Tour Divide

Jens in 3rd will catch and shake it up maybe.

Lael's stuff, in detail, kind of fun watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXvpCLeSQrw

Jens in front now

Are you taking notes for a debut next year? :)

Funny you mention that, I actually am.

I definitely want to ride it. Dunno if it will be next year but it's definitely a bit of a bucket list item for me. Kinda wanna do the GD just to hang out with people a bit but also would consider doing an ITT (aka tour it) when it better suits me.

Justinas looks and sounds really tired. Has mechanical issues https://streamable.com/9lyei9

Front runners are passing through a bit that overlaps the TransAm route. One of the most amazing experiences I had on that race was maybe at Jackson Lake Lodge when I'd arrived at night, slept on some arm chair and bench waiting for 6am when their kitchen opened, walked up to their breakfast place sat down on a sofa thinking "wow what a painting" and then a few seconds later realising it wasn't a painting, it was a HUGE window looking out at the Tetons, which I'd missed seeing the previous year (as it was snowing and 3am which tends to hamper your sightseeing). It's the closest I've come to tears during a race and I couldn't stop looking at those jagged mountains when I left.

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Looks fucking blown

I'd love to spend a lot of time there, perhaps Utah too.

I mean the Tetons are amazing. There's lots of beauty around there though. Really stunning place.

great pictures hippy.

April telling some tales of sketchy hail storms on top of mountains, lots of hike a bike and a near OTB in some sinkhole during yesterday's journey on insta.

She pulled up for a rest, cleanup and regroup in Butte and what strikes me most is how positive her mindset is. Chuckles where I'd be way past breakdown.

Not dot watching so don't know where she's in the standings but she usually manages what she once called "a slow burn".

https://www.instagram.com/aprilawol/

Justinas incident seems to have barley affected him, wonder what happen. Hopefully whomever validates these things at TD (nobody!?) will check. You're meant to keep your spot on for off route or at least GPX of it. But I saw him in a truck.

[3] A challenger may ONLY accept motor vehicle assistance off/back to route from bystanders and passersby or, in the case a commercial transportation source is available. 'Bystander/passersby' refers to purely coincidental encounters. A racer may not accept a ride from a race spectator (a.k.a 'super fan') or contact friends and/or family (private parties) living along the route for direct assistance.

http://tourdivide.org/the_rules

I saw him in a truck.

Where at?

I last saw his IG showed he'd broken his RD or something.

She's ahead of some of the female names people were mentioning at the start, around a couple of ex-pro riders and currently sub 20 days finish. Amazing ride so far.

https://streamable.com/5i24vo

He was at a hotel or gas station so could've just hitched a ride with someone. That's legit, no? So long as he goes back to where he got the lift from (and it wasn't a dotwatcher coming out to help).

#obfuckingsram

Probably needs clarifying if the guy was already a 'race spectator' or no. Looks like a Pedros tyre lever stuffed in his car, could be incriminating 🤔🤣

Really surprised he is riding electronic gears, I would have thought it best to keep things as simple as possible and not have to worry about batteries, chargers etc.

I raced srmr with axs GX, having used it two years with substancial abuse I've had zero issues. When I raced srmr the first time I had to swap the mechanical hear cable as the shifting became so shit, it still wasn't good after. Cables are more susceptible to issues I feel.

Justinas wasn't so lucky! I guess they both have their drawbacks but cables are probably easier to repair at the roadside.

I don't think it's luck (but I understand the expression) who knows what his issue is. And yes, it'll likely be more terminal - though not in his case. His derailleur look ok, so I'm unsure but perhaps it was just a cable.

He said in the video it was water damage and charging/battery problems. He bought new batteries and charger in Jackson and seems to be ok again now. Hopefully that is his bad luck out of the way now!

I wonder if it was charge then that got wet? Anyway, shame but got it resolved quick

Fixie guy is 780 miles in now. Riding on a 72” gear! 38c tyres. Budget old gaspipe bike. Good effort!

His name comes up as a finisher in 2008 too.