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!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Grand Depart - Class of 2011

It is the evening before the Grand Depart.  The sun was finally out for the first time this week.  Since we arrived on Monday the weather has been wet, cold and gloomy.  What has been rather amazing is it stays light until 10:30pm, despite the oppressive wet weather!  There is a reason they run this race shoulder season and the extended daylight hours is one.  Lots of time to put in the miles if you have it in you at that hour.  A storm is scheduled to blow in tonight not surprisingly.

Met lots of interesting cats from all over......Germany to Switzerland and Virginia to California.  Seems like there is lots of nervous energy from the rookies and Eve said it appeared to be a very somber bunch.  Some of the veterans of the Divide came in later and are happy to share their knowledge.  A much more calm group for sure.  And Crazy Larry was making the rounds and holding everyone in rapt attention!  Mathew Lee, the guru of divide racing, multiple winner and all around great guy was missing this years event, but watching over us and sending emails regarding re-routing, GPS info and logistics. 

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One of the riders doing an ITT (Individual Time Trial), Dave Bruno, lives in Switzerland.  He left around 3pm on Wednesday and I rode with him for a few miles out of town on the Spray River Trail.  He was missing his family and was ready to roll.  We had an excellent chat and it gave me chills to escort him out of town on a magnificent trail and wish him well as he rounded the bend and disappeared in the silence and the mist.   Safe travels Dave and I hope you make it to Antelope Wells.

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Many thanks again to Eve, Erin and Ali - wouldn't be here without your unconditional support and love.  And so many thanks are due to dear friends who are so behind this and have become part of it .  Much Love, kindness and respect to each of you. 

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0.0 - In the parking lot behind the Banff Springs Hotel,
begin riding south on the Spray River Trail.

8:00am - the Tour Divide Class of 2011 rolls out!


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2 comments:

Brooke Seidl said...

Woohoo! Off on your journey! It sounds incredible- best wishes for day one! Brooke S.

June 10, 2011 at 7:52 AM
conniedwuerth said...

May Day 1 be amazing and inspiring. Love you

June 10, 2011 at 9:52 AM

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