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Halfway Anywhere

The Tour Divide: What, Where, Why, and How?

By Mac Leave a Comment

The Tour Divide is an annual 2,700-mile (4,300 km) self-supported bikepacking race following the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR). Most of the route follows dirt and gravel roads with a few sections of pavement or singletrack sprinkled in for good measure (along with the occasional hike-a-bike section).

Cursory internet sleuthing tells me that the current iteration of the Tour Divide began in 2008. However, the first individual time trial of the route was in 2005, and people have been riding the GDMBR since as early as 1997 when the Adventure Cycling Association first mapped it.

Speaking of websites, the current Tour Divide website hasn’t been updated since 2014 and leaves much to be desired. Or perhaps the state of the website is instead part of the Tour Divide’s charm? Mystique? Neato-ness?

You may already have more questions than answers if you’ve encountered this with zero knowledge of the Tour Divide or the GDMBR. Fear not; they will be addressed. Also, know that I will likely have many of the same questions. I intend to answer said questions by participating in (and hopefully completing) this year’s Tour Divide.

That said, I’ve been doing my research (and investing heavily in bikepacking gear).

What Is the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route?

The northern terminus of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is in Jasper (it was in Banff – the start of the Tour Divide – until 2018), a resort town in Alberta, Canada. It then heads south for over 3,000 mi / 4,800 km to its southern terminus at the US-Mexico Border at Antelope Wells, New Mexico. It can be ridden in either direction, but it’s traditionally ridden southbound.

Along with the Arizona Trail and the Colorado Trail, it comprises the most significant leg of bikepacking’s Triple Crown; similar to the thru-hiking Triple Crown comprised of the Pacific Crest Trail , Continental Divide Trail , and Appalachian Trail .

The route is almost entirely along dirt and gravel roads and is, for the most part, not a technical ride (i.e., you don’t need to be an expert-level mountain biker to navigate the GDMBR). Yes, there are a few short sections of singletrack, but overall, this route is suited for gravel or mountain bikes (but certainly not road bikes).

The GDMBR is approximately 3,000 mi / 4,800 km long and has over 133,000 ft / 40,500 m of climbing and an equal amount of descent. It passes through seven states/provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Despite beginning in Canada (as in riders must pass immigration at a border crossing), the route does not enter Mexico; it ends (or begins) at the US-Mexico Border.

The Difference Between the Tour Divide and the GDMBR

You may be asking yourself, as I have, what’s the difference between the Tour Divide and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route? The answer? Nothing. Kind of.

The Tour Divide is the name of the annual self-supported race of the GDMBR . Put another way, the Tour Divide follows the GDMBR. However, it begins in Banff instead of Jasper; Banff was the northern terminus of the GDMBR until 2018, when it was moved to Jasper. At least, that’s all you need to know if you’re not racing and/or riding the Tour Divide. What’s self-supported? It means that racers are only afforded resources available to everyone else participating.

For example, staying at a hotel? Perfectly fine. Staying at a friend’s house? Not okay.

When you drill down to the details, there are a few sections where the Tour Divide diverges from the GDMBR. But for all intents and purposes, they’re the same; again, unless you’re concerned about racing the Tour Dviide, then there are a few spots you need to take note of.

Every year, people bikepack all or part of the GDMBR on their own (in both directions). These people can take as much or as little time as they like – many presumably even enjoy their experience. Meanwhile, others decide to race the Tour Divide beginning on the second Friday of June at the northern terminus in Banff, Alberta (in Canada). The latter group’s enjoyment often falls more heavily into the Type II (or even Type III) fun category.

The GDMBR Versus the Continental Divide Trail

When I first hiked the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), I met one person in Island Park, Idaho, who was riding the Divide; I had no idea what they were doing, what the Tour Divide was, or what the GDMBR was. The cyclist was stoked to see me and my CDT hiking buddy, but we thought ourselves cooler than him because what could be cooler than hiking the CDT?

How things have changed. I apologize for not greeting you with the enthusiasm you deserved, anonymous 2017 Tour Divide racer.

Despite the CDT following a lot of dirt and gravel roads – that would be suitable for bikepacking – there’s actually very little overlap between the two routes. Yes, there will be opportunities for northbound CDT thru-hikers to see Tour Divide riders, but many will pass like ships in the night.

The Tour Divide starts too early for southbound CDT hikers to catch any riders, but they could still encounter northbound GDMBR riders during their thru-hikes. Remember, play nice if/when you see each other out there. We’re all out there doing awesome things in nature. There’s no need to perpetuate a bikepacker-backpacker divide (on the Divide).

How to Participate in the Tour Divide

The community that has made the Tour Divide what it is today doesn’t exist as an official organization or entity. Instead, it’s willed into being by the yearly riding crop’s cohesion, carrying on traditions from and iterating upon actions of previous years’ cyclists.

There’s no sign-up form, no entry fee, no website (at least not a website updated in the last decade), and no organized event at the starting line in Banff (or at the finish line at Antelope Wells, New Mexico).

Most of the organization appears to come from Facebook groups (typically some of the most toxic online cesspools, but in rare cases, useful information corners). Every year, participants who provide tracking information (using a device such as a Garmin inReach Mini 2 ) to trackleaders can be watched online as they move down the course.

You show up in Banff, start riding south on the second Friday in June, tell anyone who asks that you’re riding the Tour Divide, and BOOM! you’re officially racing the Tour Divide. I’ve heard that in recent years that the community attempts to organize waves of riders (based on estimated finishing time) to ease impacts and congestion on/along the start of the race. Don’t want the local government to come in and try to shut down the unofficial race, after all.

Maybe one day, the magic of this unofficial, unorganized, organized, official bikepacking race will wane as permits, regulations, and rules are imposed with increasing popularity and awareness of the event. Maybe someone will write a best-selling book about the Tour Divide and blow it up like a certain unnamed book did to a certain unnamed trail in the Western United States.

Apparently, you’re supposed to send in a letter of intent to a random email address that I suspect is maintained by the crew at Bikepacking.com , but the letters of intent used to be posted to the Tour Divide website (which seems like it was a fun tradition that’s now sadly gone as of 2010).

For now, you only need to get on your bike and ride.

The Tour Divide is the unofficial orrifical self-supported race of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, with a few changes to the route. Simple enough, right?

It’s an incredible test of physical and mental endurance, with many riders forgoing sleep to put in more hours on the bike (how many hours I sleep every night is something I’m interested in seeing).

According to DotWatcher , since the Tour Divide’s conception in 2008, only 716 riders have completed the race (this number is likely not 100% accurate, but it’s about as good as we can do). Hopefully, after this year’s race, I will be able to count myself among the fewer than 1,000 total finishers.

For now, it’s time to go and ride my bike .

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7 STEP PLANNING GUIDE TO BIKEPACKING THE TOUR DIVIDE (GDMBR)

EASY TO FOLLOW STEPS TO GET YOU ON THE TOUR DIVIDE.

For more information on the Tour Divide visit our TD Resource page . »

After completing the bikepacking triple crown,  I decided to make this Tour Divide Planning Guide (GDMBR).  The triple crown taught me a lot and I want to share that knowledge with others.  The process of planning a trip of this kind can be time consuming and stressful.

I can’t empathize how important planning is and how greatly it can effect the outcome of your race/tour. The more work you do before hand and information you have available to you during the race, the better off you’ll be. Bottom line, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

I’ve taken everything I learned on and off the Tour Divide ( CTR and AZT ), and put it into this 7 Step Planning Guide to racing/touring the Tour Divide (GDMBR).  Hopefully anyone planning a race/tour of the route can get almost all the information they need from this post,  accompanying posts , and external links provided below.

I might have done most of the leg work for you, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing your own deeper research to better your chances and improve the outcome of your trip even further.  I am human and might have missed something. If I did let me know and I’ll add it or make a correction. Thanks!

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STEP 1: RACE OR TOUR

RACING PROS:

• Racing in the company of others (There’s no guarantee others will be racing near you).
• Chance to test yourself in one of the worlds longest MTB races.
• Bond with fellow racers in a shared experience.

TOURING PROS:

• No limitation of start time, route, or direction.
• Ability to stop without fear of the clock.
• Physically and mentally less demanding (depending on pace).

RACING CONS:

• No choice of start time or direction.
• No flexibility of your route.
• Very demanding, both mentally and physical.

TOURING CONS:

• Smaller chance of meeting fellow cyclists.
• Slightly higher risk (Less people and support if you get injured or have a bike issues).

Race or Tour?  GDMBR, Tour Divide, or Tour Divide Max?  You have many options.  Make sure which ever you choose, it’s your choice.  For most of us this is a once in a lifetime event.

STEP 2: PICK A DATE

The race always starts on the second Friday in June.

• 2nd Friday of June (Banff, AB – YMCA)

If racing is not your thing and you want more flexibility, then touring is for you.  The weather window for the Tour Divide (GDMBR) is from June to Mid-October.  Snow can be found or occur at anytime on the route.  Consequently be prepared for anything, no matter when you choose to go.

STEP 3: WHICH DIRECTION TO GO?

NORTH TO SOUTH (Canada to Mexico):

• Starting with others (safety, chance to share knowledge)
• Flatter finish = easier
• ACA maps are written in north/south direction
• Harder start.
• Weather can be unpredictable.

SOUTH TO NORTH (Mexico to Canada)

• Physically easier start.
• More convenient finish (getting to airport).
• Harder to get to start.
• Less riders.
• Harsher environment (heat)

Some times Mother Nature has a say in which diction you’ll go.  Checkout the snowpack levels at the Snotel website to find out.

Tour Divide Rider Survey

The Project conducts an ongoing rider survey to help new riders try to figure out what gear to use on the Tour Divide. Undertaking a ride/adventure like can be very intimidating and the planning can be overwhelming. It’s our hope this survey will help new riders with their planning and execution of their Tour Divide ride, as well as help ensure riders are more properly prepared for their adventure.

If you haven’t taken the Tour Divide Rider Survey yet and would like to you can at the links below.

***Please pay attention to the examples for the questions where you have to type in your answer. If answers are not entered EXACTLY like the example I have to go in and correct them and it also throws off the results. Thanks in advance!

Covers: bikes, suspension, tires & wheels, drivetrain, and Components.

Covers: navigation planning, camping, logistic/travel, clothes, and more.

STEP 4: SETTING UP A RESUPPLY / ITINERARY SCHEDULE

The first 3 steps are fairly easy to check off your list.  Steps 4-7 take more thought and work. Put some time into them and don’t simply pass over them.  As mentioned earlier, this is where you do your homework.

A well put together resupply and itinerary are key items, that can effect both the success and ease of your race/tour of the Divide.  Chances are you won’t follow your itinerary once on the route but it still serves as a reminder of what your goal was/is. On the other hand you’ll reference your resupply list multiple times a day.  This is where you want to put the most detail into.

Checkout my post, Tour Divide Resupply Planner , where I give you everything you need to plan your own resupply/itinerary.

STEP 5: GEAR

Gear is another key item you need to really research before you hit the trail.  Depending on your pace you’ll be spending anywhere from two weeks or more on the Divide.  During that time you’ll run into every type of weather you can image.  Combine the weather with countless hours in the saddle and you’re going to want to have the right gear, gear that is reliable, tested and offers comfort.

I put a  whole page together that covers the gear I used during my Tour Divide, (and on the Colorado Trail and Arizona Trail).  Most recently I made another post with what gear I would use if I did the TD again. I show pros/cons, tips, things that didn’t work and did, and what  I would do differently next time.

STEP 6: TRAINING

Everyone does some sort of training when doing a race/tour of this length.  You have to consider both physical and mental training, when you considering doing the TD.  Like the old adage says, “It’s 90% mental and 10% physical”.

We all train differently, so I won’t pretend to tell you how you should.  Rather, I’ll give you some tips and tell you some of the things that made the TD hard for me.

• Practice riding back to back long days.
• Having a strong core will help keep your back happy with the long hours in the saddle.
• Ride at night, you will do plenty of it on the Divide.
• I found it mentally hard to ride into the night after already being on the bike for 16+ hours.  Train your brain.
• Consider your diet and try to learn how much you need to eat for day after day of riding.

STEP 7: Do a Shakedown Ride

Testing your set up is key.  Don’t think you can just slap your gear in your bags, check their tightness and go.  Get out there and ride your bike loaded.  Learn how it handles, listen for what rattles, see what rubs, and most of all, what doesn’t work.

An untested set up will result in unneeded stress during your race/tour.  Take the time to eliminate this by doing a Shakedown Ride .  It will also get you used to a loaded bike.

Consider the following when testing your set up:

• No one is perfect, as a result no one nails their set up the first time.  Try different ways and see which is the best.
• Is your load balanced?
• If you have a question whether something is going to work or not, address it before you go.
• Test your GPS and electronics thoroughly.
• Bottles mounted on forks and down tubes fall off and rub.  Make sure you ensure they won’t so you don’t lose water carrying capacity.

Tour Divide Planning Aids

Being that I’m also a Triple Crown thru-hiker I’m used to quality planning tools. After finishing the Bikepacking Triple Crown I realized bikepacking didn’t have quality planning tools available. The Project’s Planning Aids and Resources are our answer to this.

After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s Tour Divide Planning Aids are done. They’re the ultimate planning resources for the Tour Divide. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your ride/ride of the Tour Divide and most of the GDMBR. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Tour Divide Resources .

Craig, I wanted to let you know that your bikepacking guides are incredibly well done and useful.

Small Bundles:

Big bundles:.

One package including our two most popular planning aids:

One package with all our planning aids:

• Mileage Chart
• Elevation Gain Chart

Available in both SOBO and NOBO versions and US Standard and Metric units.

Small Bundle – $40.00 + tax (CO only) *You save $10 when you bundle!

Big Bundle – $60.00 + tax (CO only) *You save $20 when you bundle!

Data Sheets and Town Lists

Data sheets:, town lists:.

The NOBO Data Sheets are ONLY available as part of the Small or Big Bundles.

All versions of the Town Lists are ONLY available as part of the Small or Big Bundles.

• Elevation / Pop of POI.
• Mileage numbers.
• Distance to next.
• Elevation +/-.
• Max & Min. elevation between POI.
• Pavement sections.
• Key water sources.
• Shows bike shops.
• Resupply options.
• Important notes.
• Elevation profile.
• Finish Target Times.
• Distance on/off trail.
• Important notes about POI.
• Cumulative distances to up coming POI.
• Elevation Gain to reach up coming POI.
• Finish Target Times added.

The SOBO Data Sheets are available in BOTH US Standard and Metric units.

Data Sheet – $25 + Tax (CO only)

Example of Data Sheet

Example of Town List

DATA SHEET and TOWN LIST DIFFERENCES

The Data Sheet has the most info. It gives the distance, elevation +/-, average grade, maximum and minimum elevations, pavement sections, references ACA maps, bike shops, resupply options, and has key notes between two POI. Example: A and B, then B to C, and so on.

The Town List gives cumulative distances between POI. Example: A to B, A to C, A to D. The next section would be B to C, B to D, B to E, and so on. The Town List has distance, elevation +/-, resupply options, bike shops and key notes.

The Town List helps with not having to do the math to figure out how far away things are if they’re not the next POI.

Mileage Charts and Elevation Gain Charts

Mileage charts:, elevation gain charts:.

Quickly find the total mileage between any two POI along the route.

• Works for both directions.

Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route.

• Easy to read format.

The Mileage and Elevation Gain Charts are ONLY available as part of the Big Bundle.

GDMBR / ACA ROUTE

GDMBR Data Sheets have all the same data categories as the Tour Divide planning aids, as seen in the examples above but are for the GDMBR from the ACA.

GDMBR Bundles have all the same data categories as the Tour Divide planning aids, as seen in the examples above but are for the GDMBR from the ACA.

Available in both SOBO and NOBO versions and in US Standard and Metric units.

Data Sheet – $25 + tax (CO only)

More Helpful TD Resources

Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the Tour Divide.

MY PROVEN GEAR LISTS FROM THE TRIPLE CROWN

Tour divide.

A detailed look at what I used on the Tour Divide, what worked and what didn’t.

“ IF I RODE… ” SERIES

In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide again.

Gear Review - If I Rode The Tour Divide Again

Tour Divide Planning Guide

Tour Divide Transportation Guide

Tour Divide Resupply Guide

Tour Divide Rider Survey Results

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help., checkout all our guides.

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‘Only 12 other people have completed it’: cycling the 7,600km European Divide

From the Norwegian fjords to the mountains of Portugal, this epic bikepacking adventure through nine countries has beauty – and challenges – in spades

L ast summer I cycled 7,600km (4,722 miles) along a route called the European Divide Trail , which runs through nine countries, all the way from Arctic Norway to the Atlantic coast in Portugal, mostly camping out along the way. The idea was sparked by an article I saw on the internet – on a website called bikepacking.com . I slowly went from thinking, “That looks cool,” to, “I’m going to do it.” It seemed a bit crazy, but somehow a few months later, in June 2022, it was happening! I was heading off for three months – and I’d even persuaded my friend Max to come along for the first three weeks.

The Norwegian border with Russia

I’d done some bikepacking trips in the past, but usually only a couple of nights. Once I did a nine-day trip, cycling from my house in Pembrokeshire to the top of Snowdon and back, but I had a really bad and lonely time on my own. Somehow that didn’t put me off … Also, it was an amazing stroke of luck that I met Anna from Sheffield, who was cycling the same route, on the first day of the European Divide trail.

Jacob (centre), with Anna and Max

I had a mountain bike and a basic bikepacking setup, and aimed to cycle an average of 100km a day. With just 90 days in Europe to do the trail – all that my post-Brexit UK passport would allow – I figured I would spend 86 days riding and have a couple to spare either end. On some days I would cycle more – 120, 130, even 140km – and on others, when we reached the mountains, far less.

Clockwise from top left: Reindeer in Finland; crossing the Muonio River from Finland into Sweden; crossing the Lainio in Sweden; camping in Hornmyr, Sweden

The route was designed by a British guy called Andy Cox in 2021 to be in a similar vein to the Great Divide mountain bike trail in the US. It begins at Grense Jakobselv, deep in the Arctic Circle in Norway and near the Russian border, then runs through Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, Switzerland and Spain, all the way to Cabo de São Vicente in Portugal.

Hard going through forests near Paderborn in Germany

About two-thirds of it is off-road, some sections are quite rocky and technical, and it passes through many fairly remote areas in Scandinavia and the mountains of Spain. It doesn’t follow any geographical continental divide, but, as the website says, it does “cross many cultural, political, economic and environmental divides”, and is the longest predominantly off-road bikepacking route in the world.

The starting point is a bit weird, with CCTV cameras and a military checkpoint – but Max and I cycled away downhill and soon reached a beach, where we went for a dip in the sea. It was such a buzz to get going.

Anna studying the route; bike repairs; crossing forests was challenging

On our very first day, as we sat eating lunch, we started talking to Anna, who was on her own and turned out to be cycling the Divide too. Not many people have undertaken it – I think only 12 have completed it so far – so this was quite the coincidence and we joined forces, which was amazing. I’m not sure where I would have ended up had I been on my own after Max had gone.

Anna eating; washing in a fountain – both in the Vosges mountains, France

The terrain is varied: endless forests, lakes, rivers and dirt roads in Scandinavia, then it’s the farmland, woodland, heathlands and grasslands of central Europe, and finally the diverse Iberian peninsula (the highest points are in eastern Spain at about 2,000m). We were only in Norway for a couple of days, cycling fairly close to the coast. It was beautiful, all fjords and big cliffs, and we camped out in the woods (wild camping is legal in Norway, Finland and Sweden). Then suddenly we were in Finland – border crossings turned out to be totally uneventful – where we cycled through forests for about four days. The route then heads through Sweden, where we spent three weeks.

Cycling through Offwiller, north-east France

Denmark was quite easy-going, but Germany was hard! Very hard. In places the trails were simply unrideable. One day we had a 2km stretch where trees had been felled across the track – hundreds upon hundreds of trees. It took us hours to lift our heavy bikes over each and every one. On the final one Anna fell over, straight on to her knee with her bike on top. That was a low point, for sure.

Refuge d’Altmatt mountain cabin; cycling near Rochejean in France, approaching Switzerland

As the route went on, we moved from flatter areas in the north to the more mountainous areas in the south. But although all the up and down was difficult, the landscape became more and more interesting. I think the mountains of France and Spain were my favourites places. The Vosges, Jura, Pyrenees and Sierra de Javalambre were quite special. There is something amazing about reaching a little refuge with a sunset view all to yourself after riding and pushing your bike uphill for a full day or two. All along the route, we went to places that you would never have thought to go – little towns and villages where tourists don’t normally venture.

The final push – uphill in Catalonia, Spain

And, of course, the people you meet along the way and the kindness of strangers stays with you. The biggest challenge is finding food and water stops. One morning in Sweden in the middle of nowhere we were saved by the nicest Dutch couple, Marten and Karin. Having reached a closed shop the night before we were low on supplies, and they insisted we take their packet of digestive biscuits and chocolate bar to keep us going. In Sweden a man with a little boat helped us across the Lainio River because we’d missed the ferry. In Germany a guy called Benni gave us a place to camp on his family’s land and food one evening, and we met many other kind and interesting people everywhere we went.

Lakes provided welcome respite (Jokkmokk, Sweden)

My advice to anyone thinking of undertaking a big adventure is: just do it. I didn’t do too much preparation – most of my energy went into simply getting myself to the starting point. I figured I could work out everything else from there, as long as I had the basics. I had maps and planned each day as I went, looking for villages and places to stop for provisions along the way. I was very glad to have Anna with me so we could work as a team. Of course, things went wrong – mechanical and physical – but we fixed them and carried on.

Spanish rooftops in Molinos; arriving in Portugal

As for training, my thinking was: “If I’m not fit enough at the start, I’ll be fit enough by the end.” Which turned out to be true. Within about a week of cycling I could feel my body was completely different from when I started, and by the end so much more again. It is quite surprising how quickly the body adapts.

Cows in dusty fields in Portugal

Though I may not have noticed it until my return home, I grew so much in confidence during those few months. Because of the many problems solved and new experiences lived, I can do things now that I couldn’t before. And here are just a few of the lessons I learned: civilisation isn’t civilised; there will be problems – the trail will teach you how to fix them; bring a full roll of duct tape; never pass a good swim spot; lube your chain; eat, eat, eat. And most importantly: strangers make great friends.

We made it!

Interview by Jane Dunford

For more information, maps and advice visit europeandividetrail.com . The best time to tackle the route is from late May or early June starting in the north, or from late March or early April starting in the south.

Jacob’s photobook from his trip, Strangers Make Great Friends, is available at shop.midnowhere.co.uk . Visit his website at midnowhere.co.uk

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European Divide Trail across the Iberian Peninsula – north

The European Divide Trail is the world's longest bikepacking route. Covering 7,600 kilometres (4,300 mi), it links the European continent from north to south, from Grense Jakobselv in Norway to Cape St. Vincent in Portugal. If you want to find out more about the route, visit the following link: europeandividetrail.com . In this Collection, I present the stretch from Perpignan in France to Teruel in Spain. It is a wild experience that starts by crossing the border between the two countries, winds its way through the Pyrenees and explores interesting Catalan natural parks until it reaches the Ebro River. The landscape changes completely as you get closer to Teruel; the earth turns red and much more arid, with hardly any vegetation. Here, you can enjoy the impressive ravines, canyons and gullies that have been sculpted by the weather throughout history. This route crosses the most unpopulated parts of the area, following dirt tracks, footpaths and the odd stretch of lonely road to guide you through the sierras. Some sections can be technical and demanding, so some mountain experience is required before embarking on this trip. A bike with comfortable geometry and wide tyres is best for this route – depending on your preference, perhaps a gravel bike or a mountain bike with suspension. The days are long and demanding, so pack as light as you can. Each day ends in a town where you can stay in a hotel, rural house or hostel. If you choose to sleep indoors, you can save a lot of weight compared with camping. You’ll be cycling at different altitudes, and temperatures can change quickly in a few kilometres, so it’s a good idea to take warm and waterproof layers to cope with all conditions. You can reach the beginning and the end of the route by bus or train. If you don't want to leave Spain, the nearest town to the border with a bus service is La Jonquera. If you prefer to travel by train, you can start the route in Figueres. You can find more information on the train and bus timetables at the following link: rome2rio.com . You can embark on this adventure all year round, although the spring and autumn months are ideal due to milder temperatures. However, if winter is your favourite season, you should bear in mind that in mountainous areas you may encounter snow, while in summer the days are extremely hot in the more arid areas. Whatever your choice, don't forget to check the weather forecast regularly. Make sure your bike is in good working order, pack your luggage and set off to enjoy this incredible trip.

Do it yourself

Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.

European Divide Trail – north (full route)

Last updated: November 7, 2023

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

Stage 1: Perpignan to Sant Llorenç de la Muga – European Divide Trail (north)

This exciting adventure begins at the Perpignan train station. It is a long and demanding stage, like most days in this Collection. Today is a special day, you are going to cross the border between France and Spain. It is one of those things that is not done every day and has a certain charm.

Stage 2: Sant Llorenç de la Muga to Sant Esteve d'en Bas – European Divide Trail (north)

The first kilometers you follow the Muga River through a false plain, which serves as a warm-up for the big climb of the day. In Albanyà you have the opportunity to buy groceries and some drinks before entering the mountains.

The GR 11 guides you as you ascend the mountain. It is about 11 kilometers along … read more

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Stage 3: Sant Esteve d'en Bas to Vic – European Divide Trail (north)

The day begins with a brief flat terrain that serves to warm up your engines, as you then face a demanding ascent of about ten kilometers with more than 500 meters of elevation gain.

Rupit is the ideal place to make a stop. Park your bike and enter this charming medieval town. Its stone buildings and … read more

Stage 4: Vic to Manresa – European Divide Trail (north)

In the first half of the stage you reach 1011 meters, today's maximum height. Before leaving Vic, make sure you bring enough food and drink for this section, since you will not have the possibility of refreshment.

Moià is worth a stop. Here you can find supplies and take a walk to see its beautiful old … read more

Stage 5: Manresa to Villespinosa – European Divide Trail (north)

You face a demanding stage in which the protagonist is the Montserrat mountain natural park. More specifically, it is the splendid silhouette drawn by its peaks of more than 1,200 meters that will leave you breathless. If you want to visit its highest peak—Sant Jeroni, at 1,236 meters—you have to detour … read more

Stage 6: Vallespinosa to Prades – European Divide Trail (north)

The first part of the stage is a continuous seesaw that borders the hills and visits historical vestiges, such as the castle of Saborella and Selmella. In this section you don't reach much height, but the views of the mountains and the nature that surrounds them are sensational.

Montblanc is the turning … read more

Stage 7: Prades to Gandesa – European Divide Trail (north)

A different stage arrives. Despite facing small steep slopes, you will enjoy long descents with documentary-like panoramic views. On your right you leave the Sierra de Montsant natural park, with peaks that exceed 1100 meters. To your left, a succession of lower mountains that disappear into the horizon … read more

Stage 8: Gandesa to Valdealgorfa – European Divide Trail (north)

The first eight kilometers you pedal along the wide track that connects the towns of Gandesa and Bot. There is a small slide, which breaks the harmony of the descent between the pine forests and some crop plantations.

In Bot you continue along the Zafán Valley Greenway until the end of today's itinerary … read more

Stage 9: Valdealgorfa to Aliaga – European Divide Trail (north)

You face the most demanding stage of the Collection. It is about 93 kilometers with more than 2000 meters of positive elevation gain. I advise you to bring enough water and a snack and, if possible, avoid the middle of the day, especially if the temperatures are high. You are going to pedal through an … read more

Stage 10: Aliaga to El Pobo – European Divide Trail (north)

The day begins heading south, with the Guadalope River as a guide. Here you face a climb of about two kilometers until you reach the top of the Rocha hill. In this area, various thickets and patches of pine trees stand out among the large limestone rock formations. It is a place that transmits serenity … read more

Stage 11: El Pobo to Teruel – European Divide Trail (north)

The last stage of this incredible Collection has arrived. A fairly relaxed day, in which the negative slope almost doubles the positive one. Throw some snacks and enough drinks into your saddlebags, and let yourself be surprised by the gems that you have yet to discover.

During the first kilometers you … read more

Like this Collection?

Questions and comments, collection stats.

• Distance 427 mi
• Duration 65:15 h
• Elevation 43,550 ft 40,775 ft

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28th May 2021 / Comments (1)

New 7,600km European Divide Trail launched

From the Artic Ocean at Grense Jakobselv in Norway to Cabo St Vincent in Portugal, this is the longest predominantly off-road bikepacking route in the world, put together by British rider Andy Cox.

From the seemingly endless forests, serene lakes, rushing rivers and wide dirt roads of Scandinavia, the route then takes you through a patchwork of farmland, woods, heaths and grasslands of Central Europe. The third sector in the south through Southern France, Spain and Portugal feature the highest mountains, loose and rocky trails and a much more arid environment.

In total, the Trail measures some 7,600 kilometres (4,722 miles) across Europe. Trip of a lifetime or broken down into chunks, will you be taking it on?

While this route is called the European Divide Trail (EDT), it’s unlike the Great Divide Mountain Bike route in North America, as this route doesn’t follow the Continental Divide, rather it crosses many different divides on its journey through Europe. These divides are economic and social, geographic and geologic, historical and cultural, with numerous languages and customs, laws and regulations, but all within the European Union. Some of these divisions are obvious as you’ll cross ten international borders, but often less obvious on the ground, as the reality of crossing international borders on a bike is that the landscape rarely changes, and even the language can be somewhat the same cross-border as well.

Andy recommends starting  from the north from late May or early June, or from the south in late March or early April. The highest points are both in Eastern Spain, at around 2,000 m (6,562 ft), and even into May could still have snow and sub-zero temperatures. You should anticipate taking between two to six months to ride the whole thing.

Check out more at the European Divide Trail website , Instagram and Facebook group .

Last modified: 28th May 2021

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One response to : new 7,600km european divide trail launched.

I’ve been dreaming of doing something like this ever since I read Patrick Leigh Fermor over 25 years ago. Well, the kids will have left home next year…

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What is the Tour Divide?

The Tour Divide is often attributed as being the originator of modern off-road ultra-endurance cycling events. The Tour Divide effectively follows the Great Divide route, probably one of the most famous off-road hiking/riding routes in the world, travelling the length of the Continental Divide from Banff in Canada in the north to Antelope Wells on the USA/Mexico border in the south.

If you’re not familiar with the route it effectively traverses the mountain range that splits the continental United States into its two parts. If you want to go into the full geographical concept, a divide denotes a ridge of land that separates rivers into the oceans in which they drain, the Pacific on the west and the Atlantic on the east. For the North American Continental Divide, this ridge is better known as the Rocky Mountains.

Riders will roll off the start line in Banff for the start of the 2023 Tour Divide on Friday, June 9th at 8 am. Some will be looking to race the course and the other riders with the hopes of potentially beating the fastest known time. For many however, just completing the 2,750 mile route will be the achievement of a lifetime; such is the legendary status of this epic route.

Tour Divide Need to Know

Length : Approximately 2750 miles

Start : Banff, Alberta, Canada

Finish : Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA

Elevation : 149,664ft (45,618m)

FKT (Fastest Known Time) : 13 days, 22 hours, and 51 minutes (Mike Hall, 2016)

2022 winner : Sofiane Sehili, 14 days 16 hours 36 minutes

What is the best bike for the Tour Divide?

Gravel or MTB or something in between?

The Tour Divide is most definitely an off-road route and as such the bike you choose has to take on some of the most challenging terrain. What makes it equally difficult is due to the length and varying terrain and conditions what might be the perfect bike setup for the first half isn’t necessarily going to be the perfect bike for the second.

Wide flat handlebars, suspension and big chunky tyres will provide a level of comfort and safety when dealing with huge mountain descents littered with baby head rocks but when it comes to covering the long, flatter sections found in the latter parts of the route you might be wishing for the speed and efficiency of a drop barred gravel bike.

Short of carrying a spare bike you’ll find that most bikes riders of the Tour Divide opt for will feature plenty of customisation to try to limit the compromises that need to be made when choosing your setup.

Looking at the past winners it most definitely seems that a hardtail (front suspension) or rigid mountain bike has been the preferred style of bike for the fastest riders but the past couple of years have seen a resurgence in the ‘monster-cross’ build – when a hardtail mountain bike is set up with gravel bike style drop handlebars. This setup currently looks to offer the best of both worlds but with some compromises to handling and geometry. Of the three Tailfin R&D Division riders taking part in the 2023 Tour Divide, we actually have three different approaches! Justinas Leveika has opted for a monster-cross build, Chris Burkard is going for the rigid mountain bike and Gail Brown is riding a hardtail Scott Scale.

Check out Justinas’ Tour Divide bike check in more detail here.

As usual, it’s definitely worth checking out bikepacking.com’s ‘Rigs of…’ pages to see just what is being ridden in the Tour Divide.

Discover the 2023 Rigs on Bikepacking.com

What is the best kit for the Tour Divide?

The Tour Divide is no different to any off-road ultra-endurance race that takes its riders into the wilderness with regard to kit demands. But there are a few essentials.

• Full waterproofs. If last year’s event was anything to go by with its extreme storms then effective waterproofs are lifesavers.
• Bear spray . Somewhat alien to a lot of riders outside of North America. Bear spray is without a doubt essential for the first part of the route. It’s also wise to carry something that makes a noise, like a bell to warn wildlife, like bears and mountain lion, that you are coming.
• Enough water carriers. Water can be plentiful at the start but as the trail heads further south you will encounter arid high desert regions.
• Shoes for hike-a-bike. Leave the carbon-soled disco slippers behind and get something comfy to walk and push in.
• The comfiest sleeping setup you can find. With most riders taking well over two weeks to complete the Tour Divide, sleep is essential for completing the route safely.

An interview with Tour Divide expert Jay Petervay

Jay Petervary is synonymous with the Tour Divide having raced and won multiple times. Not only has he developed an unparalleled level of understanding and experience to shape how he approaches the race but he also provides guidance and coaching for some of the latest crop of contenders. We sat down with Jay to find out a little more of his Tour Divide experiences.

How many times have you ridden the ‘official’ TD race?

I’ve raced down the Divide 7 times total. “Officially” I rode the Tour Divide race while leaving with the Grand Depart, 5 times. 2 of those times we left from the US border, not Banff. Once because the Canadian section didn’t exist yet and the second was due to Covid.

2. What is your fastest finish time?

I’m terrible at knowing any time, on any route, regardless of how I did. When I looked it up it said 14 days, 12 hours, 3 minutes.

3. Which year/edition are you most happy with? What stands out as making it better than the rest?

Gosh, they were all so special for their own reasons. That said, the 2021 Covid Edition felt pretty special. I’m not sure if it was the pure joy of getting out after all the restrictions for so long or if it was because I helped instigate that edition and we rode the original Great Divide route, before Tour Divide. I’m sure it was both but I just really enjoyed myself “playing the game”. While it’s always physical, I was thinking through the strategy more, and having someone to play that game against was what really kept it fun. And it all worked out in the end for me which was pretty satisfying.

4. What parts of the route do you most look forward to riding?

I can find beauty in all the parts. It really depends on my mood and what condition I am in as well as which part of the day it is. I know the route so well I know what to expect and it’s easy for me to predict where I’ll be at any given time. I guess since I live on the route I do look forward to getting to and through Idaho. When I start to get to Idaho I get a spiritual feeling that last until I get deeper into Wyoming. I just know that part of the country so well and spend time in it all year long.

5. Are there any sections you don’t look forward to?

No, not really. I used to not look forward to the Gila in New Mexico but I finally had a good experience through it. After doing the route so many times it’s funny how that is. I think it is natural to hesitate and expect similar experiences from the past but at this point, I’ve had good and challenging experiences on all of them! So, I just expect the best experience in each section nowadays.

6. What is the best place you ever managed to camp?

After sleeping on the route for over 100 days there are many great places to camp but unfortunately, that’s not what I look for when it’s time to grab some zzz’s….

7. and the worst?

Ah, yes, this is more like it. From a couple of feet off the side of the trail, to behind commercial buildings, to next to dumpsters (while using boxes to stay warm), to the beautiful grass park that was actually a dog park!

8. What’s your normal feed strategy? Normal food/hot food or convenience store?

It’s pretty easy to eat on the route and modern-day convenience stores are more like small grocery stores. The strategy is I eat a lot, a lot of normal food. Just like everyday life, I try to have breakfast, lunch and dinner but x2 on all of them. I bring some snack/sweet type food but I like to bring sandwiches, cheeseburgers, french fries, pancakes, etc with me on the trail. As I’ve gotten older my body is much more efficient and I don’t get worried about food or water. I can go many, many, hours without both and it doesn’t worry me a bit.

9.  Tent or bivi?

This year? Neither.

10. What temperature rating and style of sleep system do you use?

I had a system custom-made a bunch of years ago that I really like. It consists of a heavier puff jacket and a skirt. They are filled with synthetic insulation so I can be careless and it’s warmer. It’s not the lightest because you’ll freeze and at this point in my life, I get cold quickly. I haven’t used a sleeping pad while racing for nearly 10 years.

11. What are the essentials you would recommend anyone to carry?

A proper rain kit is crucial. And I mean full kit – gloves and socks too. I think we all know what a basic kit consists of but it really comes down to what works for you. As I said I won’t use the micro puff jackets but I see all others recommend them. So, with that being said, again, get and know what works for you! 

12. What do you think is the perfect bike for Tour Divide?

I don’t think it’s been created yet. Time will tell… : )

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A 2,700-Mile Cycling Race Is Now Even More Extreme

The Tour Divide, a bikepacking race from the Canadian Rockies to the U.S. border with Mexico, has always been a test of fortitude. But extreme weather is making it much more dangerous.

Geof Blance riding the Tour Divide near Steamboat Springs, Colo. Credit... Daniel Brenner for The New York Times

Supported by

By Sabra Boyd

Sabra Boyd traveled from Banff, Alberta, to Antelope Wells, N.M., to follow the Tour Divide cyclists.

• July 4, 2022

Kevin Latta pushed his bike forward, following the Bull River down a ridge in the Canadian Rockies. The tire tracks from riders ahead of him had disappeared.

He searched for a shallow place to cross. But after just one step, the swollen river swept Latta and his bike downstream. Gripping the bike in one hand, he swam one-armed, dragging his gear through the churning current. He reached for a tree branch and hoped it would hold.

Two days before, about 200 cyclists had gathered in Banff, Alberta, to start the Tour Divide, an ultra-endurance event in bikepacking — backpacking by bike — that extends all the way to the U.S. border with Mexico. Some riders are professional athletes, others simply recreational cyclists with an interest in the extreme. There is no entry fee and no prize — only the glory of surviving one of the most grueling solo competitions in the world.

“It’s like the Wild West,” said Matthew Lee, a cyclist and organizer of the race — or “disorganizer,” as he calls himself.

The route twists through almost 2,700 miles of the Continental Divide’s alpine peaks, woodlands, picturesque towns and deserts. Most riders see bikepacking alone through the Rockies as a personal challenge, a transcendent test of their fortitude rather than a competition against others. But in recent years, extreme weather has become one of their most dangerous adversaries as they race against flash floods, landslides, driving winds and wildfires.

Bryce Meyer for The New York Times

Riders gathered in Banff, Alberta, to set off on the grueling course.

They ranged from professional cyclists to amateur enthusiasts who wanted to take on the challenge.

The first leg of the journey is through trails in the forest approaching the Canadian-U.S. border.

It can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to finish the race.

This year’s Tour Divide was supposed to mark a return to normal. The race was canceled in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and shortened in 2021 because of pandemic-related border closures. But nothing about the race this year has been normal.

When it began on June 10, the cyclists knew that trouble might await them toward the finish: Wildfires were raging across hundreds of thousands of acres in New Mexico, the final state on the route. The fires were fueled by one of New Mexico’s driest spring seasons on record and by warmer temperatures linked to human-caused climate change. One of the fires, the state’s largest ever, was a prescribed burn that blazed out of control .

Near the start line on the morning of their departure, riders lamented that they would have to divert around some of the New Mexican scenery they had anticipated, like Gila National Forest. “It is what it is,” conceded Sofiane Sehili, an ultra-endurance racer from Paris.

Sara McDermott, who had arrived from Big Sky, Mont., said she had learned to plan for wildfires because of their inevitability on the course. “It feels claustrophobic,” she said. “I get a sore throat right away and a headache.” She and the other riders carried buff masks to cover their faces for riding through smoky conditions. Most planned to abandon the race if the smoke became too thick in Colorado or New Mexico.

A chorus of cheers erupted when the riders set off, startling magpies, crows and squirrels in the nearby forest. Bear bells jingled down the hill. Shoes snapped into pedals and bikes whizzed by.

The morning sky was blue and brisk. Only the nearby Bow River, muddy and swift with spring snowmelt, foreshadowed the dangers to come.

Airlifted out

Before the riders made it out of Canada, rain and snowstorms intercepted their path. The conditions complicated Latta’s encounter with the Bull River.

When Latta pulled himself out, he realized that his broken GPS device had sent him 10 miles bushwhacking in the wrong direction. “It didn’t occur to me that I was off the route,” he said. “I just thought this was the continuing sadism of the 2022 Tour Divide.”

Inching back up the ridge, “I was literally moving my bike 10 feet at a time,” Latta said. “And I would say, ‘OK, I’m going to go to that rock, then rest.’” When he spotted a tree that wasn’t covered in snow, he leaned his bike against its trunk and fell asleep, exhausted.

The storm was part of a particularly wet June in Fernie, British Columbia, which had more than five inches of rain, 20 percent above the average, according to Armel Castellan, a meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada. Record-breaking rains last winter and the subsequent erosion also made rivers more prone to flooding, Castellan said.

Once he reached a road, Latta caught a ride to Fernie from a forest service truck. The Tour Divide has few rules, but because Latta accepted the assistance, he voluntarily disqualified himself. Yet he was still determined to finish what he had started and ride the rest of the route to Mexico.

The 15 cyclists airlifted out were not so lucky. “They tried to push their bikes for six or seven hours through wet snow,” said Simon Piney, the head of search and rescue in Fernie. “Bike riders aren’t well equipped to get through those types of conditions.” Eleven cyclists were treated for hypothermia and four for trauma, he said.

“From a rescue perspective, this stretched our resources considerably because of the flooding in the valley,” Piney said, adding, “We’re happy that nobody died.”

Lido Vizzutti for The New York Times

The tormenting rain and cold weather made for difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions for the riders navigating through Montana.

A.J. DeLauder, from Aurora, W.Va., commiserated with other Tour Divide riders after reaching a hotel in Bigfork, Mont.

“This rain is biblical,” DeLauder said. Earlier in the day, DeLauder had taken shelter in a baseball field dugout to escape the rain and change out of wet gloves.

DeLauder had feared hypothermia, but managed to get to the hotel in Bigfork to warm up.

Paul Anson, a cyclist from Britain, was one of the airlifted riders, though his circumstances were unique: His bear spray canister exploded, causing him to swerve and hit a rock. “Seven broken ribs are a tough price to pay,” Anson said.

The conditions farther along the course were no better. The same weekend, destructive flooding and mudslides caused by record rain and melting snow forced the closure of Yellowstone National Park , which the Tour Divide route skirts as it meanders through Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. And the threat of wildfires still loomed farther south.

Increasing dangers

The Tour Divide has had a free-for-all nature since the Adventure Cycling Association first mapped the route in the 1990s. “The spirit of the event has always been anti-establishment,” said Lee, the race organizer. This approach has fostered a tight-knit community among the cyclists.

“I love that it belongs to us,” said Alexandera Houchin, who holds the women’s record on a single-speed bike : 18 days 20 hours 26 minutes. “The ultra-endurance community is like my family.”

“It’s become ceremony for me,” added Houchin, who is an Anishinaabe citizen of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “And I think that’s something a lot of my Indigenous brothers and sisters can relate to. I just want more Native people riding.”

The fastest riders finish the Tour Divide in just over two weeks. For others, the grueling trek can take two months. To save time, many sleep four to six hours a night in a sleeping bag shell called a bivouac sack.

Riders have always faced dangers on the Tour Divide, including bears, blisters, dehydration and smoke inhalation. A cyclist was killed in a collision with a truck during the race in 2010. Last July, a violent grizzly bear attack occurred in a Montana town where many bikepackers camp.

The effects of climate change have only increased the danger.

During last year’s race, flames lined the horizon as Sarah Swallow , a Tour Divide competitor, headed toward the Yampa River. It was the third day of Colorado’s Muddy Slide Fire , and smoke shrouded the sun in a pulsing fluorescent shade of orange. Swallow pushed up one last hill, needing to reach the river before local officials closed the crossing. Her only other option was to detour onto a long, busy highway, and that was time she couldn’t afford to lose.

The smoke billowed as Swallow made it across a dam. The road closed behind her. Helicopters flew in search of more water as residents evacuated .

“In the time that it took me to ride past the fire, the winds picked up and I watched it go from a really small thing of smoke to 50 times bigger,” Swallow recalled. “The smoke plume followed me. When I was camping that night, it rained ash.” She is not competing in the Tour Divide this year, partly, she said, because of the extended fire season.

Leighton White, a firefighter in Steamboat Springs, Colo., fought the blaze that Swallow raced against. He is also a former Tour Divide rider. “Around 2009, you could see the exponential growth of dead trees” along the route, he said, noting how shorter winters and longer dry seasons have led to the explosion of bark beetle populations whose nests weaken lodgepole pines , turning entire mountainsides brown and killing young saplings.

Oak Creek Fire and Rescue

The Muddy Slide Fire affected the race in 2021.

The burn scar from the fire is adjacent to the route this year, near Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Sofiane Sehili of France, the leading cyclist of the race, crossed a river south of Steamboat Springs.

“In 2019 I was caught in the biggest June snowstorm in the history of Colorado,” he said. “I feel like anything can happen. So yes, definitely climate change. You can see it on this race.”

Tom Davis, left, a local resident, wanted to see Sehili on the course. They talked as they crossed paths.

Fire has dashed many dreams on the Tour Divide in recent years. Lael Wilcox, who in 2015 set the Tour Divide women’s record of 15 days 10 hours 59 minutes, attempted an individual time trial last August to try to beat Mike Hall’s record of 13 days 22 hours 51 minutes. (Hall, who set the record in 2016, was fatally struck by a car in an Australian race the next year.)

But as Wilcox began her attempt, smoke from nearby wildfires permeated the air almost from the start. “It was just awful,” Wilcox said. “I mean, you’re in this beautiful place and you can’t even see the mountains because it’s a layer of white.” Four days in, Wilcox was forced to leave the course. Her lungs were shutting down from the smoke.

The planet’s warming climate has extended the wildfire season in the American West, increasing the risk from larger, more frequent blazes. “We are no longer waiting for climate change to happen,” said Kira Minehart, a doctoral student at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, who rode a section of the Tour Divide two years ago. “It is right here and now.”

As snowpack declines in many places, Minehart said, the consequences can be dire for Tour Divide riders, who prefer to filter water along the way instead of carrying gallons of water that can slow them down. It can also be catastrophic for the landscape, since snowpack can help mitigate wildfires.

Jalen Bazile, a founder of the Black Foxes , a collective of Black cyclists, emphasized the importance of training and preparation to avoid making panicked decisions in unfamiliar environments. Riding the Tour Divide in 2017, Bazile had to reroute 300 miles to avoid a Montana wildfire. Bikepacking, he said, “forces us to really take inventory of who we are and what we’re capable of.”

A triumphant finish

Sehili, the racer from Paris, crossed from Colorado into New Mexico in first place, just as the Southwest’s monsoon season arrived to help extinguish the raging fires. The winds that cyclists had been riding against for nearly two weeks — winds that had whipped up flames across the desert — now brought torrential rain. The risk of heavy rainfall and more dangerous flooding after wildfires has been exacerbated by global warming , a recent study found.

Thunder silenced the cicadas, and the humid air was filled with the spicy-citrus scent of the creosote bush. Soon, Sehili and his bike were covered in what he called “New Mexico death mud.”

Andy Leveto, a rider from Bellingham, Wash., welcomed the rain — “my first shower in a week.” But his goal of riding through the Polvadera Mesa, which he had heard was a “beautiful, gorgeous, kind of rough and unrelenting section,” was spoiled by a detour put in place because of the wildfires. Leveto would finish the race fifth.

Ramsay de Give for The New York Times

Tyler Gatlin and Patrick McKellips crossed the Abiquiu Dam in New Mexico.

Gatlin was about halfway through New Mexico on Saturday.

McKellips took a break to talk to a biker who was starting the Tour Divide route northbound.

McKellips and Gatlin bought drinks and snacks at a grocery store. Cyclists venture into the towns on the route to resupply and rest when they need to.

Carl Gable made his way down a stretch of New Mexico road.

Sehili came close to breaking Hall’s course record, crossing the finish line in Antelope Wells, N.M., at 11:36 p.m. on June 24, after more than 14 days on his bike. He was greeted by a group of fans and friends. Somehow, after thousands of miles, he found the strength to lift his bike above his head for a photo.

To break the record someday, Sehili said he would need to pick a different date for an independent time trial because June has become too unpredictable with its fires, floods and winds. “In 2019 I was caught in the biggest June snowstorm in the history of Colorado,” he said. “I feel like anything can happen. So yes, definitely climate change. You can see it on this race.”

After taking some selfies, Sehili and the group gathered at Jeffery Sharp’s bike ranch. At the property’s entrance, a bicycle shrine adorned with artwork, raw turquoise stones, sun-weathered bike shoes and a placard engraved with “Mexico” greets visitors.

Everyone went to the main room, where a laptop tracked the other racers. Two chiropterologists researching local bats baked pizza while a ranch hand named Jimbo made sure everyone had drinks. Sehili sat for an interview with the “ Bikes or Death ” podcast while he held an ice pack on his leg.

“I think this might hurt,” said Mallory Davies, one of the bat researchers, who had a first aid kit and helped Sehili bandage an injury. “I don’t think so,” Sehili said. “I’m a bikepacker.”

Sehili laughed when asked whether the heavy rain was good luck for the race because the storms helped put out some wildfires. He said that in the hierarchy of bad conditions, the worst is riding into 45-mile-per-hour winds.

In recent years, racing the Tour Divide has been as unpredictable as a wildfire in New Mexico or destructive floods in Yellowstone. Some of the bikepackers still on the route may yet encounter new fires or other hazards.

Ultimately, the Tour Divide is like most ultra-endurance races: If you make it to the end, you’ve won.

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Race the Roof!

The Tour Divide challenge is simple: Race the rooftop of North America by mountain bike; travel self-supported along all 2,745 miles of Adventure Cycling Association's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route ; keep moving and be moved; exist well outside one's comfort zone in tackling a cross-continent bikepacking odyssey; finish as fast as possible without cracking.

Speed may be substance when it comes to Divide racing, but a flexibile , sang-froid style is the best attack for the Route's multiple personalities. Divide racing format requires no designated rest periods or set distances a racer must travel daily. The clock runs non-stop. She and he who can ride the fastest while making fewer, shorter stops usually hold the course records. With an average time-to-completion of three weeks in the saddle, Tour Divide is the longest–arguably most challenging–mountain bike time trial on the planet. It is a challenge for the ultra-fit, but only if ultra-prepared for myriad contingencies of backcountry biking.

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Norway, Finland, Sweden

These countries are dominated by forests, lakes and rivers, and many kilometres of dirt roads. This section has by far the longest between services, at a maximum of 250km between grocery stores. Go prepared for any weather as even in high summer, as it can be surprisingly cold if its overcast or raining. Also be prepared for biting insects as it can get really bad at times.

Recommended starting in the far north at the beginning of June, there could still be snow any earlier. Aim to finish here, south bound, middle of September.

Flights from Oslo to Kirkenes, 60km from Grense Jakobselv and the start/finish.

Highest point : 700m

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• Bikepacking Races

2023 Tour Divide

June 9, 2023 @ 8:00 am,  alberta, canada    2745mi (4,418km).

Next Event Sat Dec 23, 2017

Next Event:

BAM! Bicycle Adventure Meeting 2023

The 2023 Tour Divide takes place on Friday, June 9th at 8AM. Race the length of Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, from Banff to New Mexico, 2,745 miles of ultra-endurance bikepacking.

Date: June 9, 2023

Time: 8:00 am

Event Website

Tour Divide Grand Depart

Banff , Alberta Canada

The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized and important off-pavement cycling route in the United States, if not the world. The route crisscrosses the Continental Divide from north to south starting in Banff, Alberta, Canada and finishing at the US/Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico.

Time-trial season on the GDMBR begins annually with Grand Départ, occurring on the second Friday in June from both termini of the Route; the main Depart takes place in Bannf, Alberta. The Tour Divide see hundreds of riders each year, with the goal of these Solstice common starts is for athletes to challenge the Route in situ, under similar weather conditions and maximum daylight. If one cannot make a grand départ, there is a season-long ITT-Divide format to contend. Tour Divide requires no entry fee or formal registration. There are no prizes for finishing. Riders who carry SPOT GPS Messengers are tracked via the Live tracker.

For more on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, check out our guide, here . Also, find previous Tour Divide rig roundups here , and check out #tour-divide for many more articles and resources.

Live Tracking

Registration: Send a letter of intent after winter solstice to [email protected] .

Event image by Matt & Brett, A View From Two Wheels. 

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Tom Watson wants the unity he saw at Masters Champions Dinner for all of golf, end to PGA-LIV rift

Jack Nicklaus, second from left, poses with his wife Barbara, Tom Watson and Gary Player, second from right, of South Africa on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Augusta National chairman Fred S. Ridley, second from right, pose with honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player on the first hole hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Honorary starter Jack Nicklaus waves as he arrives for his ceremonial tee shot on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Honorary starter Jack Nicklaus waves before the ceremonial tee shot on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tom Watson only saw unity, conversation and easy laughter among 33 champions at the Masters Club dinner, seven of them now with Saudi-funded LIV Golf. Watson longs for the day golf can feel that way all year long.

Unity is a popular topic at the first major of the year because the PGA Tour has suspended LIV players for defecting to the rival circuit. The only time all the world’s best get together are at the majors, and the Masters is the first chance for that since July.

Watson said he asked Masters Chairman Fred Ridley if he could speak toward the end of the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night.

“I’m looking around the room and I’m seeing just a wonderful experience everybody is having,” Watson, a two-time Masters champion, said Thursday. “They are jovial. They are having a great time. They are laughing. And I said, ‘Ain’t it good to be together again?’”

Watson said the room grew quiet and then it was time to leave.

“And in a sense, I hope that the players themselves took that to say, ‘You know, we have to do something,’” Watson said. He paused before repeating, “We have to do something.”

Watson, three-time champion Gary Player and six-time champion Jack Nicklaus were together again on the first tee Thursday morning to hit the honorary tee shot, which was delayed by overnight rain.

They have combined to win 35 majors — Nicklaus and Player own the career Grand Slam — and are major figures in golf who are among those saddened by the split in in the game as a result of the arrival of LIV Golf. The circuit lured away major champions with guaranteed Saudi riches.

But the Masters Club is a time for celebration. It was said to be like that a year ago with no difference this time around. Most of stories were about Seve Ballesteros because the defending Masters champion is also a Spaniard, Jon Rahm.

There is no indication the two tours are about to come together, even as t he PGA Tour negotiates with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia — the money behind LIV — as a minority investor in the new commercial enterprise.

Among the obstacles for unification is a path back to the PGA Tour for LIV players, assuming they all want to return.

“The best outcome is the best players play against each other all the time,” said Nicklaus, who has a stake in golf with his Memorial Tournament.

He said he has spoken with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and was told the tour was doing fine.

“If Jay thinks we’re doing fine, we’ll get there. I think we’ll get there,” Nicklaus said. “And I certainly hope that happens, the sooner the better.”

Player believes any solution has to include paying players who stayed loyal to the tour.

“You’ve got to get together and come to a solution. If you cannot — it’s not good,” he said. “The public don’t like it, and we as professionals don’t like it, either.”

Listening to the news conference from the front row was former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, now an Augusta National member. He retired before the Saudis got involved in golf and has stayed relatively quiet, not willing to offer an opinion.

Finchem was in his first year as commissioner in 1994 when he quickly shot down Greg Norman’s effort to start a world tour. He said in 2010 he could foresee a world tour in the future without knowing what shape it could take.

Rory McIlroy has been among those suggesting a series of tournaments around the world for the top players, and that perhaps any solution with LIV could include that.

Finchem isn’t so sure the fractured landscape will yield any form of a world tour.

“Golf is not much different than it was 10 years ago and it won’t be much different 10 years from now,” Finchem said. “They shouldn’t muck around with it.”

About the only thing everyone can agree on is that having players scattered among different tours and only competing against other four times a year isn’t helping the sport.

“We all know it’s a difficult situation for professional golf right now,” Watson said. “The players really kind of have control, I think, in a sense. What do they want to do? We’ll see where it goes. We don’t have the information or the answers. I don’t think the PGA Tour or the LIV tour really have an answer right now.

“But I think in this room, I know the three of us want to get together,” he said. “We want to get together like we were at that (Masters) Champions Dinner — happy, the best players playing against each other. That’s what we want in professional golf. And right now, we don’t have it.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf