Discussion: XPD guff
in: SandgrOpers
Aug 5, 2015 6:20 AM
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Good to see tRicky's team Mawson-Tiger Adventure #7 moving up nicely now they're not on or in the water! Just in front of the main field, daylight between them and those in front though. (live tracking just updated as I was watching and they jumped from 3rd in the pack to 1st in their pack). Not sure tRicky's stand up paddle boarding (if that's what's next) is brilliant though.
Aug 5, 2015 6:36 AM
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tRicky is a good stand up paddle boarder! :) They'll ace that section :)
Aug 5, 2015 7:38 AM
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Shame it was so short then - they're about 500m behind 4th place (in 7th) and about to get a good long night's sleep in the dark zone before gently rolling their way across a long ocean paddle. Rather them than me - imagine the sunburn, I can't imagine everyone remembering to cream up in the pre-dawn darkness...
Aug 5, 2015 7:54 AM
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What was with the random detour down Pollard St?
edit: http://live.xpd.com.au/ in this thread for convenience.
edit: http://live.xpd.com.au/ in this thread for convenience.
Aug 5, 2015 8:28 AM
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They must have wanted to move further back in the pack to have all the high bracken fern squashed for them.
Oh, that's Scotland *smack*
Oh, that's Scotland *smack*
Aug 5, 2015 12:31 PM
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I am soo jealous... magnetic island looks amazing in all the photos.
Aug 5, 2015 3:23 PM
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Man, their tracker has been doing some seriously strange stuff - or they've done some seriously odd navigating, or they've had a big sleep early on the track and then got moving again and the GPS trace has been artificially filled in by the AI on the website? Back in 27th place suggests something suboptimal has occurred. Like being the only team I can find that went over the top of the hilltop instead of the recommended route through the saddle...
Aug 5, 2015 10:09 PM
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I know! this it gut wrenching!! Why am I whispering encouragement at the computer all night/morning?? Do you know if other teams have trackers that have done the same?
Aug 6, 2015 12:35 AM
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Don't forget Shane in team 34 - SandgropARs. They seem to have been blown off course at the moment returning to the mainland
Aug 6, 2015 12:54 AM
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Yes indeed, after tRicky's team's (apparent) heaps of extra contours, kilometres and time Shane is only 2km back. Could there be an upset on the cards? Early days, teams haven't started pulling out, getting injured or eaten by sea creatures yet.
Aug 6, 2015 1:47 AM
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Re. tRicky's route - I'm going with the theory of an epic nav fail in the dark, thinking they were summiting the smaller hill almost dead south of CP11, picking up the parallel gully and eventually getting dumped on the coast with a giant "Oh shit" moment?
That, and their tracker has terrible reception/comms. Has tRicky stored it in a Safe Place? Shithouse accuracy through that trek, and no updates at all on the first part of the second paddle.
That, and their tracker has terrible reception/comms. Has tRicky stored it in a Safe Place? Shithouse accuracy through that trek, and no updates at all on the first part of the second paddle.
Aug 6, 2015 2:02 AM
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Mawson seem to have come to a stand still.
Sand bar?
Whale?
Taking on water and bailing like crazy?
Lunchbreak?
The tracker has gone overboard?
They're in danger of being overtaken by SandgropAR's
Sand bar?
Whale?
Taking on water and bailing like crazy?
Lunchbreak?
The tracker has gone overboard?
They're in danger of being overtaken by SandgropAR's
Aug 6, 2015 2:06 AM
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As I said - their tracker is terrible. If you click on their marker, it says (in the right-hand panel) that their last update was at 10:00am local time, so that point is two hours old. They were near team #11 at 10am, so I would expect them to be somewhere close to #11's current marker at the moment.
Aug 6, 2015 2:07 AM
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I agree Juffy - that's exactly what I said to Jen last night - wrong gully.
I'd love to know exactly where they are on the paddle, hopefully in a hour or so when I'm back in the office they'll have retrieved their sunken tracker and be locatable. Poor Tash's work output is going to be fragmented for the next few days.
The rainforest rogaine is going to right royally screw over the field... can't wait! :-) So much fun in a virtual manner.
Edit: no need to wait. Allegedly they're now near the front of the field?!? Weird, they did about an extra 3km+ on their route across from the island.
I'd love to know exactly where they are on the paddle, hopefully in a hour or so when I'm back in the office they'll have retrieved their sunken tracker and be locatable. Poor Tash's work output is going to be fragmented for the next few days.
The rainforest rogaine is going to right royally screw over the field... can't wait! :-) So much fun in a virtual manner.
Edit: no need to wait. Allegedly they're now near the front of the field?!? Weird, they did about an extra 3km+ on their route across from the island.
Aug 6, 2015 2:08 AM
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It just updated as I wrote the above - and sure enough they're just in front of #11.
Damn I'm good, I should do XPD from the comfort of my office chair.
Damn I'm good, I should do XPD from the comfort of my office chair.
Aug 6, 2015 2:10 AM
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Good stuff, they're still doing well - and I'd have to say tRicky is better as a landlubber than hello sailor any day.
Aug 6, 2015 2:14 AM
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I get the impression their wayward wanderings don't really matter, since everyone (as tRicky said before the start) got caught by the dark zone before the second paddle - so it's effectively a mass restart after two legs...?
Aug 6, 2015 2:20 AM
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They have to get to checkpoint 15 before 2:30... better get a move on. And yes their tracker is horrible. I was swearing at it earlier this morning when it didn't leave 6am for what felt like HOURS.
I have sent an apology to my boss. He is very understanding - just so long as I keep on buying the beer after work.
I have sent an apology to my boss. He is very understanding - just so long as I keep on buying the beer after work.
Aug 6, 2015 2:20 AM
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I think team #38 might have bailed? Their tracker seems to be on the ferry back to Townsville.
Aug 6, 2015 2:22 AM
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Most of the other trackers have been updated at 12.15pm local time - but not Mawson
Aug 6, 2015 2:36 AM
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Yeah I think Mawson's tracker might have a low battery so it isn't tracking as often as everyone elses. They can change the battery at the next main TA.
Aug 6, 2015 2:39 AM
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I wonder if it is a unit setting? Maybe their unit is set to only upload every 2hrs?
Aug 6, 2015 2:55 AM
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I'm going more with a shit antenna than low battery - it tracked regularly for most of the land leg. Smells like they've packed it somewhere in the kayak where it can't see the sky.
Aug 6, 2015 2:59 AM
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Yeah those trackers aren't waterproof. It's probably in a stuff sack somewhere and unable to transmit.
Aug 6, 2015 3:14 AM
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mmm I think Shane/Daves team arent going to make the paddle cut off if they dont significantly increase their pace - Rickys team should just glide in.
I think the trackers doing a better job that the Alaskan tracker - just wish there was more info on the map
I think the trackers doing a better job that the Alaskan tracker - just wish there was more info on the map
Aug 6, 2015 3:24 AM
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Mawson should make it in time - I'm just hoping it isn't choppy as that would slow them down (and might cause sea sickness).
The Alaskan trackers were the same deal - but I think all the mountains there interfered with them, plus the batteries kept on dying - lol!
Yes - there is a cut off at CP 15 at 2:30pm. If they are later than 2:30 they will be shuttled to CP16/TA and won't be able to recommence the race until the last team paddles in to CP16 AND they would get given a 6 hour time penalty. OUCH!!
The Alaskan trackers were the same deal - but I think all the mountains there interfered with them, plus the batteries kept on dying - lol!
Yes - there is a cut off at CP 15 at 2:30pm. If they are later than 2:30 they will be shuttled to CP16/TA and won't be able to recommence the race until the last team paddles in to CP16 AND they would get given a 6 hour time penalty. OUCH!!
Aug 6, 2015 3:32 AM
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yeah its a cutoff personally I would break myself to make and then take it easy in the last leg. but they have about 12-15km to do in 1 hr. thats a huge ask when they havent had much sleep. mind you pretty sure they are in dual kayak which are faster arent they?!
Aug 6, 2015 3:39 AM
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Not that fast.
There was some mention of having sails available (to be constructed?) if the teams wanted them. I wonder if that's the difference between the front & rear teams, because the field's spread out hugely given the morning restart.
There was some mention of having sails available (to be constructed?) if the teams wanted them. I wonder if that's the difference between the front & rear teams, because the field's spread out hugely given the morning restart.
Aug 6, 2015 3:52 AM
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yeah well team 34 will be taking a 6hr hit - bugga. There is a shit load of teams that wont make the cutoff though... I thinks poorly designed leg
up to 20 teams.
up to 20 teams.
Aug 6, 2015 3:59 AM
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It will be more than a 6 hour hit - it is 6 hours on top of how ever long it takes for the last teams from CP15 to get in to CP16.
Aug 6, 2015 4:04 AM
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...and the last team is some four hours(!) behind #34.
One assumes that if they don't even make CP14 in time for the CP15 cutoff they'd be transported from there...
One assumes that if they don't even make CP14 in time for the CP15 cutoff they'd be transported from there...
Aug 6, 2015 4:10 AM
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So looks like 2XU, SA Ambulance and New Caledonia will be busting their buns to make the cut off maybe... and the rest get a ride to the next TA to watch the teams come paddling in.
Any more cut offs like this?
Hamish are still out there - minus their tracker. It seems it will be handed back to them at a future TA plus a penalty presumably.
Any more cut offs like this?
Hamish are still out there - minus their tracker. It seems it will be handed back to them at a future TA plus a penalty presumably.
Aug 6, 2015 4:19 AM
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I think in a race this long they would most certainly have more time cut offs like this to make sure the feild is still moving relatively together. Otherwise the TA's and checkpoints have to remain open for longer and this stuffs up the race logistics.
Aug 6, 2015 4:21 AM
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@Juffy The previous darkzone is inconsequential, you're right - but I know I'd benefit from 3hrs more sleep compared to 3hours of frustratedly walking up and down a mountain. As for the next cut off, who gives a shit, teams will still be in the same order, it just stops a couple of teams racing to be last of the full course teams instead of first of the short course teams. I'd actually be aiming not to make it if it was close, to have a nice bus trip rest and then be king of the shallower pond!
Aug 6, 2015 4:32 AM
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I don't know about that - If I was going to insane enough to do one of these things, I'd be aiming to do the full course, not just bits of it. I understand the need for cut offs because, as pointed out, you'd have TA staff hanging around seemingly forever.
Estimating what is a reasonable cut off time would be very problematic and it seems they may have got it wrong on this occasion - when half the field misses a cut off. Very disappointing for those teams. Maybe the conditions were not as anticipated when setting the cut off time.
Estimating what is a reasonable cut off time would be very problematic and it seems they may have got it wrong on this occasion - when half the field misses a cut off. Very disappointing for those teams. Maybe the conditions were not as anticipated when setting the cut off time.
Aug 6, 2015 4:36 AM
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Unlikely that many teams would have packed nor practiced using a sail either. In the field MrR, you'd know full well what your paddling speed is by now and know hours away from the cut-off whether you'll make it or not. If there's a good chance you'd make it, you'd paddle soliderer earlier to ensure you'd make it, not wait until 2hours to go and start working out wether you can paddle 7min ks or 8 or 6:50 or whatever those boats are doing. If you need to lift by 10s per km, then maybe you could do that for 45mins or so and of course you'd try and do it - but if it was 20s per km, Buckley's and none.
Aug 6, 2015 4:40 AM
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I agree Tooms. You'd be doing the calculations all the way along and the sooner you work out if you can make the cut off or not the better - the rules are the rules and you work with them. So, if you can't make the cut off - very disappointing - but then you work out a strategy to make the most of the experience. Slow it down, conserve energy and minimise injury and get into the TA feeling as good as possible so that you are as fresh as can be for the next challenge.
Aug 6, 2015 4:43 AM
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I think Hamish's tracker has a split personality - it's tracking both on the water and back in Townsville. Someone mucked up programming the IDs. :)
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.9...
S/SSW winds at 15-20kt.
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.9...
S/SSW winds at 15-20kt.
Aug 6, 2015 4:44 AM
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And apparently there is a bit of a tailwind - so conditions as anticipated. They probably couldn't end the paddle early without putting teams through dangerous highway riding to get to a suitable trek start point?? Lots of other factors than simply misjudging. There's no qualification to get in so the range of abilities will be staggering - and you have to plan the contingencies for the punters out being touristic rather than 'racing' per se. Personal challenge people like Shane, not an athletic fibre in his body, just does rogaines and social stuff like that after all.
Aug 6, 2015 4:47 AM
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...and let's face it - if you've already been paddling for 6+ hours and you're only halfway there, you're probably not going to be distressed at missing the second 6 hours. :)
Aug 6, 2015 5:01 AM
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I think if you aim to do the full course but end up falling short then you'd want to aim to do as much of the course as possible.
It would be a worry if those top 10 teams who aim to be the winning team or place in the top 5 end up missing a cut off. But that hasn't happened. I think the course so far is pretty well planned. They even took into account the tide!! :)
It would be a worry if those top 10 teams who aim to be the winning team or place in the top 5 end up missing a cut off. But that hasn't happened. I think the course so far is pretty well planned. They even took into account the tide!! :)
Aug 6, 2015 7:15 AM
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Seems the ocean has been throwing up horrendous conditions......
https://www.flickr.com/photos/geocentricoz/2032255...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/geocentricoz/2032255...
Aug 6, 2015 8:02 AM
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Those sort of conditions would still have me falling off every two minutes.
Aug 6, 2015 8:11 AM
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if thats considered horrendous then I had tsnuami grade in the river last weekend :P
Aug 6, 2015 9:03 AM
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tRicky is on the move. All of those that made the cut at CP15 have got to CP16 but Shanel is still languishing at CP15. Does the 6hr penalty mean they have to wait for 6hrs after the last team to make the CP15 cut off has got to CP16?
Aug 6, 2015 9:56 AM
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No. They wait for the last team and then go. The race organisers just add 6 hours to their race time.
Aug 6, 2015 10:09 AM
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i read it as - all teams have to get to 15 then get to 16. when the last team arrives at 16 then they can continue their race but they will also be handed a 6hr penalty on top of that. brutal! its liek a 10-12hr penalty. tbh I think they should still be considered for the long course with the penalty.
Aug 6, 2015 11:45 AM
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Good job Ricky is out in the wilds and not watching the cricket.
Go the Old Country
Go the Old Country
Aug 6, 2015 10:36 PM
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It's football season!
Besides, I don't know what the Aussies are playing but it's just not cricket.
Besides, I don't know what the Aussies are playing but it's just not cricket.
Aug 7, 2015 12:58 AM
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Thor (orienteer, rogainer) is in the team near them - but with the tracking signals fairly unrealiable we won't really know until they hit a nice clear bit.
Aug 7, 2015 3:17 AM
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Oh no! what are SandgropAR's doing? They have walked so far west that they are on the next trek course!!
Aug 7, 2015 3:21 AM
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Look at Peak Adventures - Looks like they have had a brain fade as well and could lose the lead unless they take corrective action PDQ
Aug 7, 2015 3:31 AM
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Not necessarily, MrR - just taking another route to the next CP. Not a terrible route choice, if it's no fun walking up the river.
SangropAR do look a little...misplaced.
SangropAR do look a little...misplaced.
Aug 7, 2015 3:37 AM
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Looked at that Juffy. Maybe - but looks less open. Be interesting to see if it works out to be quicker
Aug 7, 2015 3:48 AM
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I think there is a control out there as a number of the teams trackers saying they did what SangropAR did.
Also yeah I was looking at Peak too - I think Juffy is on the money - they wanted to go high because the river may be shit/tough.
Also yeah I was looking at Peak too - I think Juffy is on the money - they wanted to go high because the river may be shit/tough.
Aug 7, 2015 4:09 AM
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Looks like Bivouac are using the road as much as possible before cutting across the river
Aug 7, 2015 4:33 AM
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MD look like they tried walking up the river bed and very quickly got sick of it. I'm not convinced Bivouac have any idea where they're going, have they hit CP22 at all?
Edit: yep, just overshot.
Edit: yep, just overshot.
Aug 7, 2015 7:39 AM
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Looks like the river was actually faster - Bivouac took 45 minutes off Peak's time between #22 and #23.
Aug 7, 2015 7:49 AM
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I wonder how long tRicky and Co will go tonight? About 45 mins of usable daylight left.
Looks like SandgropAR's have a long haul ahead of them and have been all over the shop.
Looks like SandgropAR's have a long haul ahead of them and have been all over the shop.
Aug 7, 2015 9:12 AM
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Merrell look encouragingly accurate. Where are you locating/working the split times Paul?
Aug 7, 2015 9:17 AM
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mmm wouldn't it be nice if WARA had something like this for their rogaines #ohwait. #couldntresist
Sandgropar has a tonne of work to get done - Still a tight pack around rickys team, be interesting to see when that cluster gets blown apart. Also the front end of this race is so damn interesting.
Sandgropar has a tonne of work to get done - Still a tight pack around rickys team, be interesting to see when that cluster gets blown apart. Also the front end of this race is so damn interesting.
Aug 7, 2015 9:24 AM
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biv and raidlight both took about 2:30 to go from 22 to 23, merrel 2:45 - not much in it really between route choices(which is the best type in my mind!)
Aug 7, 2015 9:26 AM
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Thus by not using one your admitting you going to make blunders anyway :P
Interesting choice to go back to the river for the next control - will be interesting to see if it pays off - I am guessing it wont.
Interesting choice to go back to the river for the next control - will be interesting to see if it pays off - I am guessing it wont.
Aug 7, 2015 9:40 AM
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I always make blunders. WE all make blunders. It's all smoke and mirrors. Look good especially when you're not.
Aug 7, 2015 9:41 AM
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Bit hard to make considered route choices when you're working with a mud map. Oh wait! That's rogaining all over!
Aug 7, 2015 9:45 AM
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There was 30 mins between Pretty Flash (#1 all male team) and Mawson (#2 all male team). Pretty Flash have started the next trek. Hope tRicky & co. get going soon.
It's a race within the race.
It's a race within the race.
Aug 7, 2015 9:54 AM
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The road might be a nice option for the dark, rest a bit. As for this and rogaining - why bother, everyone ends up back at the same place! Unless you had cumulative points happening it'd be pretty tame - but combine a map with the controls on AND cumulative points, now that'd be bloody fantastic - both live and in replay.
Aug 7, 2015 11:05 AM
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Tooms - if you click the team's marker it shows you their route and all the points their GPS reported. If you click on one of those points it tells you what time it was, so you can get a rough idea of splits.
Aug 7, 2015 11:29 AM
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Ah, yes I'd been doing that but was not doing any maths as it'd been so unreliable previously. Seems there's a handy track along the riverbank for them too.
Aug 7, 2015 12:20 PM
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looks like some route choice is opening up some moves after CP23 - you have the option of going back to the river and following it down, or going directly southwest as the river doubles back - to do this you need to aim for a saddle(it's dark now).
peak adventure got to the saddle no problems.
mountain designs went back via the river
raidlight did the saddle(at 19:15 - sp dark) no problems, and overtook...
bivuoac - who went down to the river, got confused about how far they are and attacked the saddle from the river side, realised their mistake and are now back on the river
merrell - went down to the river, but have appeared to stop there for about 90 minutes.
peak adventure got to the saddle no problems.
mountain designs went back via the river
raidlight did the saddle(at 19:15 - sp dark) no problems, and overtook...
bivuoac - who went down to the river, got confused about how far they are and attacked the saddle from the river side, realised their mistake and are now back on the river
merrell - went down to the river, but have appeared to stop there for about 90 minutes.
Aug 7, 2015 12:38 PM
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Gotta feel for Neverest... retracing their route to the road. [edit] ah, cool - they did find the CP and are taking the road route that I think I'd've been inclined to take in the dark with an unfamiliar riverbed ahead.
Aug 7, 2015 8:35 PM
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Oh no. Mawson are milling around on the wrong spur - looking for the check point and have been there for quite awhile - looks like they've lost about 2hrs :(
Aug 7, 2015 8:41 PM
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SandgropARs came so close the CP 20 but missed it and look like they have turned back to relocate :(
Aug 7, 2015 8:43 PM
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Update while AUS/NZ was sleeping. Despite starting the trekking leg in 2nd Mountain Designs has struggled to find CP26 while Raidlight, Bivy Colts and Merrell have passed them and are on their way to the TA. Looks like they took a nap within 300m of the control. Hopefully with the daylight they'll see it now.
Aug 7, 2015 8:48 PM
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Kinda feel guilty for sleeping while so much drama has been going on
Aug 8, 2015 1:11 AM
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Ricky's team (7) went high, TriAdventure went low, both in daylight and both took 2hrs 15 for a trekking control. Touch for MDs at CP26!! I'll be interested to hear just how close they were to it. The sleep seems to have helped them ride well though.
Aug 8, 2015 1:22 AM
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Wow, the 4hr penalty for Peak Adventure changes things up a bit! Potentially nervous wait at mid-camp and finish.
Aug 8, 2015 8:52 AM
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oh dear sandgropar think they are in the checkpoints gully but they arent.
Aug 8, 2015 9:40 AM
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This long 70km river paddle is going to be horrible... wide sandy, braided river with portaging. Oh gawds.
Aug 8, 2015 1:00 PM
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It's already been horrible for a team and almost five teams - and that was in daylight where you can see where the deeper water is. Braided channels at night are horrendous. And cold. And wet. Brrrrr.
Aug 9, 2015 1:32 AM
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Funny answering my mom's questions about this race. What do they get fed to keep going? Where do they stay at night when they want to sleep? What do they eat to stop muscle cramps? How do they change their wet clothes to dry clothes? Do they have support people running around giving them their clothes and equipment? Do they have someone to massage their legs when they start to get sore? Do they get fed hot soups?
I had to tell her what she wanted to hear to stop her worrying next time I do one of these! :)
I had to tell her what she wanted to hear to stop her worrying next time I do one of these! :)
Aug 9, 2015 3:18 AM
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I think Ricky has a nice time to reach the mid-camp. Sleep mandatory 6hrs in the dark, get going in/before daylight and hopefully a start on the trek, pretty much like the leaders have had - but a day in advance.
Aug 9, 2015 3:28 AM
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Yeah I think so. Amazing how far they have gone so far and I hope they will smash the mountain bike legs!
Aug 9, 2015 6:26 AM
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Exciting! Mawson just overtook Pretty Flash on the paddle! Let's hope they push the gap!
Aug 9, 2015 8:08 AM
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AAAND they are first out of TA... well done boys!! Keep moving :) HEHE
Aug 9, 2015 10:25 AM
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Smashed it to midcamp. Hope they get a good few hours sleep in - that last trek looks like it's going to be largely in the dark...
Aug 9, 2015 10:33 AM
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I hope so too! 6 hours stuck there - I hope they get a good sleep.
Aug 9, 2015 11:16 AM
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depends how much they smash themselves on the next bike leg - could get them a bit of light for the trek.
SandgropAR still on the river - going to be a cold night for them tonight!
I wonder if peak is going to get another penalty for using the rail access track - commentary talking about 50m from rail line being a rule and some of their tracker points get pretty darn close! might cost them the race.
SandgropAR still on the river - going to be a cold night for them tonight!
I wonder if peak is going to get another penalty for using the rail access track - commentary talking about 50m from rail line being a rule and some of their tracker points get pretty darn close! might cost them the race.
Aug 9, 2015 11:29 AM
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Yeah - I can't see any way they could argue their way out of it. The trackers might not be perfect, but they followed very close to that railway line for a loooong time.
Aug 9, 2015 11:50 AM
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the argument would be we went next to rail offset by 50m the whole way, when we got closer by accident we immediately corrected back in the bus - the only time we got closer than the limit was to cross...
but i dont know if that will fly. gonna be interesting
but i dont know if that will fly. gonna be interesting
Aug 10, 2015 1:32 AM
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PA and MD are both following tracks waaaaay too much. Either the terrain is much worse than it looks from the air, or their nav has completely shut down and they're blundering along on wing & prayer.
Bryce and I were watching MD last night going way out of their way to stay on tracks, and now PA have no bloody idea where they are.
Bryce and I were watching MD last night going way out of their way to stay on tracks, and now PA have no bloody idea where they are.
Aug 10, 2015 2:13 AM
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All the hall marks of being caught out by parallel features - trying to make the features they see fit the map. Down one imagined gully, look around, cant find, go back up the top, thinking they haven't gone far enough, move further along the ridge, pick up another gully and head down that. So easy to see from the comfort of the office chair and with the tracker.
Aug 10, 2015 2:16 AM
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Yeah, but that's why we're here isn't it? To say IT'S SO OBVIOUS, JUST GO THAT WAY from the well-rested comfort of our computers. :)
I would love to see their race maps - both to see what tracks are marked on them, and what the contour detail is like. Even with the 20m google terrain map on the tracker I can see a whopping great feature that would have alerted them...if they were alert, and not completely buggered by now.
I would love to see their race maps - both to see what tracks are marked on them, and what the contour detail is like. Even with the 20m google terrain map on the tracker I can see a whopping great feature that would have alerted them...if they were alert, and not completely buggered by now.
Aug 10, 2015 2:32 AM
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I think I saw a copy of the race map for that section posted somewhere?
Aug 10, 2015 3:40 AM
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Here we go:
http://www.breathemag.ca/flashblog/xpd-2015/peakad...
10m contours, not 20m - they *really* should have noticed that big descent immediately west of CP40.
http://www.breathemag.ca/flashblog/xpd-2015/peakad...
10m contours, not 20m - they *really* should have noticed that big descent immediately west of CP40.
Aug 10, 2015 3:53 AM
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Looks like tRicky and Mawson have left the CP and started the last trek and... are heading for the railway line... gulp!
Three things to consider here - is it Kosher, how long before Pretty Flash head off and will they do the same thing?
Has there been any official word on the railway route?
Three things to consider here - is it Kosher, how long before Pretty Flash head off and will they do the same thing?
Has there been any official word on the railway route?
Aug 10, 2015 4:06 AM
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Thanks to the drama at the front, the race within the race - that for 1st men's team - is being largely ignored. Has Mawson featured in many posts on any of the social media sites? I saw one on Geocentrics but that's it as far as I know.
Aug 10, 2015 4:22 AM
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WTB: one voice recorder strapped to a SPOT tracker to hear what Peak are saying to each other right now.
Is 1st mens even a thing? It's not mentioned on the Prizes page other than to say they can't win the race even if they win the race.
Is 1st mens even a thing? It's not mentioned on the Prizes page other than to say they can't win the race even if they win the race.
Aug 10, 2015 4:53 AM
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I don't care. Whether it's a "thing" or not, go tRicky and Mawson for the 1st men's team across the line!
Aug 10, 2015 5:01 AM
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I hope PA don't still think they're on the spur immediately north of the CP that runs on a similar angle..... back bearing from the prominent 500m hill doesn't help from where they went to and u-turned - but would help a lot from the plateau...
Aug 10, 2015 5:11 AM
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From a couple of photos I've seen, there's very little ground cover but decent tree cover - so from the ground it may be quite hard to get a good fix on the sky line. I reckon this might be why they've spent so long on that spur, because (with a bit of scale fail from tired brain) you could easily make it all fit and think you're on the right one.
Surely if they get back to the top and find the track they've already walked along on that ridge line, they've *got* to realise where they are. There's still a possibility they could do another parallel error onto that spur you mentioned, Tooms.
Meanwhile, MD are taking 'aiming off' to a slightly horrible level...
Surely if they get back to the top and find the track they've already walked along on that ridge line, they've *got* to realise where they are. There's still a possibility they could do another parallel error onto that spur you mentioned, Tooms.
Meanwhile, MD are taking 'aiming off' to a slightly horrible level...
Aug 10, 2015 5:16 AM
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They must know they're on that creek though... so I wonder why? Unless they do indeed think they're on the creek the TA is on??
Aug 10, 2015 5:18 AM
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Nup, PA are still rooted. Milling around again, massive massive parallel error. Ouch. Must be running out of food and water too.
Aug 10, 2015 5:24 AM
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Looks like the two lead teams are having a tough time of it.
Meanwhile Mawson are making good time to the next CP and SandropARs have reach mid camp having come from the back of the pack - good for them.
Meanwhile Mawson are making good time to the next CP and SandropARs have reach mid camp having come from the back of the pack - good for them.
Aug 10, 2015 5:33 AM
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...and down the hill they go again. Dear god, bail out and relocate already.
Bit of commentary on the Breathe blog about how close Mawson went to the railway, as with PA over the weekend.
Bit of commentary on the Breathe blog about how close Mawson went to the railway, as with PA over the weekend.
Aug 10, 2015 5:38 AM
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Mawson look like they tried harder to stay 50m from it... I'm sure they didn't miss the text saying "Stay away" but find it hard to judge 50m. If it's 'safety' and they haven't walked along it, then perhaps the teams should be given the benefit of the doubt. However, if the rules were to have said "Do not follow the railway as a route choice under any circumstance" then they probably wouldn't have.
Aug 10, 2015 5:44 AM
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man watching peak is getting annoying. just get to the top of the hill and the track FFS or bail to the main road and work it out from the next cp.
Aug 10, 2015 5:46 AM
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now for my more pressing debate - can mawson mow down the 4 teams infront of them and end in 5th.
Plausible but difficult.
Plausible but difficult.
Aug 10, 2015 5:46 AM
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They're rather more tired than we are - and even more so than you got after your multisport day of late, incredible I know, but the stress of wanting a big lead would also have got to them. That and the circling vultures and lack of *any* team sightings for more than a day!
Aug 10, 2015 5:48 AM
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Imagine MD's spirits lift a million fold when they get to the TA - they'll be resigned to being 'way back' after their (I guess) two big errors.
Aug 10, 2015 5:49 AM
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re Mawson moving up - absolutely possible! All the teams have a strong chance of almight FUs at night in that terrain that MDs and PA are having a bit of trouble with in daylight.... they could *lose* 4 places too!
Aug 10, 2015 5:49 AM
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Yeah, that'd be a bit of a boost -
"Man we had a shit night. How far behind are we?"
"....behind who?"
"Man we had a shit night. How far behind are we?"
"....behind who?"
Aug 10, 2015 5:52 AM
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Indeed. Not only outright leaders, but no penalties and *at least* 4 hours ahead of PA who will potentially end up off the podium totally now.
Aug 10, 2015 6:04 AM
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more tired than me after my multisport day. pfft lies
I dont think mawson could lose 4 spots unless they drop their shit big time. Like 12hrs+ worth.
Imm just hoping for some good MD smack talk when they get to the checkpoint. they seemed quite happy to smack talk their 1 hr gain on the bikes.
I dont think mawson could lose 4 spots unless they drop their shit big time. Like 12hrs+ worth.
Imm just hoping for some good MD smack talk when they get to the checkpoint. they seemed quite happy to smack talk their 1 hr gain on the bikes.
Aug 10, 2015 6:04 AM
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Speaking of almighty FUs....where are Bivouac going? That ain't your ridge line, son.
Aug 10, 2015 6:12 AM
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I think 1st male team in XPD is a thing. tRicky already has a 1st male team trophy at home...
Aug 10, 2015 6:18 AM
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WOW! haha bio was so close and kaboom!
PA might have just got back up on the podium... assuming they stay on the flat and go south for like 2km.
PA might have just got back up on the podium... assuming they stay on the flat and go south for like 2km.
Aug 10, 2015 6:29 AM
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What do they mean Peak Adventure has just pulled out of the race???
Aug 10, 2015 6:40 AM
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https://www.facebook.com/geocentricoutdoors - "BREAKING NEWS: After a hellish day, team www.peak adventure.com.au have officially pulled out of the race. They are hiking to the road and organisers will pick them up. They are exhausted, hungry and thirsty but otherwise ok. Follow it live now at http://live.xpd.com.au";
Aug 10, 2015 6:42 AM
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I like Rob Preston's comment "Can someone tell them to walk unassisted to TA. Have a drink and some food sit out their 4hr penalty and head back to CP40"... soo close to just give up!
Aug 10, 2015 6:55 AM
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They are backtracking. Getting mighty close - who knows who will be in front in this section - Mawson or Pretty Flash??
Aug 10, 2015 7:17 AM
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This just gets better (edit -or worse from our perspective) - now Mawson and Pretty Flash are both in the same part of the river bed and both are short by about 500m. Maybe Pretty Flash know where they are and will lead Mawson in.
Aug 10, 2015 7:19 AM
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Looking at Bivouac's track, that river junction is a bit WTF. Everyone else has hit that CP from the track to the east.
On the upside, tRicky hasn't gone barging off wildly into the distance - maybe they're having a sit-down and a good think. :)
On the upside, tRicky hasn't gone barging off wildly into the distance - maybe they're having a sit-down and a good think. :)
Aug 10, 2015 7:20 AM
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Don't worry Tash. We know tRicky is made of strong stuff. They will lift yet.
Aug 10, 2015 7:36 AM
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OK. Now it's heart breaking. Pretty Flash have slipped past Mawson and are heading straight for the checkpoint. :-(
Aug 10, 2015 7:51 AM
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C'mon you are on the only watercourse heading down that way - turn around before you hit the road!!!
Aug 10, 2015 7:53 AM
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That's the railway, Tash. ;)
They should have a small 'oh shit' moment and work out what's going on when they see it though.
They should have a small 'oh shit' moment and work out what's going on when they see it though.
Aug 10, 2015 7:54 AM
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I can't tell its a railway from the satellite photo, plus it looks too bendy to be a railway :)
Aug 10, 2015 7:59 AM
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That's how they used to build railways before they worked out they could just blow up hills and make them straight. Before your time, young'un....actually, before my time too. Ask MrR, he's old enough to remember steam trains.
Aug 10, 2015 8:07 AM
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For the record. This is when I ate all the ice cream in the freezer. *sigh*
Aug 10, 2015 8:08 AM
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Surely explosives has been around for longer than that? What else did they make explosives for if not for blasting holes in hills and mountains?
Aug 10, 2015 8:11 AM
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Why would they do that? They need people to lay the railway tracks!!
Aug 10, 2015 8:12 AM
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Yes, but you have to shoot some of them to convince the others they want to do it without getting paid.
Aug 10, 2015 8:14 AM
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Just give them a 'railway membership' and they'll work 'till the death!! :P
+1 Brycec - I have a stomach ache from comfort eating. :(
+1 Brycec - I have a stomach ache from comfort eating. :(
Aug 10, 2015 8:19 AM
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Right, Mawson have had their 'oh shit' moment and are on their way back down the watercourse. :)
Might have even been a relocation on purpose, just to show Peak how it's done.
Might have even been a relocation on purpose, just to show Peak how it's done.
Aug 10, 2015 10:26 AM
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So who's going to admit a recently stoked vague yearning to participate in an XPD? Go on, admit it...
Aug 10, 2015 10:33 AM
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I'll admit it. But I either need to be on long service leave or have it fall in some school holidays. But between you and me Tooms, would we make it out of day 1 in one piece?
Aug 10, 2015 10:39 AM
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I would say a vague yearing to compete... yes.
But I would be more interested in setting an expedition length in WA.
But I would be more interested in setting an expedition length in WA.
Aug 10, 2015 10:42 AM
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Ooh - Mawson steaming in the right direction and only a couple of km behind Tri-Adventure (who are heading backwards)... might get a position back soon. And I get the feeling anything could happen to a few more teams as they run out of brains in the dark..
Aug 10, 2015 12:03 PM
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I still have unfinished business... haha but that can wait until I am stronger.
Aug 10, 2015 2:22 PM
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Why did Biv cross the road ? .........
To go away from the house marked on the map and get lost.....
Glad they worked out what they did, finally.
To go away from the house marked on the map and get lost.....
Glad they worked out what they did, finally.
Aug 10, 2015 9:31 PM
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Gee this thread really got going. I laughed out loud with Tash's ice cream comment. You better get some more today Tash as Mawson still have a long way to go!
Brycec- if you can convince the WA tourism board or someone to give Geocentric $100k or so I'm sure they would let you set the course for them. Easier to have the excuse "we didn't put that control out" then to admit you made a mistake. *Cause of our Geoquest loss this year
Brycec- if you can convince the WA tourism board or someone to give Geocentric $100k or so I'm sure they would let you set the course for them. Easier to have the excuse "we didn't put that control out" then to admit you made a mistake. *Cause of our Geoquest loss this year
Aug 11, 2015 12:31 AM
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Interesting route choice by That's Cray (#4) to CP40, but flawless execution of it.
Aug 11, 2015 1:30 AM
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I wondered how Mawson would find the big cliff that was ahead of them in the creek line... and there's our answer, retrace, climb and back with Neverest possibly soon.
Aug 11, 2015 2:01 AM
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As I said before - I ate all the ice cream. I had stomach ache. I hardly slept. I'm not buying any more ice cream (or chocolate) until Mawson finishes their race :) If Mawson can catch up to Pretty Flash on the bike - there is a chance (if they have some legs left) that they can take a win!
Aug 11, 2015 2:05 AM
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Tash no chance of that unless pretty flash sit in ta for about 5 hours and even then flash will be fresh.
wishful thinking I would say!
Juffs I agree that was a really solid route choice/execution of it.
wishful thinking I would say!
Juffs I agree that was a really solid route choice/execution of it.
Aug 11, 2015 3:53 AM
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There is a fair bit of Lemming Effect happening. But do not blame them as I would be doing the same.
Seems like a lot of teams are teaming up or just following each other as they are feel more confident travelling in the same direction as another team.
SA Ambulance have done a nice direct route and Goldfish doing it as well. Lets hope Sandgropers do the same
Seems like a lot of teams are teaming up or just following each other as they are feel more confident travelling in the same direction as another team.
SA Ambulance have done a nice direct route and Goldfish doing it as well. Lets hope Sandgropers do the same
Aug 11, 2015 4:00 AM
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I hope Mawson don't think they are on the ridge due west of the CP
Aug 11, 2015 4:08 AM
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I would guess that they're leery of going directly up the river, after their recent experience with unexpected giant cliffs - safer to take the ridge line across to the marked track.
Aug 11, 2015 5:54 AM
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"Hey, they're Jarad Kolar's footprints! We should follow them, that guy's awesome...."
Aug 11, 2015 6:10 AM
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Looks like both 19 and 7 have punched and moved on. Going to be a cracker ride to the finish!!
Aug 11, 2015 6:15 AM
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Looks like Tri-Adventure had a brain fade and are now trying to recover
Aug 11, 2015 6:17 AM
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MrR - seems to be a valid route, and is all on tracks until you turn off to get to CP40 itself. Team Raidlight (#8) went that way as well.
Aug 11, 2015 6:18 AM
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I can't imagine the pain of a head to head race over 50km on a bike after a week of racing, but I guess tRicky's done it before. I seem to recall him having a sprint finish in a velodrome or something equally ridiculous at an earlier one of these.
Aug 11, 2015 6:44 AM
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Looks like Tri-Adventure picked up ~5-10 minutes on Mawson/Neverest using that route - bugger-all in it, really, but shows how tough the terrain is off-track.
Aug 11, 2015 6:50 AM
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I'm a bit confused as to why Mawson and Neverest are heading into the gully...
Aug 11, 2015 7:02 AM
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PA's crystals unfortunetely showed that one single spot where they cannae handle the navigation demands when in hyperdrive.
Aug 11, 2015 7:29 AM
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Tri-Adventure are hammering it - made up an hour on Mawson on that last leg (although Mawson & Neverest both lost 30 minutes with an overshoot)
Aug 11, 2015 8:53 AM
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A cooperative group of 8 riders pacelining will go faster than 4... generally. Particularly in that the gir... weakest rider in the 8 can sit on the back the whole way while the stronger lads take turns. X and M team together = no competition so they will probably opt to cross the line together. ish.
Aug 11, 2015 9:09 AM
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Tash - you know tRicky best. Will he be happy to finish together with another team ish?
Aug 11, 2015 9:13 AM
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The trackers are being updated every few minutes showing Mawson and Neverest leap frogging each other
Aug 11, 2015 9:14 AM
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Maybe not, the times on the points are out by a few mins so probably still together. Tri team seems to have gone off track!
Aug 11, 2015 9:20 AM
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I dunno - tRicky isn't the only one on his team :) I'm sure they will be tired and not so sure how competitive they will be feeling after the trek.
Aug 11, 2015 9:44 AM
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Making good time on the bike, hurts to watch Tri team this close to the finish
Aug 11, 2015 10:09 AM
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What's nail biting Tash? Their men's position is sewn up and that was what you were most keen on before. Or have you now joined the majority and decided that their overall position is now important? ;-)
Aug 11, 2015 10:17 AM
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Both are important! Now I'm wondering if they will go for an overall tie with Neverest!
Aug 11, 2015 10:19 AM
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They're riding past Maccas. I'm guessing they wont be stopping for a quarter pounder...
Aug 11, 2015 10:51 AM
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Does anyone know if the route through/around town is compulsory? Most teams seem to have stuck pretty close to the yellow line.
Aug 11, 2015 10:53 AM
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No idea - If I had a choice I would have deviated for a shorter possible route on the road.
Aug 11, 2015 11:18 AM
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Probably avoids most/all traffic lights, which can only be a good thing after 5 days with SFA sleep. :)
Aug 11, 2015 11:22 AM
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Timing to the second on the finish line - I reckon there'll be a finish sprint, but we'll have to wait until the leaderboard is updated to see what happened.
Aug 11, 2015 11:23 AM
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Boltboi - there's at least one team didn't take the 'compulsory' route, but it looks like they got lost, rather than looking for a shortcut.
Aug 11, 2015 11:26 AM
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Mawson listed as finishing 2s ahead of Neverest. Burned on the line! :D
Aug 11, 2015 11:29 AM
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Edit: oh wait, that's minutes, not seconds. Duh. Ok, let's go with 1:30 difference.
Aug 11, 2015 1:37 PM
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The finish photo certainly shows a lot of headlights together. Will be interesting to see what the 'official' times end up as.
Aug 11, 2015 2:53 PM
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Especially the McFeast. Even more especially when you could add bacon to it for 50c. Probably a decade now since I've eaten anything from Maccas.
Aug 12, 2015 12:53 AM
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It's the clembuterol in the Big Mac that made the difference plus all the other crap they fed the cattle......
Aug 12, 2015 1:00 AM
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Just looking at SangropAR's track, trying to find something we can analyse to death...and there's just nothing. They're happily moving along, mostly on the recommended track, doin' their thing. It's so boring.
I WANT BRAIN EXPLOSIONS, PEOPLE.
I WANT BRAIN EXPLOSIONS, PEOPLE.
Aug 12, 2015 1:36 AM
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steady as she goes! They should finish up their race today too I imagine.
Aug 12, 2015 2:00 AM
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I see the results have been amended again and now Mawson and Neverest have been given the same finish time.
Aug 12, 2015 2:23 AM
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Yes tRicky texted me this morning saying they finished equal 7th. Mawson and Neverest decided to finish the race together. :) Awesome!
Aug 12, 2015 3:17 AM
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Looks like SandgropAR should overhaul Type2Fun (#33) pretty soon - they were 2.5 hours behind at the last TA, now about 30 minutes down.
Aug 12, 2015 2:27 PM
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Ps is it just me or did they take a wrong turn and now riding away from finish?! - maybe they want some more time in the bush?!
Aug 12, 2015 2:28 PM
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Maybe they want to go to sizzlers. Don't they know it closes at 9pm over there?
This discussion thread is closed.