JohnClimber wrote:I'd love to do it, but doubt I could get a 5 week pass off work and most importantly ogg the wife. I think 100 miles a day would be my target to male the most of it and enjoy it.

Maybe I should try and do it next year just before I'm 50 as a treat to me.

Tha's nobbut a young 'n lad

The reason they look happy is because they are not at work probably. Ride, eat, sleep for a couple of weeks.

Some nice pics for the section from Pinedale to Del Norte:

http://bikepackersmagazine.com/bikepack ... ado-gdmbr/

Are we barking up the wrong tree with this Terry Smith / Guy Martin thing? Wondering if it is Ilan of HT550 fame. Seems to have missed South Pass City and Atlantic City, rejoined the route and is now off course again.

The motorcycle press are bandying around the Terry Smith name
And a young lady reportedly seen him in a Subway at the right time
Frame in Eureka? On his yellow bike that seems a bit secret too

Another food update for you all.

1/2 pounder Bacon cheese flamethrower combo burger meal, mountain dew, doctor pepper and a pint (!) Of cheesecake ice cream. Much nicer day than yesterday weather wise. Kind of appropriate as I head into Evelyn Knievel's home town I manage and all mighty tankslapper and nearly spear myself on a tree while riding into a ditch. Still better than Lava Mountain in the rain!

@JS - you're in Montana...you can get Pearsons Salted Nut Rolls there - 2 for a dollar, at almost any gas station. Those things are sooooo good. And they don't melt...although it sounds like that's not a problem just now. Also try chilli cheese Fritos. High calorie (1600 cals in under 400 grams), plenty of salt to top up what you sweat out. Crush in bag, open mouth, pour.

Greetz

S.

Mike Hall will be here in about half an hour. Crazy Bastard.

Does anyone else feel like a bit of a chump sitting watching the tracker knowing that people are doing 20 hour days on a bike whilst you work and sleep and watch TV etc?

Ben98 wrote:Does anyone else feel like a bit of a chump sitting watching the tracker knowing that people are doing 20 hour days on a bike whilst you work and sleep and watch TV etc?

Only 14hrs today, and now I'm in the Wise River Club having a beer!

1/2 pounder Bacon cheese flamethrower combo burger meal

... only 1?

Blackhound wrote:Are we barking up the wrong tree with this Terry Smith / Guy Martin thing? Wondering if it is Ilan of HT550 fame. Seems to have missed South Pass City and Atlantic City, rejoined the route and is now off course again.

Whoever it is, they are all over the shop

Missed the off-road descent off Togwotee, took a random shortcut south of South Pass City (ironic), shortcut at Warm River, road shortcut at Big Springs. DQd whoever it is.

Track leaders is showing Terry Smith 40 miles ahead of Mike Hall!

ssnowman wrote:Track leaders is showing Terry Smith 40 miles ahead of Mike Hall!

I looked last night before bed and it was 140 miles. Looks like Mr Hall stopped for an hour in Atlantic City then carried on.

Terry smith started several days before the Grand Depart, he is an ITT rider. Whoever he is, he's also gone off course a lot.

Looks warm out in the Basin in that shot, MB. This is how I remember it best...
Mmmmm....washboard. :)

Greetz

S.

Scattamah wrote:Looks warm out in the Basin in that shot, MB.

Yerp

Mike Hall must be a machine!

If I'm looking at the track leader correctly, its 3am and he is currently on the move at 12mph!

so very close to the elusive Mr Smith, who appears to of stopped for a sleep.

Mike did say in his Facebook video blog that the last time he rode the basin (2 years ago?) that he had done it at night time when it was cooler
Looks like he's doing the same again

What's amazing about Lael was that she rode the tour in 17 days, went back home to Alaska, rode 800 miles back to the start in Banff and did the tour again in under 16 days.

Mart wrote:Mike did say in his Facebook video blog that the last time he rode the basin (2 years ago?) that he had done it at night time when it was cooler
Looks like he's doing the same again

That makes a lot of sense given the day temps. Its really interesting to see how the guys that have experience from previous attempts are doing this year, and all the strategies they are playing.

KamelTrek wrote:What's amazing about Lael was that she rode the tour in 17 days, went back home to Alaska, rode 800 miles back to the start in Banff and did the tour again in under 16 days.

I think she is totally amazing I must say (which is slightly unfair on the other endurance cyclists who are equally amazing)

Mike casually knocks off a full 24hr day (and counting) after 6 days riding...

They are all suffering, I'm sure, but they all look so damn happy about it!

Delirium : ) or it may be by NM : )

KamelTrek wrote:What's amazing about Lael was that she rode the tour in 17 days, went back home to Alaska, rode 800 miles back to the start in Banff and did the tour again in under 16 days.

She rode 2000+ miles to the group start last year

Just checked trackleaders for the first time in a few days. Mr Rowantree is currently 10th!! Hopefully with Dave Rooney in his sights. Greg is a few back at 16th! Both are doing fantastic! Hope greg can pick a few off in the next week, easier said than done, and make the top ten as well! No mater what they are doing super!