"Trail Magic" has been a recurring theme and contentious topic of the 2014 Great Divide Mountain Bike Race. The expression refers to the fortuitous discovery trailside of, say, an uneaten energy bar, or the unexpected but not unwelcome appearance of a kindly blue-dot watcher bearing food or drink for one or more riders, and in some cases, the offer of a guest bedroom or other lodging facilities.
GDMBR rules expressly forbid food resupply from any source other than a commercial retail, foodservice, or hospitality establishment. This is simple: a business with a premises and hours of operation. Resupplying at motels, gas stations, diners, supermarkets, fast food joints, and so on is allowed; accepting (or even purchasing) food from a well-wisher is not.
A post on bikepacking.net by a 2014 Tour rider attempted to justify the latter instance, arguing that the provisions (which the rider purchased, as if this made the transaction with the Tour fan "commercial") obtained would have been available to any rider happening along then and there. The same writer points out that not all commercial services are available to all riders (few smaller businesses stay open 24/7), as if those who patronize these establishments during hours of operation have an unfair advantage. Legitimate food resupply is the responsibility of the rider. The only services during a lenthy stretch of the route comprise a mercantile and filling station with 9-5 business hours? Plan accordingly.
As for accomodation, the rules forbid riders to doss down in private residences; no guest or spare bedrooms, no RVs or caravans, either. Catching a few hours' shut-eye in a barn or shed is, however, permitted. More than one rider in this year's Tour appears to have violated this rule from what I have gathered from blogs and Facebook. It's cold, honking down, and the only accomodation for miles is fully booked? The GDMBR isn't meant to be easy.
I suggest that when indicating their intention to participate in the GDMBR, riders declare whether they are touring or racing the route. Those touring the divide would be able to receive their trail magic whenever and in whatever form it might materialize. But racers would be held to the highest standards and would be expected to relegate themselves in the event of a rules infraction.
ABRACADABRA: a great song, but GDMBR racers should pedal to a different tune.
GDMBR rules expressly forbid food resupply from any source other than a commercial retail, foodservice, or hospitality establishment. This is simple: a business with a premises and hours of operation. Resupplying at motels, gas stations, diners, supermarkets, fast food joints, and so on is allowed; accepting (or even purchasing) food from a well-wisher is not.
A post on bikepacking.net by a 2014 Tour rider attempted to justify the latter instance, arguing that the provisions (which the rider purchased, as if this made the transaction with the Tour fan "commercial") obtained would have been available to any rider happening along then and there. The same writer points out that not all commercial services are available to all riders (few smaller businesses stay open 24/7), as if those who patronize these establishments during hours of operation have an unfair advantage. Legitimate food resupply is the responsibility of the rider. The only services during a lenthy stretch of the route comprise a mercantile and filling station with 9-5 business hours? Plan accordingly.
As for accomodation, the rules forbid riders to doss down in private residences; no guest or spare bedrooms, no RVs or caravans, either. Catching a few hours' shut-eye in a barn or shed is, however, permitted. More than one rider in this year's Tour appears to have violated this rule from what I have gathered from blogs and Facebook. It's cold, honking down, and the only accomodation for miles is fully booked? The GDMBR isn't meant to be easy.
I suggest that when indicating their intention to participate in the GDMBR, riders declare whether they are touring or racing the route. Those touring the divide would be able to receive their trail magic whenever and in whatever form it might materialize. But racers would be held to the highest standards and would be expected to relegate themselves in the event of a rules infraction.
ABRACADABRA: a great song, but GDMBR racers should pedal to a different tune.