The Tour Divide is a 2, 745 mile unsupported, off-road mountain bike race from Banff, Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, on the Mexican border, following the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route created by the Adventure Cycling Association. The route closely follows the spine of the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. It is mountainous and remote with over 200,000 vertical feet of climbing and 29 crossings of the divide. Weather is unpredictable - high passes are snow-covered; torrential rain showers are common; and heat persists in the badlands of the New Mexican plateau.



The route is unmarked and circuitous, traveling through Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and the US states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico (map). It travels through remote back country on dirt roads, jeep trails and forgotten mountain passes.



The Tour Divide tests ones endurance, navigational, mechanical and decision making skills; along with hydration, nutrition and shelter challenges. And of course the Grizzleys and Mountain Lions call this land their home!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Getting in the Miles

Training for the Tour Divide has involved getting in lots miles and time on any bike.  Winter training was in the 'Cave' on the computrainer four days a week, riding hills as much as possible, and getting some run miles in as well.  The end of February I was able to pull off a trip to Boulder City, NV for four days of riding pavement on the TT bike.  Here are a few photos from the archive:

Nevada = excellent weather, glassy roads and open space





Since the Fargo build I've been riding and dragging whoever I can with me on some training rides.


 Near Emmett

Above Boise




Coming down 'Hard Guy'


Bonneville Point area


Chuck grinding it out
 Near Pearl



 Steve and Tom near Pearl

Motorcycle reconnaissance on South Fork checking out conditions
 for a three day shakedown ride later in the week



Yep, had to pick up 575 pounds of love.  Thanks for the assist, Bill.

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