Tour Divide 2025

[Valerio]

Now you have said that the angry orange one and his gun totting, god fearing, science, and fact, hating peddlars of race hate wont let you in.
So sad.


Never wanted to go much either. Would rather see a culture totally alien to ours and that rules out the USA.

I agree with you on cultures alien to ours being more interesting. From that point of view, SRMR feels more appealing. Or, even better, going on a long bikepacking trip in Asia/Africa.

But as a race, it's hard to not be attracted by Tour Divide. Mostly because of the scale of it.
Ive been in thunderstorms before but I bet they were nothing compared to the weather on the Divide

[fatbikephil]

Well they all seem to be crossing the border easily enough.

Robin Gemperle is miles ahead - be interesting to see how long that lasts!

[JohnClimber]

Well they all seem to be crossing the border easily enough.

That's good news

[johnnystorm]

Days of no real views dont seem that enticing tbh.

People....
Meeting other racers is always great.
I dont know if id enjoy meeting the locals, unfortunately im not a fan of US culture and its products.

I had a milkshake thrown at me from a pick up in New Mexico but apart from that everyone was friendly and welcoming. Having a complete stranger call out your name as you ride past them somewhere in the middle of nowhere never loses it's novelty.

2700 miles of riding in the UK would have far more conflict.

[jameso]

Days of no real views dont seem that enticing tbh.

People....
Meeting other racers is always great.
I dont know if id enjoy meeting the locals, unfortunately im not a fan of US culture and its products.

Every day out there was stunning. The locals were welcoming and interesting, politically and culturally. Not that you're likely to get into much politics after arriving by bike at a cowboy bar in Idaho .. but you know what I mean. They're fine with your lycra if you don't tell them they vote stupid. You have to take as you find it, I think. So you get out of it what you bring to it and are open to, like any road trip.

Alien cultures.. I'd say the Midwest is as interesting as Asia, and both are similarly different to UK life. They're poles apart oc, Asia just seems more obviously different. I appreciated the differences in the US more in many ways because there was no language barrier. Overheard conversations, being able to talk freely with people, and so on.

[jameso]

I had a milkshake thrown at me from a pick up in New Mexico

Lucky you, I was dreaming of milkshakes and ice cream from Colorado onwards

[faustus]

On the regret thing: those are very salient points. I'd say commit before other commitments pile up and make it harder to do. Making the time and money now might be difficult, but it will get even harder when you put mortgage and children in the mix, some point down the line (if that isn't the case already, I don't know). I say that as a slightly regretful parent with a house and a pile of commitments, and some unfulfilled dreams of touring places on my bike!

When I first saw Ride the Divide in ~2009, I wanted to do it, but I had zero money and an MPhil to complete. But at some point between then and now I could/should have made opportunity work but I didn't. I now have to rely on doing it when I'm probably in my 50s, assuming I'm healthy and fit for 2700miles, and the world hasn't fallen in on itself more than it has already!

[voodoo_simon]

In case anyone wants to know the ‘numbers’ behind the bikes, drops or straights, rigid vs bouncy etc

https://www.cyclingabout.com/fastest-to ... tups-2025/

[voodoo_simon]

On the regret thing: those are very salient points. I'd say commit before other commitments pile up and make it harder to do. Making the time and money now might be difficult, but it will get even harder when you put mortgage and children in the mix, some point down the line (if that isn't the case already, I don't know). I say that as a slightly regretful parent with a house and a pile of commitments, and some unfulfilled dreams of touring places on my bike!

This!

I have a basic time timeline for events in my life
-pre Mini-Voodoo birth
-post mini-voodoo birth

[gecko76]

It gets easier as they get older though, right.

Voodoo child (slight return?)

[Valerio]

I don't think there will be kids in the picture for me anytime soon, but there's already a mortgage and a wife...and both need attention.

I definitely feel like now would be easier to take on something like that than in the future. Who knows how life will be. And no doubt weather and landscapes will change, for the worse (not that me flying to Canada and back will help with that).

3 weeks of riding, alone, might still not be for me....but then, there's only one way to find out.

[slarge]

I had a bit of a life event at 53, causing me to have a serious think about the future and that resulted in me taking a year off work and doing the TD in 2022.

I will say that it was fantastic- epic scenery, some absolute high moments, weather to test the resolve, great people, and some moments where I questioned my life choices, but i never thought i wouldn't finish. Looking back it was about 1 week too long for me. The last week was great but I was just looking forward to finishing, and both body and mind were tired.

Am I glad I did it? Yes!!
Would i do it again? No, but only because I wouldn't want to spoil the memory of the first time.

Looking at the pace at the front this year there are some seriously rapid riders, I can't believe that 3 days in and they are past Lincoln!

[voodoo_simon]

It gets easier as they get older though, right.

Voodoo child (slight return?)

Not sure if you’re asking or convincing yourself

Short version is, yes it does and it gets more rewarding the more they give back. Mine is now 11 and her independence has shot up. Ride frequency is roughly the same before mini-voodoo but the rides are closer to home and not as long as previously (I’m also fortunate to have a wife who’s passion is running, so we do play tag team for going out and I don’t spend my free time in the pub or socialising, so never had a battle).


In answer to the other question, Despite my dad bringing me up in Hendrix, the voodoo was after the bikes (when they sold through independent dealers)

[Mart]

The pace up front is bonkers quick

[boxelder]

Over 100 miles ahead of the record

[faustus]

Not been dotwatching enough, but have been reading bikepacking.com's really good daily updates. So far a record speed year! Gemperle already at Brush Mountain lodge, with a 200 mile lead - insanely fast. Great Basin done by him with favourable wind direction. In the women's race, Baillon getting a freehub failure and having to do a 5 hour off course fix. Landed up behind Lael Wilcox. Some suggestions that Wilcox's extra sleep is helping her retain speed, and gaining ground on Baillon behind her. Might have been the case she would have caught her even if Baillon hadn't had to stop - maybe?

Only fly in the ointment up ahead is the wildfire in Gila and what kind of re-route will have to be done, and therefore if it'll count as a 'record' if current speeds continue...

Dunno how people cope with the heat out there. Wonder if i'd cope even touring the route!

[jameso]

Crazy fast year. I think the leading riders are better prepared these days? And kit may be a bit more efficient, still generally seems like a fast conditions year. Little snow in BC and Montana also I think? All suggests the conditions are similar to Mike Hall's near-record 14.5 days in 2013 but the record was N/A due to the Gila wildfires. And there was snow in BC and Montana, just wasn't a bad snow year.

[voodoo_simon]

Lael is out, citing breathing difficulties due to dust and poor air quality

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLIbf-9J ... Fzc2Zibw==

[faustus]

Jesus, first bouncing dot! circa 12 days! Incredibly fast time, even though the re-route is far shorter apparently. It won't stand as any kind of record, but a very fast finish, and surely Gemperle will go on to crush some other race records now...? I've enjoyed the updates on bikepacking.com, and Eddie Clark's excellent photos.

Amazing as the route and race are, I could see the benefit of choosing an area/base to explore in more detail, at a slower pace. there must be a lot that is far too quickly traversed...i'd love to explore New Mexico for instance.

[jameso]

11 days 20 hours? Jeez ... about 230 miles a day. Fast conditions or not, diversion being easier than the Gila or not, that's quite a ride. The faster and drier it is the harsher those washboards will feel and I can't get my head around how someone stays comfortable enough to cover those daily distances.

(I thought the Mogollon diversion around the Gila was further in distance but easier terrain, could be wrong tho)

[voodoo_simon]

I’m not competitive nor do I race anymore (some would argue my pace was never racing anyway ) but I’d take records with a pinch of salt from year to year

One of the winter races I’ve done in the past, the outright record was about 17 hours whereas the fastest finish time for two years was something like 33 or 34 hours. No doubt the riders were just as fit as each other but ground conditions can change massively

[Alpinum]

No matter how you look at it and there's many ways to do so (and to find a baseline on which comparisons become more validated) - he demolished all other records. In his TD rookie year and is still looking relatively fresh.

Robin Gemperle, just now, Grand Dep.
11 days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.

Lachlan Morton, 2023, ITT.
12 days, 12 hours, and 21 minutes.

Justinas Leveika, 2024, Grand Dep.
13 days, 2 hours, and 16 minutes

One can also appreciate his effort when realising he got to Antelope Well with a gap of ~610 km, a little more than 380 miles, to the second placed rider. Mike Hall's legendary TD ride saw him finish with a lead of ~210 km.

Gemperle will go on to crush some other race records now...?

He's won some 'high profile' races before. Winning the AMR (in '23?) was quite comical, since the race organiser tried to pin him down for an interview, but he constantly managed slip away, looking for a moment for himself and his close one(s) after his arrival.
Also TCR and Trans Pyrenees win... last year I think.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him win many other races in near future.

He dipped toes into XCO Worldcup racing as a junior, did so under Scott-Odlo (now Scott-SRAM, same team as Nino Schurter) about 12 years ago and was part of the Swiss national team IIRC.

Mind boggling the difference.

Screenshot_20250625_190125_Samsung Internet.jpg

I'm quietly hoping for Max to pull ahead...

[jameso]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLWCdAUSLda/

Good clip of Robin's finish. He seems quite fresh. Also says he had good sleep patterns yet was 'in deep' and would be scared to be in Banff planning to do that again, I guess now knowing what it all actually feels like.

[Alpinum]

No matter how you look at it and there's many ways to do so (and to find a baseline on which comparisons become more validated) - he demolished all other records. In his TD rookie year and is still looking relatively fresh.

Robin Gemperle, just now, Grand Dep.
11 days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.

Lachlan Morton, 2023, ITT.
12 days, 12 hours, and 21 minutes.

Justinas Leveika, 2024, Grand Dep.
13 days, 2 hours, and 16 minutes

One can also appreciate his effort when realising he got to Antelope Well with a gap of ~610 km, a little more than 380 miles, to the second placed rider. Mike Hall's legendary TD ride saw him finish with a lead of ~210 km.

Gemperle will go on to crush some other race records now...?

He's won some 'high profile' races before. Winning the AMR (in '23?) was quite comical, since the race organiser tried to pin him down for an interview, but he constantly managed slip away, looking for a moment for himself and his close one(s) after his arrival.
Also TCR and Trans Pyrenees win... last year I think.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him win many other races in near future.

He dipped toes into XCO Worldcup racing as a junior, did so under Scott-Odlo (now Scott-SRAM, same team as Nino Schurter) about 12 years ago and was part of the Swiss national team IIRC.

Mind boggling the difference.

Screenshot_20250625_190125_Samsung Internet.jpg

I'm quietly hoping for Max to pull ahead...

Edit: the gap actually was 160 km bigger then some websites reported. I guess one makes the mistake and then it's copy and paste for most.

[GregMay]

I remember we had days of no real views when we constantly seemed to be riding on forestry roads.

I feel like we rode two different routes.