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Tour Divide Day 19

Day 19:

First female racer Alexandera Houchin finishes on her single speed, winning the 2019 Women's race and setting a new Women's Single Speed Record of 18:20:26, taking more than a day off the previous record. Alexandera becomes the first female back to back winner on the Tour Divide following her win in 2018.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzeN-tkFigI/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

LG Alex 02

LG Alex o5

Beau Troesch and Ryan Simon had arrived at Silver City around 21:00, and took a 5.5 hour pause before heading out to Antelope Wells at 02:00 together. David Langley had arrived at 00:30 and headed to McDonalds for some aircon and a feed, before hitting the road at the same time as Beau and Ryan.

Ryan is on a single speed and this last day is mostly flat, and over 50% paved, so unless there is a strong headwind it is going to be hard to compete with the geared bikes of David and Beau. At the turn to Separ Rd at White Signal there was a scant 10 mins seperating Beau from David and Ryan. By the time they were on the paved road to Hachita David Langley had pulled out a 30 minute gap on Beau, with Ryan just a few minutes behind. After Hachita David was an hour clear with Ryan and Beau riding in sight of each other as they hit the final straight section to the border.

David arrived at the border in 18:02:09

KS DL (pic Kathy Schoendoefer, at Ovando)

Beau arrived in 18:03:16

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzcKb8KhBzo/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Ryan arrived in 18:03:38 to take the 2019 Single Speed win in the 5th fastest single speed time recorded. https://www.instagram.com/p/BysHHRdFvFD/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Alexandera set off from Beaverhead Work Camp at around 05:00 after a 7 hour break there and straight into the heart of the Gila on her Chumba single speed. She hit the CDT alternative in the mid-day heat but made quick time through to Silver City for a final resupply. Having ridden the route a couple of times, she'll know that Bowlins' will be closed by the time she gets there, so final nutrition is now. Water is usually available at Bolins' in Separ from a tap on the around the west side of the building, and Hachita has potable water in a signed spigot next to the Community Centre. Biking solo into the night on her 36x19 gearing, Alexandera ticked off the landmarks of White Signal, Separ and Hachita, and finished her 2019 ride before sunrise near the end of her 19th day on the trail.

In addition to winning the race and breaking the Women's Single Speed record, Alexandera also set a new fastest womens time from the Grand depart, beating the previous Grand Depart record of Beth Dunne by 6 hours. She was 16th placed overall.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzRt8z1lkHl/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Bikepacking.com put out a profile of Alexandera and her rig: https://bikepacking.com/news/alexandera-houchin-2019-tour-divide/?fbclid=IwAR2aa_IsjiQppkRH9c1vfi-97TwwvjCMuJQ3XRC6LNKzHXAAHnsG7JL7tsc

Alexandera's call in to MTBcast from Grants gives a glimpse into how tough it has been out there for her: http://mtbcast.com/site2/2019/07/01/mtbcast-tour-divide-19-overnight-and-morning-calls-for-day-18/

Jonathan Patterson shared a text from Davy Patterson (currently 2,394 south of Grants): "Caught in storms in Polvedera Mesa crossing . Peanut butter mud track no way around . Push pull carry clean ride, chain and transmission derails. X 50. Many hours lost . But many others same . Was careful to protect transmission as much as possible , use rivers to clean and water bottles to clean wash chain as riding. Ride with Geoff Blance a lot, one of the best TD riders out there. On a single speed bike, strength like you can’t believe , and knows the course and resupply points real cool guy. We try to go together to finish. He can be the first person in history to finish in geared bike, single speed and tandem... weather is critical now between here and AW. Grants tomorrow; Pie Town Wed; Silver City Thurs. Rain stops the game because of mud. It’s impassable no way thru. So it needs to go a strategy because after rain the tracks dry quick a few hours. Bike and kit serviced every day."

Dylan Morton(currently 2,384 south of Grants): https://www.instagram.com/p/BzbCsSugqxS/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Nick Skarajew (currently 2,293 south of Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzb0wliFqEt/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Eric Morton, our last hometown rider, just got to Salida! Headwinds most of the way from Hartsel. Headed downtown for burritos! He said it was a day of lots of dot watchers coming out to cheer the riders.

JB Eric Morton

(Pic and caption Janet Blessington)

Jason Barrett just arrived in Salida and passed by with a smile and a thumbs up headed to Poncha Springs.

JB Jason

(Pic and caption Janet Blessington)

John Schilling(currently 1,769 south of Hartsel): TD '19: Day 18. I believe I've been sold snake oil. 'Wait until you get to Colorado, the climbing is much easier' or something along those lines. Not the case...yet anyway. I think I pushed my bike over 7 miles today alone. Maybe I'm just not a strong rider. That section from Lynx Pass to Kremmling was just about my undoing today. I was going to skip the short detour to Kremmling, but decided a thick burger & brew would get my mind right. It worked!! Somehow I managed to drag my carcass 100 miles to Silverthorne. Grabbed a Super 8 room to get things straightened out. Had another knee deep water crossing today, went Enduro style through it with ease. Trying for a big day tomorrow...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZ8xinFqkz/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

John Schilling: TD '19: Day 19. Stopping early tonight, tank is on E. It's a shame too as the terrain was fairly easy. Boreas Pass was the climb I was looking for, too bad I couldn't find a sweet spot on the saddle. It was a massive struggle. Gold Dust trail was a hoot, but I think that's where I lost a fork bottle cage/bottle/and mount. Sorry George. So that's two for two on Lauf fork cage holders failures. In Hartsel, I discovered the left blister patch had become a bit entangled in my wool briefs. Ouch! I put on a new one and all of a sudden I could pedal seated again!! But by then it was late and I was spent. Cowboy camping tonight in sage brush land, hoping the cattle don't wander to close!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzcSzvuF2bi/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

More racers and tourers were through Brush Mountain Lodge:

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

NOBO leader Daniel Thrush is now at mile 2,122, maybe at the Llama Ranch before climbing into Stemple Pass to Lincoln. Second place NOBO rider Max Southam is over a days ride back in Butte.

Gina Evan's spotted Daniel in Butte a day ago: NOBO Leader Daniel Thrush passing through Butte! Riding strong& was looking to refuel.

Gina Evans DT *(pic Gina Evans) *

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