With 2,711 miles (90% of which were off-road), 200,000 feet of climbing and the mandate that each racer ride completely self-supported, the Tour Divide Canada-to-Mexico mountain bike race had been described as “the toughest bicycle event in the world.” A friend of mine — one who had done numerous 100-mile runs on foot — even suggested it was “impossible.” But to me, it sounded like an adventure of a lifetime, a challenge unrivaled by anything else I have ever done. Guess what? It was!
Here’s a spreadsheet summarizing my progress during the 2008 Tour Divide mountain bike race, including miles and hours ridden per day, along with where I started and stopped. Continue reading »
&title=Tour Divide: The Transcripts "Felix's blue dot on the official online leaderboard on Day 4 of the Tour Divide. (Courtesy of Tori)")
It may take me a while to write daily writeups (which I’d try to limit to 300-400 words each in any case), but in the meantime, all the transcripts from my race call-ins are here. Continue reading »
Here’s another slideshow from the Tour Divide mountain bike race, this one entitled “Trials & Travails.” There were many!
There’s still a lot of Tour Divide stuff I intend to post, but it may take a while due to an overwhelming amount of work I need to take care of. So the postings will probably come in a trickle. Continue reading »
The Tour Divide was such a grueling race that it seemed like every piece of equipment I used took a beating. Even those not part of or attached to the bike.
For example, take a look at my European Reevu helmet. I just fully inspected it today. It was a helmet I used for the last five years — one I was reluctant to retire because it has a novel embedded mirror that was by far the best rear-view bicycle solution I have ever seen or used, but it is no longer made or sold anywhere anymore. Guess it is time to retire it now. Continue reading »
&title=Cannondale & The Tour Divide "Matthew Lee and his Cannondale at the finish of the 2008 Tour Divide in Antelope Wells, winning in exactly 19.5 days. (Photo: Matthew Lee)")
I was perusing the official Cannondale site, not that I am in the market for yet another bicycle any time soon, but because I was curious as to whether some of their newer models had any technology that would address some of the problems that afflicted mine (e.g., chainsuck) during the Tour Divide mountain bike race.
I’m still unsure of that, but I did come across a nice blurb about the Tour Divide and about winner Matthew Lee. Continue reading »
