Tour Divide Day 12

Day 12:

The day began With the Chris Seistrup in the lead at Del Norte, and with Steve Halligan only 53 miles back camped just 3 miles ahead of Josh Kato in third, the race is tight. Nate Ginzton dropped off the pace a little over the past two days and is 35 miles further back in 4th.

The leading four are going to be crossing the highest pass of the race - Indiana Pass which tops out at 3,650m after a 1,200 climb from Del Norte. Another feature is that the summit is followed by a couple of small surprise climbs at over 3,400m and then there is still Stunner Pass to get over before a resupply at Platoro, about 45 miles from Del Norte.

Josh was moving by 03:00 and Steve shortly after ... he was probably close enough to hear Josh's alarm go off. Nate is moving as well in 4th at 03:00. Chris Seistrup in the lead had taken a solid 6 hour stop and was rolling out of town with sunrise at 06:00. Leaving Del Norte Steve was 3:20 behind Chris. Next time check will be after La Magna pass.

Josh Kato arrived in Del Norte and unfortunately went directly to Rio Grande Hospital.

Josh Kato post 1 of 2: I don’t normally log into Facebook while racing my ultras. However, this Divide is turning more into a survival march for me. Last night I awoke vomiting, shaking and coughing uncontrollably. I was able to point my bike to Del Norte. Feels like my body is on auto-pilot right now. Can’t really make it do what I want it just does what it knows it should. Not 100% sure what is wrong. Feels like multiple things at play. Perhaps I pushed too hard and found my limits or maybe something simple as bad food. Who knows, I’ll see how the Del Norte hospital rates things. (Nurse humor: it will be sort of fun to walk in and tell them I feel like I might die) This race tests you in ways you can’t imagine. Before I set out this year I had two objectives. Chase and catch the Mike Hall record flag (just for a bit) and to complete the race as fast as I could in memory of a friend who can’t be here now. I intend to honor my promises. I don’t know at what speed my legs will now carry me but I shall continue forward. We can do more than we think we can and we can be better than we are. Sometimes unexpected stuff happens and we have to figure it out. Believe me, you are tougher and more resilient than you think! We can all be better and we can all do more.

*(Pic Josh Kato) *

Josh Kato post 2 of 2: Well folks, this is a bit more serious. I will remain in hospital tonight and transport somewhere else. Won’t say much now as I need to contact my family. I want to say this- Remember, if you can be out there do it! Don’t waste time thinking of doing things. Get out there now! Chase your dreams!

Chris made good time over Indiana Pass, suggesting minimal snow, and then blew quickly past Platoro on his way to the Colorado/New Mexico border. With over 1,000 meters of climbing ahead up to the top of Brazos Ridge, and to add to then fun there are unknown levels of snow and mud remaining.

Steve Halligan is chasing hard. He posted this of his Watershed Divide crossing from Brush Mtn Lodge: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBlgOGAi5T/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Steve: “It’s so mental, the game is so mental. As much, if not more than physical. Just changing your thought patterns, thinking positive really, any shittyy moments, it’s not going to last forever. It’s going to change. Headwinds will change. Aches in your legs or wherever – that’ll change too. “

This pic from Steve is after he came off his bike the 2nd time sliding in some mud , flying over the handle bars and onto his face.

Chris blasted over Indiana Pass very quickly (no snow it seems), past Platoro and was at the bottom of La Manga Pass climb as third placed Nate Ginzton left Del Norte. From this point there is 1,000m of cumulative climbing to the top of Brazos Ridge which comes soon after crossing into New Mexico. There seemed to be minimal delays though as Chris rode Brazos and continued on to camp trailside a few miles passed Hopewell Lake Campground, in a section which is notorious for its caliche mud. Steve maintained his pursuit, but Chris has pulled ahead further to be 7 hours ahead at turn-off to Brazos Ridge. Nate Ginzton seems to have stopped at 3,500m coming off Indiana Pass - hopefully he's OK as it was an early stop at 21:00 and usually racers would head down to the bottom of Stunner Pass at 3,100m or over to Platoro to finish out the day.

Maybe Chris was after the Cjell Mone La Manga challenge - the first rider to the top leaves a dollar behind the sign at the top of La Manga with his time for the La Manga climb on it, if you do a faster time, you write your time on the dollar ... at the end of the season the fastest time gets the dollar!

Brenda Wiard snapped this pic of Tony Lesuer resupplying in Salida with a few thousand kcal's:

Kai Edel in Salida:

(Pic Brenda Wiard)

Of the chase pack, Peter Sandholt posted these pics of the Watershed Divide crossing from Brush Mountain Lodge:

Kim Raeymaekers posted this clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzIWxEKlttO/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Josh Ibbett has crossed Boreas Pass and amazingly his front mudguard is still there!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzJSphZl3ts/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzIszfrlU-O/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

It's goodbye to Nico Deportago-Cabrere who has scratched: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzI7dlIlbwE/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Alexandera Houchin is looking good on her target to beat the women's Single Speed Record, leaving Steamboat in 10:09:16, comfortably ahead of current record holder Alice Drobna's time of 11:13:02. She is also ahead of Bethany Dunne's womens fastest Grand Depart time of 11:02:58 at Steamboat.

If you want to know more about Alexandera, have a listen to this podact interview with Justin DuBois: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alexandera-houchin-a-bike-and-the-drive-to-do-it/id1408834743?i=1000415522583

Greg Goodman caught up with Alexandera leaving Silverthorne: Alexandera Houchin 1st place single speed women and 1st place women overall! She's going for the womens SS record of 19 days. Overall doing well. She said legs been a little heavy the past couple days. A little tired but at 6 pm she still was shooting for 50 more miles today! We talked about different parts of the race. When Koko Claim Crossing Creek, a 5 mile very steep, very rocky riverbed where you hike up with your bike at your side, came up Alexandera said she carried her bike most of the way. Picture below demonstrating her technique. Keep in mind it takes around 4 hours to get up this area. Of course when you have steel toed cycling shoes (steel toed leather work boots) you'd better be working! Had a blast talking to this incredible athlete!

(pics Greg Goodman)

The single speed lead has now been taken by Ryan Simon, Greg Goodman crossed paths with him yestrday and took a pic with this comment: Ryan just past the Dillon Dam on his way to Breckenridge. Other than a couple wire fixes on his Son Dynamo hub and a pedal that will be replaced in Breck he is doing great! He said Brush Mtn to Steamboat was a slow go yesterday.

(pic Greg Goodman)

Dylan Morton made BML, and found Kirsten and Grace finally having a pause from feeding a dozen or more racers. Flip through the pics as Dylan's hand has a bit more than a "worn in" look": https://www.instagram.com/p/BzJHEWBg2jI/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Zoe Chauderlot made BML and is now second placed woman. Simone Bailey snapped these pics:

(pic Simone Bailey)

Nick Skarajew on his single speed made Wamsutter: Some quick shots from Day 10 and 11. Been out of phone service for the last few days. Managed to have my first shower in nearly a week at a truckstop. And wash some clothes. @ Wamsutter, Wyoming

Further down into the mid-pack, Mikki Suvia posted this clip from the railtrail in Idaho: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzIbGmLHxUp/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Ross Burrage is having some fun up to Togwotee (or Union) Pass: https://www.facebook.com/ross.burrage/videos/1391528420985259/

Hal Russell biked into the night and is camped up near the top of Togwotee Pass at 2,900m. Here's some pic of Hal back on Bannack Rd in MT:

Here's a podcast interview with Hal Russell: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-14-hal-russell-living-legend/id1441449809?i=1000442692146

In the NOBO race, the former leader Graham Suffield went off route to Rock Springs and has left the race as he has to be back for work and can no longer bike home in time. Hopefully another year! (from his wife). That means Daniel Thrush has moved into the lead of the NOBO race and is in Wamsutter.

Race positions at 03:00

Chris Seistrup: 2,098 camped trailside near Hopewell Lake

Steve Halligan: 2,046 camped trailside at NM border

Nate Ginzton: 1,993 camped trailside off Indiana Pass

Tony Lesueur: 1,882 camped trailed side close to Upper Dome Reservoir

Stefano Roumaldi: 1,848 at Tomichi Trading Post, Sargents

Peter Sandholt: 1,848 at Tomichi Trading Post, Sargents

Leading Woman is:

Alexandera Houchin : 1,730, camped trailside by Como, CO (South Park)

Leading Single Speed:

Ryan Simon: 1,761, camped trailside just south of Hartsel, CO (South Park)

From Josh Kato in his hospital bed: The Divide. The place I dream of being even when I can see it from my window. #tourdivide2019