My coach of 15 years has coached Jeff off and on. His first abandon was due to ugly blisters on his heals. He under estimated the amount of hike-a-bike. Not uncommon. This year he said he just ran out of gas, didn't pace himself well, and deviated from the course. He's one tough cookie, although it sounds like he was just sick and off his game this year.
I'll be nowhere near the leaders, but I'd like to be in the competition. The veterans of the CTR knock out that 475 miles of mostly singletrack and 68,000 feet of climbing in under five days. Nuts.
Our local Divide winner, also named Jeff, said the Divide is more mental than physical. There's virtually no singletrack. The climbing grades are not crushing, but the distances are massive. He said the boredom will get you before the physical demands do. I rode coast to coast many years ago in 23 days and can appreciate that. Boredom and monotony can be punishing in their own evil way.
