Tour Divide Day 13

Day 13:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzLlv1oFGgR/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

After a 6 hour stop the leading rider Chris Seistrup was off to Sylvia's Snack Shack at Cannon Plaza at dawn - a Tour Divide institution. Next up would be the dogs of Vallecitos ... another TD institution. Maybe the dogs won't yet know the season has started and he'll make it through unscathed. The major resupply of the day will be at Bodes General Store in Abiquiu, before taking on Polvedera Mesa. The Mesa is a mix of track / sand / stone / rocks / mud in any given order. There's not a lot of water out there so a decent resupply is a must. Climbing from 1,800m in Abiquiu to over 3,100m at the high point, it is a very tough and potentially hot 75 miles to Cuba.

Chris has a good stop at Abiquiu and then headed off to conquer the Mesa. Steven and Nate were holding their positions and grinding out the solo miles.

Kevin Hinton captured a quick little video and some pics of Chris in Abiquiu: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzL2La3lBA8/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Back in the chase pack things were hotting up a little. Tony Lesueur was dangling out as the target to chase and with Stefano Roumaldi setting off early from Sargents at 04:00 with Peter Sandholt not far behind, but not as eary as the chase pack which left Salida at 03:30 - it included Evan Deutsch, Kai Edel, Josh Ibbett and Lucas Ratliff. Bear Stillwagon leaving an hour behind and Kim Raeymaekers a further hour back.

Tony was able to resupply and get out of Del Norte before Peter Sandholt and held that gap over Indiana Pass, with both of them putting time into Stefano.

From Tony Lesueur: Been having a good couple of days after that nice rest. The body’s feeling good, except my ass is uncomfortable today. My Achilles had settled down until I aggravated it bombing down the Gold Dust Trail. But it was so much fun I couldn’t help it. Some of the trail should be called the Gold River Trail. Had a beautiful morning to climb Boreas Pass above Breckenridge. Then got smashed by a head wind from Hartsel to Salida.

Josh Kato snapped some pics from his hospital bed in Del Norte of Peter and Stefano heading out of Del Norte:

Josh Ibbett in Salida posted: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzKEHr0FZyw/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Kim Raeymaekers is in the group racing to stay in the top 10: Left Salida this morning arround 5:30. With good spirits. Marshall Pass was the first climb of the day. About 40km up to 3300m. There were 2 other climbs just over 3000m with a Total of 3100m of climbing today for 250km. All went well until the last 3h with a full on headwind that sucks the energy out of me. Arrived in del norte completly wasted. Got a (shitty) hotelroom to recover a bit. Tomorrow is the highest peak with a hike a bike thru the snow. So I need to be ready. Goodnight 💋

Chris left Abiquiu about 8hrs ahead of Steve and crossed Polvedera Mesa in 11 hours. The gap to Steve is slowly growing. He's now in Cuba having stopped around 23:00, and will likely be up early to get accross the paved section to Grants early in the morning. Nate stopped just after Vallecitos to and will likely aim to get to Bodes General Store in Abiquiu around opening time tomorrow.

Pic from Steve up on Indiana Pass and into New Mexico:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzMYBMPAmJ3/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Beau Troesch has been riding solidly from day one and has put a gap on the loose group he had been riding with before Brush Mtn. Seems to be very happy to be in his home State. (pic Janet Blessington)

Les Brown resupplying in Salida: (pic Janet Blessington)

Single Speed racer Ryan Simon spent some time at SubCulture bike shop in Salida, then headed out in good humor. (Photo by Janet Blessington)

Alexandera Houchin is not far behind on her single speed. From Brenda Wiard: The legendary Alexandera Houchin just passed through Salida en route to a restock in Poncha Springs. First Woman and on a Single Speed! She said she had had a very cold night (+28 F shouldn't be cold to a girl from northern Minnesota, she thought!) and a frustrating day, but was still sparkling with positivity and good cheer. May the tail wind push you up Marshall Pass!

(pic Brenda Wiard)

Back in the mid-pack and beyond, they're still racing to Mexico:

More racers through Brush Mountain Lodge:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzLXhY0FVK3/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Geof Blance got this shot out of Steamboat with Dave Barter and Davey Patterson: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzMzKhtFyPr/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

... and some pics of the Watershed Divide crossing: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzKLstKlGiV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Janie Hayes and Jimmy Bisese: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzMTVhtFMd9/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

John Schillings: Camped in Idaho & entered Wyoming!! Beautiful riding all around the Tetons. Been riding on/off with Justin from Iowa. Camped up on Togwotee Pass last night.

Phil Rice: "Saddle sores are improving. Left sit-bone is bruised but pretty manageable. They will have to carry me off this course, if I have to buy a pillow to stick under my ass I'm riding to the end."

Martyn Gibbon's is nearly in Wyoming. From his wife: He was injured in Afghanistan whilst serving with the British army. He is registered disabled. This is his biggest challenge of his life and I’m nervous as hell about how he’s managing... however he’s still going, he’s positive, determined and I believe he’s going to do it! Go gibbo ❤️

Tony Lesueur, one of the riders clarified the estimated hike-a-bike time of those stuck in BML:: Hey. Made it to BML. Only four got over the pass. Everyone else is here. 15 mile hike a bike to look forward to tomorrow. They reckon 16hrs to Steamboat, it’s usually 6.

At 01:00 the race order is as follows:

Chris Seistrup: 2,233, in Cuba, NM

Steve Halligan: 2,171, trailside on Polvedera Mesa

Nate Ginzton: 2,124, trailside past Vallecitos

Tony Lesueur: 2.043, still riding descending La Magna Pass, close to CO/NM border

Peter Sandholt: 2,009, Platoro

Stefano Roumaldi: 1,994, trailside descending Indiana Pass

Evan Deutsch / Kai Edel / Josh Ibbett / Lucas Ratliff / Bear Stillwagon / Beau Troesch / Peter Kraft : 1,961, Del Norte

Others:

Ryan Simon: 1,914, trailside

Alexandera Houchin: 1,866, still riding south of Sargents.

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

Hal Russell: 1,242, stopped at Pinedale

John Schillings: 1,220, still riding heading in to Pinedale.

NOBO leader Daniel Thrush has crossed the Basin and is in Atlantic City, mile 1,400 NOBO. Maxwell Southam , the remaining NOBO rider, is about a day's ride behind in Wamsutter.