This year's Tour Divide starts on Friday (the 14th) An interesting video of Lael Wilcox - https://bikepacking.com/plog/2019-tour- ... el-wilcox/where she talks about an interesting target and also about the mental aspect of such events.

GO DAVE, GO DAVE






*no pressure.

One of my mates is riding this year, he's quick. Keep an eye out for Alex Watts.

It was snowing in Banff yesterday and the snow along most of the route has been way higher than average this year. Kathy at Blackfoot angler posted on Facebook on Saturday:

"FYI: Snow update for around Ovando as of today:

Some riders came thru yesterday and said Richmond Ridge is hike-a-bike due to snow. Another rider went around it and just took highway 83.

No word yet on Huckleberry. But at 7,000' elevation above Lincoln Montana another 3" fell today for a total of 31.3". And there is 21" at 7,000' south of Lincoln.

Temps warming up into the 80's later in the week so will try to keep you updated."

I see on FB there's quite a discussion abut the proposed documentary that is going to be made about Lael's ride.

I know a few of the Brits this year so that always makes it more interesting

Tea Boy (Alex Watts) who I met briefly at the start of the Dales Divide (before he disappeared into the distance) he came 2nd, took all of his TD kit and used it as a shakedown.
Tim Roberts who I also met at the Dales Divide.
Josh Ibbett (who I only really know from following him on Insta but these days that counts?

There was someone else.... oh, that Dave Barter chap from here Good luck Dave.

I will not be troubling the leaderboard I can promise you that

Avittt Unlce Dave!!

Getting excited for a few great weeks of dot watching! All the best Dave! and Tea Boy (Alex)!

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Mon Jun 10, 2019 12:54 pm I will not be troubling the leaderboard I can promise you that

That's neither here or there ,MrBarter , having the commitment to line up at the start is( and obviously having a good ride afterwards) all the best

Good luck Dave, plenty of open space out there to give full reign to your tourettes. Is there a book looming?

That lightweight Toothbrush will be like your secret weapon - Go Dave

pistonbroke wrote: ↑Mon Jun 10, 2019 1:51 pm Good luck Dave, plenty of open space out there to give full reign to your tourettes. Is there a book looming?

In all seriousness I have no idea at all what the outcome will be. Helen made me do this (seriously) so I'm setting off for the start line with the single objective of gathering as much experience as I can. I have no idea if I'm up to it or what will be out there that I've not prepared for.

But swear cam will be taking the journey with me as will my portable profanasaurus.

I've set up this page http://phased.co.uk/daves-tour-divide-page/ to keep my tracker and tweets in one place and will try and keep the flow of displeasure with the route, my arse, food choices and snorers flowing.

Thanks for the encouragement all. I'll need a lot of it

Good luck Dave, didn't realise you were in this year (I may have not been paying attention)

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Mon Jun 10, 2019 12:54 pm I will not be troubling the leaderboard I can promise you that

Wouldn't suprise me to see you doing OK ...

Lael currently holds the women’s record on the Tour Divide with an Individual Time Trial (ITT) set in 2015: 15 days, 10 hours, and 59 minutes (15:10:59).

I thought she'd gone fast on the TD route but could only find ref to a 2017 TDR/GD time. Wasn't paying enough attention again. Course record though, would be quite something to go faster than Mike's time. 'New' record maybe? I guess with the new section in BC any pre (?)2018 records will stick.

Good luck fella. I look forward to more swearing than a very sweary thing

Ride well Dave. Don't be sub standard. That's all that matters.

Dave I had no idea!

Godspeed and good luck you stupid ******* ****.

Dave, here's your Trackleaders icon



good ******* luck

Good Luck Dave Hoping the wind is always behind you...!

As a side, just watched Lee and Rickie’s Film last week, Divided (on prime), well worth watching for those who haven’t done so

Dave, if you do make a video can you please refrain from (a) any crying (b) mention of finding yourself* or (c) riding for 'The Lord. Ta.

*unless of course you have actually got lost.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:53 pm Dave, if you do make a video can you please refrain from (a) any crying (b) mention of finding yourself* or (c) riding for 'The Lord. Ta.

*unless of course you have actually got lost.

Don’t you ever ride to find yourself Stu?

Don’t you ever ride to find yourself Stu?

No, just the opposite ... I ride to lose myself.

No, just the opposite ... I ride to lose myself.

Amen to that brother.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:53 pm Dave, if you do make a video can you please refrain from (a) any crying (b) mention of finding yourself* or (c) riding for 'The Lord. Ta.

*unless of course you have actually got lost.

(D): Or try to be positive about breaking rules or basic a premise of racing bikepacking races.
(E): saying you did the route, when you didn't

I'd forgotten you were riding Dave, have a great ride, already looking forward to the video. How many SD cards are you going to fill with profanities?
Mustn't forget Alex, stay safe both of you.

Another UK rider is Martyn Gibbons, he was riding the Dales Divide to evaluate kit for the TD.

Who are your picks for the win?

I'm going to say Josh Kato for the overall. I think Nick Skarakew will be the first singlespeeder and may challenge for the overall. If you've never heard of him I found out about him on the Hidden Athlete podcast which is worth a listen.

https://www.spreaker.com/user/thehidden ... ZzqZtPDI4Q

I've listened to a few of these now (only the bikepack racers so far) and they are really interesting so worth a listen if you have the time.