Tour Divide Day 15

Day 15

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzQaGnLlLgT/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet (Pic Chris Seistrup)

The Gila - with its unforgiving heat and seemingly endless steep climbs and descents, it punishes those not ready or supplied enough to cross it. Even worse, once it teases you that you are out ... you face the Continental Divide Trail alternative (CDT) from Sapillo Camp Ground - arguably the toughest single track section of the entire route. And that's if you can find the entry point as the forest has re-grown since the GPX track was made.

Chris Seistrup left the Toaster House in Pie Town around 06:30 and headed into the Gila. First and only guaranteed water resupply is 90 miles away at Beaverhead Work Camp. Usually there is drinkable water and a Coke machine which sometimes works. After that there is maybe a stream running at Black Canyon in the Gila, or a stream in the CDT. Otherwise there is nothing until Pinos Altos another 80 or so miles past Beaverhead.

Steve Halligan left Grants around 04:00 and 40 miles back Nate Ginzton was rolling 30 minutes later. The race for second was on! Nate has beaten a lot of top racers in the Smoke 'n Fire 400, and there's less than 400 miles to go so he knows he's in his zone. Nate is 6 hours back passing through Grants, but had closed that to only 4 hours leaving Pie Town only 70 miles later.

Tony Lesueur was still holding off Peter Sandholt and seemed to start 20 mins before him at 05:20 on Polvadera Mesa, with Peter sleeping just a few miles behind. Neither will likely have known how close they were. Tony spent some time in Cuba eating and resupplying, maybe an hour, and was out of town towards Grants as Peter was taking the fast paved descent into Cuba.

Peter resupplied in half the time and the chase was on. The Dane chasing the Kiwi through the New Mexico desert. Peter got the job done somewhere around Chaco Wash - and after 4 days chase he finally had 4th position. Tony had been riding as hard as he could on his Rohloff geared bike, and will now be trying to hold on to 5th with some of the biggest names in ultra-endurance bikepack racing in the chase group behind him.

Up front Chris Seistrup rode through the morning pretty smoothly, and didn't even seem to stop at the Church for water on Hwy 12. He was at Beaverhead work camp around 14:00, and then quickly off into the Gila. Steve was at Pie Town around 10:30 and left by 12:00. Seems like he skipped the uphill paved ride to get his free pie at the Pioneer (Salsa Bikes provide two slices of pie for free for every racer who makes it to Pie Town) and instead went to the Toaster House and got some resupply and shade there. Nate Ginzton seemed to do the same and was about 3.5 hours behind Steve when he left Pie Town.

At 22:15 Chris called it a day and stopped at the top of the last climb in the Gila. Behind him, Steve Halligan's spot slowed right down after crossing Hwy 12 at the Episcopal Church and travelled only 11 miles in 1hr 50min before the spot stopped. Mud. Bursum Road is notrious for it - in 2015 racers around who finished around the 19-21 day mark hit mud there pretty bad and lost 2-4 hours. Hard to know if Steve is stopped and it may just be that his Spot battery has drained. Nate Ginzton passed by at 20:15 having taken 1hr 50min for the same section. By comparison Chris had done this section in about 50 minutes. Nate kept moving before stopping a couple of hours later at 22:30.

Linda Guerrette had caught up with the chase group in Del Norte a few days earlier:

Lucas Ratliff: (Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Josh Ibbett: (Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Kai: (Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Kai's helmet: (Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Josh, Kai, Lucas: (Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Linda Guerrette also took a set of pictures of the racers cockpits:

(Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

(Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

(Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

(Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

(Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Beau Troesch has been racing alone behind the chase groups for some days:

(Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

(Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Josh Ibbett into NM:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzPn1qflcv2/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

The chase group are seem to be putting the hammer down in pursuit of 5th. They had to wait for Bodes General Store in Abiquiu to open before heading off around 07:30. The group was made up of the some of the big hitters in this year's race with early top 5 racers Josh Ibbett, Kai Edel, and Evan Deutsch there. Still keeping up with them were Stefano Roumaldi, Lucas Ratliff and Bear Stillwagon who had arrived at and departed Brush 4 days ago with, as Josh Ibbett said, "a bit of fire in them". Eight hours later Josh Ibbett was the first of the group into Cuba for a quick 30min resupply, and was out by 16:30 with Evan, Kai, Lucas and Bear all out onto the road within an hour of him. Stefano was maybe an hour off the back of the bunch now.

Over the long straight road which bisects the Navajo Reservation a time trial to Grants was on. Josh was out front with Kai in chase, whilst Evan was caught by Lucas and Bear to form a chasing trio spread out along the tarmac. Behind them Kim Raeymaekers finally caught Stefano around Chaco wash and they rode together for a bit it seems, before Kim called it a day at the 90 degree left turn towards Grants. Possibly there were head winds there and Kim decided to take his chances with the wind getting better after a sleep.

Around 23:30 Kai rode up to Josh Ibbett and soon after Josh called it a night, with all the chasing pack apart from Kai stopping trailside at 24:00. Kai rode on to Grants where he arrived at 02:30.

Kim Raeymaekers has been facing lot of headwinds to get out of Colorado and into NM:

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

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

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

Josh Kato saw David Langley coming down Caneros River Rd headed to Del Norte:

David Langley: (Pic Josh Kato)

Josh Kato snapped a drive by pic of Ryan Simon. Ryan's from Stillwater OK (known in gravel racing circles for the Land Run 100) and has an active following watching him as he races to the finish putting in long hard days to try to keep his Single Speed lead. It could be two years in a row that a Stillwater resident takes the Single Speed win after Bailey Newbrey's 2018 15:18:27 second place finish and first Single Speed.

Back in Salida, Linda Guerrette was documenting womens leader Alexandera Houchin coming through Poncho Springs:

Alexandera Houchin's cockpit: (Pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Jacqueline Guthrie Rice got managed to capture this series of pics as racers came off Rice Mountain into Salida:

David Bourke: (Pic Jacqueline Guthrie Rice)

David Bourke: (Pic Jacqueline Guthrie Rice)

Paul Kruger: (Pic Jacqueline Guthrie Rice)

Paul Kruger (Pic Jacqueline Guthrie Rice)

Rich Caramadre: (Pic Jacqueline Guthrie Rice)

Rich Caramadre: I hit the first snowy pass just before BrushMountain Lodge, in Colorado. I took me 1 1/2 hours of walking to clear the snow back to where I could ride. I met a rider coming south-to-north and he said he didn't hit any other snow. So, if my luck holds and no storms roll through I should be riding the rest of the Colorado passes. #KuhlCycling

Rich posted some ealier pics of Boreas Pass: Stopped at this big old water tank left over from the railroad on Borealis Pass just outside of Breckenridge, CO. It was a blue-bird day. 113 miles today from Silverthorne to Salida.

(Pic Rich Caramadre)

From Janet Blessington: Nick Skarajew takes a break from the heat in Salida Safeway. Having a good ride and ready to get on the road to Del Norte: (pic Janet Blessington)

From Nick Skarajew: Day 15 giving a good introduction to the heat coming up. Was 32° leaving Salida. Shorter day to accommodate washing my clothes and myself. Personal hygiene doesn't take a holiday. @ Sargents, Colorado

From Janet Blessington: Todd Day arrives in Salida this calm morning ( no wind!). Stopped for a picture and then went on to find a postoffice and food. He said he thought he was the only rider accumulating things during the ride!

(pic Janet Blessington)

(pic Janet Blessington)

From Janet Blessington: Home state rider, Dylan Morton ( Golden, CO) leaves Salida this morning feeling good, like first day of the Tour Divide! Came down Ute Trail in the dark last night and stayed in the Woodland Hotel. After breakfast & a new chain this morning.... off to Del Norte!

Janet Blessington also caught photos of Zoe Chauderlot and Josh Uhl:

: YAY!!! Second women racer arrives in Salida! Zoe Chauderlot is 26, from Paris and this is her first time racing Tour Divide! She is in great spirits and having fun! This pic is for her proud parents watching from afar. Go Girl!

Josh Uhl is another single speed biker in the Tour Divide. Hoping to make up for some lost time after his crash. He was sporting a bit of a shiner. He stocked up at Safeway as well and headed out!

Brenda Wiard in Salida: These two didn't stop on their way into Salida at 5:30pm today, so no news, sorry. I believe it is Paul Kruger (of Colorado) with the orange helmet. He was slightly ahead (3 minutes?) of David Bourke (of Australia), I believe. It was getting dark due to incoming storm clouds and spitting rain, so that may have been the reason for the hurry. They both looked fine and strong.

Paul Kruger:

David Bourke:

From a couple of days ago by Janet Blessington:

Les Brown taking a break from the heat at Safeway in Salida. He mentioned it was a bit windy this afternoon (pic Janet Blessington)

Nate Stillwagon rides into Salida a few minutes ago and heads to town for supplies and something to eat! He said it was a cold night but it is plenty warm in Salida this morning. Nate is the brother of Bear Stillwagon

(pic Janet Blessington)

(pic Janet Blessington)

Janie Hayes and Jimmy Bisese passed though Brush Mountain Lodge in about 30 mins.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzRHy9wFCIL/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Ross Burrage up and over Watershed Divide to Steamboat on his single speed: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzQ2olwAng6/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

John Schilling TD Day 13: Oh man, what a double gut punch. Started with Togwotee Pass and ended with Union Pass. Union was a complete mess, mud, snow, steep, rain & a wreck. No injury, bike is fine, but most of my stuff is covered in mud now. Brooks Mountain road was a mess too. Thank goodness for the Lava Mountain Lodge!! The day was growing long & I was sitting at a mere 40 miles or so. Pushed until midnight to salvage a 90 mile day.

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

John Schilling: TD Day 14: The plan was to knock out over 100 miles, get through Atlantic City & ride as far as I could into the Great Basin since winds are calm at night & the forecast called for brutality. Brutality came a day early, relentless winds coupled with an ungodly amount of steep climbs had me walking almost the final 4 miles into Atlantic City...at midnight. True to my promise, I layer up, downed a healthy Don Miguel burrito & slammed a Red Bull. I didn't get too far before I started dozing at the cockpit, so I found some dirt about 8 miles out of town. 116 on the day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzSJ5X6Ff3j/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

John Schilling: TD Day 15: Made it to Wamsutter about an hour ago. OMFG, I've never been so happy to see a Love's truck stop in my life!! Today started great, fast route, amazing scenery, then the winds ramped up. Oh boy. The final 50 miles or so into a 30 mph headwind, gusting to 40. Took everything I had to muster 5 mph. It was warm too, nowhere to hide. Keep pedaling. Going to knock out a few more miles before calling it a night....oh, and finally passed the halfway point!!

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

Dotwatching mum Dawn Baker Peter of rider Bryson Peter (spot Bryson and Sam) posted: Day 15 for a 30 day expectation - I want to let you know about my rider, Bryson Peter, aka, Bryson and Sam are slow. Bryson May be the youngest on the trail at 21. His side kick is Sam. Two college kids that love to ride. B&S trained along the Blue Ridge Parkway around Boone, NC. This experience is one of simply amazement for the guts, determination, mental and leg strength and the landscape of this adventure. Things he is learning is that people are kind, helpful, generous. That America is Beautiful! “Where the deer and the antelope play” has a new meaning. I hope that throughout your life you will always look for the trail angels, they are not just on the Divide! When you told us you where doing this I thought “why” now I’m thinking “ why wouldn’t you”

Positions at 02:30:

Chris Seistrup: 2,570, stopped trailside in Gila north of Sapillo Camp Ground / CDT Alternate

Nate Ginzton: 2,492 stopped trailside Bursum Rd, south of Episcopal Church

Steve Halligan: 2,479 stopped trialside Bursum Rd, south of Episcopal Church

Peter Sandholt: 2,427, stopped Pie Town

Tony Lesueur: 2,402, stopped trailside north of Pie Town

Kai Edel: 2,351, stopped Grants

Josh Ibbett: 2,320 - stopped trailside north of Grants

Bear Stillwagon / Evan Deutsch / Lucas Ratliff: 2,316 - stopped trailside north of Grants

Stefano Roumaldi: 2,300, stopped trailside north of Grants

Kim Raeymaekers: 2,287 - stopped trailside north of Grants

Peter Kraft : 2,233 - stopped Cuba

Others:

Ryan Simon (leading Single Speed): 2,153 stopped in Abiquiu

Alexandera Houchin(leading woman, leading single speed woman): 2,097 stopped at Hopewell Lake Camp Ground

Geof Blance: 1,948, stopped trailside north of Del Norte

Dylan Morton: 1,941, stopped at La Garrita (offroute cafe)

Zoe Chauderlot: 1,902, stopped trailside after Canero Pass

Ross Burrage: 1,614, stopped trailside north of Radium

John Schilling: 1,437, stopped trailside outside of Wamsutter

Hal Russell: 1,437, stopped trailside outside Wamsutter

NOBO leder Daniel Thrush is at mile 1,680 close to Squirrel Ranch at the western end of Asthon-Flagg Rd, whilst __Maxwell Southa__m is at 1,540 on the climb north to Union Pass.