Riding The Tour Divide

Yesterday I mentioned that the Tour Divide mountain bike race had gotten underway. The epic event features more than 70 riders attempting to cycle the length of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which covers 2745 miles between Banff, Alberta, Canada and Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Over the past few years, the race has grown into quite an event, with the riders dealing with weather and challenging trails, while going completely self supported in the race.

Last week, prior to the start of the race, the Outside Blog posted an interview with Kurt Refsnider, who is one of the riders currently out on the trail. Refsnider is considered one of the favorites to win the race, having finished second back in 2009 in his inaugural run of the Tour Divide. Since then, he has earned plenty of experience in endurance mountain biking races and seems poised to make a run at the top podium spot.

In the interview, Kurt talks about the challenges of the Tour Divide, citing the distance and route, but saying that the self supported nature of the event is what really sets it apart from other long distance races. He also talks about his goals for this year's race, how he has prepared for it, and more. Of particular interest for many, like myself, is the gear that he is carrying with him and the bike he is riding along the way.

For those who are new to the Tour Divide, or just want more insights into the event, this is a good interview. I have a ton of respect for these riders, most of whom simply ride for the fun and adventure of it. This is one very challenging race, and it takes a special person to be able to complete it.

Good luck to all the racers! Enjoy the view!

2011 Tour Divide Mountain Bike Race Is Underway!

The 2011 Tour Divide mountain bike race got underway last Friday with 68 riders setting out from Banff, in Alberta, Canada, and another 15 starting in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Those riders will now ride the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route end-to-end, covering more than 2745 miles (4418km) in the process.

Over the past few years, this race has continued to grow in popularity and participation. It is a test of both skill and stamina, as the riders must cover the trail in a completely self supported fashion, meaning they have to take all of their gear and supplies with them along the way. They can, of course, pull off the trail and resupply, but otherwise they have to be self sufficient along the way.

The route itself has the distinction of being the longest off-pavement cycling route in the world, with much of it being a series of loosely affiliated trails that interconnect with one another. In recent years, those affiliations have gotten a bit stronger, but there are sections that are still quite challenging to navigate depending on the current conditions.

Have just returned from Aspen, Colorado this weekend, I can also tell you that there are sections of the Rocky Mountains that still have a good deal of snow in them. The racers may have to deal with that as they go along as well, and while the weather is warming, it may be sometime before all the passes are easy to cross through. In fact, a blog post on the race website this morning indicates that there are number of detours already in place thanks to the continued snow conditions. Those conditions should improve as the riders head south, but it may be some time before they completely escape the powder.

Stay tuned for updates, as it generally takes a few weeks before the race is won, and longer for all the riders to reach the finish line.

Tour Divide Update: Fatality on the Trail

Sad news from the Tour Divide today, where a report has broken that a rider was killed on the trail last Thursday after running into a truck. It is the first fatality in the the seven years that the event has been held.

Cycling News is reporting that 37-year old David Blumenthal ran into a truck that was traveling towards him on an unpaved road. After being evacuated to a local hospital, near Steamboat Springs, Colorado,  Blumenthal was eventually taken to St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver, where he was later declared dead from severe head injuries.


Apparently, Blumenthal was on one of the numerous remote trails that  make up the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which runs for 2745 miles from Banff in Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, along the U.S.-Mexican border. He was reportedly riding on the wrong side of the narrow trail when he came to a curve in the road and couldn't see the truck coming down the other side. Although rescue teams were able to get to him within 20-30 minutes of the accident, it wasn't soon enough to save his life. 


This is a sad story, as anyone who follows the Tour Divide knows that the route is very quite remote. It seems like a very odd set of circumstances that would lead to a tragedy like this one. My condolences to David's friends and family.


Thanks to the GoBlog for the tip on this one. 

Tour Divide Update: Mathew Lee Wins Again!

The 2010 Tour Divide is still in full swing, but it appears that we have our first rider to cross the finish line today, with former champ Matthew Lee claiming victory once again. The details are still a bit sketchy at this point, and the Tour's blog is still being updated, but it seems that Lee reached Antelope Wells, NM sometime this morning.

The Tour Divide is the longest mountain bike race in the world, beginning in Banff, Alberta, Canada and running the length of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a distance of about 2745 miles. This year's race began back on June 11, and now 19 days later, the first rider is home. While we still don't have Matthew's official time, you can quickly figure out that he had to average roughly 145 miles per day to complete the race this quickly. That's riding on trail that varies from single track to jeep roads, and stretches through some extremely wild areas and up and down mountain passes. Riders gain nearly 200,000 feet of altitude throughout the length of the course.

Apparently the victory wasn't assured for Lee even as recently as yesterday when he was sitting in a McDonald's in Silver City, enjoying a tasty burger while keeping an eye on his bike. Much to his surprise, someone walked up to his ride, looked him directly in the eye, then promptly hopped on and took it for a spin. A chase ensued, and the offender was eventually caught, and the bike returned to Lee, who was able to continue on his merry way. Turns out, not even a thief can keep him from winning the TD!

Congrats to Matthew on another fantastic ride! And what does he get for his big win? Absolutely nothing! Riders in the Tour Divide do it just for the fun of it, which seems to make it even better.

The Tour Divide Mountain Bike Race Begins Today!

The 2745 mile long Tour Divide mountain bike race gets underway today in Banff, Alberta, Canada, and will then run the length of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route through the U.S., before ending in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Along the way, the riders will be tested by challenging trails, weather conditions that run the gamut from blizzards to heat waves, and unexpected encounters with local wildlife that can include everything from rattlesnakes to grizzly bears.

The Tour Divide has been called "the world's toughest bike race", and for good reason. The riders must go complete self supported, carrying all of their gear and supplies with them. They'll also have to endure many long days of 16+ hours in the saddle, while taking on mountain passes and difficult altitude. in total, they'll gain nearly 200,000 feet in altitude over the course of the ride, which through some of the more remote backcountry in the U.S.

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is considered the longest off pavement cycling route in the world. The trail ranges from single track to jeep trails, with just about everything in between, but it also remains unmarked, forcing riders to be able to navigate properly as well. Beginning in Banff, the route wanders through Alberta and British Columbia, before entering the U.S. and continuing south through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and finally New Mexico.

To give you an idea of the quality of athletes in this race, last year's winner was Matthew Lee, who covered the entire 2745 mile course in just 18 days. That's averaging more than 152 miles per day over some really tough and unforgiving terrain. That would be a challenge on any given day, let alone for two and a half weeks in a row. Very impressive stuff.