Rethinking the Tour Divide

Wow, just wow. Dude, it takes a lot of soul searching to get to this point. Your heart tells you to go but your mind says otherwise. The way I look at this stuff is, we are all in it for the journey. The goal is great, but the journey lasts a lot longer so we have to be able to recognize that. I myself have felt this way about many cycling goals. There always seems to be something that keeps me from them. That doesnt mean that I cant find a way to enjoy that aspect of it.
Maybe you need to shove the goal out a few years, that is fine. It just makes the journey to the goal more meaningful, filled with more smaller adventures and it sweetens the victory of Antelope Wells that much more.
Races like the 508 seem like good waypoints for something like the TD.

Errin,

I’d like to offer a few words. First, you are right in that most of the rookies don’t know what they are in for. You, on the other hand, do know what you are in for. You are staring in the face, and it is scaring you. You are like a speeding motorist that sees red and blue lights in your rear-view mirror, overwhelmed with anxiety of what could be, and pulling off to the shoulder to accept your defeat. Do you really believe that each and every rider is as methodical in realistically addressing all of the concerns–both foreseen and unforeseen–as you? Your biggest asset thus far has been your commitment and dedication. Do yourself a favor, set a realistic, manageable, and attainable goal for time of completion. Beyond that, your “planning” is done. You must now begin to “prepare” mentally for the challenge ahead. You are like the speeding motorist, conceding to an image chasing you from behind, only to have that squad car speed on past you to the scene of a more-pressing accident.

*staring it in the face

bummer dude. but congrats on making a mature and honest choice. better to be realistic than destroy yourself physically and mentally…. no fun. i did something like that back in 2007…. took me awhile to get my footing back…. plenty of other awesome events out there thatll help you prepare for a future shot at it. this year will be my first attempt at the 508(assuming we get in…) as part of a four person mixed team. i know after the last few years of training for and participating in doubles as well as some loooong trips i can “easily” do it…. all a step towards an eventual solo endeavour….. all good things in time!!!!!

its gonna be great!

Seems like a wise choice to me. If you don’t feel ready, you should keep at it. I think you could do it now, but frankly I don’t know that much about it. It does make sense to work up to it more gradually somehow, like you are considering.

No matter what you decide you’re going to be second-guessing yourself. In just about any non-pro racing event (marathon, triathlon…) fewer than 5% have a somewhat realistic chance of winning the thing. The rest are there to finish, have a memorable experience, and do something that’s come to mean something to them. They’re not disrespecting the event. They’ll probably take better care of that t-shirt than the winner will. And if they stop to take some pictures, or have a burger and a brew along the way, that’s cool too!

“Do you really believe that each and every rider is as methodical in realistically addressing all of the concerns–both foreseen and unforeseen–as you?”

Maybe not all, but most. There is so much to do in terms of marking up your map/route sheets for bivy spots, water, food etc. Obviously the veterans have a huge leg up on this. My plan has just been going by mileage and looking at the elevation profile from the ACA maps. I’ve only gotten into Montana so far. Only about 5 days of riding. I think many people are ahead of me in that department. I haven’t even started looking at the GPS files yet. That’s a whole other process. Maybe none of these are absolutely necessary, but they are important to me for a well prepared attempt.

Yes, like Marcus mentioned above, the 508 would be great. Like you, I’d like to be able to solo it someday. However, 4 person, then 2 person, then solo seems like the right way to approach it. That’s how I’ve been thinking about the TD. Building up to it for a better chance at a finish.

Yes, you are probably right. I will always second guess some aspect of it. However, with more experience maybe I can lessen that somewhat. Make no mistake, I’m not going because I think I can win. Far from it. Finishing would be a win for me. Like the Lantern Rouge in a brevet, much more respect for the last person in. Clearly they worked the hardest and suffered the most.

I didn’t mean to imply that other rookies are disrespecting the event. I meant that the event deserves more respect from me personally. I have no idea of the other riders race resume. I assume, knowing my own race resume, that they are more experienced than me. I still have much to learn in that regard.

I think its safe to say that no Tour Divide rookie has a clear idea of what they are in for; I know I sure as hell don’t. That uncertainty is what simultaneously makes the event so scary, and so appealing. As far as people expressing ‘concern’ over the number of rookies showing up, I think that’s a bit excessive. Previous years have seen sizable numbers of new TD racers with modest race resumes show up with no disastrous effects. A lot of them send home packages of excess gear, and about half of them drop out, but that seems to be about it. I’m not aware of anyone who has dropped out, developed PTSD, and sworn off cycling for good.

Obviously preparaton for the Divide is essential for a good finish, but its also striking how much luck plays into people either finishing or dropping. Even the most seasoned racer can catch giardia, break a bone, or suffer a race ending mechanical. There are so many variables that can affect the outcome of the race that I can’t imagine any amount of training, race experience, and route study that would leave me feeling fullyconfident of being able to finish. Ultimately its a crapshoot, and even a DNF seems valuable as preparation for a future attempt.

Just my two cents (and an attempt to justify my own inexperienced ass lining up in Banff). Tour Divide or not, it sounds as though you’ll figure out a way to have fun on your bike in 2011.

Errin – I have no words regarding the Divide. I can say a few words about starting to plan a fall/early wintrr trip like we started talking about last year. Yosemite area on Fargos? Death Valley on Mukluks? Lets not lose our dreams. The Divide route will always be there.

Hello,

I did the first 900 miles to Jackson WY the same year they filmed Riding the Divide. My advice would be do it as a bike tour not a race. It is way more fun and not as intense (still maybe the hardest thing I have ever done).

My friend and I took 3 weeks to do the 900 miles. We met so many kind people and took advantage of the surroundings by swimming, fishing, and drinking when given the chance.

I remember one of the racers on the blog commenting in 2008 that it is a shame to ride through such pristine landscape so fast. I agree 100% with that statement.

If you have any questions hit me up I would be happy to provide more details.

luke

Thanks Luke. You’re right, I don’t want to miss the scenery by pushing through everyday. However, I only have a certain amount of time, so the TD could be a nice compression of the route.