With 2,700 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!
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 »
Apparently, this is what happens when I don’t shave for four days — like during many periods of the Tour Divide mountain bike race. Continue reading »
“I think other than the two passes, the highlight of today was passing by South Park,” I reported during my daily call-in on Day 18 (July 1) of the Tour Divide. “Previously, I thought South Park was a fictional town in CO so I was very happy to see it is a real region… In fact, I resolved that after this race is over and I am back home in Colorado, I would do a South Park Marathon. By which I don’t mean running 26.2 miles but instead I will be laying on my couch with my feet propped up on a some pillows and watching this season’s episodes and maybe last season’s also. Right now that is sounding really good to me.”
Unfortunately, due to too much work, I haven’t been able to do a South Park Marathon yet. Instead, I’ve only watched a single episode since returning home. You can say I’ve done the South Park Sprint. Continue reading »
A friend just sent me this five minutes ago saying, “Thought you would find this sign amusing considering your travel through bear country.”
In fact, I found it amusing enough that I am posting it here. And I don’t mean just the Canadian-speak about the “out of doors.” Continue reading »
When I arrived in Antelope Wells on Thursday, July 10th and completed the Tour Divide mountain bike race, I thought I had just finished an adventure of a lifetime. It would only register a little later that just getting home was going to be a little adventure in itself. 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)")
