Day 8

Day 8:

Chris Seistrup in Wyoming: https://www.instagram.com/p/By9fXyuiXsm/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Sofiane started the day in Wamsutter, WY at mile 1,430 - he's now over half way to Mexico. One of the best things about Pinedale is that it marks the end of Grizzly Bear territory - now there's only black bears, mountain lions, New Mexico dogs and snakes to worry about. A lot of the fast riders who carry bear spray will drop it here to sace weight ... whilst some of the mid-pack will carry it to the border. (Lael saw a mountian lion on her final run in to the border in 2015.)

It's 60 miles to the next town of Savery with a 400m climb, which is just a few dotted houses but the local Museum has a coke machine and a downstairs cummunity hall with an open kitchen which works on a donation basis for making P&J sandwiches and other light snacks. Just before Savery the riders all have to climb the steep ramp of The Rim which provides an iconic phot location.

After Savery is the Wyoming / Colorado border and a long uphill to Kirsten Henrikson's Brush Mountain Lodge. One of the reknowned resupply points on the TD, Kirsten dot watches riders in and provides not only food and lodging, but a sympathetic and understanding ear to racers who are nearly all suffering with something by this point. She also has some bike supplies and a washing machine - so those who sleep there may well find their gear cleaned and dried to ride out in the morning. The climb from Savery is a 1,000m ascent to the pass which tops out at around 3,000m.

Steamboat Springs is 65 miles from Savery and is the first sizeable town for some time and has Orange Peel bike shop on the route. It's also the home of Moots Cycles and Kent Erikson Cycles - biking's popular, and the town is bypassed on a cycleway.

The front pack all had around 4 hours stopped time and then headed out into the cold weather. Conditions from MT to WY were vaired snow, rain, storms and sunshine ... the only constant was the cold temperature.

Update from second placed Josh Kato's wife Val:

*Josh pushed past the Tetons yesterday and is now headed to Brush Mountain Lodge and a hug from Kirsten and warm meal. He ended up spending a couple hours in Atlantic City yesterday after a near miss with lightning, but after a nap and a shower he rode late last night and his dot looks strong today. *

Further back Tony Lesueur in 9th has has his front wheel replaced in Lander (near Atlantic City). He was quick enough to be able to just pull out of Atlantic City before the loose pack chasing in 10th: These guys at Gannet Peak Sports in Lander, Wyoming, just saved my race. One new wheel and a lesson on a new GPS and I’m back ready to roll. Might have even saved me from the dreaded winds of the Wyoming Basin, but it will be a long night. My front hub all but seized the last 50km into South Pass City so no dynamo now.

Steve Halligan is still in 4th: I crashed in the snow and mud this morning on right side. Hit ribs and hurt hand . Was sluggish for a while . All good though .

Kai Edel is pacing very solidly with good recovery and is riding strong: https://www.instagram.com/p/By7kw1znnPD/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Josh Ibbett has been having nose bleed issues:

https://www.instagram.com/p/By8PAi5iyVq/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

... but still making strong progress: https://www.instagram.com/p/By-hNRaCYaa/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet https://www.instagram.com/p/By-hV2DCc4g/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Kim Raeymakers has this to say of his previous day: *woke up at park island this morning. To hit the 30mile lose gravel railroadbed. A Nice way to warm up. Had a decent breakfast at 80km and then of the grand tetons near Jackson lake. Then off to togwotee pass where a hike a bike true the snow was waiting. At the bottom of the desent ja hotel was waiting to find some shelter of the possible snowfall they are predicting. Let's Hope For no snow. Tomorrow we might Hit the halfway Point. *

https://www.instagram.com/p/By9wNaqlKqj/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Janie Hayes, our third placed woman, posted: *Teeee-tons! Scenes from another amazing, adventurous day on the #tourdivide - the snowstorm and frigid temps continue as we eye crossing 10k-foot Union Pass tomorrow. Summer/winter solstice 2019! #tourdivide #tourdivide2019 #hotmessexpress * https://www.instagram.com/p/By_14atF9l2/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

At Brush Mountain Lodge Kirsten Henriksen welcomed both Sofi and Josh in succession.

*Here and gone in 20 mins!! Off he goes!! @sofianeshl is crushin’ it!! *

*@joshkatobike lookin amazing!! ps-he’s super stoked to have changed his shorts for the only time this trip!!!! Go get em, Josh!! *

Elizabeth Sampey had a quick chat with Alexandera and posted this update: *Alexandera's in good spirits despite getting snowed on all last night in the tetons! She had some great stories to tell, still trying hard and having fun. She's cruising into Pinedale now, says it's really cold and windy, and she's hoping to get a good night's sleep tonight. She's fueled by beef jerky and string cheese and is loving her single speed and says thanks so much to everyone cheering for her! *

Ross Burrage in the snow in Montana: https://www.instagram.com/p/By-lFqzg7TE/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

The two leaders pace slowed to a crawl soon after leaving Brush Mountain Lodge with Sofi seeming to cover 2 miles in the last 2 hours. Josh Kato is moviing at a similar pace, so it must be route conditions rather than a mechanical. There's some pretty steep and rocky sections there which would be tricky in the dark with a covering of fresh untracked snow.

Chris Seistrup is in 3rd and likely at Brush Mountain Lodge: https://www.instagram.com/p/By9eXgioF18/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

At end of the day at 01:30 the race order is as follows:

Sofiane Sehili - stopped trailside, 1,529

Josh Kato - stopped trailside, 1,524

Chris Seistrup - stopped Brush Mountain Lodge, 1,512

Steve Halligan - stopped Savery, 1,494

Nate Ginzton - stopped Savery, 1,494

Josh Ibbett - stopped south of Wamsutter 1,474

Lael Wilcox - stopped south of Wamsutter, 1,446

Evan Deutsch - - stopped Wamsutter, 1,429

Kai Edel - stopped Wamsutter, 1,429

Tony Lesueur - stopped in the Basin

The racers behind are at Atlantic city or Pinedale.

Kathy Schroedoerfer on Ovando has uploaded another series of rider pics:

John Schillings:

Clint Channel:

Marty Johnson:

Eric Morton:

Larry Goodman:

Mikki Suvia

Bonnie Gagon:

Jeff Sharp got some pics of the NOBO riders as they passed through Hachita on Day 1:

Graham Suffield:

Dan Thrush:

Mike Jolly:

Max Southam:

Rick Hayes: