Tour Divide Day 18

Day 18

10 racers have reached Antelope Wells and finished their adventure. To have the first 10 completing the 2,731 mile journey in under 17 days is the fastest ever - previous fastest 10th place was in 2015 with 18:03:58, compared to this years 16:19:44. It shows the quality of the field and the intensity of the racing that everyone has laid down.

First rider coming in during day 18 was Kim Raeymaekers in 17:05:47 after setting off form Silver City at 03:00 - this is Kim's second finish and fastest time after his 2011 23 day finish in the year of the Snowmageddon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZOKsGI3Ks/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Next in was Peter Kraft - race number three for Peter finishes in a best yet time of 17:11:29. He previously raced with his father in 2013 for 31 days, then returned in 2017 for a 20 day finish.

Petr Kraft: (pic Kathy Schoendoefer)

Coming out of the CDT in the late afternoon was the single speed leader Ryan Simon, riding with to Beau Troesch. They had slept south of the Episcopal Church having passed Evan Deutsch shortly after leaving Pie Town. There's a decent gap back to David Langley who has been riding solo for some days, so they've stopped early in Silver City at 21:00 and will likely be aiming for an early morning start to Antelope Wells.

Alexandera Houchin is looking like she'll have one more sleep and then put the hammer down and spint fast to Mexico. Currently camped at Beaverhead Work Camp, she is on track to take the Women's win and smash the Women's Single Speed record by over a day (currently 19:22:04 set by Alice Drobna in 2015). She might also get fastest Women's time from a Grand Depart if she manages to beat the time 19:02:21 set by Beth Dunne in 2015. Second placed woman Zoe Chauderlot is still putting in big days and is currently just out of Cuba, probably about to start an early morning ride accross the pavement to Grants.

Dylan Morton(currently 2,306 between Cuba and Grants) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzWsI3_AKdA/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Dylan Morton: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzWsmPqg59l/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Geof Blance (currently 2,232 in Cuba): https://www.instagram.com/p/BzW7ShflU-E/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Geof Blance: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZTlBmlbZV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Nick Skarajew(currently 2,154 in Abiquiu): https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZdd1SFVyQ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Nick Skarajew: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZea-0lI3W/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Ross Burrage is over Marshall Pass (currently by Storm King Mountain at 1,928): https://www.instagram.com/p/BzYbUIQASqL/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Linda Guerrette: Another great day dot watching from the route. Racers working hard to stay close to the 25 day flag. All of them were in great spirits. Weather was perfect for most of the day until I headed towards Ute Pass where it was pouring/sleeting. This is where I caught up with Marty Johnson, his goal was to get to Silverthorne for the night, which he accomplished. Incredible feat considering the weather. Chapeau Marty!!!

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Del Norton and Nigel Williamson (currently by Storm King Mountain at 1,927) (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

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Nigel Williamson (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

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Steve Brigham (currently 1,894 on Cochetopa Pass): (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Steve Brigham: (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

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Brandi Blade (currently 1,885 at Upper Dome Reservoir): (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

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Ross Burrage: (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Ross Burrage and Brandi Blade: (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

Ross Burrage and Brani Blade: (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

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Bob Stone (currently 1,885 at Upper Dome Reservoir): (pic Linda Guerrette Photography) .

Bob Stone: (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

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Marty Johnson: (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

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Marty Johnson(currently 1,780): (pic Linda Guerrette Photography) .

Marty Johnson: (pic Linda Guerrette Photography)

In Salida, Janet Blessington posted Craig Schwyn rode up about that time from his travels off of Ute Trail this morning. Yesterday, he experience rain and hail but luckily the lightening was in the distance!

Craig Schwyn:

With a enthusiastic hello and wave, Glen Mactavish from Canada heads out of Salida and starts his day. Glen Mactavish: (caption and pic Janet Blessington)

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Steve Brigham headed to his home town Del Norte! Excited to head out of Salida and get on the road!

(caption and pic Janet Blessington)

Kirra Dyer met Adam Kiem:

Adam Kiem is in great spirits after getting through the basin with 30mph headwinds, a VERY close encounter with a mountain lion, and a good long rest at Brush Mtn yesterday! The mtn lion story in brief: Set up tent on side of road near cow pasture just before Savery, WY. 10:30pm-ish. See shiny eyes in the dark. Wander over casually (with bear spray in hand) to investigate. Eyes move slowly toward Adam then stop about 3metres away! He sees what the creature is. It takes another step, so he sprays it! Big cat takes off around a fence but only a couple more metres away and proceeds to stare him down. Adam steps slightly closer and sprays it again so it takes off down a bit of a ditch! Adam packs up his tent and continues on to Savery for a worrisome night’s sleep outside the post office in the pouring rain! 😫🥴😳 He’s thrilled to be in Colorado. He’s keeping his bear spray extra close. And he’s making great time on great roads now! GO Adam Kiem!!!

(pic Kirra Dyer)

John Schilling: TD '19: Day 17 It's been said that's it's tough leaving the Brush Mountain Lodge. TRUE!! Kirsten Henricksen runs a top notch, feel at home vibe. Thank you!! My butt also appreciates it!! Best it's felt since day 3!! Saw all the footprints & tire marks of despair from the deathmud last week. Looked horrendous. Rolled into Clark, CO and checked out the store, really cool place & good food. Easy spin down to Steamboat Springs where I ran into Bonnie Gagnon & Grant Larvick at Orange Peel Bikes. They were headed out while I was swapping brake pads & replacing the chain. All else was good. Walked around town loading up on burritos for the ride. On my way out the bikepath was under waist deep water!! Went through anyway. Showers on/off most of the afternoon. I wanted to get up & over Lynx Pass, but I just didn't have it. Camped roadside about 4 miles from the top around midnight. Tough day & only 85 miles, ugh. Body is really feeling the accumulation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzY1NZ6FoY1/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Back at Brush Mountain Lodge the racers are still coming through:

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

Hey NOBO leader Dan Thrush - we see you crushing it while riding the one you got. Approaching 2000 miles and Banff is in sight. Finish strong dude. (caption and pic Regan Bull)