Tour Divide Day 20

Day 20:

Finishing up still inside of the Day 19 start was Rob Goldie in 18:22:28. Rob started the day in Beaverhead Camp after a short sleep, and took a 90min break at Separ around midnight before riding through to arrive at the border just after sunrise.

Les Brown was next in with a 26.5 hour ride to finish in 18th place with 19:00:53.

Nate Stillwagon, from Butte, came with the time of 19:09:10

Scott Robinson rounded out the top 20 with a time of 19:16:19

Further back, Zoe Chauderlot was still riding strong and had stopped at the start of the CDT for her final night.

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Back at Beaverhead Camp is Geof Blance from New Zealand on his single speed - Geof is going to complete the first Tour Divide Triple - geared (2014, 19:15:54 when he finished 4th), tandem (with Denise in 2017 for 25:07:37), and now on a single speed.

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Bikepacking.com have published the second part of Eddie Clark's stunning photo journalism and writing on the Tour Divide. The images and stories are fantastic:

https://bikepacking.com/plog/2019-tour-divide-recap-2/

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Adam Kiem in deep discussion with the bike mechanic at Absolute Bike in Salida (pic and caption Janet Blessington)

Jesse Tannahill arrives in Salida

(pic and caption Janet Blessington)

Hal Russell is still on track to get the over 70 record as he passed through Salida in 18:23:27, as compared to Rick Ashton's 2017 time of 19:15:49. He'll be hoping for the monsoon season in New Mexico to hold off a little linger to get through without mud delays. The saying is "try to be off finished before 4th July to avoid the monsoons", but with the start date this year right at the end of the start window this is easier said than done.

Brenda Wiard met Hal in Salida: The famous Hal Russell rolled into Salida bright and early this morning in perfect weather. He looked chipper and was pleased to be back in Salida, and was going to see his favorite bike mechanic and probably stop at Little Red Hen Bakery. Hal is 70 and this is his last Tour Divide - I could see that he was sad about that.

Hal Russell: (pic Brenda Wiard)

Hal Russell: (pic Jaqueline Guthrie Rice)

From Janie Hayes: Such a good morning of dot-watching in Salida. Caught Bonnie Gagnon and Grant Larvick in Poncha, then Hal Russell (visiting with local Scot Banks) at Mo Burrito and Justin Heckman at Safeway, who I thanked for carrying on the JH dot. Happy riding everyone!

(pic Janie Hayes)

Hal Russell: (pic Janie Hayes)

Justin Heckman: (pic Janie Hayes)

John Schilling: TD '19: Day 20. What can I say? This morning's update told you how my night went. Yet, early on I felt good. Beautiful area, but so much washboarding. A couple left digits are numb, half of my right hand is numb. A few hours into the day, there's a 1000' 6.7 mile climb before ripping 12 downhill miles into Salida. That's where the wheels came off today. The first couple miles of climbing were relatively mellow. Right about then the energy tank read 0 & I was in Bonk mode. Got passed by 3 riders as I mostly pushed my bike the final 4. I tried everything, fluids, food, even taking a short nap, but nada. By the time I crested I could barely lift my feet. Even the descent was difficult as I struggled to keep my eyes open.

I went straight to Conoco for a large chocolate milk & when I went to pay was told the milk cooler was malfunctioning!! Soul crushing!! I had been thinking about that for hours. Plan B: Head over to the fine folks at Oveja Negra. I grabbed a shower while Lane mended my blown out riding shorts.

Grabbed lunch at Sweeties & booked a room for the night. Now off to the Safeway pharmacy to see if anything could be done with my insect bite. There's no urgent care here, closest one is in Buena Vista. Tried phoning one in from home, but they wouldn't do it. Hot compress time!!

Sorry for the long post, but if I can't get my knee & saddle sores under control quickly, this may be it. As it stands, I can barely walk around the hotel room. Hoping for a very long, restful & healing sleep tonight. I want to finish this thing, but not if I'm in agony for the next 900+ miles.

Two things are certain out here on the Divide: There are NO easy days and the scenery is stunning. Thanks again for all the well wishes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzeeywXFv1m/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Daniel Thrush, NOBO leader, has stopped at Seeley Lake, with the only remaining NOBO rider Max Southam stopped at the Llama Ranch where Daniel spent the previous night.

Kathy Schoendoerfer at Ovando, MT, had a chat with the Daniel:

*Introducing the 2019 NOBO first place rider as of Ovando MT, Daniel Thrush, 45 of Washington. With only two left going northbound he and Max Southam aren't that far apart.

*Daniel arrived around 6 pm today, said the ride was going great. A true adventure. That some of the streams/rivers in Colorado were insane to cross; reaching his tall height up to his waist. Then he jokingly asked, don't suppose you have a 29'er inch tire ... "Yup sure do." ... "No seriously I need a 29" tire". ..."Yea seriously I have them. Have a lot of emergency bike parts" I do believe he about fainted. Apparently he arrived with a front tire he said was dying from "cancerous tumors"; making a thunka thunka thunka sound that was especially audible on pavement.

After spending a couple of hours switching tires, airing up and consuming as much as he could manage from the BCC market, it appears he has decided to continue his journey toward Holland Lake. Good thing I guess since all the shelters are full in town. Good Luck Daniel. Glad we could help! *

(pic Kathy Shoendoerfer)

(pic Kathy Shoendoerfer)