Thanks for your videos. Never assume that people do not cheat. Some of my friends 10 years after racing seriously I was told by them that they had cheated. I never even took Advil until about 5 years ago and I have been riding for well over 60 years. Follow the money, prestige, and/or power!!
Great coverage. I'd like to attempt the Tour Divide at some point in my life, so all this extra info is really appreciated. Just a small correction: around 4:45 you said you're "primarily covering the northbound route" when actually you're mostly focusing on the southbound group (or maybe I'm misunderstanding something, English is not my first language). In any case thanks for the time you put into these videos.
I love watching these videos and look forward to the updates every morning! Keep up the great work! On the Ted King example, I understand what you're saying but considering the circumstances of his rhabdomyolysis diagnosis I don't know that he was the best choice for that example. Scratching was his best option for his health which is a mentally very difficult thing to do. He showed insane mental strength being able to make that call and not push on as I'm sure part of him wanted to. That being said it is super clear from this race that the mental game is a major component that cannot be understated and I like that you bring that up repeatedly not just in these daily videos but elsewhere in your tour divide discussion.
Just want to say thanks for the updates! randomly stumbled upon Tour Divide content today so just want to say thanks for providing all the content surrounding the ongoing race.
In terms of rules, there's an interesting contradiction between the support of "trail angels" and "no outside assistance". Their support seems to be a big part of the TD culture. Thanks for the videos, I'm finding your commentary really informative.
Question: How do you deal with wildlife (bears, mountain lions, etc). You mentioned that you saw 10 or so bears one year and one of the racers ran into a grizzly bear. How does this affect where, when, and how (bivvy vs tent) you sleep?
Carry bear spray; all scents away from your bivy and bearsare way more afraid of humans, so just being smart not sleeping with any food or scents & you’ll be fine. Bears want nothing to do with humans.
Indiana Pass seems like a juggernaut, how does the extreme altitude compare to the other factors of the race (i.e. mud, heat, koko, fleecer, etc.). Thanks for the updates :)
Another advantage for going northbound is the Moonson season in New Mexico can cause hundreds of miles of peanutbutter death mud & normally start up about 10 days from now. Late June or the 1st of July. Southbound record setters should miss if, but for everyone further back it can make this year's Unbound look like a cakewalk,,
No plans on doing anything but being a spectator🙃 But I do think my hardtail with its maintenance free Lauf fork would be a great setup for this. No worries about grime at all, and solid weight savings
Really been enjoying the video updates Josh! In regards to Ted King, him developing rhabdomyolysis isn’t necessarily a sign of a lack of mental toughness
Great coverage I've been wondering what the broom dots are for? I suspect they are pacing dots for completing the TD by the 30 day mark, but that's just a guess.
Thanks so much, really enjoyed this, and your daily updates. Question for next Q&A, do you think it's a good ride to do outside the main race period? I enjoy cycling, did the Tour Aotearoa, Bristol-Glasgow-Bristol, but more of a slow rider enjoying the journey and meeting people. I guess a cross between Audax and Cycle Touring. Trying to decide to do this or Columbia-Terra del Fuego. Lastly, a bit scared of bears. How big a.problem.are they if you follow bear protocol. And what is that protocol?
Great content Josh - thanks mate. Q: Do you think that the Indian Pacific Wheel Race will ever happem again? (there were some really nice concepts for watchers like some city routing BUT this may have contributed to the sad loss in 2017)...
I have not picked thru the riders for age. So how do the older and I mean 55 plus fair on the course? And what is the oldest rider in the Divide history?
Great videos. On the Ted King example, I am not sure him DF is very much a physical thing, so it’s a bit of the wrong example I feel, but I get what you tried to say with mental vs physical. That been said, it sure looks like he also has hit that mental obstacle in his IG story announcement
Great video. Can I pick up on your recommendation of not using a gravel bike. Does that hold for the route or the race? In other words, would a gravel bike with 650b 45mm tires be okay if one was doing the route at a more leisurely tourist pace in summer?
You could certainly ride the route in a gravel bike… ask Sofiane Sehilli as he rode one in 2016. However it will be much more comfortable and therefore faster in the long run in the bigger 29er mtb wheels
I did it on 50mm front/45mm back tyres and it was fine (until I had to replace my front tyre in Pinedale and they only had a 2.2in). Some suspension would’ve been great for the rough descents to be more comfortable on the upper body and allow me to descend faster. That being said, my gravel bike is my main bikepacking bike, I’m used to it and it fits me well so if I did TD again, it would be a tough decision which bike to use!
You’re doing great Josh! Don’t let it stress you out
Thanks for your videos. Never assume that people do not cheat. Some of my friends 10 years after racing seriously I was told by them that they had cheated. I never even took Advil until about 5 years ago and I have been riding for well over 60 years. Follow the money, prestige, and/or power!!
Less wind going southbound. I agree about a hardtail with flat bars. Excellent thought process. Great Q&A session! Thanks
Great coverage. I'd like to attempt the Tour Divide at some point in my life, so all this extra info is really appreciated.
Just a small correction: around 4:45 you said you're "primarily covering the northbound route" when actually you're mostly focusing on the southbound group (or maybe I'm misunderstanding something, English is not my first language).
In any case thanks for the time you put into these videos.
Thanks yes that’s what I meant… covering the divide is almost as tiring as racing it… my brain is struggling at times!!!
I love watching these videos and look forward to the updates every morning! Keep up the great work!
On the Ted King example, I understand what you're saying but considering the circumstances of his rhabdomyolysis diagnosis I don't know that he was the best choice for that example. Scratching was his best option for his health which is a mentally very difficult thing to do. He showed insane mental strength being able to make that call and not push on as I'm sure part of him wanted to.
That being said it is super clear from this race that the mental game is a major component that cannot be understated and I like that you bring that up repeatedly not just in these daily videos but elsewhere in your tour divide discussion.
Just want to say thanks for the updates! randomly stumbled upon Tour Divide content today so just want to say thanks for providing all the content surrounding the ongoing race.
Thank you - love the insight!
In terms of rules, there's an interesting contradiction between the support of "trail angels" and "no outside assistance". Their support seems to be a big part of the TD culture. Thanks for the videos, I'm finding your commentary really informative.
Question: How do you deal with wildlife (bears, mountain lions, etc). You mentioned that you saw 10 or so bears one year and one of the racers ran into a grizzly bear. How does this affect where, when, and how (bivvy vs tent) you sleep?
Carry bear spray; all scents away from your bivy and bearsare way more afraid of humans, so just being smart not sleeping with any food or scents & you’ll be fine. Bears want nothing to do with humans.
Indiana Pass seems like a juggernaut, how does the extreme altitude compare to the other factors of the race (i.e. mud, heat, koko, fleecer, etc.). Thanks for the updates :)
FanTASTIC insight!!!!
Another advantage for going northbound is the Moonson season in New Mexico can cause hundreds of miles of peanutbutter death mud & normally start up about 10 days from now. Late June or the 1st of July. Southbound record setters should miss if, but for everyone further back it can make this year's Unbound look like a cakewalk,,
No plans on doing anything but being a spectator🙃 But I do think my hardtail with its maintenance free Lauf fork would be a great setup for this. No worries about grime at all, and solid weight savings
Ageeed the Lauf is great, I have one on my gravel bike
Love the Q/A Josh. Thank you!
Glad I found your channel. Keep them coming.
Thanks again for putting this together 👍
Really been enjoying the video updates Josh! In regards to Ted King, him developing rhabdomyolysis isn’t necessarily a sign of a lack of mental toughness
Nope not at all… almost the opposite for being able to push so hard his body has started breaking down
You’re smashing it. If I made a UA-cam channel for tour divide announcers, you would be in first place
Great show..from the best.
Great videos Joshy
I’m sure the reason why the race finishes in the south is because it’s closer to where the majority riders are from.
Great coverage I've been wondering what the broom dots are for? I suspect they are pacing dots for completing the TD by the 30 day mark, but that's just a guess.
Thanks so much, really enjoyed this, and your daily updates.
Question for next Q&A, do you think it's a good ride to do outside the main race period? I enjoy cycling, did the Tour Aotearoa, Bristol-Glasgow-Bristol, but more of a slow rider enjoying the journey and meeting people. I guess a cross between Audax and Cycle Touring. Trying to decide to do this or Columbia-Terra del Fuego. Lastly, a bit scared of bears. How big a.problem.are they if you follow bear protocol. And what is that protocol?
Sounds like the perfect race for Lance " the liar" Armstrong for doping of epo😂😂
4:25 Surely the top riders will be on sponsored bikes?
Would love to see more single speed coverage!
Great content Josh - thanks mate. Q: Do you think that the Indian Pacific Wheel Race will ever happem again? (there were some really nice concepts for watchers like some city routing BUT this may have contributed to the sad loss in 2017)...
I have not picked thru the riders for age. So how do the older and I mean 55 plus fair on the course? And what is the oldest rider in the Divide history?
Great videos. On the Ted King example, I am not sure him DF is very much a physical thing, so it’s a bit of the wrong example I feel, but I get what you tried to say with mental vs physical. That been said, it sure looks like he also has hit that mental obstacle in his IG story announcement
Great video. Can I pick up on your recommendation of not using a gravel bike. Does that hold for the route or the race? In other words, would a gravel bike with 650b 45mm tires be okay if one was doing the route at a more leisurely tourist pace in summer?
You could certainly ride the route in a gravel bike… ask Sofiane Sehilli as he rode one in 2016. However it will be much more comfortable and therefore faster in the long run in the bigger 29er mtb wheels
Tire pressure is an issue when packing all the extra weight. I don’t think you can run comfortably on 47mm w a loaded rig
I did it on 50mm front/45mm back tyres and it was fine (until I had to replace my front tyre in Pinedale and they only had a 2.2in). Some suspension would’ve been great for the rough descents to be more comfortable on the upper body and allow me to descend faster. That being said, my gravel bike is my main bikepacking bike, I’m used to it and it fits me well so if I did TD again, it would be a tough decision which bike to use!
Overwhelming yes but so can it be changing messy nappies!!!