are pushing themselves.

Thanks, had just got back from a very hot ride and was being extra thick.

Yeah, I guess. But if I was racing I wouldn't want to be in the spotlight. To me (and a lot of divide purists) I think you want to be out there to escape modern life in lots of ways. I was definitely mid pack (38th out of 150). Being at the sharp end of the race you're bound to be more used to trailside attention, etc etc.

Not sure I really have a point other than keeping TD pure, free and uncorrupted. Interest rose steadily after Ride The Divide was released, but there hasn't been another documentary about it since that I can think of.

John Prolly rode the first 3 days in 2015 with a salsa film crew, he got heckled a lot.

Problem is for people like Lael, I'm guessing this kind of filming pays for her next race, etc. So if you're a front runner and trying to get sponsors and stuff on board you're gonna need content. There's a bigger following of the race too and lots of people don't know much about it so having trailside info being sent out is pretty cool. I'd hate to have a film crew watching me the whole time even though I'm pretty relaxed when it comes to sharing some of the 'less fine' aspects of ultra racing. Sometimes I like company and sometimes I like being alone.

How did you find being interviewed and followed on the TCR?

When I was playing the role of Jack? I didn't mind it. Something different to experience on the road. It's the thought of constant observation that would do my head in.

Chris Seistrup is pretty much on the flat run to the finish now, what a ride so far!

The second half of the Gila after Beaverhead work camp is not flat, it's brutal sawtooth. But after that it is plain sailing from Silver City

Pretty much flat was a but tongue and cheek.
After what hes passed!

Yeah, trust me, it didn't feel flat! Most of Colorado is nice gentle rail grades, even if they go on for 4-5 hours straight. The Gila is short steep punchy hills, much like down here in Devon, except very hot, loose sandy shit and lightning storms everywhere! yay! The Gila was easily my favourite part of the whole route, I have a thing for hot dry places though.

What's not to like

The road to Pie Town

San Augustin plain

Gila house

Looks amazing

Sofiane's interview on Bikes or Death was really good. I really appreciate his approach and his attitude, really down to earth.

Interesting stats on racer gear

https://oneofsevenproject.com/tour-divide-rider-survey-results/?fbclid=IwAR3p6FEUeFLjG11oMHv8Se050OiMuHLJ5ZiaTIYv6wnKBmnrvnUg3ogd9Bk#suspension

Dude should be riding not podcasting!

He should be doing whatever he wants to be doing

skinny's his dad, though.

https://theradavist.com/2019/06/tour-divide-race-part-4/

For sure. But I'd just rather see him racing it out, than chilling out.

There's somebody running Mavic tyres, but nobody running Mavic rims... Didn't think anyone used Mavic tyres unless they came with their wheelset!