The Hardest Bicycle Race In The World

[Don Meredith]

If you missed it, the 2011 Tour Divide kicked off Friday morning. The TD is a 2,700 mile race from Banff, Canada to the US-Mexico border in New Mexico. The route has over 200,000 feet of accumulated elevation gain. That’s the equivalent to summiting Mount Everest from sea-level 7 times! The riders cover the route completely unsupported. If you want to know more about the race check out ‘Ride The Divide’ … its a fantastic documentary covering several riders as they struggle through the course (available on Netflix). This year’s race features a record number of bikepacking racers so it should be an interesting year to watch. You can see up to date progress at TrackLeaders.com. Good luck to all of the riders!

DM

lightpack.blogspot.com

[Steven M]

Gotta have your heart and soul onto a race where one of the rules states that 'you are responsible for yourself'.
My best wishes and good luck go out to all!

[John S.]

Thanks for the info Don.

[Craig Savage]

24 hour, solo, competition will see climbing exceeding Everest's height in one day. hmmmm

[Kevin @ Seek Outside]

Will Gadd did 25000 feet of vertical on Ice in 24 hrs at the Ouray Ice park a couple years ago and top finishers at the hardrock do 33k in a bit over 24 hrs.

[Craig Savage]

whoa. yeah, even top ten at sport level endurance events support some wild numbers that speak volumes about effort

yeah, while the divide is insane… call this classic – the hour record will always be, largely, accepted as the hardest bike competition

[Author]

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