jameso wrote:Mike's time/speed flow is amazing. If it's sustainable rather than a break-others tactic it's even more amazing. Power-napping as needed (if at all?) and getting as far down the road as possible before needing a longer rest at a spot he has in mind, then repeat?

Last night a 2am finish - quick doze and away again by 5am

Sounds like the "just get in an REM sleep" method that the RAAM guys use... of course, they have assistance with the sleep aspect, and people to help them when they inevitably start fighting invisible llamas at the side of the road.

Hmm, I doubt mike will need help getting to sleep, then I just thought, he's not carrying a phone, he must have an alarm on his watch. Don't think that would wake me up!

Insane pace.

Richard G - it does say no camping but would be OK for a few hours kip if needed.

What's happened to Rob Brown, his tracking has jumped straight up? Poor reception on the spot?

Blackhound wrote:Richard G - it does say no camping but would be OK for a few hours kip if needed.

Indeed, I doubt that many of the riders are planning on doing any 'camping' during the TD.

I doubt fully "overnight" for a lot either.

Just been chatting with Johnnystorm on hangouts, he's in Ferndale, at the gas station getting free coffee. Weather is dry and really dusty.

voodoo_simon wrote:What's happened to Rob Brown, his tracking has jumped straight up? Poor reception on the spot?

I was hoping someone might be able to shed light on this, I used to ride with Rob a few years back before he upped sticks to NZ.
I did see on Facebook he was attacked by a dog a day or so ago on route so wondering if this might have something to do with it. It does look like he's come straight down the road to Helena.

Yeah, he took the road to Helena, must be a reason. Mechanical, Medical, etc. I'd assume once he's sorted, he'll backtrack and continue.

Heh...free gas station coffee vs the real thing and a killer brekky @ Echo Lake cafe. Easy to miss the cafe though if you blow through the lights quick. Looks like he's on the Crane Mtn climb now...one of the best sections coming up for him.

Greetz

S.

Yeah, I loved that section after Ferndale, really stunning.

Mike Hall is at the Outdoorsman in Butte (or getting pizza nextdoor, or both)

mountainbaker wrote:Yeah, I loved that section after Ferndale, really stunning.

Mike Hall is at the Outdoorsman in Butte (or getting pizza nextdoor, or both)

And hopefully a new spot tracker

What I find incredible at this very minute, Mike Hall has now covered 50% more ground that our friend Greg May.

And I'm definitely not saying our Greg is slow, so what this hell is Mike taking to do that much more and be able stay awake for so much longer

Ian wrote:And hopefully a new spot tracker

Why? His has been working since the border...

JohnClimber wrote:What I find incredible at this very minute, Mike Hall has now covered 50% more ground that our friend Greg May.

And I'm definitely not saying our Greg is slow, so what this hell is Mike taking to do that much more and be able stay awake for so much longer

I don't think Greg's really pushing it at the moment, sleeping for 7-8h a night is pretty luxurious really... seems like he's riding/resting sensibly for his target!

Mike is a known insomniac. He has expressed this many times in the past.

And he loves his caffeine in these events.

Justchris wrote:Mike is a known insomniac. He has expressed this many times in the past.

And he loves his caffeine in these events.

Maybe I should just embrace the fact that I suck at sleeping and do what he does instead.

What I find incredible at this very minute, Mike Hall has now covered 50% more ground that our friend Greg May.

Yeah sort of, you can say for the same for Tom who's close to Greg than Mike too.

Mike's raced round the world and raced the TD before (and won). That counts for more than just fast legs.

John - this is Mike's 2013 bike. I doubt Mike needs many of them and no-one rides that far on these alone but those little 5hr energy bottles here pack a wallop. Loads of riders use them. I had one in NM during a period of really deep tiredness and felt wired, like I just dumped the last of my battery in one jolt. I don't like Red Bull etc at all and this was the same just concentrated. Avoided them after that. Probably ideal for driving a wallowy car for 15 hours across states.

The ability of someone to ride that many hours without sleep is unreal. Talking to Alex Harris and he told me he won the Freedom Challenge in SA, said to be tougher than the TD but shorter, in 11 days with 15hrs 'proper' kip in total. He spoke of developing his relationship with the sleep monster as a way to understand all sorts of things. On the TD he took 20 mins power naps to cut down the in-bivi sleep time needed. Interesting stuff .. I just wanted a lush grass bivi to watch the sunset and mountains from .. ha. Insomnia could be a real advantage in this sort of thing.

(apologies for the huge image)

I think it was Mike Cudahay (sp?) when running the Pennine Way in a record time said that he just ran until he felt tired, lay down for a sleep wherever he was, and just started running again when he woke up. No planned stops that might get in the way of his rhythm.

mountainbaker wrote:

Ian wrote:And hopefully a new spot tracker

Why? His has been working since the border...

I was going off his last call in where he said it was dead and if someone could swap it out for a working one at the outdoorsman. I guess that was pre-border?

I've tended to read updates here or on Facebook rather than actually watch dots.

Pete-G wrote:

voodoo_simon wrote:What's happened to Rob Brown, his tracking has jumped straight up? Poor reception on the spot?

I was hoping someone might be able to shed light on this, I used to ride with Rob a few years back before he upped sticks to NZ.
I did see on Facebook he was attacked by a dog a day or so ago on route so wondering if this might have something to do with it. It does look like he's come straight down the road to Helena.

Straight from Robs Facebook...
"Why is my spot in Helena?..well after considerable and lengthy discussions with those that know me. I've made the tough call to stop riding the TD...last night myself and Brian descended Richmond peak to camp at the bottom, (over 800k in 3 days)!..I wasn't able to sleep and even though it was freezing I was hot with fever. I had to detour so after spending the day in Helena A&E receiving treatment for the infected dog bite that caused this fever it became clear that continuing wasn't going to be an option. Our pace was looking good for a 16 or 17 day finish which has made the decision even tougher. I really enjoyed riding with Brian and wish him and all the other riders a successful outcome and to reach the Mexican border. I'm now regrouping and planning to join Kristie in Vancouver for some much needed rest & quality time and to enjoy the remainder of our holiday and what could have been, I would like to thank everyone for your support of late, I've really appreciated it.... #maybenextyear — feeling disappointed."

Greg and Tom had a good day yesterday I think. I have been flicking through the route mileage and they appear to have passed a number of riders. They are with Luke Bodewes who was the teenager who went <20 days last year (and still is) so in good company. I reckon that little group is in =17th.

In the last 24 hours my spreadsheet tells me that miles covered are:

Mike 162
Terry 156 (Smith)
Greg 157
Tom 147

For Mike the next 100 miles to Lima are really quick and on into Idaho which is reasonably flat to Island in the park and the rail trail. Expect a big mileage once Mike gets on the bike from the High Country Lodge.

I've just checked into the Seeley Lake Motor Lodge. My noisy sp hub has grown into a knackered and very wobbly hub so I needed somewhere with signal/wifi so I can sort my front wheel. Descending with only my dinky lezyne light when the trail butte up to a cliff is a bit too exciting for midnight with a little rain.