Day 6

Day Six:

Sofiane Sehili woke on the morning of Day 6 at mile 1036 - at just over 200 miles per day he is setting an amazing pace, which is pulling the top three racers all ahead of the previous record of Mike Hall when adjusted for Koko Claims addition. He left Warm River Campground after a 3.5 hr stop and hit some pavement warmup before the gravel of Asthon-Flagg Rd.

The road still had some snow drifts a few days ago, but may have been cleared up by now:

The chasing eight all are moving between 04:00 and 05:00, with Chris Seistrup really finding his groove and quickly passing Lael Wilcox who was 8 miles in front and catching Nate Ginzton who was 20 miles ahead before mid-day. As they hit the pavement after Warm River Chris pulled away.

This happened https://www.instagram.com/p/By5ZIv8lFYy/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Josh Ibbett had taken an eight hour stop in Lima ("Decided to chill out and enjoy the ride a bit more ... that means 6h sleeps and more photos!"), Kai Edel 7hrs and Evan Deutsch 6hrs - making these three are the most rested of the leaders and with only 900 miles down and 1,900 miles to go, recovery strategies are going to start to become integral players in the race.

Kai Edel (Rugile Kaladyte)

This is Josh Ibbett's sunrise in high country Montanta: https://www.instagram.com/p/By5oTbjlg74/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Josh Ibbett took a snap at the iconic Red Rock Pass - the end of Montana!

https://www.instagram.com/p/By5ohvxlFLD/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

The leaders are going so fast that they are ahead of the pace of Mike Hall on his current record run of 13:22:51. Sofi is not chasing Mike's record - he is just going for the win and has a game plan. He is surprised that he is in front of MH dot. He was 5hrs ahead at Flagg Ranch.

Mike Hall 2016: US Border: 01:00:45
Flagg Ranch: 05:06:32 Border to Flagg: 04:05:47

Sofiane Sehili: US Border: 01:01:10/
Flagg Ranch: 05:01:24/ Border to Flagg: 04:00:14

So Sofi is 5hrs 33mins faster Border to Flagg, and his Banff to Border ride is a bit longer and harder.

Josh Kato: US Border: 01:03:40/
Flagg Ranch: 05:04:04/ Border to Flagg: 04:00:24

Meaning Josh Kato is also up on record pace and just 10mins slower than Sofi over the last 909 miles!!! Amazing racing guys.

Some pics from Josh Kato:

https://www.instagram.com/p/By6x93XFOSj/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

One rider who is going for a record is Alexandera Houchin in the Women's Single Speed category. The current holder is Alice Drobna who finished in 2015 in 19:22:04.

Alice Drobna 2015: US Border: 01:13:57/ Lima: 06:12:34/ Border to Lima: 04:23:37

Alexandera Houchin: US Border: 01:08:32/ Lima: 05:09:00/ Border to Lima: 04:00:28

That is putting Alexandera 28 hours ahead of record pace and 23 hours faster Border to Lima. Yes - that's 28 hours ahead of record!! Go Alexandera.

Tony Lesueur is getting into the swing of gas station nutrition: 450 calories of pure lard. Hmmm.

But those kcal's let you ride this stuff, fast:

Dylan Morton posted the view from Fleecer Ridge:

https://www.instagram.com/p/By3_p9cA06V/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Kim Raeymakers posted his Day 5:

https://www.instagram.com/p/By3rWeGo5uc/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Janie Hayes took this pic of Lava Mountain Trail:

Back at Holland Lake Mikki Suvia posted this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/By4JGjYHvR_/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Hitting Brooks Lake Rd off Togwotee Pass, Sofiane's pace slowed down dramatically as he encountered snow and mud, and took an hour to cover 5 miles downhill.

These were the conditions: (Pics Andy Phillips)

However, after this it quickly opened up and was not the massive time suck that was feared. The climb up to Fish Lake / Union Pass was a little slower than usual, (maybe 2 hours longer than Lewis in 2018 and 1-2 slower than Mike Hall's 2016), but was a bit faster than Brian Lucido's snow fest time of 2017. Coming down at midnight Sofi will be looking forward to a day with no snow through into The Basin, WY.

Josh Kato is still riding at the same distance back, while Chris Seistrup has kept up his initial morning hot pace and moved into 3rd place passing Steve Halligan who stopped at Togwotee Lodge at 21:00. Could be a smart move from Steve if he is going for an early start as he will hit Brooks Lake and also Fish Lake/Union Pass when the snow is still frozen. There's a lot of bears from Yellowstone in the area and staying indoors is not a bad choice.

Just after midnight Day 6 the leaders positions were:

Sofiane Sehili: Riding at Mile 1,210 riding down off Union Pass

Josh Kato: Riding at Mile 1,173 riding on Fish Lake Mountain/Union Pass

Chris Seistrup: Riding at Mile 1,145 coming off Togwotee Pass on Brooks Lake Rd

Steve Halligan: Stopped at Mile 1,134 at Togwotee Lodge

Lael Wilcox: Riding at Mile 1,126 at Turpin Meadow

Nate Ginzton: Stopped at Mile 1,126 at Turpin Meadow Camp

Evan Deutsch: Stopped at Mile 1,116

Josh Ibbett: Stopped at Mile 1,103 at in hotel at Coulter Bay

Kai Edel: Stopped at Mile 1,087 at Flagg Ranch

Tony Lesueur: Riding at Mile 1,073 on Ashton- Flagg Road

More riders in the pack are scratching or taking rest days due to issues such as swollen knees, sore butts, and one experienced racer is in hospital with breathing issues.

Janies Hayes is getting into a new rythym and posted: Montana, I love you and you’re beautiful. Why do you want to kill me? Today was my funnest day on the #tourdivide yet. Maybe tomorrow will be even better! #byebyemontana #tourdivide2019 #hotmessexpress https://www.instagram.com/p/By62VIsFRp8/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

NOBO leader Graham Suffield rode on Day 5 through the night over the snow and mud of Brazos Ridge and dropped down La Manga Pass for a short 2 hour stop in Horca at 04:45 before heading off. With a quick breakfast in Platoro he started his crossing of Indiana Pass and it seemed to go pretty well according to his spot times - probably faster average speed than Brazos Ridge, so likely there is some snow and snow drifts, but no suffer-fest of post-holing for continuos miles. Graham did a 2 hour meal, resupply and maybe dry-out at Platoro and then put in a few more miles before camping.