Leader board update - day 12

Click on the image for full size version.

And Dave Nice (aka Cellerrat) just posted this pic of Simon out on the trail somewhere yesterday:
Click on the image for full size version.

A slightly disturbing biographical note: The Kennett Bros were sponsored by DiamondBack (DBR) way back in 1991 when we were riding/writing the 3rd edition of Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides. Those shorts are 17 years old.

Cheers, Paul

Kremmling- middle of day 12

Simon called at mid-day to say he was in Kremmling [the weather is about 23 C], which is about half way between Steamboat Springs & Silverthorne. He couldn't talk long because he had borrowed someone's cell phone to call me. He said there was a definate lack of public pay phones in the resort towns. He had to make his GDR call-in from Steamboat from the bike shop.

So, not much to report- hopefully he'll call again if he makes it to Silverthorne (and can find a phone!), which is where he's hoping to get today.

Last night he camped about 20 miles out of Steamboat Springs, he said he got a really good photo of a fox coming towards him on the road.

He was pretty shocked to hear that Geoff Roes had had to pull out.

That's all!

Steamboat Springs - day 11 Monday

Simon's call-in:

• Day 11, Monday, in Steamboat Springs MP3, 433 KB

That's in Colorado folks!

This is the 12 day cut off. Simon had to reach here by noon Wednesday 2 July.

He's done 2,124 km so far and has 1,876 km to go - he's passed half way! He's also climbed 25,298 meters which leaves him with "only" 24,993 meters still to climb.

Steamboat Springs ("Ski Town USA") looks like it might be a real town - population: 9,815.

Cheers, Paul

Leader board update - day 11

Here's the latest:

Click on image for full size version.

Note that Geoff Roes has pulled out with the flu. "My body's at the point where it's broken down to a point where it's not even really an option to continue in an enjoyable way or probably for that matter even a safe way," he said.

David Blaine called from Steamboat at 10:57 a.m. Monday. "I had a rough day yesterday and even rougher morning," he said. "I'm having difficulties with my stomach - the latest part of my body to give up on me." He said he was going to take it easy for a while.

Jenn called from Steamboat Springs at 8:20 a.m. Monday. She said she had a bit of trouble with her left knee, so she was going to take it easy on Monday.

Special comment from Patrick Morgan

Support for Simon doubles

After ten days of following Simon's epic, I am inspired and awed by his courage and perseverance. Moose! Dehydration! Saddle sores! Sharing small town motel with strange biker dude!

So I am doubling my donation to Simon's nominated charity, Doctors Without Borders.

I invite all fans of Simon's terrific adventure to do likewise. Great guy, good cause.

Patrick Morgan

GDR blog update

From the GDR Updates blog:

Simon called from Atlantic City at 3:40 p.m. Saturday. He said he arrived at 8 a.m. with David and Jen, but he picked up a stomach bug the day before and had to remain in town.
Simon called again from Rawlins at 2 p.m. Sunday. He said he spent 11 hours in Atlantic City "sitting around and thinking negative thoughts about the race." But after a couple of ice creams he rallied and said he was feeling much better into Rawlins.

The Updates blog also mentioned that Geoff Roes, currently in second, was considering pulling the plug. Sounds like this second week is a much harder physical and mental endevour.

Simon's call-in:

• Day 10, Sunday, in Rawlins MP3, 1266 KB

Cheers, Paul

Leader board update

Click on the image for a full size image.

That's 1907 km since last Friday, and 22555 m elevation climbed.

Which leaves 2084 km and 27737 m climbing left.

Rawlins has a population of about 8,538.