My Tour Divide Letter of Intent

The Tour Divide accepts letters of intent annually, from the Winter Solstice, December 21st, until the Grand Départ, which is the second Friday in June.  Prospective challengers are encouraged to declare their intent, but may also simply show up in Banff on June 10th.

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Dear Rulers of the Tour:


I hereby declare my intent to be at the starting line in Banff, Canada, on June 10th for the 'Grand Depart' of the 2011 Tour Divide.

This pursuit has been a wicked burn in my soul and now it is time to quench the fire and explore, dream, and discover.  Uncertainty and trepidation are a part of this decision, along with a steroidal-like sense of adventure and the desire to push the boundaries and challenge myself in body, mind and spirit.  I am ready to submerse myself into life on the divide in this border-to-border battle of attrition.

I resolve to abide by the rules and the honor code which has been laid down by the chiefs, as well as race with respect to those souls of the past who have suffered and endured in their own spiritual 'divide' quest.

See you in Banff in June and, God and knees willing, Antelope Wells sometime down the road.

It will be a good suffering.....

Cheers,

Norb DeKerchove
Boise, Idaho

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"Time-trial season on the Great Divide Route begins annually with a Grand Départ, occurring approximately the 2nd weekend in June from both termini of the Route. The goal of a Solstice common start is for athletes to challenge the Route in situ, under similar weather conditions and maximum daylight.  Tour Divide requires no entry fee or formal registration. There is no prizing for finishing. A toll-free phone number with voice mail is provided to all riders for field reporting. Voice messages are podcasted on the Race Updates blog. Riders who carry SPOT GPS Messengers are tracked via the Live Tracker."

~from the TD web site